Business Visa - B1

Thanks a lot to the forum, it helped me prepare well for the interview.

Day-1 biometric [ do not go there before time, just 5-10 mins before]. Carry with you DS160 confirmation letter and appointment letter along with your passport.
They will ask for your name and DOB for confirmation and then click photograph and scan finger prints.

Day-2: be there before 30 mins. My interview was at 8:00 AM and i reached the center at 7:30 AM. There will queues for everything and the system is managed well. Carry supporting documents and day-1 documents. Do NOT carry MOBILE phone and electronic gadgets, smart watch etc.

My interview details:
• what is the purpose of your visit?
I will be visiting our head office in YYY to attend customer and internal meetings. Will have technical discussion for the issues faced in the current release, and analyze requests to develop a road-map which I could start working on after my return.
• What is your designation and salary?
I am working as a YYY with and annual salary of YY.YY LPA [ quite good for a person with 2 years experience as per Indian avg package]
• How many years have you been working?
For an year and 2 months. Also have been intern with same company for year 2016-17.
• What is your plan for the week?
[I listened to it as weekend]. No sir, I am not there for weekend. Just for 5 days.
• Yes, for the week.
Will be reaching YYY on YYY and will have meeting till YYYY noon time. Post lunch will have internal road-map discussion and then on ZZZ will meet my engineering team and will return to India on same day.
• How big is your team?
Sir, we are a team of many people each working on specific domain. I work with ZZZ and we are a team of 5 people.
• Have you traveled to US before?
NO, I have been to YYY. [European country which also a VISA process and details on your financial status.]
• How often do you plan to travel to US?
Once in 3 year, when a new project kicks in. Like this time also I was invited on YYY when the project started but did not got VISA date.
… he was continuously typing…
Sir, we have been discussing over webex/mails. Since it is time consuming we cannot risk delay.

And then the golden words…”it’s okay your VISA IS APPROVED”.

Left with a big smile. Thank you sir, have a good day :)

** prepare well be confident.
** focus on the question. Do not keep speaking.
** dress well
** carry documents [in case needed]

Although my experience was just 1yr and 2 months but got approved, it all depends on how well you answer and sometimes on the company too. Mine is one of the top companies of US so that was a plus point.

Good day Sir/ma
Please While filling the application form 160 for non immigrant visa, pls can i use my brother's bank account information because of insufficient fund in my bank account?
Hope to read from you soonest, thanks...

My regards...

I attended my interview yesterday in kampala uganda and my visa got rejected and this is how it went
VO : good morning
me: good morning sir
he guided me on how to take finger prints.
after that.
VO: why are you travelling
ME: i was invited to attend aconference to represent my company since ts one of the sponsors.
VO: whats your role in the company.
ME: business development officer
VO: have ever travelled to any country for business development
ME: NO
VO : AM SORRY YOUR INELIGIBLE FOR US VISA

MY question is this guy dint look at any document . and where did i go wrong

Attended visa interview in Hyderabad

VO: Passport
Me: Gave Passport and said good morning
  
VO: You are from which company?
Me: XYZ
  
VO: what is annual package?
Me: XYZ lacs per annum
  
VO: what is your designation?
Me: XYZ
  
VO: How long you will stay in US?
Me: 3 weeks
  
VO: Have you ever travelled to US before?
Me: No
  
VO: Have you Married? And when
Me: Yes am Married 2 years ago.
  
VO: What is the purpose of the visit?
Me: To attend the training/KT sessions.
  
VO: Sorry, Cannot approve this time. You may re-apply later. Thank you with smile.
Me: May I know the reason please why it’s been rejected
  
VO: She handed a letter (214-B) & said all the details are present please check.

Attended visa interview in Chennai.

VO: Your place of birth is "ZZZ"?
Me: Yes
VO: Because its mentioned "YYY".
Me: I have been living here for 8 years, completed my graduation and came here for work.
VO: Ok, So you need to go to California for 3 weeks?
Me: Yes.
VO: One or two more questions related to work and all.

VO: You are ineligible. Handed over 214-B.

Later on, I discovered I accidentally mentioned my place of birth as "YYY" on DS-160 whereas it was "ZZZ" on the passport. Can this be the only reason? Will reapplying immediately help in this case with correct information?

Hello Guys,

Thanks to each one of you who have put all the questions on this forum. It was really helpful for my preparation. Mental preparation for this interview is very important as it will build confidence in you during the time of interview.

Day 1 : Finger Prints.

It will hardly take 5 mins. Don't carry unnecessary documents. All you need is passport, DS 160 and appointment letter. Just go to the center 5-10 min before the scheduled time. Don't waste your time by going early.

Day 2 : Interview

My interview was scheduled at 9.30. I reached the center at 9.Again don't carry unnecessary document, honestly passport,DS160 and appointment letter are more than enough. All the initial process of getting inside the interview room will take around 30-40 mins. Just be calm and be patient.

For B1, it is advisable to be in Formals. So dress up for the occasion. Once you receive the token, you need to stand in the queue of the token number. Most probably there will be 4 people in front of you who will be awaiting for the interview.

I have observed people will start to panic when they start observing other people interviews. There will be multiple counters and you will be observing /hearing all the interviews. Most of the time the final words of VO are sorry sir we cannot process your visa this time. These are quite common there as there will be different Visa applicants.

Interview for Four guys in front of me lasted for around 5 min, VO kind of literally bombarded them with various questions and rejected them.

Finally my turn came, with little butterflies inside my stomach I entered the Lion's Den

VO : Passport
Me : Gave Passport and said Good Morning, How are you doing today.
VO : Already Thrusday, waiting for the weekend ( with a smile )

This was exactly the start I was looking for as non of the other guys even bothered to ask her this question.

Me : True. Almost a Firday :)
VO : You are from XYZ company
ME : Yes

Trust me, coming from a reputed company makes your job half done. VO will have certain companies in mind where the approve rate is almost 90%.

VO : What is your annual Package

VO: How long is your stay

VO : How long have you been with the current Company

VO : What is your designation

VO : What are you going to do in US
ME: Going to participate in couple of my firm training programs.

VO : Is it a Client Training
ME: NO. It is internal.

VO : Your Visa is approved.
ME : Thank you. Have a good day.

Whole interview lasted for 40 sec. The questions will be fast and they expect genuine and quick response.

Just be honest and pray God. Everything will be fine.

Hope it was useful.

Thanks,
Sandeep

Dear All,

I am applying for B1 VISA for attending one scientific conference. Previously I got USA VISA for 1 year in 2014. When I applied for this conference, I was working with a Government in contract now my contract is over and presently I am working as independent researcher. I got full funding (Hotel, Meal, Air Fair, Registration fees) from World Meteorological Organization fro attending this conference. Previously I travelled in USA, Nepal and Italy also. Means I have travel history also.

Is there any issue in getting VISA? Is present unemployment will be the issue for getting? Please suggest me if consulate ask me about present employer what should I say?

Please help me

Appearing for an American Visa Interview is a nightmare for many. In this answer I would detail my US Visa Interview Experience at the US Embassy in Doha, Qatar.
**Visa Category: Business (B1)**
**Nationality/Passport: India**
**Age: 23**
**Resident of Qatar, working as an Engineer with a leading employer. My scope of work is into Healthcare Robotics.**
I received my letter of invitation on 15th of July evening from our business associate in Los Angeles. The same evening itself I filled my DS-160 form and got my DS-160 Submission Confirmation. I began collecting my documents and preparing them for the next two days and on 17th July I opened their appointment portal to fetch a slot for my interview and fortunately the rush in US Embassy was a bit less so I got my appointment for 19th of July. This quick turnaround time may come as a big surprise for people living in India as I have seen the long lines outside Mumbai Consulate.
19th of July finally arrived and my appointment was scheduled for 09.45am. I was a bit nervous but my preparation was exhaustive as I had a strong itinerary and papers to prove my application. I arrived a bit early at the embassy, but they did let me in. They verified my documents and my fingerprints were captured and subsequent to that I was asked to move ahead to a big hall were around 100 people were sitting and waiting for their number to be called. I could see 3 Counters where VOs where calling in applicants and were interviewing them. I had to wait almost for an hour and by 10.30 am I could see my number being called on the display system. I rush ahead to the counter and the conversation starts as following:
**VO (A young American guy in his early 30s) : Hi, Can I have your passport please?**
**Me: Good Morning! Sure (Hands over my Passport)**
**VO: What is the purpose of your travel**
**Me: I go business meetings in America with our associate**
**VO: Okay, Which place you would be going to?**
**Me: Los Angeles**
**VO: Can I have the letter from your employer?**
**Me: Hands over the letter, in the meantime VO keeps typing**
**VO: Can you describe more about your meetings over there?**
**Me: I got a business review with our associate over there and later on I need to be at UCLA to see their Robotic System in Action. I also need to sit with them for clinical paper reviews.**
**VO: Who exactly you will be meeting there?**
**Me: I will be meeting their Commercial Head and Clinical Support Team**
**VO: Since how long you are here?**
**Me: 07 months**
**VO: Why your employer wants to send you?**
**Me: Since I spearhead the robotics business in my organisation, they find my presence to bring more value proposition for our growth in business. **
**VO: Where were you employed before this?**
**Me: In India**
**VO: Which other countries you have been to?**
**Me: I have been to UAE & Oman twice for business and around two months back I had been to Sweden and Denmark for business meetings.**
**VO: Have you been to the Netherlands?**
**Me: No! In Qatar, Netherlands is responsible for handling visa applications for Sweden and Denmark and that is why you can see a visa stamp in my passport from the Embassy of Netherlands in Doha.**
**VO: Were you working with the same employer in India?**
**Me: No, I was working with another employer but I was into the same business function of healthcare robotics.**
**VO: What kind of business is operated by your employer?**
**Me: Medical Devices and Pharmaceutical Distribution & Supply to all healthcare institutions in Qatar and I look after New Innovation & Robotics Division in this.**
**VO: Can I have your bank statement?**
**Me: Yes, and hands over the statement ( He doesn't even takes a look on my statement)**
**VO: Are you married?**
**Me: Not yet, I am single**
****
**After all these questions, he keeps typing in his system for a while and I keep looking at him with confidence. A few moments later:**
**VO: Okay! Everything sounds great, Your visa has been approved for 10 years with multiple entry. You can collect your passport from ARAMEX Office once you receive an email.**
**Me: Thank you so much & God Bless these United States of America!**
I leave the counter with a big smile and rush back to office for work. The only tip I got to give is to be confident while answering, be honest and prepare your application with maximum details. You got one goal and this is to convince him that you would return back to your country of Residence and wont be a national threat to America.

**Good Luck!**

Thanks each and everyone in this forum who are posting their queries, experiences and answers.

This site is really helpful and must be referred for any type of visa interview so that each of us get a confidence on what to speak and what not to speak.

My Visa interview:
VO: On what visa you are going?
Me: Going on B1 to attend Business Meeting

VO: What is your experience and your salary
Me: 14 Years and told my package

VO: How long you stay?
Me: 3 weeks

VO: What is your role at offshore and onsite
Me: clearly told them what i am doing here and in onsite

Thats it. He took my passport and told me that i will get my passport after it is stamped.

What i observed in the whole interview process is that, you should be clear on why you are going(Co-relate everything with meetings / presentations) and you should tell them very confidently.
VO will monitor your eyes. So also maintain eye contact.
Dont reply them like you are giving an answer keeping long gaps in your reply. Make proper sentencing.
Every VO give max to 30 sec - 2 mins(max) for the entire interview process. So if you manage first 30 sec you are done.

I am also hoping experienced people have more chances of B1 approvals.

My VO was talking very fast and he was expecting short answers in one sentence.
Location- US consulate, Mumbai
Me: Good morning Sir (Greeted with smile).
VO: Good morning ( No smile)
VO: So which location would you be travelling in US?
Me: Sorry sir, I could not hear you.
VO: So which location would you be travelling in US?
Me: YYYY office at Boston.
VO: What is the reason for your travel?
Me: Sorry again sir, could not hear you…
VO: What is the reason?
Me: I represent YYY(my comapny name) and would be attending a global workshop in YYYY office. I work as a CAD….
VO stopped me and asked: YYY is a big company with over 9 million employees. Why only you are selected? What is the purpose? Is there any specific reason?(This was the longest question from him. I patiently waited for him to finish off with his question).
Me: Yes sir, I have around 9 years of experience in this area and also I am an individual contributor. Currently YYY my unit uses machined based system and we are advancing towards cloud based system. YYYY is a cloud based system and they are conducting a global workshop for our comapny. My colleagues from France, Shangai, Brno and Torrance will be attending…. It will be…. (I was about to mention duration and family tie-up but VO stopped me)
(That’s it. He looked convinced)
VO: How long?
Me: 2 weeks sir.
VO: Your visa is approved. You will receive passport in the address mentioned in appointment letter. (He smiled finally)
Me: Sure, thank you sir.