Business Visa - B1

Hi Everyone,

I had applied for B1 visa in first week of November in 2017 (around 2 months ago). Now my client wants me to apply again, so we go ahead and booked slot for 29th January 2018. I really don't know the reason for first rejection.

I am working in the same organization since last 5.5 years. I am currently working as Team leader. I am married. And my travel period is 2 weeks for business strategy meeting. There were around 4 to 5 questions and it was straight away like below.

- Why are you going to the US? - I explained
- What is my designation? and exp? - Team Leader and 5.5
- Who is your client? - XX company
- Have you ever been to any other country for business? - No

Then they said you are not getting VISA this time please try again and gave me 214(b).

Now I want to know what are the chances of getting VISA this time as circumstances not changed much after my first rejection excepts client detailed invitation letter.

What should I say if they ask what are the circumstances changed?

Your feedback will help me to prepare well.

Thanks

 

My sincere thanks to immihelp and the people who took time to post their experience and my thanks to my friend, who gave me immihelp site to prepare for interview

First day: my appointment was at 9am and i reached by .8.30 then i asked to get inside at 8.45am and formalties for fingerprints completed by 8.55am

Second day: my appointment was at 10:30 am and i was allowed inside by 9:00 am
I got counter 11 and i could hear questions asked for the people who are infront of me and all approved, which built confidence in me

My interview as follows
VO: Good morning
ME: good morning
VO: Where are you going
ME: iam going to my office and mentioned the address in invite letter
VO: What is ur company name
ME: I said YYYY India PVT LTD
VO: What is your salary per annum
ME: i said XX lakhs per annum
VO: When did you join the current organisation
ME: I joined MONTH-DD-YYYY
VO: Have you travelled UK
ME: I said NO, he asked me whether do u have visa, i said yes, he asked by checking my passport
VO: Have you ever travelled outside India
ME: Yes, i said two countries, which i travelled
VO: What is the purpose and he continued the question saying Pleasure or Work
ME: WORK
VO:What you do
ME: I said my current responsibilities and which are mentioned in DS160
VO: How long is the duration
ME: 2 weeks
VO: Are you married
ME: yes, iam married
VO: Do you have children
ME: yes, i have one child with 1year and 8 months
VO:Whether your familty is travelling with you
ME: NO
VO: Why do you want to go there
ME: i expected this question in the first and this is the last question, i answered iam going to attend meetings with application teams to understand and gathering of requirements

I heard the golden words, your visa is issued

I said thank you very much and left

My interview finaly came
Time 8:30am

 Interview questions

VO: Passport pls
Me: Good morning mam
Vo: Good morning

Where are u visiting ?
Me : chicago
Why are you visiting chicago?
Me: Am attending an international business
 conference on behalf of my company
 
What is conference name?
Me: Home and houseware
Who is sponsoring the trip?
Me: My company

What is your position at your company ?
Me: i am general manager

She kept quite and was looking at the computer and typing

 She now asked how many staff do i have at my company ?
Me: 20

Are you married
Me: Yes

Who is marry thomas*?
 I smiled and said thats my wife

You have kids?
Me: Yes i do a set of twins

Why do you have to attend the conference ?

Me: Due to multiple project that we have at hand my company intends to procure some items from the conference

What are those items ?
Me:Cups, has to do with home design and decor

She now wow! and looked at me we intends to buy some products?
I said we intends to procure some times from the conference

Me: we intends to procure some items From the conference

She said sorry we could not give visa this time
She gave me 214b

What have i done wrong??

hello house,
please i already booked my visa interview appointment and i am applying for a B1 visa to attend a christian bible seminar in the USA, please i want to know what questions i can be asked and also i must make it clear that i am not a pastor and i work with the federal govt.... i hope this will not pose any problem during my interview? please advise me

Hi Everyone,

First of all thanks to all for sharing your experience here it is very much helpful for visa interview preparation.

I have attended visa interview on 17th of January 2018 @ Mumbai. Time slot 09:30 AM.

I have done all security check before entering the interview room. But at that day only 5 windows are in working out of 40-45 windows. Hence interview schedule in running out of time by 1.5 hours. This is it. So now my turn is came & went at window. I have went there with fully formal dress with blazer.As soon as i went in front of window he smile.

Then

Me:Good morning,
VO: Good morning, Passport plz

I give him passport.

VO: What is purpose of meeting?
Me: I explained " As i am leading automotive design team, my manager has invite me to attend internal meetings & to talk more about product design, productivity improvement & upcoming projects.

VO: Where r u going in USA?
ME: XX Michigan

VO: What is it?
ME: I explained it very well

VO: R u married?
ME: yes

VO: do you have children?
ME:No

VO: For how long you r going ?
ME:For 1 week.

VO: how long you work with current organization?
Me: form last 4 years.

VO: how much you earn?
ME:XXk

VO: Why your company select you?
ME: As i am seiner resource in team & having deep understanding of product design so i will be capable to deliver good result.

Then he thought fo moment & said your visa has rejected please try next time.

Can someone explain me what is exact reason of rejection?

 

First, this forum was very helpful in preparing questions to review for my interview.

Second, it is my belief that the decision regarding visas is already made prior to your actual interview. A scoring system is applied and the questions are just a formality. The VO's really don't have much power unless you fall into a "grey" area.

Third, the DS-160 is the key. My first time applying I went through a visa agent and as it turned out my DS-160 was all messed up and needless to say I didn't get the visa. This time, I completed the DS-160 myself with in-depth detail and prepared my questions according to my DS-160. **Again, the DS-160 is the most important part of the application**

Location: New Delhi
Date of Interview: 16/1/2018
Type of Visa: B1/B2

After the good morning formalities I was asked for my passport.

VO: Why do you want to go to the US? (MOST important question)
Me: YYYY gave specific reason which related visiting a trade show to promote my start-up company.

VO: What is your annual salary?
Me: XX lac

VO: How long are you going for?
Me: 5 days

VO: Who is going to pay for your trip?
Me: Cash and Credit Card (I misunderstood his question)
VO: (very rudely) I don't care how you are paying I asked you WHO?
Me: (rudely back) I AM PAYING on my own.
VO: Okay, fine, fine.

VO: Where will you stay?
Me: Gave hotel name and location

VO: Which countries have you visited before?
Me: Listed all countries previously visited.

VO:Do you know someone in America?
Me: Yes, I have an American friend. She lives in New Delhi.
VO: Tell me about her.
Me: I explained how I know her and her family.
VO: Okay

VO: What is your monthly salary?
Me: XX Lac

VO: Is that salary only from your start-up company?
Me: No, it is from my other businesses too. (Explained in more detail).

VO: Visa is approved....Sir.
Me: Thank you. Have a good day. (I just left the counter and didn't even ask when I could pick up my passport because the VO was so rude. I asked another officer and was told I would get a message in a couple of days.)

Notes:
1. No documents were asked for.
2. I wore a white shirt, dress pants, tie and sweater vest (aka "smart business casual")
3. I am not married and they didn't ask me about being married so I don't think that really matters and the rumor that "single males" don't get approved isn't necessarily true.
4. You should prepare your DS-160 very strongly and know everything that is written there. If possible have an American friend or native English speaker go over it with you before you submit it.
5. Don't hesitate in front of the VO because he/she really has no power to stop you from getting the visa. I believe it has already been decided.
6. Practice a lot and be confident.
7. I was denied a tourist visa last spring and that was my first time applying so don't give up if you get denied.
8. Have a good reason for visiting the US.

Good luck!

Hi everyone i would also like to share my experience. first i would like to thank members who share there experiences on here its the guidance picked from here that helped me succeed on my first try.

i went through all the formalities of security checks early morning of 11 Jan 2018 and my interview was to take place on the same day at 9:15am. i was called into the interview room at around 10:30am.

VO; Goodmorning
ME; Morning mam
VO; Reason for your visit to the US?
ME; I will be attending conference on xxxyyyzzzz
VO; This will take place in this state?
ME; Yes
VO; Your organisation will fund the trip?
ME; Yes
VO; Whats your designation?
ME; I work as...............
VO; How long have you worked with them?
ME; 4 years
VO; Whats your pay?
ME; ................. Monthly net pay
VO; Are you married?
ME; Yes
VO; Do you have children?
ME; Yes two lovely kids.
Then the golden words "Your visa has been approved"
All in all you have to be confident of yourself answer the questions truthfully and all will be well. I await to travel to the US in March.

Hi friends..

I will be attending B1 visa interview in couple of weeks.This is my second attempt.
I have been interviewed 2 months back and got rejected because i was not prepared and messed up the things.
Now i have prepared for some of the basic questions of B1 visa interview.Can you please guide me with the answers i have mentioned below is correct or i need to modify them.

Q) What is the purpose of your visit?
A) Our client has invited me for business meeting, so I will be attending multiple business discussion regarding our project. Along with this I will be meeting different team members of the company.

Q) What topic you will be discussing in meetings?
A) I will be discussing on client expectations and requirement on product .And also there will be discussion on how to tackle issues which we are facing currently.

Q) What is the product of your company?
A) We are dealing with engineering services of engine and transmission.

Q) Where you are going in USA?
A) Auburn hills, Michigan

Q) What’s your client name in USA?
A) YYYY X (Client name).

Q) What’s your company name?
A) YYYY (My company name)

Q) For how long you will be there?
A) For two weeks

Q) For how long you are working with your company?
A) I have total 7 years of experience and from last 5 months I am working with current employer.

Q) What exactly your role in your company?
A) As I am leading my QA team, So I am responsible to make sure that product delivered to customer should be as per customer expectation.

Q) How many peoples are there on your team?
A) 5

Q) Why they are sending you not someone senior?
A) I have been part of project since it started and with my knowledge on the project I will be able to provide some of my inputs during the discussion which could lead to the betterment of the project.

Q) Who is paying for your trip?
A) My company Allegis India Pvt Ltd

Q) Have you ever gone to other foreign countries before?
A) No this is my first time.

Q) Your package?
A) YYYY LPA

Q) Are you married?
A) I am unmarried but engaged and going to get married in next month

Q) Why can’t you have meetings over conference calls from India?
A) It is always fruitful to have face to face discussion, to understand the actual requirement and expectation of client.

Q) What’s the reason of your last rejection?
A) Don’t know exact reason but there must be some good reason as the consular officer said you can try next time.

Q) Are you going for the same purpose?
A) No, I am going for business meetings related to expectation of client on product.

It will be helpful if you please let me know more questions which i need to prepare.Waiting for your precious reply

The reviews from this forum helped me a lot, I went through them before attending, thought of sharing mine so it could be helpful to someone. I attended the US B1 Visa Interview at Chennai Consulate on 20 and 21 Dec.
First interview at Hyderabad rejected VO saying, “demonstrate better next time.”
On the first day, was biometric completed within 10 min.
On the second day, my interview was scheduled at 10:00 AM and I reached there around 9:30 and it slightly drizzled. After waiting for about 30-40 min my chance came for the interview.
It was counter number 19 and it was a young lady. Before me was a girl applied for her Masters and she was given 221g to submit some more documents.
While I was in the queue, I can hear the questions from counter 19 and 20, VO being ladies are asking the questions loudly and in my mind, I thought I may get from any one of them. I got counter 19.
ME: Hi, Good Morning
VO: Can you please pass on your passport?
Me: Here it is. (I could hear my heart beat once I stand in front of her, but once started conversating, I moved near the mic, standing in relaxing mode and started my answers and smiling throughout my conversation)
VO: Thank you.
VO: What is the purpose of your visit?
Me: My leadership team has invited me to our HQ to discuss about a critical project we plan to implement, they would like to discuss the roadmap for future.
VO: What’s your designation?
Me: Senior xxx engineer. (Then she was going through the screen and changing her expressions all around)
VO: What’s your annual salary?
Me: xxx lacs / annum
VO: how much it is per month?
Me: xxx thousand.
VO: She didn’t hear me and asked again it is?
Me: xxx thousand (I thought she is validating against my previous interview answer)
VO: Where is your company located?
Me: Redwood city, California. (she was typing something and looking at the screen and asking questions)
VO: No, no, in India?
Me: Bangalore, (nodded her head)
VO: What’s your company name?
Me: xx business solutions private Ltd.
VO: What will you do?
Me: I lead a team in conducting xx activities and xx activities.
VO: How many members are in your team. (she looked at my face during this question)
Me: 4-member team.
VO: What will your team do after you come back?
Me: I will work on the project requirements.
VO: No, no in your project?
Me: with confused face, asked her “means”?
VO: Tell me more about your project? Everybody will say, I will come back and work on the project requirements, will come back and work on the technical requirements. (sarcastically)
Me: Then I smiled a bit and said, no mam, as a lead I will work on the project requirements which I have discussed in our meeting and it includes conducting xx activities and xx activities which are part of my project executions. (this I answered in line with my roles and responsibilities mentioned in DS 160).
VO: Your visa is approved.
Me: Thankyou mam. Have a nice time. (left the counter while she is keeping the passport in her rack)
Suggestions: After reading reviews in this forum, I had a suit with tie and wear my company ID card. This I made intentionally to keep the look of a business user as per suggestions from users in this forum.
Be confident and have a smile. I know it is very difficult especially after 1st rejection, even I was very nervous but at least answer confidently. Do not stammer/pause/Think of answer there. Prepare answer well ahead and be ready for all kind of cross question which might come up based on your answer.
* For B1 dress bit professionally. I was wearing suit with a tie and my company ID Card.
* The big help was this forum, I went through most reviews present here. I used to read the question and answer by myself. Rehearse by standing in front of the mirror.
* Don't keep listening to the questions while you are in the queue which might make you more nervous then you are already. Be confident in what you have prepared already.
PS: Got my passport stamped with a 10 year B1/B2 Visa after 4 days.

Guys, I have a history of rejections and finally got my B1 stamped last Friday (5 Jan 2018). I learned the fundamentals of B1 visa after reading it from a article written by visa officer((VO).

VO has only 2-3 minutes to decide you are neither a potential immigrant nor going there to work. By default they start with a NO, and your answers to their question has to convert the NO to "YES".

If you are applying for B1, you have to be absolutely sure on the following;

1) where you’re going,
2) why you’re going,
3) how you’re going to get there,
4) what you’re going to do there,
5) and why you need to go now.

If you are too young or not from a reputed company or less salary or unmarried then by default, he will approach you as a potential immigrant. Give him all the necessary details for every question. Be Precise
 and exhibit confidence. That is the only thing matters. Remember it is your responsibility to help him/her arrive at a decision that you are not an immigrant and your reasons to travel are valid.

All the questions revolve around the above 5 points and some personal question.

Here small details about my Interview. I'm a Manager working for a very reputed MNC.

Q1 : Why are you going?
Q2 : Where are you going?
Q3 : What is your package?
Q4 : How many people reported to you?

That's it.