Aspiring To Study In The US? Professor Warns Even Stellar Students Denied Visa Over 'Vibes'

The allure of studying in the United States has captivated the aspirations of countless students worldwide. Renowned for its prestigious universities, cutting-edge research facilities, and vibrant campus life, the US remains a top destination for international students seeking a world-class education.

Each year, diverse young minds from all corners of the globe embark on a journey to pursue their academic dreams in the land of opportunity.

Masoud Jasbi, an assistant professor at the University of California, Davis, has sparked thought-provoking discussions on the internet. In an informative Twitter thread, he revealed the disheartening truth that visa officers' arbitrary decisions could shatter years of students' dedication and hard work.

Talented students, accepted into prestigious US universities, faced visa rejections due to subjective reasons like the officer not feeling a certain "vibe" for no apparent reason.

Labeling it as "cruelty," the professor pointed out that clauses like 214b are frequently employed as a "blank check" to reject students' visas. Jasbi initiated his tweet by stating,

"I¡¯m quite used to the cruelty students can face when they apply for a US visa, but this one broke me. We offered admission to a stellar, talented & hardworking student. After months of work and hundreds of dollars, an embassy officer saw him for 5 minutes & said no. Why? Short answer: no real reason."

I¡¯m quite used to the cruelty students can face when they apply for a US visa but this one broke me. We offered admission to a stellar, talented & hardworking student. After months of work and hundreds of dollars, an embassy officer saw him for 5 mins & said no. why? ¡­

¡ª Masoud (@linguistMasoud) July 23, 2023

Short answer: no real reason. But before I explain, let me briefly talk about what this student went through for more than a year to hear a 5 minute ¡°no¡±. Forget about all the work of preparing an outstanding application that received unanimous praise from the members of the

¡ª Masoud (@linguistMasoud) July 23, 2023

Sharing an incident involving a student, the professor disclosed that the student faced rejection even after paying for "admissions fees, standardized tests, a visa application fee, a flight ticket to another country to attend the 5-minute visa interview (no US embassy in Iran), plus accommodation for the trip, etc."

admissions committee. Forget about all the filling forms and interviewing and emailing etc. He had to pay for admissions fees, standardized tests, visa application fee, flight ticket to another country to attend the 5 minute visa interview (no US

¡ª Masoud (@linguistMasoud) July 23, 2023

Masoud Jasbi says these expenses can quickly amount to a few thousand dollars, a significant sum when high-paying jobs in Iran only offer $200-300.

embassy in Iran) plus accommodation for the trip etc. This is easily a few thousand dollars. Do you know what the monthly salary of a high paying job in Iran is? $200-300!! Students don¡¯t have this type of money to throw away for a 5 minute ¡°no¡±. And the reason for this ¡°no¡±?

¡ª Masoud (@linguistMasoud) July 23, 2023

He was told that he did not ¡°prove¡± he will go back to his country after his education is done (section 214b). Now you might say how does one even prove that? The state department says you need to show connections to your home country like having family members or a job or ¡­

¡ª Masoud (@linguistMasoud) July 23, 2023

Students can't afford to "throw away" such an amount for a mere 5-minute "no." And the reason behind this rejection?

In his explanation of how Section 214b is employed as a "blank check," the professor stated,

"There does not need to be any legitimate reason for it. Just that the officer was not getting the right vibes for whatever reason!"

After being admitted to a US college, students must demonstrate their intention to return to their home country during the visa process.

Typically, people prove this by showing family connections, jobs, or property in their homeland. However, students from underprivileged backgrounds may lack these proofs, making it challenging to establish their return intentions.

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Concluding his remarks, the professor raised the question, "Moreover, if the US wants students to go back to their countries after graduation, then why does the law also have paths to jobs and residency like OPT after graduation? Does the US want good talent to stay in the US or not?! Can the government make up its mind?"

With over 10 million views and over 12,000 retweets, the post has undoubtedly captured widespread attention and sparked significant discussion.

This level of engagement reflects the urgency and relevance of the issue raised by Masoud Jasbi, shedding light on the challenges faced by students in the US visa process.

The professor's insights have ignited a call for transparency and fairness in visa decisions, resonating with many who have experienced or witnessed similar struggles.

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