Business Visa - B1

My immigration team has booked an appointment on 20th september 2014 for finger print and photo session and then the next day for visa interview. Below was my experience about the interview.

My interview was scheduled in mumbai embassy in bandra east at 10AM in the morning (second day).
I arrived at the embassy by 9:00AM itself, being so much excited / worried about the questionnaire.

Was called for security check and asked to switch off my cell phone and put all belongings (other than my documents and passport) in a plastic basket and submit at the security counter there.

After the security check, i was guided to a open area where huge crowd was waiting under a roof and people were slowly moving forward as the crowd keep finishing their interviews inside the room/consulte hall.

I was also moving along with the crowd, and once i entered the final/consulate room, i was guided to go to a separate line to show my passport and take a second round of finger prints and was guided to go to counter number 24 (currently i forgot the number but something like this only).

As soon i went to the counter as guided, there was a line of 5 people standing there on after the other. I was the fifth person standing quite nervous.

The VO rejected all those previous girls/guys for some reason and was not having a smile on his face. Where the previous guy standing infront of me was irritating VO's mind, someone from the inside counter came and finally spoke in hindi to leave the place and that was my turn finally and the VO signed to come front.

I went towards the window and was having a nice smile (dramatically may be to cover my nervousness) and wished him good morning.

Time was 9:20AM IST.

Me - Good morning, how are you doing?.
VO - Very good morning, goo.....d doing great, you look so energetic (was smiling inside my heart).

Me - Thanks.
VO - Passport please (I said sure and handed over).

VO - Why are you going to US.
Me - To attend few trainings on a new system being built under customer supervision.

VO - A new system?
Me - Yes, we call it a system, as multiple applications are linked to it.

VO - Wow. So, which place are you visiting in US.
Me - Bellevue place, seattle, WDC.

VO - Where will you stay and who will take care of your expenses?
Me - My customer and company will provide accomodation, food and transport and i have to take care of my personal expenses being paid in the form of allowances.

VO - Perfect! So....you work for YYYY company, it is a big giant USA based firm. Don't your company know that a USA company should not file for B1.
Me - You are right! the company which i am working currently has only 1 branch in india and it is a subsidiary of the USA company and not a direct reportee and our payrolls and everything differs.

VO - Gooooood. What is your designation and can you explain me your roles and responsibilities in this project and your future plans.
Me - Explained.

VO - Who will pay you?
Me - My company in india in the form of allowances.

VO - Will you be working there in USA.
Me - No, only meetings, KTs.

VO - How long?
Me - 4 weeks.

VO - Sounds clear. Finally, what if you don't get your visa approved. (Sarcastic smile).
Me - We may have to look for alternative ways in getting the KT, and attend the session through any other process.

VO - You dont need to go for a second chance. I am approving your visa. (Laughed loud).
Me - Thanks, thats great.

VO - Ow, wait, can i have your client invitation letter?
Me - Sure, handed over.

VO - Looked at it and said cool.
Me - When shall i collect my passport.

VO - Within 2 business days from now.
Me - Sure thanks, it was my pleasure talking to you.

VO - Smiled and said same here.
Me - I was flying in air and no control for my happiness, and removed my hand cuffs of the shirt and collected my belongings from security and ran out of the place.

Remember, whatever the experience you have. Salary, Company doesn't matter.
Stay confident, stay calm, speak truth. YOU ARE DONE.

I wish all the best to every individual going for interview. And finally, dont listen to anyone who says, this embassy is good for approvals, the other does lot of rejections etc.

Embassy is same everywhere, it;s you who have to prove yourself that your approach is proer and perfect.

Cheers.....

.

My Questions:

Vo: Your Passport please.
Me: Yeah Sure.

Vo: In which company are you working for?
Me: told company name.

Vo: Where are you going to US?
Me: Orlando.

Vo: Why are you going to US?
Me: I am going to attend Stone Exhibition.

Vo: What does your company do?
Me: Export the Stone.

Vo: How much company's turnover?
Me: told

Vo: How many employees are in your company?
Me: told

Vo: For how many days are you going?
Me: 9 days.

Vo: What is your designation?
Me: Export Manager

Vo: What is your salary?
Me: 3 Lacs per Annual

Vo: To whom with are you going?
Me: My boss

Vo: Have you ever been outside of India?
Me: No

Vo: Can i see your invitation letter?
Me: Yeah Sure

Vo: Are you single?
Me: Yes, i am single.

Vo: You are not eligible for this time, but it doesn't mean that you can't apply next time. returned my passport and gave 214b form.

Can i know that what was the reason behind my rejection?

Waiting for the reply.....

Thanks to all

Tips:

I was fairly tensed until my turn came. Please please be very confident. Your presentation skills is really important.

My questions:

Me: Hello Mam, Good Morning (With a smile, wear your ID card. Makes a lot of difference) Please Smile and wish without fail.
VO: I am fine. Thank you (With Smile)

VO: Why are you going to US?
Me: I have to attend client meetings that are scheduled in our ------(location name)

VO; Who is the Client?
Me: Told the name

VO: How many days?
Me: 2 Weeks

VO: What is your salary?
Me: Told

Thanks. Your visa is approved. It happened less than 20 Secs.

Key: Please be confident. Dont fumble. Be precise and point. And Relax and act professional like a business person.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Hello Everyone,

Before I share my interview experience, want to highlight few very essential points that might help you to ace the visa interview ;

1. Please remember, this interview is all about you. So, if you are not lying, just relax ! you are bound to get through. As long as you are saying the truth, you are not compelled to think.

2. For B1 visas sound like a professional, and wear your Comapny ID.

3, The DS 160 is the key, know it by heart.

The Interview :

Me : Hello, Good Morning ! (Greeted him with a smile)
VO : Good Morning, Can I have your passport please ?
Me : Sure.
VO : So, why are you travelling to U.S.?
Me : To attend business meetings and subsequent discussions with our extended team in U.S.
VO : How long will you stay in U.S.?
Me : xx days (Do remember the exact dates and the exact number of days)
VO : Which company are you working for ?
Me : XX Company
VO : Where will you stay in U.S.?
Me : Told the entire hotel address.
VO : What is the name of your client ?
Me : XX
VO : What is your designation
Me : XX (Mention the exact designation, as mentioned in your offer letter)
VO : How long have you been working with the company ?
Me : 5 Months
VO : Thank You, Your Visa is Approved.
Me : Thank you very much !

So applicants, it doesn't matter if you are married or not, if you are new with the company or not. What matters is your confidence and truthfulness in your brain.

Yes, the VO are trained professionals. Its not possible to hide anything from them.

Las but not the least, be what you are. If you are student/teacher/professional, sound like one. And do not remove the eye contact.

Be Confident, Research well, and do not fumble. You got this !!

Hi,

I appeared for B1 visa again yesterday 02/23/2017. Last time gave on Nov1st, 2016.

This time received 214 b form reason saying that I do not have enough strong ties.

Me: Good mng Officer,
VO: No reply, give me passport pls.
Me: Here it is my passport.
VO: after he checked some time, He asked why you are travelling to US?
Me: I am required to attend business meetings and training wit our client ZZZ, I said.
VO: Where you are going in US, for how long?
Me: San Jose, California. Its for 20 days I said.
VO: Are you married?
Me: Yes
VO: Is your wife coming along with you?
Me: No
VO: Have you traveled anywhere outside India?
Me: No
VO: Whats your annual salary?
Me: 12Lacs In INR.
VO: Whats your company name?
Me: YYYYYYY
VO: What you will do there in US?
Me: I started saying about my activities same time ,I shown the client invite letter to him, He asked it. and I told as per the schedule for 20days.
VO: what you will do in india?
Me: I said my roles and responsibilities with my company.
VO: from how long you are working with the current company?
Me: Its been 9months completed I said.

Thats all,
VO: Sorry, we cannot approve the visa for you this time He said.

Suddenly mind blowing, I asked him, may I know the reason?. He said pls can check in 214b form, that I already know.

I have enough strong ties with our home country. what could be the reason i do not know.
this time i was confident when compared to last time, but again got rejected.
Can some one tell me the suggestion what could be the problem?
May be I have less experience with the current company its 9months. it should not be a problem since my purpose is training.

Thanks
Satya

Hi All,

My L1 Visa was rejected (not clearly approvable) in early September 2016.
My company is ready to file my B1 Visa now.

Please advice if it is suitable to proceed with it or not.
If yes, how will this impact my B1 interview?

Thanks and regards,
Monisha

First of all i would like to thank you all who posted their experiences in the portal. i went through all the experiences and got clear idea how interview would be. i see people whose visa rejected but didn't get nervous. today i attended interview in chennai and below is my exp

FYI the girl who stands before me,her visa was rejected.

Me:GM
VO:please give me your passport (no smile)

VO:Why r you travelling to US?
Me:i'm visiting US for the purpose of attending various business review meetings in connection with our new client ZZZ

VO:is it new client?
ME:yes

VO:which organisation you are working for?
Me:ZZZ

VO:Designation
Me:3.7 Yrs

VO:Annual salary
Me:X.X Lakhs

VO: which place are you going?
Me: Florida

VO:how many weeks you would be staying?
Me:4 weeks

VO:What is you client name?
ME:ZZZ

VO: why you need 4 weeks?
Me: Explained

VO: Are you married?
Me: NO, getting married in May

VO:have you ever been out side India?
Me; yes i traveled to Malaysia with my Family

VO:Thank you sir. your Visa has been approved and called next persion waiting for interview
Me: Thanks

I am self employed and running an IT company in Islamabad. My client had invited me for a training and also business meetings with board of directors. He also sent affidavit of support and all necessary documents. I also had receipt of $6000 paid for training. My interview was scheduled at 7th Feb 2017 at 8:0am. I reached at 6:50 am at Islamabad shuttle service and reached the consulate in time. Within 10-15 mins all security checks and everything was done.

There was huge queue but staff was ready and quick to arrange interviews. Visa officers were not taking much time, they were just trying to get the interviews as quick as possible. Within few mins my turn came. I was only asked three questions.

- Why you are going to USA? - Explained
- What you do? -Explained
- Have you ever traveled outside Pakistan? (Yes to Dubai two times to attend Gitex Conference).

I had everything to proof my socio economic ties but not a single document was asked. Not even invitation letters that was good enough to explain the purpose and iternary, it had all the invoices paid for training and trip.

After denial, I am in the process should I wait or re-apply? I think the current climate in USA is not very favorable specially for a countries like Pakistan. That's one of the factors that there were 90% denials.

I am thankful to ImmiHelp and members all the info and insights offered. Really appreciate the feedback.

I have done my b1/b2 visa interview on 2 days back. It was for renewal as my current visa expired. VO took my passport after completing his questions and said thank you sir. I have also greeted him and left.

When i checked the visa status today, it is showing as "administrative processing". I do not know what does that mean and i have gone thought the forum for the help but getting lots of different reasons and thoughts.

My question is that, is it an initial step towards visa approval/printing? or is there any through verification is required?

Pls help if anyone faced similar experience and how long will it take in this scenario.

Thanks
Srini