Hi everyone. I’m facing a tough situation with my US student visa and could use some advice. I’ve been rejected twice during the interview for my F1 visa. I applied for an MS in Aviation and Human Factors, but the visa officers kept drilling me on why I need this degree since I already have an online MBA in Aviation Management.
During the interview, I tried to make it clear that the MS covers technical human factors and safety, which is totally different from the management focus of my MBA. I also explained my current job requires these specific technical skills and that I have a clear plan to return to my home country for work. Despite this, they didn’t seem convinced and denied me under 214(b).
Has anyone else faced rejections because of a previous degree looking too similar? How can I better explain the difference for a third attempt?
Yes, this happens a lot when the new degree looks too close to a previous one.
From the officer’s POV, MBA Aviation + MS Aviation = lateral move, even if the content is different. They’re not evaluating curriculum depth, they’re assessing intent.
For a third attempt, don’t explain it academically again — that usually backfires.
What to do differently:
Stop comparing degrees. Frame it as a skills gap for one specific job title (e.g. Human Factors / Safety Analyst).
Make it practical, not theoretical: “My current role requires formal human factors training, which isn’t available at grad level in my home country.”
Downplay the MBA. Treat it as background, not progression.
Be ready to answer clearly why this can’t be done locally.
Also, after two 214(b)s, reapplying with the same story usually = another denial unless something materially changes (role, employer letter, positioning).