A student, funded by the state to study in the US, has hit a wall after being rejected twice for an F-1 visa, possibly because of a marijuana arrest from nearly a decade ago.
The student was selected for a prestigious master’s program in Business Analytics, with 100% sponsorship from the Saudi government. Tuition, housing, and a guaranteed return job were all locked in.
However, despite having every document in order, his F-1 visa has now been denied twice in a matter of months this year. Both times, the visa officer focused on one big red flag—a 2015 marijuana possession charge against the student.
The Saudi native claims to have completed a pre-trial diversion, the case was dismissed, and he has no conviction on record, but that didn’t seem to matter.
No questions were asked about his course, university, or financial backing. Even when he brought court papers, sponsorship letters, and proof of his legal obligation to return home, the officer refused to look at anything before handing him another 214(b) refusal.
Strangely, they told him it wasn’t a 212(a) issue, meaning it’s not a permanent ban. He was even told he could reapply, but the student wonders what’s the point if the system doesn’t change?
The student is also worried that something might have gone wrong in his 2017 tourist visa application, which was filled out by a travel agent. Maybe something was missed or wrongly entered back then, and now it could be affecting his current visa chances.
But since the officers never answer what the precise reason is, he will be left wondering for his entire life. It’s yet another example of how confusing and unpredictable the F-1 visa process can be.
