Business Visa - B1

Hi,

My Appointment is on 05th June 2013 at 12:30 AM . I reached the Hyderabad location by 12:10 AM. I am very confident and already gone through all these sites.

1. what company you work for? XYZ
2.what is he purpose f visit? To attend business meetings and requirement gathering.
3. who is your client?
4. Can i have your Business meeting agenda? Yes of course and submitted the agenda of meeting schedule.
4. what is your company primary business?
5 . What is your highest Qualification?

That's all. I got positive response saying. Your Visa got approved.

Thanks,
Joseph Reddy

I got B1 visa which is valid for 6 months.I stayed in US for 85 days on B1. I came to india last month. My visa is going to expire next month. I want to travel to US in Aug for some business meeting. Can I go for the B1 Visa interview again. Is there any minimum time gap is required to go for B1 Interview once we return from US.

The first day at 11.30 my OFC was done.
The next day Visa Interview was at 9.30 am

I reached consulate by 9 am. Waited on a lengthy queue for 9.30. Then a consulate staff came and checked appointment confirmation letter and passport. The asked me to move on the next Queue which is near to the consulate entrance.

In the entrance itself they will check your appointment confirmation and check you.

After entering thru the Metal door, there were security guys again checking our file bundle and us.

Note : Please do not take mobile or proximity cards or pendrives or cds/dvds / bags. If you carry them they will ask you to leave it outside. There is a local person near to outside consulate wall who keeps our personal stuffs if some one bring these things.

After security checkups, i was asked to move on to the next building where the interviews are taking place.

 
There were small queues inside the building to be called inside.
After getting inside there are chairs to wait for your Interview Queue allocation.

I have waited around half an hour to get in a Interview counter.

There was a lady officer in the counter.

She was asking several documents to the guys in front of me, Some of them were explaining with a lot of details.
I was worried, what will happen to me.

At last the time has come.

I have reached near the counter.

Me : Good Morning
VO : Good Morning

VO: Passport {Note : Only provide the documents which they have asked}
Me: Here is my passport. (I gave the passport thru the small window in front of me.)

WHile typing in the computer continuing questions
VO: Who is your client.
Me: XYZ Company

VO : How long you are planning to stay over US
Me: 2 Weeks

VO: Whats you going to do over there?
Me: Business Meetings, Requirement Gathering and Co-ordination of future Development activities. I told her what are the dates in which meetings are going on.

VO: Your Company
Me. ABC

VO: Your Salary
Me: ......Lakhs/Annum

VO:Are you taking your wife with you?
Me: No

VO: Children?
Me: (Simply smiled and said) I am just married before 4 months.

VO: OK. Your Visa has been granted. Yo will get the passport in 1 week.
Me: THank you.

THere was a counter for collecting courier charge for senting the passport (Rs 300)

This was my experience...............

After biometrics/OFC is done,I had my B1 visa interview on 23/5/13 at hyderabad.
After all the checking process is completed,I waited in the waiting hall and my turn came after 20 minutes.
The interview went like this.

Me:Good morning ma'm.
VO:Good morning.

VO:why r u going?
Me:Techinal training and to attend business meetings
VO:who is the client?
Me:I am going to my company Head quarters.
VO:hw many yrs in current cmpny?
Me:1 yr
VO: What is your salary
Me:xyz lakhs/annum.
VO:what is ur previous cmpny?
me:Xyz cmpny
VO:where are u going?
me:xyz in usa
VO:who are your customers?
me:xyz
VO:what d you do?
me:Told what i work on
VO:what does your company do?
me:Told what my company does.

Then she told my VISA is approved.
Just be loud and clear when you speak.This site is very useful.Read some threads before going to interview.

Biometrics/OFC is simple, Picture and Finger prints were taken.

My Visa Interview was at 8:00AM.
Generally people prefer Morning slots.

I havent carried anything except the VISA req docs. Electronics devices are restricted into the interview premises.
After the Security check, I was kept waited for some 20 mins in a Hall having Display tells the Token(Which was taken at counter at start) Number that was currently running. Once your token number displayed go to the assigned counter.

I have 3 folks before me in my line.
All the three have got the Visa.

Now I was little tensed.
I have already gone through the forum and kept my calm and cool... (Just Chilll kind of.....)

VO:Which Company you working. RE: XYZ...
VO:Who is your client. RE:XYZ..
VO:How long is your stay RE: 3Weeks
VO: Purpose of you visit RE: Business Planning Meetings, Technical Discussions and Set Goals of My Project.
VO: Current CTC RE:xxxx
All the time he is asking questions and checking through the computer..
VO:You got Visa.. RE: Thank You.

Dont give lengthy answers, One word answer in a suitable sentence is fine.
Be Cool and maintain eye contact.

Thanks folks for sharing your Exp. It was really helpful.

BTW, My interview was done a week ago in Hyderabad.

After my biometrics the previous day The interview was scheduled at 9AM , I was very focussed along with being nervous.
The VFS staff is pretty efficient and handle the candidates well.
Initially at the security check they found my passport photograph CD which was actually not allowed hence i had to go out and dispose it in a dust bin and come in.

The security check you documents folder , however the lady checking mine randomly rearranged all the documents when putting it back into the folder. Hence please be careful about that.

eventually I was called in for the interview after waiting for around 30 mins the questions were very simple -

Q Where do you work?

Q when was you company started

Q how long are you going there for

Q why are you going to the US?

I answer all of the above confidently and the Golden words were said!

I wish you all the best , Stay focussed and confident these are most important factors.

Myself and My collegue from our Team were scheduled for 8:00 AM at the Consulate.

We declared as travelling alone in the DS 160

We were alloted with consecutive token numbers. Later we were assigned to the same Visa Officer.

Collegue went first.

Next my turn:

I presented my passport with a smile and wished "Good Morning" to the officer with eye to eye contact.

Q: Why do you want to go US?
Me: To attend Business meeting with our On-Shore BPO Team

Q: How many of you are travelling together?
Me: For this meeting, I'm the only person who will be travelling

Q: How? one more person also applied for the visa from YOUR COMPANY for the same meeting? Just now...
Me: Actually, I'm attending the meeting with our on-shore team, who are working for our client called "XYZ". XYZ Teams have several process teams like A, B, C etc. He may applied for different meeting with the same client.

Q: How long you have been with YOUR COMPANY
Me: 1 Year 8 Months

Q: Where are you going in US?
Me: Our Office in CITY, State

Q: How long you will be stay there?
Me: 3 to 4 Weeks

Q: Are you getting your wife with you?
Me: No

Q: How many children do you have?
Me: 2 Kids.

Your Visa is Approved. Have a great stay.

Me: Thank you mam.

My Suggestion: Employees having same consulate appointment schedule can avoid the consecutive token numbers in the queue. So that they will be assigned to different officers. This would avoid unnecessary questions during the questionnaire.

Hi All

First of all, a huge thanks to all memebers in this forum who shared their experiences here. It was the best learning.
Don't overdo it. Just read the first few pages one day before you're going. It's the best training you can ever get.

My OFC was on 7th May.
It was pretty straight forward. Too many people come in 1 hour early. Just be there ten mins before hand.
If your appt is at 9, they will call you in sharp at 9. It doesn't matter if you come in 2 hours early.

Please do not take any bags or electronics to both OFC and the Visa. I had a tough time because of this...trying to keep my bag outside. Had to leave it unprotected on my bike unprotected. Thankfully it was there when I came back :P

Just take the necessary docs alone. Passport, DS160 and appt confirmation.
OFC process is pretty straight forward. It will end in 15 mins. You'll get a stamp on ur DS160 from here.

Visa Consulate
Best experience ever. Was there just ten mins before hand. Don't bother going in early in the hot sun. There's no point anyway.

Again don't take any thing on you other than documents.
No wallets - just carry some cash 100rs should do
No cellphones - they have a facility to keep these but better to not take it
Note: there will be auto guys and other local people saying they have a token system for your valuables. Although they are genuine, they charge you 100 bucks for it. Instead, the consulate itself has a cart outside, where u can keep your pen drives, mobile phones etc. But even for this, you have to stand in a queue, get sent out by the security, then stand in another queue for the cart guy to give you a token. Better to avoid all this BS
dont take any liquid medicines, chewing gum, sealed envelopes, CDs (photo CDS are not allowed inside dont take it), body lotion, children's medication, chapstic etc

Chit chat with people in the queue. They talk about them, you talk about yourself. If the person seems positive keep talking, else stop talking to them. They could totally ruin your mood.

Long queue, security frisking, then you get to show your passport and DS160 and appt confirmation
They will stick the token number on ur passport and send you in

Here they will check your documents
No sealed envelopes. Open them all. Or you will be asked to do it
I had a CD ...I was asked to go out and give it to the cart guy
I waited in a queue for half hour till he said they dont take CDs and I had to just trash it
Unnecessarily got delayed by half hour here

Security will check your docs thoroughly - No electronics - ipods, pendrives, externals etc
Then once they let you in, the will ask u to stand in a queue

Finger prints will be done here. Then they will ask you to go to the next building.
Its a hall full of people and you might feel a little shy cuz everyone can hear what you and your VO will be talking about

Get used to the system. There's a bit of a waiting here.
They will flash your token number on the TV. Wait for your turn.

I overheard some convos with VO and applicants

Last time you applied for 3 months. Now you are applying for 1 month.
*astonished*You sold paint and your company gave you a leisure trip? How much paint did you have to sell for that?
Have you had trouble with the police in India? Applicant -> yes, just once for a menial....blah

Most often repeated questions

Why are you going to the US
Where
How long
Why so long?
Why were you chosen for this
Will you be working there

I rehearsed my answers to these questions in my head, everytime I overheard someone being asked

Then I got my number on the TV and went to the window

Read in this forum that, if your VO is a middleaged American guy, you're in luck. It was true.

I had an american guy. 5 people ahead of me
1. Husband and wife, middle aged - Pinkslipped
2. Young guy late 20s rejected with this --> "Visa is approved - I have no problem in approving your visa but you have applied for the wrong category. If you reapply I will happy to approve your visa. seems like you have already been to the US so you should know this"
3. Young girl with mother - approved
4. Unconfident guy in 20s - Rejected No questions
5. Myself - approved as below

I was wearing my company tag. Its an international MNC

VO: Oh you work for ZZZ?
Me: Yes I do

VO: passport please
Me: Gave it

VO: How long have you been with them?
Me: 3.5 years

VO: and you will be going to the US for?
Me: Conference on YYYY

VO: How long is the conference?
Me: 2 days

VO: How long will you be staying?
Me: 1 week

Then the golden words "Your visa is approved. Have a nice stay"

No documents required, no further questions.

Here are some tips I got mostly in this forum and worked out in my favor

1. Smile and be confident
2. Be genuine. Look at the VO in the eye. Mostly they look at you
3. Keep your docs super intact - have proof for everything - makes u feel 100% confident even if they are not going to ask for it
4. Dress well. Tie/Blazer anything that makes u look professional. Don't roll up your sleeves. Treat this like a job interview
5. Don't ask for too long. Then they will ask you unnecessary questions. Best bet to ask for 1 week on a B1. Ask for 1 week. Ensure this matches your DS160. Your DS160 and the days of stay when you tell the VO should either be in sync or u should request for lesser number of days than mentioned in your DS 160.
6. Thank the officer while leaving. Don't get too excited and forget to thank.
7. Don't be jumpy, nervous or shifty while standing in the queue.
8. wait behind the line in the queue. after the other guy is done, they will ask you to come up. Wait for them to call you. Don't rush into the window as soon as the other guy leaves. wait for them to call you.

 Hi All,

I got my B1 visa successfully on 18th Apr on my first attempt (I had apply for B1 visa last year also but couldn’t able to appear for interview due to some reason).

On 10th Apr I had my figure print scan from Nehru place Delhi center.
On 18th Apr I have scheduled interview at 9:30 AM and reached 9 AM there, bit of crowdie with 70-80 peoples in one slot.

You will not allowed to take any electronic device like mobile/bag/sharp thing inside except your documents/passport so better not to bring all other stuff but at the first check point they have facility to keep these extra stuff in there locker so you can handle them.

At first check point the security only scan the barcode on your DS 160 and after that you been asked to flow the queue and enter the embassy building.

Here you have to go thru the full body scanning similar to the airport check in where you were asked to put your Document/purse/keys in bucket to go thru the scanner.

After this you will come to another counter where you will be providing a token number. There are lots of LCD screen mounted all over there which were flashing the current token number of applicant’s whose interview was going on at Visa councilor counter.

Now I come to another Hall where I have to undergo figure scanning once again to match with my Nehru place figure prints. Then finally I was at the place where the entire applicants were sitting on chairs in front of VO glass window. There are screen above the VO window flashing the current and next queued applicants’ standing in a line similar we take ticket at any movie hall ?.

I waited for my turn which was according to our token number, even if you miss your turn then asked the attended there they will arrange in between.

Now comes my turn, a girl standing in front of me and she got her visa, so I thought in my mind that I wouldn’t be getting as they might have this ratio to give one in 4 or 5.

Me: Good Morning officer. (Gave my passport to her)
VO: Good Morning.

She scanned my token slip.

VO: Who is sponsoring your Trip?
Me: xxx India Pvt Ltd Mam. (My employer in India)

VO: (surprisingly) xxx, Why you want to go to US?
Me: Mam, Actually My client yyy Inc has signed some new client in Singapore and India so they want to meet me face to face to discuss their future expansion and product methodologies. (She was just looking into my eyes while I am giving this answer to judge me I think and I also constantly looking her in to eyes while replying.

VO: (typing): Why you have chosen?
Me: Mam I am the senior most person in this project working from almost 1 year and mave 6 years of experience in retail domain.

VO: (typing) What you do in your company?
Me: I am the Team Lead handling my client yyy Inc web development project and mentoring the work of my 4 team members.

VO: How long you want to stay?
Me: only 2 week mam.

And then the golden words, Your visa is approved and hand over me a visa approval card.
Me: Thank you mam.

Tips:
1) I was wearing formal pant/shirt with a tie.(Not more that 10 % were wearing a tie, I saw a guy who have his sleeves up and his visa was rejected, So its totally my assumption the your presentation mattered a lot as they have just few seconds to judge you, my interview just last for 20-25 sec).
2) I am the only person there having my company ID around my neck.
3) Remember confidence is the key I had prepared answer of these usual questions but I forgot the exact word so I gave them answer which actually happening in my project in plain simple words.
4) Don’t get confused and don’t create answer in front of VO as in this case you will stammer and make VO confused.

Best of luck to others.

Hii first of all thank you immi web site
This site make our confidence on top and it's wonderful for the knowledge
Me b1/b2 and wife gets b2 visa .only talk confidently and truly you will get it.ok
Thanks to all messengers