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Should I simplify my job description in DS-160?

Key answer

There is no single recipe: some members are sure that 'loud' words like ML, AI or malware in the form and at the interview can lead to a 221(g) - at one company most people who mention ML/AI get sent to processing - while others believe AP is rare and barely depends on wording. The consul sees your whole work and education history in the DS-160, so a tourist visa and an O-1 are equal here; lab or research experience can trigger a check even outside TAL. Prepare on the case, not on the words.

Community answers

The answers below are translated from the original Russian - the language of the community chats.

  • Two examples from my life. B1/B2: 'what is your profession?' - software engineer; 'why are you going to the States?' - to visit friends; 'have a nice visit'. L-1: consultation with a large law firm - 'should we choose less bright words, for example, not emphasize ML, prediction, or malware?' - 'no, of course, on the contrary, that's good; forget about AP, you're all set'. At the interview after saying the word malware, I saw rounded eyes, a couple of questions, and 221g.

  • My point is that if you are sent for AP, it often doesn't depend on preparation or anything else. My husband is a mathematician, IT - he also did not have AP; it seems to me that they don't often send IT people. AP is quite rare, few encounter it. I would advise newcomers not to stress before the interview - but, of course, prepare based on the case.

  • For both a tourist visa and an O-1, they can equally put you on administrative processing - they see everything about your work, education, etc. in the application. I am a mobile QA, and I was not sent for administrative processing for adjustment of status - at least, no one reported that, and the green card was issued quickly.

  • Formally, general medicine is not on the TAL list, but if you have worked in a lab or done some other research, that could be a reason for administrative processing.

  • The system is broken, don't blame yourself too much. I had four visas without any AP. At the same time, 90% of our company is sent for AP if they mentioned anything related to ML/AI, regardless of nationality.

The answers are anonymized community experience from the public chats, not legal advice. Officers may decide similar cases differently.

Sources

All questions on: Consulate and interviewAll questions on: Process and timelines

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A reference page built from community experience, not legal advice. Requirements and practice change - verify on uscis.gov.

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