Business Visa - B1

Let me share my experience here ...
I had the Biometric on July 30 th ..which was finished in 10 min ...
Next day was the Real Test day...
I was hearing so many stories regarding the rejections ... So literally i was bit tensed and nervous ...
My scheduled time was 11:30 but one of my colleague had the interview at 11 on the same day ...
So In order to accompany him I went with him at 10:15
No one told me to wait till 11:30 ..so As soon as i enter I was keep on moving from one counter to another for all the clearings ...
And I was in the Q for the interview .... I could see the "Sad/Happy faces coming out from the interview. One lady told me to go and stand in the Counter # 18 ..
My turn has come finaly..
I smiled and greeted him Good Morning ... he replied me with Good Morning without lifting his face. Next Word was "Passport please"
I just handed over the passport and Question started ..
He: Where you going in US
Me : Dallas and Fort worth
He: So basically Texas
Me : Yes
He : Who is your Client
Me : YYYY (Told the client name. As it was one of the biggest Company in US, This might have helped me)
He: Who is paying your trip
Me : Told my company (This is Cricial, DOn EVER tell US Company name/CLient name. It should be your Indian Company name)
He: Good. For how many days you are planning
Me : 10 days
He: what is your annual package
Me : xxx Lac/annum (told my package)
Next was the Golden words ..
Ok Sir Your VISA is approved .., ENjoy your stay in US
I said thank you and Have a Good one ...

Basically Key thing is "your Luck" and "his mood" ....

ALL THE BEST GUYS ...

Interview date : 2nd August 2017

I was very nervous and tensed sine this was my first attempt. I prepared well for the usul question i got through this site and from employer.

My slot of at 8 am, but reached by 7:15 and and standing with long queue which and get entered inside by 7:35 itself.

After the usual passport verification and finger print verification i guided wait with the same queue opposite to VO bays since non of VO's reached the office.

By 7:50 the VO's started to open their bays and called candidates for interview, I am guided by the one of the consulate person to reach counter 30 where already another person standing and conversating with the VO's about his H1 renewal and it take more than 15 minutes to him since he not having some docs not having which the VO asked, by this the VO frequently visited to near bays to ask some doubts , it was realy hard that other peroson in other bays are moving fastly but i am only standing to get my chance, anyway after long wait i got my chance, the VO waived his hand and the interview happened as below

VO: Hi, Good morning, How are you?
Me: Good moring.I am fine. How are you? (with smile)

VO: Give me your passport.
Me: Sure. (Passed my passport to him)

VO: What is the purpose of your travel?
Me: Going to attend Business meeting and Knowledge sharing session with my onshore team and stakeholders. (He was not able to listen completely and asked again what kind of meeting and with whom. I said the same in slow manner.then he said ok)

VO: What is your organization name?
Me: I said (But it was little difficult to catch my company name just by speak,since it having some silent letters on pronunciation so he just asked for my office ID and showed my ID card)

VO: How long you working?
Me: For the past 2 years and 2 months.

VO: Whom you going to meet?
Me: I said the person name (My project director)

VO: Is that person working with same company?
Me: Yes, He was my project director. (After this he was doing toying with keyboard and looking at the screen)

VO: Which place you going to visit in US?
Me: I said the city and state name

VO; have you ever went to another foreign countries before?
Me: No, this is my first time attempt.

VO: Are you married?
Me: I am unmarried but engaged and going get married by coming January.

VO: What is your annual salary?
Me: 7 Lack per annum

(After hearing this we doing some calculation which i began to know by seeing his keyboard typing, then he searching something on some kind of printed paper which pasted near his system, then went switched off the mike and went to near by consulate, by this time my heart beat was rising however i didnt showed anything on my facial am just politely watching his seat and sytsem. the after 2-3 minutes he returned and typing some thing)

VO: How long you will be in US?
Me: 2 weeks

After this he just typing and seeing his monitor.

Finaly he took my passport and kept in the drawer near to him and said the golden words ÿou are qualified for the visa", thank you.

I said Thank you so much with the smile and left the consulate happiness filled mind.

Thank you all for posting your responses which help me lot to prepare well.

My kind advice's are:

1. Dont look at other person Visa status, just listen the questions and way of the talk of the consular while standing in queue before your chance.

2. Be confident and answer bold without nervous.

3. Dont show your internal feeling outside and be calm with smile face.

Hope my experiences will be helpful for you.. Thanks!

Interview Date: 1st August

I was nervous for interview, thought i never get visa due to less experience & salary.But But....Its your employer name will definitely help you to get visa.
It was short interview less than 3 minutes.Volunteer already passed my Invitation letter & Passport to consultant before i stand in front of him.
Before me 2 applicant denied one for B2 & one for F1.
I thought its my turn, but miracle happen.

Here is the question:

VO: Whats you position in YYYY Employer. (He already have my invitation letter).
Me: Answered

VO:How long with your employer?
Me: 1 year

VO:What you do in you company?
Me: Answered

VO: Are you married?
Me: Yes

VO: Do you have any child?
Me: No, i am expecting baby in month of November.

VO: Ohh Great, Congratulation you visa issued.

And he take my passport.
he didn't asked purpose of visit or salary (My invitation Letter carry every data) .

No matter how much your salary or experience.
your Employer status & Home tie up must be there.

Yes Be confident that is the only key.You have to attend meeting in US not with US consular, so do not do long conversation with him.
   

First of all thanks to immihelp and all of you for your contribution by adding your experience to the site, helped me a lot.

Interview date:- July 31, 2017

I was nervous as hell as this was my first ever visa interview and i feel i did screw up the interview, either i got too lucky or the VO was too kind to issue me the visa. Here goes my experience:-

VO: Mam please step forward
Me: Good morning mam

VO: What is the purpose of the visit?
Me: Meetings, knowledge transfer

VO: Where would you be going?
Me: Overland park, KS

VO: For how long?
Me: 3 weeks

VO: Why three weeks?
Me: Explained (this was bit challenging)

VO: Who is paying for the trip?
Me: My employer

VO: Which organisation you work for?
Me: Answered

VO: What is your role?
Me: Answered

VO: Since how long have you been working here?
Me: Almost 5 years

VO: What is your salary?
Me: Answered

VO: Have you traveled to US before?
Me: No this is my first time

VO: What is in KS, client or?
Me: Our headquarters

VO: Are you married?
Me: Yes

VO: Do you have kids?
Me: No yet, we are planning with a smile

And here comes the golden words, mam i am issuing you visa, all the best.
And i said thank you so much mam and left the counter.

Guys just be confident, i know its bit tensed for first timers but confidence is the key. Hope my experience help others. Thank you.

My Interview date is 28/07/2017. Chennai

I reached office at 8:45 AM, My interview has scheduled at 10:00 AM.
I was so much confident, and i thought that i have to clear the interview in my first attempt itself. There was a very big queue, as usual i joined the queue and got my interview scheduled.
The beautiful lady was sitting inside and she rejected the person who went earlier than me

Below are the conversations happened in the interview.

Me: Good morning Mam
VO: Very Good morning.

VO: What is the purpose of visit?
Me: With smiling face, To attend the process Workshop and business meetings.

Vo: Can you please elaborate?
Me: I explained about the the process and the meetings.

VO: What is your designation?
Me: I told ITO Service delivery Consultant.

VO: What is your annual Income?
Me: I said xxxlacs per annum.

VO: Where your going in US?
Me: I said Pontiac Michigan.

VO: How many Weeks you are going to US?
Me: 2 weeks

VO: But in your DS-160 it is mentioned 8weeks?
Me: I explained, Initially it is planned for 8weeks, with the period of 10th july but it got postponed to 24th july and now i am starting from 7th of august 2017 , i am going for two weeks.

VO: Are you married?
Me:Yes

VO: Do you have kid?
Me: yes, 4years old

VO: With Smiling face, Your visa got approved
Me: Thank you so much mam.

Be confident, and be truthful you will reach your goal
Be happy no BP.
Always Smile :)

Following are the conversation happened in the interview

VO: What Is the purpose of the visit.
Me: to attend knowledge sharing session and business meetings
Vo: where are you working now?
Me: YYYY chennai
VO: What Is your designation and ur role
Me: I explained my designation and role
Vo: where are you going in US
Me: Chicago, illinois
Vo: how many weeks and from when
ME: 4 weeks and starting from July 24 th
Vo: 24th!!!!!! it's 19th and you may miss the date.
Me: yes,but the meetings will be postponed as per my travel.
Vo: what's ur experience in photon?
Me: 10 months
Vo: Ohhh ok!!! , are you married
Me: yes I am married
Vo: any children
Me: one girl, 4 months old.
Vo: nice, and congratulations , ur visa has been approved
Me: thank you very much.

I had B1 interview on 20th July 2017.
VO - Passport please.
Me - Good morning, provided the passport
VO - Which organization are you working for?
Me - X company (took the first name)
VO - Excuse me.
Me - Complete name of my company
VO - Tell me more about your company
Me - Was not expecting this question. So, fumbled and started and then he moved to the next question, Did not get an opportunity to complete the description of my company profile.
VO - How long will you be traveling?
Me - 1-2 weeks...approximately
VO: Where will you be traveling?
Me: Campbell
VO: California?
Me: Yes, Sir
VO: Did you travel to the US before?
Me: No
VO: What's your monthly income?
Me: 45k
I am sorry, your visa is not approved. Gave a blue form 214(b), ticking the first box and passport has been returned to me.
Me: Thank you, Sir.
The reason mentioned in the form is as follows:

Dear Applicant,
This is to inform you that, you have been found ineligible for a nonimmigrant visa under Section 214(b) of the US immigration and nationality Act. A denial under this section means that you were not able to demostrate that your intended activities in the US would be consistent with the classification of the nonimmigrant visa for which you applied.

While nonimmigrant visa classifications each have their own unique requirements, one requirement shared by many of the nonimmigrant visa categoriesis for the applicant to demonstrate that he/she has a residence in a foreign country which he/she has no intention of abandoning. Applicants usually meet this requirementby demonstrating that they have strong ties overseas that indidate that they will return to a foreign country after a temporary visit to the US. Such ties include professional, work, school, family, or social links to a foreign country. You have not demonstrated that you have the ties that will compel you to return to your home country after your travel to the US.

My question is, how do I demonstrate that I have the ties that will compel me to return to my home country after my travel to the US. I did not get such questions to demonstrate. Questions like, are you married ( I am married which reflects in my passport).

I will be reapplying for my visa in next 1-2 weeks. Please please help.

Dear all,

I had two back to back Visa interviews at the Chennai Consulate. The biometrics went pretty uneventful, so I am not adding anything about it. Here goes my consulate experience.

Attempt 1 - 13th July 2017, 9:00 AM

Reached the consulate at around 7.45, joined the queue at around 8.15. Was right in front of the consular office at around 8.45.

VO : Waved his hand at me
Me : Good morning Sir, how are you doing?

VO : I am good, how are you? Give me your passport
Me : I am good, Sir

VO : So why do you want to go to the US?
Me : I will have to attend three web security conferences in US

VO : Where all would you go?
Me : Texas, Chicago and SFO

VO : Who is paying for the trip?
ME : My employer ZZZ

VO : Have you travelled outside India?
ME : Yes, once to UAE and to Thailand for my Honeymoon

VO : What are the conferences all about?
ME : Web Security and monitoring

VO : I appreciate you coming in, but I'm afraid I can't approve your Visa.
ME : <Blank Stare> Thank you Sir.

I didn't see that coming, honestly! He just had a glance at my passport and the whole thing happened in less than a minute. He handed me over the form 214(b) and it took me a couple of minutes to realise what had just happened. I was the only one who came out with the passport during that time slot, most of the visas were approved (or at least, I presumed so)

I lost my mind, and I badly immediately wanted another chance. I paid up for the next appointment, and like magic, I got an empty slot as early as on 17th July (4th day after rejection)

Attempt 2 : July 17th 2017, 10:00 AM

I had a 10AM appointment and I joined the queue by 9.30. I became so well versed with the process and I proceeded confidently. Enter the interview area, and I could see the gentleman who had rejected my application just before 3 days. I lost it, all prayers offered so that I don't end up with the same VO again. My prayers worked, and I was behind a family where a lady officer was doing the interview.

VO : Waved at me with a smile
ME : Good Morning, Madam

VO : So where do you work?
ME : I work as a Product Manager in XYZ company

VO : And what's with your US trip?
ME : I will be attending 3 conferences in the USA

VO : Married?
ME : Yes

VO : What does your wife do?
ME : She works in the same company as I

VO : Cool, did you have a love marriage?
ME : Yes, Mam.

VO : How sweet, so what's your annual pay
ME : YYYY pay + YYYY bonus. Total YYYY gross

VO : Cool, How long is your trip
ME : Tentatively 18 days

VO : Is someone else coming along with you?
ME : No, Mam

VO : Why is your company so particular on sending you?
ME : I own the security product and I lead the team

VO : How many years with this org.?
ME : 5.5 years and this is my first job

VO : That sounds right, your Visa is approved. Have a fun trip
ME : Thank you very much Mam, Have a nice day!

No questions asked about the previous visit. I was all prepared for that. The only difference between both the interviews was that I was wearing a tie during the second attempt. It would be too silly to arrive at a conclusion - wear a tie and get the visa, right?

It is all luck, things happen very randomly. All said and done, hope this review is of use to someone. A B1 rejection is not the end, contest as early as possible, if you feel you have the right reasons! All the best!

Needless to mention, special thanks to Immihelp. I have read all the B1 experiences a minimum of 3 times. You're the best, Immihelp!

Hi All,

Finished my B1 interview an hour back and sharing my experience.

Background :-
1) Total Work-Ex - 8 Years
2) Current Organisation Work Ex - 15 months.
3) Designation - Team Lead
4) Interview Location - Chennai Consulate

Wore formal trouser and shirt with formal shoes. No tie or ID card.

My interview timing was 9:30 A.M. Reached consulate office at 9:00 a.m and security allowed me to straightway enter the consulate. The queue had close to 60+ Visa aspirants. It took me 40 minutes to land myself in front of the VO officer from the time I entered the office.

Here is the Interview:-

VO : Good Morning!
Me : Very Good Morning Sir. How are you? (No reply, probably VO din't listen as I was not loud
        enough it seems. At this point I decided to be more louder.

VO : Your passport pls.
Me : Sure (Passed the passport).

VO : Have you applied for US visa earlier?
Me : This is the first time.

VO : When are you planning to travel?
Me : First week of August, 2017. (Worth to mention here that the date of travel mentioned in my DS-
        160 was 20-July-17. I was expecting some follow up question on this as the dates mentioned in
         DS-160 doesn't match with what I said, but V did not ask anything).

VO : Why are you travelling?
ME : To attend project review meeting with my Senior leadership team.

VO : Where?
ME : NewJersey

VO : Client place or your company branch?
ME : My company headquarters.

VO : Your designation?
ME : Team Lead.

VO : Salary please?
ME : XX (It's 20+ LPA).

VO : What's the purpose of the trip?
ME : (Now this is a repeat question which was already asked once.) I replied the same but elaborated
         it further - I am going to attend project review meeting with my senior leadership to discuss the
         project status and roadmap going forward. We are trying to set up an aggressive deliverables
         target to generate more revenue.

VO : What product?
ME : It's an helathcare imaging application that helps doctors to examine patients scanned images.

VO : Where diid you say you are going in US? NewJersey....?
ME : Yes, Clifton, New Jersey.

VO : Your Visa is approved. Thanks!

I was bit tensed before the interview started but the key is Confidence. Have read close to 100+ interview experiences before attending mine and have prepared for the questions. Only few questions were asked and if you reply confidently than the chances of rejection are Nil. Be honest, clear, confident is the key!

All the best.

    

Hello All,
Thanks to this forum and all for sharing your valuable experiences, which had helped me in great way to overcome my fear.
Today I am going to share my experience with you all.
Location: Mumbai
First attempt – 9th August 2016, 9:30 AM IST.
At this moment, I was having work experience of 1.3 years.
Reached Gate at 8:45 waited till 9:15 and later security person allowed 9:30 candidates to enter.
Routine checkup and interview around 9:50.
First, I was allocated counter no 27, but unfortunately the volunteer came and moved me from 27 to 33 no due to 3 candidates in front of 27th counter. Now I was on 33 no counter, before me the VO was young man in mid-30’s rejected F1 visa of a student and next it was me, He waved hand to come forward. As I reached to window I greeted and gave my passport directly without his request and at the same moment he was experiencing fatigue.
VO: Why do you want to travel to US?
ME: To attend Business meetings and requirement gathering with client.
 Pause for nearly 20 seconds started typing.
VO: What is your designation?
ME: Associate Software Engineer
VO: Sorry, this time I can’t approve your you can try next time.
That’s it game over, no further question gave my passport back and 214(b) form stating the reasons.
Second attempt – 7th July 2017, 9:30 AM IST.
At this moment, I was having work experience of 2.2 years and unmarried.
Reached Gate at 8:30 waited till 8:45 and later security person allowed 9:30 candidates to enter.
Routine checkup and interview around 9:40, counter no 35. VO was male in age group of 40 to 45 years.
VO: Why do you want to go to US?
ME: To attend training sessions.
VO: What training it is for?
ME: Its new enhancement of YYYY Product.
VO: Which technology?
ME: ABC (said just name, nothing else)
VO: Explain in detail?
ME: (Gave detail explanation for around 45 seconds to 1 minute about) ABC, Its working and architecture and all.
VO was typing something for 10 seconds.
VO: How long you have been with the present company?
ME: 2.2 years.
VO: What was the reason for you last rejection?
ME: Don’t know exact reason, but the councilor officer said you can try next time.
VO: Are you going for the same purpose?
ME: No, I am going training purpose only. (Said the purpose again just as answered to Q1)
VO: What was the purpose of yours last time?
ME: Said truly, for client meetings and requirements gathering. (don’t mess with this answer because your last VO might have commented your last purpose, so please don’t lie)
Long pause and VO again started typing for 15 seconds
VO: How long you are going for?
ME: 2 weeks.
VO: Which client you are visiting?
(His voice was not clear and loud because he was typing on screen and asking questions without facing towards mic)
ME: Sorry, I didn’t get you.
VO: Any specific client visits?
ME: No client meetings, just meeting our internal team at onshore.
VO: Where you are going to have your training?
ME: At our head office.
VO: Are going to meet any of the clients?
ME: No, just training from team members.
VO: What is your designation?
ME: Associate Software Engineer
VO: Last time your application was through this company?
ME: Yes, same employer.
VO: Have you ever visited US?
ME: No, this will be mine first visit.
VO: Your passport is with me, you will be getting SMS in 2 days.
Note:
1. Please don’t get scared and react to others interview, try to keep calm and focus on your goal.
2. Salary and Experience doesn’t maters. (Mine not in any income tax slab)
3. Under 214(B) ties to home countries are important.
4. Dress code - Best to go with formals.
5. Confidence is very vital.
6. Don’t get scared if you can’t hear properly, ask in polite way to repeat the question again.
7. Have natural smile please don’t fake.
Best of luck to all.