Business Visa - B1

My OFC was scheduled on 22/07/2013 at 11AM. This is what happened:
I went there at 10AM. Was bit reluctant to go early as I was not sure whether timings are strict as would have otherwise needed to stand outside for one hour. But fortunately timings didn't look strict. I went in directly. There was already a queue formed. After minimal security checks was allowed in. There I was given one token and immediatly went in for finger print scanning and photo. I was out by 10.20 AM :).

Visa interview on 23/07/2013 8AM. This is what happened.
I woke up at 5.30AM (yeah man rally! :)) and got ready by 6.20AM. I walked from my hotel to consulate office at 6.45 AM. This hotel name is Sona's inn (near kun hyundai showroom), if anyone is interested. Then reached there by 6.50AM. There was already a line of around 100 odd people. Around 7.10 AM, they separated line for 7.30 AM interview slot and one for 8 AM slot and one for 8.30/9AM slot. Luckily I came first in line from last during this separation (lucky me:) ). So in general it is better to reach this place 1.5 hours before your actual interview slot is.

Then we went in after security checks. They also sticked one paper on passport. Everybody here said need to keep things like pockets, mobile aside so I hadn't carried anything. There was another line inside for finger print scanning. This is to cross verify that real person is appearing for both the places (initial scanning and interview place). Then they also allocated one token number and pasted it on passport (other side, front). Then we were moved to second building. Here you have to wait for 10mins-20 mins depending upon number of people coming for the slot. There are chairs to sit. Once your number is displayed on LCD monitord hung there, you have to go to resp shown window for interview.

Windows shown for me had middle aged white guy taking interview. He looked jolly. When I was in line for Window , three guys next to me were given visas. BTW whenever you are aiting in this final line for resp window sor sitting on chair for your number to appear on LCD, don't bother about going on interviews. That adds to your tension and nervousness. Remember everyone's application an dprofile is almost unique so even if somebody got rejected for same reason for which you are applying visa, need not necesary that you also will get rejection. So be cool and calm and practice your question/ans in mind if you are nervous (or watch LCD TV adds which shows place sin Us, better to reduce nervousness :), practicing in mind at that time makes me more nervous so I did this watching rather :P )

Visa interview was something like this.
VO: Good morning sir. Hoe are you doing?
ME: Very good morning officer. I'm doing good, how about you?
VO: I'm good too. Thanks. Give me your passport.
(gave passport)
(at this stage he wa slooking at his screen scrolling and reading.. he was nodding his head as if listening to some song, which felt good and I got good vibes :) )
VO: What are you going for sir?
ME: I'm going to visit customer for business meetings. We will be doing high level planning and requirement analysis for the next realse of the customer product.
VO: (again looked at screen and said) so you work for this YYYY company (he meant client/customer company)
ME: Yes.
VO: When did they make their product public?
ME: YYYY was formed in 2009 . Recently we have become public and initially it was in kind of stealth mode. We have couple customers now.
VO: So how long you have been working with your company sir ?
(this was not audible so I heard how long you will be there )
ME: I'll be there for two weeks.
VO: No no, I meant how long you hav ebeen working with this YYYY company (this wa smy current company)?
ME: 2.5 years; 33 months to be specific
(VO was busy reading something on his screen)
VO: And you are working as senior architect?
ME: Yes
VO: OK sir, I'll keep your passport and you will get it back in 3-5 business working days.
ME: OK. Thanks you officer. Have a great day! (I smiled while sayinig this)
VO: (nodded with smile)

And my visa was approved!

PS: IMHO if you reading this for preparing for your interview then read maximum approved visa cases on this forum and read only couple rejected ones (just only enough to understand the reason for that). That gives you lot of confidence.
Also, prepare your own question/ans for your case after reading through this forum. That helps! Best luck!

Hello Folks,
I had appeared for L1B at chennai on 1st July 2013. Unfortunately, Visa was denied under section 221(g) - blanket L-1 application is "not clearly approvable ".
Questions to me were same as posted by other friends but visa decision was not in my favor.
However, moving on and thinking of next action steps, i have proposed my company to apply for B1. Objective being set as to get introduce myself to System operations and its business users.

Folks - Would like to see you feedback on "What are my chances of getting B1 now"

Feel free to add your valuable suggestions to make my case stronger.

Looking for prompt responses.

Hi

I went for BI Interviewer today at New Delhi and i has handed over 212(b) slip

VO : Godd Morning
Me : Good Morning

VO : Where are you going
Me: New Jersey

VO : Are you going for a meeting ?
Me : No , going for a Inhouse Training

VO : How Long ?
Me : 4 Week

VO : What the name of your comapany ?
Me : Answered

VO : How long you are with your company
ME : 11 Months

VO : Where did you worked in Past ?
Me : Answered

VO : What does you father and Mother Do ?
Me : Answered

VO Typed something in screen and said the words "I am sorry but i dont find you eligible for B1 today"

Regards,
Ankush

I attended B1 interview in Chennai this month. VO looked like a very senior officer

VO: Good morning
me: Gooood Morning

VO: I will take only your passport ( as i have other documents DS 160 confirmation page..)
me: Handover the passport

VO: He scanned my passport and asked so you are going to NY
me: Yes, YYYY NY

VO: Whats your designation
me: YYYY

VO: Why going to US
me: before i completed my sentence he said VISA approved

it was quick he did not asked for any documents.

My appointment was @ 9.30 and the previous night i was going thru the experience shared in this forum.. but then i reached there @ 8.30 and the security asked me my appointment time.. i said its 1 hr later.. he said.. no problem, pls proceed.. after security check i entered the waiting area and handed over my docs and immediately i was asked to proceed for interview.. i said but by appoinetment is @ 9.30... to which they said no problem.. within 2 min all docs checked i was aksed to wait for the token display.. the moment i sat down .. my no was displayed...

VO- Good morning Sir..
Me- Good Morning officer..

VO- last time you had visited on H3 why B1 this time?
me- i explained the reason in short,, why H3 and now why B1 in crisp.. to which he nodded his head..

VO- whats your designation?
Me- i said.. Gen YYYY XX

VO- You are going for a businees meeting for one the world top pharma companies...
Me- i smiled and said yes... and in 2 sentences gave a brief about the company.. he smiled yet again..

VO- You visa is apporved.... have a nice journey..
Me- Thanks and have a nice day..

I feel the point lies in the fact that if all data has been relevaed correctly in DS160 and all documents is in order and you are confident. and composed.. one should get thru... pleasant experience

First of all thanks to immihelp for sample questions and other experiences which helped me prepare my answers for those standard questions

Had interview on June 20th at Chennai

was in full formal dress with Tie & company ID, was very nervous & tensed and was practicing my answers in ma mind.

VO:Good Morning (with big smile)
ME: Good Morning Sir

VO: How are you doing?
ME: Doing good, thank You, How abt u sir.

VO:Passport Please
ME: I handed over

VO: looking at my company ID, oh you from YYYY X company?
ME: Yes Sir, i work for YYYY company

VO:Why are you going to US?
ME: to attend business meeting and requirement gathering

VO:What do you work as?
ME: as Business Consultant

VO: How long you gonna stay there?
ME: 3 weeks

VO: You got to go, your visa is approved (with big smile)
ME: Thanks and i just ran away :) :P

Tips: they may ask any questions regarding ur intension of visit, ur profile there, salary, expenses etc.. so better to practice ur own answers to sample questions and present urself confidently with smile & dress up well and do show nervousness though u have it.

Hi Everyone... I had gone through this site(which gave me confidence) before my visa interview on 10th of June 2013 at Hyderabad consulate. I had completed my OFC on 7th Of June 2013.

I was very nervous on a day before interview but on the day of interview I was quite confident and didnt had any doubts in mind.

My appointment was scheduled at 9.30 and I reached Visa office at 8.30 ( Do not do this mistake... Reach 15 minutes early.)

I was in front of VO at around 10.15. She was a lady.

A guy ahead of me got his visa approved. Now it was my turn....

Following are the excerpts from interview.

ME : Good Morning.
VO : Good Morning. Can I have your passport ?
I gave my passport.

VO : Why are you going to US ?
ME : Requirements Gathering.
VO: For which company do you work ?
Me : I told my company name
VO : Sorry. Which Company ?
Me : I spelled my company name for her.
VO : What your company do ?
ME : We are into s/w development.
VO : Are you going to meet client ?
ME : Yes
VO : Who is your client ?
ME : I told client name.
VO : What sort of company is this ?
ME : I told its NL based company.
VO : Since how long you work in your company ?
ME : 6 months.
VO : What is your salary ?
ME : x lacs
VO : What was previous company name ?
ME : I told my previous company name.
 VO : Can you put your hand fingers on the machine ?
Me : Shall I keep left or right ?
VO : Left

After this she took my passport and told, your visa is cleared... but than something she looked into her screen,, she asked me to wait and than she returned my passport and said your visa cannot be approved... I do not know what made her mind to change...

So My company wants me to reapply again... I have to book slots...

What you guys think, will reapplying will make any difference ?

Also I am more concerned that, suppose if it does not get approved than how it will affect my future chances of travelling to US... I am bit scared for this,,

 <a href=http://keepvid.en.softonic.com/ >keepvid</a>

Hi Guys, Thanks to all of you who have shared your experienced with immihelp. It was really very helpfull.

However there was still a very important point which was missing in all the procedures which are mentioned below...which is "physicall wellness of your passport".

Yes, check your passport twice before goin for visa interview...I will share my experience below.

I went for interview on 24th May'13 with a broad smile and was very cool / confident about cracking the so called "interviwew". My interview time was 10:30 but due to heavy traffic on visa queues, I was infront of councellor @ 11:45. Neverthless I have heard it's always crowded in Mumbai visa office.

Anyways...as all the procedures mentioned below, it went the same way. I was given token # and waited fr my turn. Finally the time came, I was infront of visa officer, luckily it was beautifull lady ;) . She gave me a broad smile and there I was...all flying. She asked me some of the regular quetions which took around 2 mins. But....

The climax was different, I was through and cleared the interview bt the beautfull lady told me "I can't give visa stamped on your this passport, you hve to give me new one and I will stamp on it" Yes, this was bcoz the last page of my passport slighhlty tampered and the lamination was off by say size of fingernail.

I asked her, do I have to come fr interview again?? She told NO not needed, once you get the new passport...bring it with us along with old passport and yellow page (which was mentioned about the details.."I need to get new passport n all"). I was like Thank God!! But was lack of feeling, do I have to get Happy or Sad...was numb.

Anyways I am getting my new passport done, which I will get in next 2 days frm today and will visit visa office. Will keep you posted....

So guys, keep in mind.... "check you passport very carefully before going for interview"

Dear all,first of all thanks to all the members who have posted here which really helped me a lot to better prepare and succeed,special thanks to immhelp and the team behind.
Here is my Interview experience at Chennai.

My OFC was fixed for 5th June 2103 at 11AM,and this job got done just in 30 minutes in all after entering the gate.
For OFC,no need to take all the documents..Just keep your passport,Appointment confirmation letter and DS 160 confirmation.

Interview fixed for 6th June 2013 and time chosen was 10AM.
I arrived around gate area at 9:30(Please note that no need to reach early ,simply waiting outside and get exuasted)
Allowed me to the gate at around 9:45,after security check they let me inside the in another few minutes.
Please don't carry your valuable gadgets like Mobile phones,ipad etc..with you as there will be no safe place to keep this,you will have to leave it outside and take a chance.

At the first hall,they will check your passport and appointment and take your Finger print once again here(I think this is just to cross check with the one that took at OFC other day)
Also they will issue a token too here,this token number is the one meant for your Visa Interview counter.
Then I was forwarded to a nearby building where the actual interview takes place.
Got in and waited in security check again(so fast here) and asked to occupy seats and watch token number.
We can sit somewhere and also can watch people undergoing interview(Don't look too much if your pulse is bulding up).
I just sat back and relaxed watching the TV screen for my turn.
Now it is my trun came up...
First greeted the VO with a smile and Good Morning.
VO replied and asked for my passport and same handed over instantly..then..
VO:why you go to US?
Me:To attend the YYYY XX conference and vendor fair.
VO:When you will travel?
Me:Said my intended departure date.
VO:How you know about this conference?
Me:Replied in short
VO:what is your annual income?
Me:x lakhs
VO:How long you stay in US?
Me:X weeks
VO:Do you have a company letter?
Me:I was just showing the letter and he made a flash look and said the golden words..
Your visa is approved,have a nice stay in US.
He did not ask for any other documents(I have kept many docs with me,my company trade license,Bill of lading,
Partnership deed,PAN card,Bank statement,Travel itinerary,Land documents,my family photo,kids birth certificates and their
passports...etc)
But please note that better we keep all docs which would we find good to support our statements that we declared in DS 160.
In my experience,what matters more is how we present,be honest in filling DS 160,declare true facts.
Good Luck!

My visa interview was on 4th June 2013. After finishing all the formalities like security check, biometrics, I waited for my turn in the waiting lounge in the US consulate office. When my token number was displayed, I went to the counter and he asked me below questions:
1. Which company do you work for?
2.Where are you going in US?
3. How long will you be there?
4. What is the purpose of your visit?
5. Do you have the inviatation letter?
6. What is your salary?
I answered all these questions confidently without thinking what to say. My answer was to the point and I was granted visa. One needs to be confident and crisp to face the questions. DO NOT give lengthy answers unless required, nor argue with the Visa officer. Luck factor also matters!!

All the very best!