L1, L2 Visa

Heart filled thanks to all Members to post their experiences. They helped me in preparing mentally. It was a mental block, but glad that VO didn't grill me much and it ended well.

Went to the counter, greeted him Good Morning nicely with my wife and Baby.

VO: So you are working for xxxx company?
NJ: Yes.

VO: How long you have been working with them?
NJ: Answered xx months.

VO: So you will be going to xxxxx?
NJ: Yes, (added state name)

VO: What’s your current salary?
NJ: xxx Lacs per Annum

VO: US salary would be?
NJ: xx K per Annum. (VO verified the same in I129 Form)
Long Pause…

VO: You are good to go.
 
I had already been on L1 for 2+ years, and several times on B1 as well. May be that helped, Also my company is very well renowned and VO looked to be a regular customer of it :P

Well, all was not good before the interview. Here are my tips for case to case basis:

• If you are not taking DD, then Do not trust your Credit card. Take cash as backup as well.

My company asked me to pay the 500 USD fee by Credit card. Some previous employee had an issue with Either DD payable at or USD Exchange rate. In morning, I verified with my bank that I have enough cash balance in my CC. But to make things worse, their machine didn’t read the card. Hence I was asked to go out leaving my wife & baby, to get cash. Unfortunately, had only 1 debit card and No nearby ATM of that bank. Chennai autowala are worst for non-tamils (No Offence). I had to shell out lots of money, to get the Cash. Officer was kind enough to put me on priority list for interview.

• Do not hesitate, to ask for favors to consulate folks.

Since we had a 6 month old baby, I asked at consulate and OFC and did not have to wait long for my turn. You will be certainly be given preference to other folks in your time slots.

• Long B1 stay – did not matter in my case.

I have stayed for 12 weeks and 10 weeks on B1, but during last 2 years (not 2013). We had few rejection cases in 2012 End, but not in 2013 that I know of in my Company. So it’s not a total blocker. But yes, it is highly advisable to have a time gap between your long B1 trip and L1 interview.