Business Visa - B1

I would like to thank immihelp to create a forum to share the experience at US consulate. It is evident that, this forum will help people preparing for attending the interview.

All the bio metric has been completed very smoothly on 23rd Aug 2016. Actually i got my schedule time around 15.30, but the security has allowed me at 14.30. People may not get panic for this round as it was very easier.

I had my visa interview on 24th Aug 2016, Appointment time: 8.30
Went to US consulate by 7.30. They allowed me directly into the office with out checking the time slot. ( but may not be common for all).

This was my conversation with the VO

Me: very good morning. Hope you are doing good.
VO: with smiling face. Good morning and am doing good..

VO: your passport please.
Me: yes Sure (He has not asked for any documents).

VO: which company are you working for?
Me: I am working in YYYY for the past 6 years as product manager.
VO: he looked my ID card.

VO: Why are you going to US?
Me: I am going attend a conference as we have booked a booth at the conference. we are participating in this conference for more than 15 years.

VO: How many days are you going to stay in US?
Me: (I dint heard it properly) please come again.
VO: He repeated the same question.
Me: 10 days (with a smiling face).

VO: ok. your visa got approved. have a happy exhibition and safe travel.
Me: Thank you so much. (with a big smiling face).
The overall conversation went max. 2min.

Tips: If you are going for US to attend the scientific conference. Know about the conference history. Actually I have prepared to answer for such questions. However, I dint got the questions about the conference.
Dress formally and you have to wear your company ID card. if your company is sponsoring your trip.
Do not get panic and answer the VO with a smiling face, even if the VO is not smiling at you.
While standing in the Q, don't try to hear what others says. That may distract you and get nervous if that person got rejected.

I had my visa on 23rd, Aug, 2016 @Chennai.
FIrst of all thanks for "immihelp" for having such a platform.

Went there an hour before, still there was a huge line and it almost took 2.5 hours in the queue for me to reach to the final interview point. Make sure to have enough water and food and be firm , stand tight, keep your mind focused and calm. Don't listen to much of what is being asked. IMHO it'll just make you think more.

Me- Hello Officer
VO- Can I have your passport ?
VO- Which company do you work for ?
Me- <<Answered>>
VO- Why are you going to US ?
Me- I need to meet with the CTO and build a product roadmap and knowledge transfer sessions
VO-What does the product do ?
Me- We help hotels maximize their revenue.
VO- And how do you do that ?
Me:- <<Explained precisely in about 2 sentences>>
VO-What is your salary?
Me:- YYYY per month
VO- Which city are you going?
Me:- New York
VO- How long you will be staying?
Me- Maximum 2 weeks
VO- Ok. Your visa is approved.
Me- Thank you so much.

Points to remember:-

- Don't be not ready to get question out of the scope of what you read in "immihelp". Good to prepare for the questions which you find but keep your mind open to be able to answer anything
- Don't be too precise in something(like my friend answered he has been working for 6 months & 20 days)
- Never mention a point of contact to be an Indian name(If you are an an Indian).
- Dress properly. I could see not many people were in Suits but you can bear if that gets you an advantage. unfortunately one of my friend's Visa got rejected even though he was in suit.
- Practice in front of the mirror. Feel confident and show your curiosity to answer more if asked.(How? It is shown by body language.)
- In my case, my body language and tone was professional.
- Talk as per your designation. If you are very less experienced then don't behave like you are the one only.

Hello Guys
Following is my experience, hope it will help.
I had weak case due to following reasons.
- My sibling had filed immigration petition for me, which is considered negative if you apply for visit visa.
- I had a rejected visa in the past.
- I also had lost my first passport.
- Parents got Green Cards.
All these points are considered negative if you are applying for visit visa. I was not much hopeful but just wanted to give it a try. I was the first one on specific window, VO was a friend lady in her 30s.

VO : Good Morning
Me : Good Morning

VO: Can I have your passport please
Me : Sure, here you go

VO : Purpose of your trip
Me : Business Meetings, Video and still shoot of upcoming product line

VO : Have you been to U.S. before
Me : No

VO : Have you been to any other country
Me : Gave the list of 8 countries I had been

VO : Your sibling is U.S. National ?
Me : Yes

VO : Do you have kids ?
Me : Yes three daughters

VO : Are they traveling with you ?
Me : No, I am traveling alone

VO : Your visa is approved :)
Me : Thank you and have a nice day

She made my day :)

I was expecting question related to my previous visa refusal, passport lost but to my surprise, she didn't ask any thing. Didn't ask for any documents as well ( I had brought loads of documents with me to support my case )
I had read alot of posts on immi, great website. sharing my experience to help others.

Thanks you immihelp for helping me prepare for B1 Visa interview
Date - 19-08-2016
Visa Status - Approved

Purpose of Travel - Business Meeting and Tools Demo
Client Name - ZZZ
Job Title - YYY
How long have you been with your company - XX years
Where are you travelling - ZZZ
Duration of visit - 1 week
How long have you been working for this project - XX years
Your visa is approved

Suggestions/Observations:
You can reach early too, they are checking date only and not time slot
Dress appropriately
Speak confidently and in short. Don't explain. If need be, they will ask follow-up question.

Interview location & Security measure (Considering the Chennai location):

- Both OFC and US consulate are nearby
- Hotel Spring is good for the VISA interview at Chennai. Both locations are at walable distance.
- For OFC bring your appointment letter, DS-160 confirmation and Passport with you. You can take your mobile with you. they will ask you to switch it OFF
- For bags and other stuffs they have locker facility available at OFC center
- Reach there before 15-20 minutes of your schedule time. Once you reach show them you appointment letter they will ask you to go ahead instead of standing in queue
- At OFC they will take your photo and finger print and may ask you the purpose of visit
- At US consulate take all the required documents and keep passport, appointment letter and DS-160 confirmation letter handy
- You will not be allowed to take mobile or any big bags. But you will find one person who can take car of your mobile an bags near the consulate gate. He will charge 10 Rs. But will all your stuff safely
- Reach there before 20-30 minute of your schedule time. Don't stand in queue. Show them your - appointment letter they will ask you move forward if you on time
- Security check will be done 2-3 times
- You will be ask to stand in queue for fingerprint and photo verification
- Then you will be asked to stand in queue for Visa interview
- When your turns will come ,there will be a person to guide to reach to which window.
 
Visa interview tips:
- Try to make them understand that you are going to come back to India
- Never say you are going to work there in USA use terms like Training/Meetings/KT
- Be confidant
- Give precise answer. avoid giving long explanation for any of their questions
- Do not try hide anything. Always be honest.

Sample interview Questions:
Purpose of the Visit?
--> Purpose of the visit to YYYY Seattle office is to understand the YYYY tools and technology form QA perspective, to understand the release process and to meet team members
How long you will stay at Seattle?
--> 8 Weeks
What is YYYY ?
-->Gave the Company Info in Brief
How long you are working with Current company?
--> 2 months
Why they are sending you so soon?
--> Unless and until I have the product knowledge I can not start my work from INDIA and being the senior member of the team I have been chosen product traning

Questions asked at port of entry :

Purpose of the Visit?
--> Purpose of the visit to YYYY Seattle office is to understand the YYYY tools and technology form QA perspective, to understand the release process and to meet team members
How long you will stay at Seattle?
--> 8 Weeks
How long you are working with Current Company?
--> 2 months
Why 8 weeks?
--> System is complex in nature to understand and involves multiple small projects. After completion of the training will have Test automation planning and strategy meeting with Team. So all this will take around 8 weeks
Are going to work here?
--> No. Well go through training and will execute the planned action items after going back to India

First thank you for immihelp, this helped me a lot

- be confident
- As did mention by other members do not look here and there, keeping looking at the VISA officer though it is not your turn.
- Smile, greet them nicely

Questions
1. Which Company do you work for

2. Purpose of your travel
- I am travelling to attend Business meetings and to meet all the department heads of the product

3. What is your Annual income (be specific and tell them in rupees), for one guy he was asking what is your monthly income - so listen carefully

4. What is your designation

5. For how long you will stay in US

That's it, finally your Visa is approved

For people applying for F1 - Student Visa, I did see lot of rejections
- Based on the course your are applying for, the counselor is asking some random questions on the topic which are basic and if you are not able to answer he is rejecting it for example in front me one guy was applying for Artificial Intelligence and he was asking
1. What is True state
2. What is Firewall
3. Why did you choose Artificial Intelligence
4. Which is second choice for University and course

He was pausing and not confident enough to answer, his visa was rejected.

I did see lot of F1 rejections in Hyderabad

Thanks,
Raju

I had my first interview on June 28, 2016 at Delhi in which I was rejected.

VO - What's the purpose of your visit?
Me - To attend business meetings and do client interaction

VO - How long is your travel plan?
Me - 4 weeks

VO - Where do you work?
Me - XYZ

VO - Where are you going?
Me - Rockaway, New Jersey. Client's office is in New Jersey.

VO - Have you traveled outside India before?
Me - Yes, I went to England in 2012 for 12 weeks

VO - What did you do there?
Me - Explained that I went there for research project when I was in college

VO - What will you do in US?
Me - I have to attend few meetings with the client during my time there.

VO - Have you traveled with this company before?
Me - No

VO - How long have you been working here?
Me - 8 months

VO -Sry, at this point in time, we can't issue you the visa. <Handed 214(b)> Thanks for your time.

It was heartbreaking!! :(

I applied again after 1 month; this time Chennai office. Nothing much had changed in my circumstances in the last 1 month. I knew however that I had to give more detailed account of the purpose of the visit. I had my interview on Aug 9, 2016.

VO - Good morning, how are you doing?
Me - I am doing good. How are you?

VO- I am doing great too. Can I have your passport?
Me -Sure. <Handing over the passport>

VO- so, what's the purpose of your visit?
Me - Explained her in a little detail the purpose of the visit (attending business meetings and doing client interaction but conveyed this in a more sophisticated way)

VO - How long are you planning to go?
Me -2 weeks

VO - Where are you going?
Me - New Jersey.

She then typed on her system for the next 1 -1.5 mins and then came the golden words.."Your visa is approved. You can collect your visa in a couple of days". I was happy and relieved. I was expecting a lot of questions on my previous rejection and that why I had chosen Chennai over Delhi this time or that why was applying within 1 month of getting rejected. But none were asked. :)

I went to the consulate on 10/08/15 to apply for a b1 visa. This was the Q and A
By the way i am a student studying in another foreign country and my friend had gone the previous week and he was issued with a Visa and he had also prepared me on how to handle the Interview.

By the way i was the first on in the queue so i was a bit tense however i answered the question like i had practiced.

VO - Good Morning
Me - Good morning Sir

VO - What are you doing in this country
Me - I am a student and i am also working at (So so)

VO - When are you completing your studies
Me - In December Sir - I am doing my Thesis now

VO - Why do you want to travel to the US
Me - To attend a Conference

VO - Whats the name of the Conference
Me - XYZ (I mentioned)

VO - What is it about
Me - ABC (I mentioned)

VO - Do you have any family in the US
Me - NO

VO - How many days do you want to go to the US
Me - 4 days

VO - When is that
Me - from the 17-20 August

VO - Where is your family
Me - In my home country (ZZZ)

VO - Are you married
Me - NO

VO - Do you own a property here like a house or a car
Me - NO

VO - Im sorry you do not qualify for a US Visa (As he signed the 214b form)
Me - Thank you - and i collected my passport and left

What should i have done differently?

Hi ,

I went to Mumbai consulate during last week of June for my B1 Visa interview . My visa got rejected and here are the transcripts of my interview. Can anyone suggest me the reason for the rejection?

VO:- Hi Good morning.
Me:- Good morning .

VO:- while she was looking into the screen, she asked me if i have traveled anywhere else.
Me:- Yes, I traveled to Thailand and Srilanka.

VO:- for what?
Me:- For holiday purpose

VO:- Whats the purpose of your visit?
Me:- I am going to provide training to customer as well as our internal employees.

VO:- What kind of products you have?
Me:- We create softwares for healthcare organizations specially that caters the need for Affordable care act.

VO:- Who are your customers?
Me:- I said that I am working on the software for a State Medicaid Unit which is one of the largest customer in US? I cant name the customer here.

VO:- Ok.. then she paused for a second and then she asked me How are you getting the contracts for them?
Me:- I said We are based out of US and have a subsidiary unit in Bangalore and we are already working with some 10-12 different states and it is the normal process of bidding wherein we put our quotes along with the RFP responses and if we qualify for the same, we do get the contracts.

VO:- Then she said,ok but was not very convinced, then she asked me what is the name of your company?
Me:- I said.

VO:- She asked me what do i do ?
Me:- I work as Senior Business Analyst and works on gathering requirements, provide trainings to our customers for the softwares that we create. Work with Dev Team and QA team to get the requirements done. Strategise on the product raodmap etc.

VO:- Why only you ?
Me:- I am involved in this particular project from the inception of this project .

VO:- How long the project is going on for?
Me:- I said 2 years.

VO:-How long you have been associated with this project?
Me:- 2 years

VO:- How long have you been associated with the current company?
Me:- I said 2 years and 8 months

VO:- Again she asked me what do you do in the current company?
Me:- I said the same thing as explained earlier.

VO:- Whats your salary?
Me:- I explained.

After a moment, she typed something on her desktop and she said , Sorry she cant approve this time and better luck next time and handed over me Form 214(b).

Now , my company wants me to reapply for B1 and i wanted to know the reason why i was rejected so that i dont have any issues.

Last time , i went to Mumbai for Visa Interview although i should have travelled to Chennai but went there as didnt get a slot of my convenience.

Do I need to put a different reason this time?

Please help by analysing my response so that I can be prepared better for this time.

Thanks

Thanks to immihelp.

I had my biometrics on 4/8/16, reached just 15 mins before my time and was done with my biometrics in 15 minutes
Next day on 5/8/16 I had my interview at 8.30, I reached almost around 7.30 and had to wait outside. It was raining very heavily, @8.30 they made us form a queue and took inside.
There were lots of visa rejections so was a little tensed.
I was sent to a counter.

The VO officer asked me to come forward.

VO : Good Morning
Me : Good morning
VO : Passport please
Me : Handed him the passport
VO : Why do you want to travel to US
Me: To attend business meetings and knowledge transfer sessions
VO : How many week you will be there
Me: 4weeks
VO: Your working with YYYY organization since how long
Me: Told
VO: I am keeping your passport and your visa is approved.
ME: Thanks and a big smile on my face :)

Things to remember, be confident, speed less and to the point, don't chit chat when u are waiting for your interview because the VO keep oberserving you.