Rejected for US B1/B2 visa in Shanghai after 30 seconds with no document check
Logic check. That discrepancy is definitely the bug in your application. When the code (your oral answer) does not match the documentation (DS-160), the system throws an error. A 3-day business trip vs a 2-week vacation is a completely different profile. They likely thought you were hiding the intention for the extra days. Optimized code for next time: Ensure your verbal answers align perfectly with your form data.
This is actually very common for U.S. B1/B2 refusals, especially under 214(b), and the 30-second interview doesn’t mean they didn’t “review” you.
For U.S. visas, the decision is usually made before you step up to the counter. The officer already sees your DS-160, travel history, previous visas, location (Shanghai), and overall risk profile in the system. The few questions are just a quick consistency check. That’s why they often don’t look at documents at all — documents rarely change the outcome if the officer isn’t convinced about non-immigrant intent.
A fast refusal usually means:
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They weren’t convinced about strong ties outside the US
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Your profile fit a higher overstay / immigrant-intent risk bucket
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Or your answers didn’t immediately reinforce a clear temporary purpose
It’s not personal, and it’s not unusual. Many very genuine applicants get refused this way.
Reapplying immediately with the same profile usually leads to the same result. It’s better to wait until something material changes (job stability, income, travel history, clearer purpose) and then reapply with a stronger story.
So short answer: the speed and lack of document check is normal for US visas, especially in high-volume posts like Shanghai. It doesn’t mean they ignored your case — it means they’d already made the call.