Business Visa - B1

HI,

My interview is on today and it is scheduled @ 7:45 AM. I stayed in hotel just opposite to US Consulate it took hardly 2-3 min to reach.

Left hotel @ 7 AM by the time when i reached US consulate peoples where standing in the queue. so asked with security and joined in the appropriate Q.

Provided my DS-160 confirmation page and passport in the security counter to get it sealed and then went for check-ups. Next went to another counter where i showed my visa receipt including my DS-160 confirmation page and interview confirmation letter. The officer took the barcode sticker from hdfc blue receipt and pasted in the passport and proceed to next counter for finger print.

In another counter they took my finger print and proceed to go to next building. There only the interview was help. I am the first person being interviewed from my batch....here is the conversation

Consulate : Good Morning
Me : Good Morning Madam
Con : Why you want to go US
Me : Going for an technical training and knowledge transfer
Con : How many days you are going ?
Me : For 2-3 weeks
Con : Which company you are working for
Me : Said xx company for yy client
Con : how long u have been working here
Me : xxx months
Con : What is your total exp
Me : around 4 yrs of exp
Con : Which place your going?
Me : zzz place
Con : Are you married?
Me No
Con : Whats your salary?
Me : xx LPA in INR

Thats it , she said your visa will be sent through courier and it will reach within 2-3 weeks of time

This post is bit elaborate one, if you're just interested in the the questions, just go below.
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This is my first VISA application and I had my share of doubts whether I'll be getting it or not. One reason being I'm just 2months old in the current company(although I've 8+ years experience) and people in my company was saying that chances of rejection is high because of the duration I worked for the company is less.

With these confusions in mind I went to Chennai for VISA interview. My interview date was on 20th Sep, 9:15 am slot. My room was booked in hotel that is just opposite to the consulate. I thought I could just walk by in the morning. Got ready neatly in the morning and came out and saw it was raining. Seemed like it was raining since night. For a moment not sure what to do. Then went ahead, Checked-out of hotel and kept my luggage in the hotel cloack room. The hotel security staff arranged me a auto as there is no I way I could just walk by. The auto driver charged me Rs 40 and took me to the consulate building. I saw people selling umbrella there in front of the building, I bought one for Rs 100/- and kept it for safe side. I reached the Consulate building at around 8:00 am, the security staff asked me my interview time and told me to stand at the end of the queue. They were sending people in batches every 15 minutes. So one need not worry to stand any where in the queue. All you have to do is just wait till they call out the timings and move ahead.My time came,a lady at the counter asked for confirmation letter and interview letter . She scanned it and gave me token number . Keep this token number in your pocket so that you don't lose it during security check. Once the security check is over, I was let inside, there were lot of counters, LCD's, chairs and a photographer in the corner. I sat in a chair and waited for my number to come in the LCD. I 've to say, it was very chaotic that day( or it may be every day), there were lot of people with crying kids. My turn came handed over the confirmation letter, interview letter and passport to the staff. Since my photo in the confirmation letter was clear enough they didn't asked for a photo. She told me to proceed towards Counter-12 , where they took my finger prints.

Then I was let in to the next building where the VISA interview happens. Again here there were lot of counters, I sat in the chair and waited for my turn. It is one of the strangest places, I've ever been. I could see many tense faces sitting and waiting for their turn. Anybody can hear anybody's interview easily. What kind of questions asked, how it has been answered everything. Some give elaborate answers, some give short answers. Some are really panic stricken, some are cool as cucumber. Some are loud, some kept it low( especially asked about their salary ;-)

My turn came, I stood in the queue at certain distance as there was a girl already giving her interview. While I was standing there, i noticed a interview closer that was happening in the next counter. The guy who was giving the interview was really panicked and couldn't give proper and clear response. I 'm not sure it's because he is not comfortable with english or something else. But looked really terrified. The interviewer asked him, since how long he was working for the current org. He said 1 month 15 days. Well that's closer to my 2months, I thought. And he continued like he was working as a contractor in the same org before for some 4+ years. The interviewer asked him few more questions and finally said your VISA is approved. That guy was visibly very delighted. Seeing that I told to myself, well I got a very good chance here. Unless I screw up something big time.

My turn came and the interview went like this:

VO: Good morning
ME: Good morning
VO: What's the purpose of the visit?
ME: I went like this " I work for XYZ company in Bangalore which is a fully owned subsidiary of XYZ Inc Sunnyvlale California. I'm going to my Companies HQ to attend training in ABC tools and methodologies and to meet my US team mates and managers", although it's a lengthy one it gave a complete picture and avoided further questions. And I 'v to mention the interviwer was patiently listening.
VO: Where will you be going in US?
ME: Sunnyvale, California
VO: How long is the visit?
ME: 2 weeks
VO: What is your pay?
ME: *** Lakhs
VO: Are you married?
ME: Yes
VO: Do you have kids?
ME: No
VO: She thought for a sec and said, "Sir, your VISA is approved, you'll get your passport in a weeks time"
ME: Thanks, Have a nice day !!

Came out the building. Rain Stopped.

I attended my B1 Visa interview on 8th of this month and the interview went on in this way.

VO: What is the purpose of the visit to US?
Me: We have certain requirements from the client and we have customized our products to their requirements. I am going to train them on the products we have customized and get additional requirements for enhancements .

VO: How long are you gonna stay over there?
Me: I am going over there for 2 weeks

VO: Which place are you travelling in US
Me: YYYY ZZZ

VO: What are you gonna train them ?
Me: I have explained the products in a simple manner so that she can understand the business.

VO: Can you show me the plan for 2 weeks
Me: I showed her and explained the schedule for 2 weeks.

VO : Are you gonna do any productive work?
Me: Nope i am only going for training and once it is done i will return back to India.

Note : She has asked me the above question thrice.

VO : How many years of experience you have got and what is your salary ?
ME: I have 2+ yrs of exp and i am earn YYYY CTC per annum.

VO: Your Visa is Approved and you will get you r visa in one week of time.
Me: Thank you have a good day.

Hi guys,

I had my B1 Visa interview last friday 9th Sep 2011, below is the conversation I had during my interview.

VO : Hi Good Morning, How are you?
Me: Hello Good Morning, I am fine thanks How are you ?
VO: I am good thanks.
VO: What is the purpose of your trip?
ME: To attend a training.
VO: What kind of training?
ME: Project training.
VO: What is the duration of the training?
ME: 4 weeks
VO: What does your client do?
ME: provide solutions in **** **** ****
VO: Since when are you employed with your current employeer?
ME: 1 year 1 month
VO: are you married?
ME: No
VO:Sorry your visa cannot be approved at this point of time.
ME: Why?
VO: You are too young in your career to get a visa, I am not convinced that you will return to India.
ME: I have lot of dependencies here in India me staying back in US will never work for me and my family.
VO: In US jobs can be easily created for you and your experience so I cannot gaurante that you will come back, convince me that you will be back.
ME: Thanks

The officer has asked me only about the employment period with current employer. I said 1 yr 1 month, but my total work experience is 3 years 2 month, I thought the officer was in this misconception that my work experience was only 1 year. My Company is planning to reapply again next week, please help me out with your suggestions.
All the questions the officer has asked I have answered confidently making eye contact through out the conversation.

Thanks
IMMI Help

i being the first person for interview early morning , the officer had enough energy to fire questions ... :) the questions asked were

1. purpose of visit
2. duration of visit.
3. why this duration
4. annual salary
5. married or not
6 . profession of husband
7. date of marriage :)
8. any dependents in india u have

all the best guys...what u need is luck n proper presentation..

My visa interview went like this...

VO: How long have you been with the company?
ME: 5 years.
Vo: Why are you going to the US?
Me: For Conference and Expo
Vo: Any other countries visited before?
Me: S **** ***, D **** *, M **** ***.
VO: What is your annual package?
Me: ** Lakhs
VO: You will get the visa in a week...Next..

i was done in about 2 minutes with her. Thanks Immihelp.

Hi first of all i am thanking you to all for your comments. It was very helpful for me in B1 Visa interview. I attended my interview at chennai.

After the common process i went to the second building and waiting for my token number by watching the monitor there for about 15 to 20 mins.
My token number comes and i went to the Interview window (Interview window is like a ticket counter. You need to stand and answer questions.
But there are mike and speakers for you and consulate officer. Carefully listen to the speakers for the question but keep direct eye with the consulate officer).

My Interview goes like following,

Consulate Officer (CO) : Hi good morning. How are you?
Me: Good morning. I am fine. How are you?
CO: Good. (I passed my PEP folder to her, Yes CO is lady. She looked my invite letter and the letter given from my office). Where are you going?
Me: YYYY XX, YYYY YYYY (City and state)
CO: To where?
Me: YYYY XX (company name).
CO: You are going to meet whom there?
Me: Said the name of the person who signed my invite letter and also said i am going to meet architect team there.
CO: What is the purpose of the Visit?
Me: Technical and Project Design discussions.
CO: Why 4 weeks you are going there?
Me: Explained about the project. There are lot of critical tasks in the project so it will take 4 weeks to finalize the design.
CO: Are you going to do any Productive work?
Me: No.
CO: Did you visited any other country?
Me: Yes.I travelled for a month last year to YYYY ZZZ.
CO: Are you married?
Me: Yes.
CO: (She typed for 15 seconds in her computer) Your visa is approved. You will get your passport by courier.
Me: Thank you. Have a nice day.
CO: Thank you.

I want to share my experience for my B1 visa (for 25 dayz) interview held at new delhi based US embassy:

V.O: Gud Morning Sir, how r u?
Me: Very gud morning sir, m gud hw abt u? (and passed the docs to him)
(After having a glance to my docs.. )
V.O: so u r working for ABC company?
Me: Yes sir ABC.
V.O: and ur client is XYZ?
ME: yes sir.
(After typing somethng on his machine...)
V.O: Sir , we can not approve ur visa..soory sir..
ME: Sir can u tell me...(he interrupted me in the middle n said:..)
V.O: Sir please refer the book (a pemplate passed to me) for US visa rules and policies...

I don knw what was the reason behind this rejection...it may be my comapny name (what i thnk)..or he had already decided this rejection..before even havin a glance.

but overall this was rediculous...atleast they should ask some questions..or atleast reveal the reason..why they rejecting it..

VO : Good Morning
Me: Good Morning madam
VO: Which place are you going to visit in US
Me: YYYY
VO: Who is your current employer
Me: YYYY X
VO: Whats your salary
Me: YYYY XX
VO:Whats your purpose of travel
Me: YYYY XX ( Little elaboration)
VO: Whats the duration of your stay in USA
Me: 3 Weeks
VO: Is it Business Meetings or Business Conferences
Me: Its Business Meetings
Handed over the form and informed to try again.

Hi first of all thanks to Immmihelp

after all common procedings done, went to face interview, I went like this,

1) Where are you going to USA?
2) Whats the purpose of your visit?
3) Which company you are working for?
4) Whats your CTC?
5) How many days you stay in USA?
6) Are you Married?

then he Approved my Visa, and said you will get passport with in a week.

Thank you very much for Immihelp once again.