Business Visa - B1

Hi All,
Appeared for my Visa interview on the 19th Jan and it was approved.

Below are the questions asked.

VO: y are you going
Me: Answered saying the client has invited for business meetings and for understanding of Business process.

VO: What business meeting?
Me: Answered that the project is started a month back and we need to visit the clients for undersrtanding the various modules of existing application.

VO: Where do you work?
Me: Answered.

VO: How long you will be there?
Me: 4 weeks

VO Whats your Salary?
Me: __ Lakhs

VO: Whats your Designation
Me: mentioned the designation mentioned in the online form filled.

VO: What do you do.
ME: Work as (my designation) for (my Company)

VO: How long you are working with your company
Me: Answered.

VO: Have you travelled abroad earlier
ME: Yes, to UK thru my previous company on Business Visa.

VO: Are you married?
Me: Yes.

VO: For how long you have been married.?
ME: xx years.

VO: Do you have Kids.?
ME: NO.

Thats it, the VO then gave me a THUMBS UP and informed your VISA has been APPROVED.


TIPS,
Be Confident while answering.
Maintain eye contact with the VO while answering.
Dress in Formals(i had my conpany ICARD Around my neck)
Listen carefully to the questions asked.

Thanks to this site for all this information.

Had the slot at 0745 hrs, reached the consulate in BKC at around 0730 hrs, huge queue already there. Got inside after 45 minutes:
1. Step 1 - Handover passport and appointment letter at the counter, the person will scan the bar code on the appointment letter and paste a token number on your passport. Collect the passport.
2. Step 2 - Proceed for security check, you have to open you belt, wrist watch amongst other things.
3. Move to the fingerprints counter, have your finger prints taken.
4. Wait for your token number to be displayed on the TVs for your turn and counter number

Proceed for interview, A lady VO:

VO: Good morning
Me: Good morning, mam

VO: Why are you going to US?
Me: Business purpose, vendor assessment, techno-commercial negotiations, manufacturing facilities to be visited?

VO: Who is your vendor there?
Me: Provided the name and address

VO: Why can't it happen over conference calls?
Me: Our discussions has to multi-disciplinary, the vendor in US is a big player, we are a relatively new player in the sector, we are not getting the desired band width of attention from them, hence need to meet them in person, further their test procedures are to be witnessed and manufacturing facilities to be physically examined.

VO: What's the name of your company? How long have you been working there?
Me: Name and duration (4 months)

VO: What was the name of your previous company and designation?
Me: Name and desig

VO: How long you worked with them?
Me: Tenure

VO: What is the longest duration you have worked with a company?
Me: Four years with _____

VO: Are you married?
Me: Yes for over four years

VO: Kids???
Me: Not yet

VO: How long will you stay in US?
Me: Not more than a week

VO: So what's the plan for the day?
Me: Will finish the visa interview and head to my workplace and will start contributing to the GDP of the nation.

VO: laughs, laughs heartily....

VO: How much do you earn?
Me: Rs. ____ LPA

VO: You are amongst select few I have come across whose compensation in LPA is more than their age.
Me: Thank you mam

VO: Ok, your visa is approved, you will get your passport by courier.

Me: Thanks a lot, ma'm

Dress: Formal, with a tie but there were many without a tie as well
She didn't look in to any supporting document, not even asked for it. In fact when someone was trying to show the docs, she would say that she would like to hear from you.

Tips: Remain cool, calm and composed. No specific preparation tips. Just spend time thinking through the answers of the possible question while you are waiting for your turn.

Total time of interview: 6 - 7 mins

Wait time at the consulate: 1 hour to enter and 15 mins for interview.

Thanks to this wonderful site which helped me to get this visa. Had an appointment in Chennai consulate on 11/01/2012, 9.30 AM.

ME : Good Morning Mam :)
VO : Very Good morning to you Sir


VO : Can I have your Passport
ME : (Gave the passport and other documents tied in a ribben by assistant staff earlier)

VO : Which Place are you going
ME : Told the client details.

VO : Which City did you say ?
ME : City and State were repeated again

VO : Why are you going ?
ME : To participate in a training organized for 2 weeks and also to provide the demo of a project that we have

completed in the last 4 months

VO : are you going for Training or Demo of the project ?
ME :To attend both. The training is schedule for 10 days to start with and after that I would be making a

presentation of the Demo of the project which would take 3-4 days. They have put together both these things

to minimize the travel

VO : OK. I see....
ME : (waiting for her to ask the next question)

VO : Whats your client Name ? what do they do
ME : Explained about the organization and the product portfolios

VO : whats your company Name ?
ME : My Organization details.

VO : (She started looking at the documents and details about me on the computer screen). After a minute or so.
Have you travelled to US before ?
ME : NO

VO : You had a VISA earlier. Why did not you travel ?
ME : I had some personal commitments at home. Hence could not travel as the client had requested me to be there

for 18 months.

VO : Whats your Annual Salary
ME : I told my salary.. she took a note of it.

VO : How many years you are with this company ?
ME : XX years XX months Mam

VO : Is this your first company. Or you have worked previously?
ME : prior to this I was working with XYZ for XX yrs. Before that I was working as a faculty

VO : Sorry what was that ? Faculy in college of Engineering (with a smile)
ME : Yes (with a Smile)

VO : Are you Married ?
ME : Yes

VO : How long ? was that arranged or love marriage ?
ME : married for XX yrs. Arranged marrige ( she looked at me with a smile :) )

VO : Do you have kids ?
ME : Yes. I have a son who will be XX years this month

VO : Smiles
ME : (waiting for her to shoot the next question. At this stage. I knew I have cracked it !!!!)

VO : DO you own any properties here ?
ME :Yes. I have constructed a house in my hometown

VO : WHats your client Name ?
ME : told the name again

VO : OK Sir. I approve your VISA. it will be couried to you in 1 week.
ME : Thank you Mam. Have a good day !

VO : Thank you. You too have a good day!!!


Just be confident. even though they are not looking at you Do not loose the eye contact while answering the

questions. do not change your posture. you should be carefully listening to what they say and be ready with the

answer.

Do not think of anything else ( no fast forwad thoughts or thinking anything about what the VO is doing on computer)

Just be focussed on the questions they ask. They prefer not to repeat their questions. If you have understood the

questions at the first instance, it gives them an hint that you are used to their accent


Dress formally. wear the best dress that suits you. GOOD LUCK !

Mumbai consulate. Date 11/01/2012 7.45 am


VO: Good morning how are you
Me: replied with a smile.
VO:- What is purpose of your visit
Replied with exact purpose and days intended to stay.
VO:- What is name of your company
VO:- What is your destingnation
VO:- For how long you with the company
VO:- why did the organistation decided to send you now ?
VO- what does your organistation do
I replied in vague manner, i was stopped and asked to be more preciece.

VO:- With a smile, Your visa has been approved.


He didnt even see any of my documents.


Few things which I realised, be specific and confident, answer all the question by looking into the VO eyes. Be confident.

Most of the people, are nervous and talk in a random fashion. which reduced their chances of getting visa.

I went for B1 visa AGAIN today (10-JAN-2012).
And luckily i got the same counselor. :(

The interview going superb till the point she said - u applied for visa 3 weeks ago too..

i said - yes, we spoke earlier as well..

and that was it!

she said- Sorry i cant approve ur visa this time too..

when i asked the reason then she said-- i dont think u have strong ties with india..


i dunno wat her problem.

Hi,

Today ( 10-Jan-2012 8:15 am ) i have attended B1 Visa interview at Chennai consulate.

I have taken interview little bit confidently only, but to i little bit fear, but finally my VISA got approved :-)

Following are the Questions asked me the Visa Officer during the interview.

VO : Good Morning
Me : Good Morning Mam

VO : Can i have your passport please ?
Me : Sure Mam ( handover all the documents to VO)

VO : How much of experience do u have in current company ?
Me : *** Years Mam

VO : where you traveling ?
Me : *** City & *** State in US

VO : What is the purpose of your visit in US ?
Me : I need to participate in Business Requirement finalization discussions with client and my presence is require for this discussion.

VO : How may days r u going to be in US ?
Me : 28 days

VO : What is your project ?
Me : Just i said my project name.

VO : Who is ur client ?
Me : Just mentioned Client Name

VO : Your VISA got approved , u will receive you passport with in a week by courier .
Me : Thank you Mam :-)

Guys,
 Be cool and confident during interview, because VO will be asking questions little bit fast, if u not understand the question, request VO to repeat, don't panic in that time be cool, VO will repeat 'n' of times.

All the best and wish you good luck for your interview.

This is how it went

VO:GudAfternoon Sir(She started first to my surprise)
ME:GudAfternoon Mam
Vo:Can i have ur passport?
ME:(Gave the passport and the documents)
VO:Which place are u going ?
ME: **** ***
VO:Which state it is in:
ME: **** ***
VO:Which company r u working for ?
ME: **** ***
VO:Why r u going ?
ME:They have an application that needs some enhancement so to understand the functionality of the existing application,For requirement gathering and for meeting with the client.
VO:Why are you selected ?
ME:I have * yrs of Exp in IT Industry and i have worked for similar kind of clients before.
VO:For which client u worked before?
ME: **** *
VO:How many yrs of exp do you have in IT
ME: * YRS
VO:How many weeks is it planned for ?
ME: 4 weeks
vo:hOW many years is the client with your company?
ME: **** **
VO:How many years you are with this company?
ME:4 months
VO:What is your client into ?
ME:Shared few details about the client
VO:what is your current CTC:
ME: **** *L/A
VO:What is your designation?
ME: **** **
vo:Are you married?
ME:Yes.Iam married for the past ** years(Vo had a look at the marriage certificate)
VO:Iam approving your VISA .u will get your passport in a week..
ME:Thanku Mam

Note:
VO never looked at me.Vo was typing all the time but when she had a look at me i was looking at her.My focus was on the VO.Make sure you keep your hands crossed on the window.
(This was my first B1 interview and cleared it).Immihelp helped me a lot for preparing for the interview.Just ask all these questions and answer yourself.All the Best Guys

Interview goes as below
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For a change the consulate officer was sweating badly.

Me : Good Morning Sir (with a smile)

Officer : Good Morning

Officer : Can I have your passport?

Officer: What do you do?

Me : I am working as a Business Analyst.

Officer : How long have you been working in the current company?

Me : Last 3.5 years

Officer : What is your current CTC per year?

Me : Its XX L per year

Officer: Whose your client in the US?

Me: Its YYYY Inc.

Officer: What are you going there for?

Me : As a business analyst, I need to gather the requirements from our client, understand the problems which the users are facing, get back to India and then guide the team in India to implement the solution.

Officer : Ok

Officer takes some time......enters some data in the PC

Handovers the passport back with a letter for the law 214(g) - Potential Immigrant

Officer : Your VISA cannot be approved as of now :(
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It thus proved that it all depends on your luck and the mood of the consulate officer. I saw a few consulate officers who were asking some more details like invitation letter and then approving.

He did not ask me for any of the letters (sponsorship, invitation) which I was carrying with me.

You can all see my earlier post, had my first Interview on 8th Dec and got rejected. But had no choice to apply again... so I went again on 21st Dec.

Interview asked me all the questions mentioned in here.

Why are you going to US?
What have changed since you last attempted?
Are you married?
What is your designation
Company name?
Your last company name?
Why did you left you last company?
How much you make in lac annually?
What do your wife do, is she working?
What do your parents do?
Nature of your job?
What kind of Training?
How long training?
Do you have the Training Plan?

Then she took the training plan and went inside and came back after 2-3 mins and started asking the questions last interviewer asked me again.

Why you left your last company so early?
How many people do you manage?
Do you own a property here?

And finally... Okay sir your Visa is approved and you will get in 4-5 days and I got on the next day in my office.

Few tips.
1. Talk Less, if you can answer in simple Yes or No, better
2. Dont loose eye contact
3. Wear the dress in which you are comfortable, I wasn't wearing tie or formals, which I wore last time and got rejected.
4. if rejected at first attempt, apply again asap, my collegues got on the second attempt like me, 3 out of 5 and rest two got on first attempt. Winner dont quit, even I read some where one kid got it on 8th attempt, keep trying...finally Interviewer said you dont give up do you... hats off to the kid...
5. Be confident whatever you say, even if you are not sure, if you get nervous, keep the eye contact and DO NOT SMILE-BE SERIOUS but be generous and courteous.
5. Last but not the least- LUCK

thanks for this wonderful site and best of luck.

My B1 Visa experience was rather unique.
I had 9 AM appointment, I went at 8 AM. To my surprise, but they let me in at 8:15AM. But then came surprise, After the initial procedure, i had to wait till 10:15AM to get to talk to the interviewer.

My number came and i see that there are 4 people ahead of my line(Again, what!!! why only my counter has more than 4 people waiting in line). Then i stood in the line and watched the other four giving interview and getting rejected. Like kolaveri song, i was counting 1,2,3,...4 and mine will be even worser with tune ringing "pe pe pe, pe pe pe, pe pe pe pe" and i got really nervous.

So my turn came, standing nervously and passing the document. He asked
What are you doing in <Company name>?
Are you married? - Yes
Do you have kids? - No
Where are you travelling? - I told the city and exact building, i think he then started smiling a bit at me.
Why are travelling? - This point of time, i was so nervous, i started stammering and told the exact purpose of training and my client project.
Now that i had full confidence, cos of stammering i will get rejected, my posture changed and became more confident(I mean whats more to lose :) )
He asked me training schedule, i gave him.
With smile, he asked Are you a <my designation>? - Yes Sir
-Ok your visa is approved, you will get in 3 days.

I was like what??? I performed the worst interview of my life, full of stammering and nervousness and he gave me approval. In happiness, i said thank you and Merry Christmas which he kindly acknowledged with smile.

My observation and Tips:
>I was wearing a Tie.
>I was not lying even though i was nervous.
>I was starting with affirmative Yes sir, No sir and then explaing
>All 4 people who were rejected, were all proclaiming as Subject matter expert, using complicated words trying to convey only they are needed for the job directly or indirectly. >The interviewer is a kind man/women, whos job is to make sure you are not abusing the US visa.
>You need to say you are Subject matter expert for L1, H1B visa not B1 visa, cos its only for business and training.

Thanks for this great site called Immihelp.