The Rhode Island School of Design stands among the world's most prestigious art institutions, so when 19-year-old Brisbane artist Tianzheng Day Dang received his acceptance letter last December, he immediately began preparing for his American adventure. The talented young painter wasted no time applying for his U.S. student visa, eager to begin his four-year journey in Providence.
After a grueling four-month wait, Dang made the 10-hour drive from Brisbane to the U.S. Consulate in Sydney, his excitement building as he joined a line of prospective students all waiting for their F-1 student visa interviews. However, what should have been a routine process quickly turned into a nightmare scenario.
One by one, Dang watched in growing horror as every single student ahead of him had their visa application rejected. "I was thinking, I shouldn't get declined, because I think I have all the documents and stuff," Dang recalled. Despite his confidence and thorough preparation, his hopes were crushed when he received the same devastating news: "I also got declined."
Dang received what's known as a 221(g) rejection, a classification used when an application is deemed incomplete or requires additional administrative processing. The reason given was particularly frustrating - new visa policies requiring extensive social media background checks. He was told to wait for a final decision via email, with no clear timeline provided.
"It was a huge shock, and a heartbreaking setback," Dang said, describing the emotional impact of the unexpected rejection. What made the situation even more infuriating was that Dang had already proactively supplied all his social media accounts and made them publicly accessible when initially applying for the interview. His online presence contained nothing controversial or concerning - "Just my art," he explained.
Despite his young age, Dang has already established himself as a remarkably accomplished artist. His talent was recognized early when, at just 15 years old, he became a finalist in the prestigious Lester Prize Youth Competition. Two years later, at 17, he earned a spot on the shortlist for the Brisbane Portrait Prize Next Gen category. His artistic achievements also include winning a prize from U.S. Artist Magazine for a watercolor painting of a white rabbit, demonstrating the international recognition his work has already garnered.
Dang's artistic portfolio often features portraits of family members and friends from diverse ethnic backgrounds, relationships he formed during his time as a student at Brisbane State High School. His work, including pieces like "Inception," an oil on panel painting showcased during his solo exhibition in Paddington, and "Memories Amidst the Study," a painting of his school friends, reflects his multicultural experiences and artistic maturity.
With his four-year program at the Rhode Island School of Design scheduled to begin in August, Dang now faces the devastating possibility of starting late or potentially missing the opportunity entirely. The timing couldn't be more critical, as university programs typically have strict enrollment deadlines.
According to Associate Professor Anna Boucher, a University of Sydney expert specializing in immigration policy, any additional complexity in the visa process, such as the new social media vetting requirements, inevitably slows down an already sluggish system. "America has very high backlogs," she explained. "Often with backlogs, it was simply not enough people in an immigration department compared to the pressures on the system. And it's also against the broader context of administrative cuts in the United States."
A spokesperson for the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney acknowledged the challenging situation, noting the high volume of student applications during the pre-academic year rush. "In every case, consular officers will take the time necessary to ensure an applicant does not pose a risk to the safety and security of the United States and that he or she has credibly established his or her eligibility for the visa sought," they stated.
The U.S. State Department website provides guidance on visa appointment wait times at all embassies worldwide. Recent checks showed that the next available appointment in Sydney for an F visa was scheduled one month out, adding further delays to an already backlogged system.
Complicating Dang's situation is his citizenship status. Born in Shanghai, Tianzheng moved to Brisbane with his family in 2018 when he was 12 years old. Not yet an Australian citizen, he was required to apply for his F-1 visa using his Chinese passport, potentially subjecting him to additional scrutiny.
The broader political context has created additional challenges for Chinese students seeking U.S. education opportunities. In May, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States was revoking student visas for Chinese students and would enhance scrutiny of future applications. However, this directive appeared to be softened two weeks later when President Trump announced a trade agreement with China, creating confusion about the actual implementation of these policies.
The uncertainty has even affected students already enrolled at prestigious institutions. In April, Rhode Island School of Design president Crystal Williams issued a public letter to the campus community revealing that an international student already enrolled at RISD had their visa terminated. Fortunately, Williams later advised that this termination had been reversed, though the incident highlighted the precarious situation facing international students.
The school's website now carries a warning for prospective international students: "In recent weeks, the U.S. federal administration has enacted a series of executive orders and policy changes that may impact the RISD community and our work. We anticipate visa applicants may face more rigorous vetting, which could result in longer processing times including administrative processing delays by the U.S. State Department."
Professor Boucher noted that it remains unclear whether Chinese students hoping to study in the United States are being systematically disadvantaged, as comprehensive data isn't yet available. "For all the crackdown on international students, I think the Trump administration would realize that it would not be rational in terms of the profit losses from the international student market," she observed, suggesting that economic considerations might ultimately moderate the most restrictive policies.
While waiting for a final decision on his visa application, Dang has channeled his frustration and uncertainty into his art. The experience has inspired several works in his solo exhibition titled "Visionary Journeys," which ran at The Substation in Paddington from August 6 to 11.
"A visa rejection symbolizes more than a personal setback, it's a larger reflection of the world and differences," Dang reflected philosophically. "Much like historical seclusion policies, saying no to someone is a reminder that art thrives in a space where differences meet."
Dang's situation represents the broader challenges facing international students navigating an increasingly complex and restrictive U.S. immigration system. His story highlights how policy changes can have profound personal impacts on young people pursuing their educational dreams, regardless of their qualifications, achievements, or the absence of any concerning factors in their backgrounds.
As the young artist continues to wait for news about his visa status, his case serves as a stark reminder of how immigration policies can affect not just individuals, but the international exchange of ideas, culture, and artistic expression that has long enriched American educational institutions and society as a whole.
