Business Visa - B1

This was my first ever application for US Visa and I was very worried.
I have heard from quite a few people that- Visa gets rejected in spite of trying our best.

But, here I would like to express a couple of things which I experienced during the interview process.

1) Be very specific about the reason of travel, with enough supporting documents like
   Invitation Letter, Employment letter, Pay slips, etc

2) Be clear to the Officers that you are coming back and not intending to stay in US.

3) Prepare the probable questions and if possible practice, before going to the interview.
   Ex. Who is paying for trip? Dates and Destination? Duration? Job Role/Responsibility , etc.

The Consular Officers wants to hear that you are travelling for a valid purpose, and not bluffing.
They are wise and skilled at finding incomplete applications.

[My Visa gt approved for a 10 year validity]

Thanks for Immihelp and the members who have shared their experiences. Definitely this a portal where visa applicants needs to go through before their interview.

I first applied for a B1 Visa in the year 2011 when I was working in a small organization. It was rejected during that time considering the fact that I might be a possible immigrant 221 (g).

Later, I applied in the year 2012 when I was into a different company and was holding an experience of 6 months in that company. My overall experience was close to 7 years during that time. My visa was approved for a period of 3 months but my company did not arrange my travel due to the validity of the visa even though I never had an intention to stay in US for more than 2 weeks. God knows the reason for their decision.

Then I was again asked to apply for a visa in 2013 for a different project and this time too it was rejected considering myself to be a possible immigrant. I got married in the year 2007 and I had my kid in 2008. Not sure what could have been the reason and I suppose the curiosity I had during that time to aim for a 10 year validity.

I switched over my location to Chennai and joined a company there in 2014 and had an opportunity for travel in October 2015. I took my interview on the 7th of October and to be honest I spent close to 2 hours on this forum reading as many experiences possible. Collated all questions and possible answers which will show strong ties was a key.

As stated by other members on this forum Day 1 was much easier task where you go through the routine finger print and passport verification process.

Day 2:

I was scheduled for the interview on the US consulate in Chennai @ 11.30 am in the morning. I was at the consulate by 10.45 am as it the sky was dark and hoping for a rain. I was allowed inside by 10.50 am and the entire process got over by 11.10 am.

Below are the questions which was asked by the VO.

VO: Hi GM! How are you?
Me: I am good, thanks for asking and How are you?
VO: Good. Passport please?
Me: Yes, sure.
VO: What is the purpose of your visit?
Me: Transition and Training
VO: To which state are you travelling?
Me: YYYY X
VO: What is your experience?
Me: XX Years and XX months in my current company and overall XX Years and XX Months.
VO: What is your salary?
Me: YYYY Lakhs P.A
VO: Are you Married?
Me: Yes, I do have a kid who is doing his 2nd grade.
VO: Is your wife travelling along with you?
Me: No
VO: Alright sir your visa is approved.
Me: Thanks and you do have a wonderful day.

That's it. I got myself relaxed as this was my fourth time in a period of 4 years going to the US consulate and this was the first time I was completely prepared after going through this forum.

All the best to future applicants!

First of all

Thank you IMMIHELP.

Now B1 visa process is changed little bit.

Process :

You need to fill DS-160 for B1 visa. once you completed this one then you have to apply for US visa from "www.ustraveldocs.com". Refer this immihelp website so you can get an idea.

1. You have to visit Visa office for Bio-metric.
2. You have to visit Visa office for B1 visa interview.
3. They will send your Visa through post or You can collect at the "Gowra Grand" for hyderabad.

Step 1:

Biometric.

You need to visit visa office to give the Bio-metric to us embassy.

What you need to carry for this ?

1. Passport
2. Appointment Confirmation from www.ustraveldocs.com
3. Passport size photos
4. Fee paid Bank receipt

When you enter into the visa office there is a security check.

Note: Don't bring any electronic gadgets like mobiles,ipads etc.

For hyderabad there is a locker availability for mobiles for mobile they will cost 50rs. and for print out of one page they will cost 55 Rs.

Once you enter into the visa office. They will ask for you passport and appointment confirmation letter and fee receipt.

They will stick one Bar-code. (Don't tear this one) .

Then you moved to the next counter with a token number.

They will ask for what is the purpose of visit and your Name. once your are done with this they take a picture and take your fingerprints.

that's it this is takes just five to ten minutes then you can leave Visa office.

Once you are done with bio-metric you need to visit another day for visa interview.

Note: you can schedule your interview any time but your need to carry the confirmation letter.

 
Step 2: B1 Visa Interview Hyderabad.

For interview you just need your passport and supporting documents like purpose of your visit.

For B1 visa client letter and do carry other supporting document they will handy in certain situations.

---------

Interview started.

They already have my passport.

VO: He/She greeted me with bright smile

Me: I am good what about you?

VO : What is the purpose of your visit ?

Me : I explained in three sentences added little technical terms.

VO: Which place you going to stay ?

Me : Place :)

VO: Who will pay for your trip ?

Me: My Company and explained little about my company and what we will do.

VO: Who is your client ?
Me : My client

VO: What is your position in your company and your salary.

Me : I explained my role and my salary details.

VO: Who is your contact person ?

Me: I explained briefly with his address.

Again asked me about my purpose of visit

VO : What is your purpose of your visit ?

Me: I smiled and explained little more.

VO: Your visa got approved :)
Me: Thank you very much.

Address:

Biometric and B1 visa interview all are in same place.

Beside Gowra Grand Secunderbad. There is a passport office also located inbetween these two places.

Good Luck.

Vo: HI Good Morning
Me: Good morning

Vo: Passport please
Me: Given

Vo: Which company do you work for
Me: I work for my Company name.

Vo: Where is that located
Me: Chennai India

Vo: Is it only having in India
Me: No we do have in US UK ..

Vo: What is your salary
Me: I said mine

Vo: What is your travel Plan
Me: i was trying to give my documents

Vo : No i dont want to see any documents
Me: Ok i have travel plan for week on week .First week is the introduction phase know the business and second week identify the issues and i was stopped here by Vo and asked another qquestion in middle

Vo: Are you married
Me: Yes

Vo: Is your wife coming with you
Me: No

and finally the golden words your Visa got approved.

When i was trying to show document Vo told he was not interested to take and i was worried this might trouble me at end.But they only expect answer from you .

Mandatory:

1)Good Professional attire .I prefer White as it looks peace full.
2)Travel plan Must.When he asked Travel plan just don't say Meeting.Add more to give confidence better if you say week by week

Hello Everyone..Just finished my interview and i am happy to tell that i got Visa...Interview went very well..nothing special..just go through the post in this forum..all the questions are from here only...Thanks Immihelp for such a nice help to get to know all about the visa interview..All the very best for future aspirants..Good to go.. :)

Hello Everyone,

I need help on chances of getting visa approve.

My B1 visa was rejected twice. First in 2011, Second in 2012. I am applying again after 3 years gap and i remain still unmarried. I have realized getting B1 Visa approval for young aspirant and for unmarried candidate is pretty tough.

As i am still working for same company and now i am Team Lead. What are my chances for getting VISA approval. :-(

This website helped me a lot and hence sharing my B1 VISA experience.
I had my bio metrics on 7th October and interview on 8th October.

Bio metrics process is easy and simple. It hardly takes 10-12 min to complete it. My bio metrics appointment was at 12.30 PM and I reached there by 11.30 AM. Security allows me to go inside and I had my bio metrics in just 15 min.
Mobile, Bag, electronics etc. are not allowed inside.

At bio metrics counter, they are not supposed to ask any questions or they do not have rights to reject you. In my case, I had mock interview round at bio metrics counter

Bio metric officer: Good morning
Me: Good morning madam

Biometric officer: can I see your passport
Me: yes (I handover it)

Bio metric officer: Spell your name
Me: xxxxxxx

Bio metric officer: Are you married?
Me: Yes

Biometric officer: What is a purpose of your visit?
Me: To attend business meeting and discussion with client

Bio metric officer: How long?
Me: 3 weeks

Bio metric officer: Client name?
Me: YYYY bank

Bio metric officer: your company name?
Me: YYYY X

Then she asked me to move back for photo and then bio metrics. After this I was done for a day.

On next day, my interview slot was at 2 PM
 I reached there by 12.45 PM along with my wife. Got car parking and I kept mobile, bag etc. in car. Wife was with me till I join queue at 1.15 PM. Went inside at 2 PM.
At First security point, they were just my passport. Next check was to check my documents, ID card etc. via scanner. After manual security check, I went inside in another Queue. After 30 min wait, I went inside 1 building and join second last queue.
At the end of queue, they collected my passport for verification along with your bio metric. After verification, office returned my passport and I joined interview queue.
I got 1 window number for interview

VO: Passport please
Me: Good afternoon (I handover my passport to VO)

VO: Good morning sir, how are you?
Me: I am doing well. How are you?

VO: smiled and said Good.

VO: What is a purpose of your visit?
Me: To attend business meeting and discussion with client’s team on various feature?

VO: Business meeting…Hmmm… Then you must have some agenda for meeting?
Me: Yes

VO: What is the Agenda of meeting?
Me: My client is YYYY bank and then I explained him meeting agenda in 3-4 lines with the use of different different feature names.

VO: How much time you need to complete your agenda?
Me: 3 weeks but if we are able to finish this in 2 weeks then will fly back to India

VO: are you from which company?
Me: YYYY (My company I-Card was in my hand and he was looking into it. So I gave him but he said not required, thanks)

VO: your designation?
Me: QA Analyst

VO: do you supervise any employee in your company
Me: Yes, team of 6 members

VO: Where you will be going to USA
ME: New York

Answer which I wanted to hear from VO

VO: sir, your VISA is approved… you can attend your meeting with client
ME: Thank your sir.

Be clam when you are inside interview building as you can easily hear others interview question which may make you a nervous.
If possible ware formals whereas my friend got VISA even after waring T shirts-Jeans.
Give your answers in just 2-3 lines and whenever possible in few words.

Best of luck to you!

I had my biometrics done dated 7th October and had the visa interview on 13th Oct.
had to wait a lot to get to the final line of interview, obviously i was nervous, coz i could not have afforded to get my visa rejected.

I was given the queue card no 11, that is the line where you will be interviewed, i could easily see 3 more lines beside me and questions the VO's were asking . It feels like you are making a enquiry for railway tickets, coz the interview happens in such manner, the VO sits on the other side of the glass and asks questions in a logical manner, depending upon your diversity and u have to give answers standing.
I heard few questions from other Vo's from other line,but i was concentrating on the VO who was taking interview for my queue. He had rejected a application of a guy, who was going for business, but was not clear, on what, despite being a fair chance to explain, " Even i would have done that". The Vo seemed a young guy, aged around 35 , i guess, Surprizingly he was not well versed in Hindi, but he could speak telegu as he took interview of the lady ahead of me in telegu, i was impressed.

My turn came, (I made sure whatever i say, should be loud and without fumbling)(dont try to memorize ans, i saw few people came with a script and were memorizing like it was a 10th grade exam)

VO: Step Ahead
ME: Good Morning, How are you?
VO: I am Good
VO: what is you purpose of your visit?
ME: To attend business meetings
VO: Which company you for?
ME: xxxx(One of the best companies of world)
VO: How long ?
ME: 3 weeks , (There is a catch here, i mentioned 5 weeks in DS160, but my objective was to tell the truth, but i was prepared if he asks why this difference, but he din ask, i was relieved)
VO: Where in US
Me: Confidently (Fort Worth, Texas)
Vo: What are those meeting?
ME: Even before i started, i just said one line, and he interrepted in between" Sir Visa has been issued to you"
I was happy and ran out.

Tips: Whatever you say, say it confidently, dont fumble and be prepared if he asks in details (remeber confidence is the key, coz even he doesnt know, the technical details of whatever you would be doing, he just want to be sure, you dont enter as a Nomad)
Secondly i feel name of the company matter's. Also, if your company had been sending other employeers on H1-B and you are applying for B1, this might lead to further srutiny. Be prepared.
he din ask me any documents nor i gave any gesture to push it.(Being wise)
After coming home, i saw the status online it says" Administrative processing"
Dont Panic, : I checked again after 16 hours: It said Issued" . I hope i will get it in next 2-3 days.
Have a great visit

My interview completed on 07th oct, visa status showing issued, but still I haven't get my passport. What was the issue,

Hi,
In the first I want to tell thanks for http://www.immihelp.com/experience/view-1-72-business_visa_b1visa.html this helped me a lot, now I can share my experience with B1 VISA,

 Preparation:
1. Read as much as the question and answers form this web site; pick the best answers for your scenario, prepare for the same,
2. Dress neatly, bright shirt and dark pant which you look best is advisable,
3. Carry all documents with transparent file,
4. Be there at list an hour before your scheduled time,
5. Be peaceful, pleasant, polite, poised, (don’t be over confident ?),
6. Answer point to point. Not more than 2 or 3 sentence
7. In case if you reach early or late follow above line number -5.
8. Carry hotel address details where you are boarding and Carry enough money to go back to your room
9. Don’t carry mobile phone, purse, belt, any metal items,

My experience: I had interview on 6th and 7th Oct
Day 1: there are 4 Queues one by one,
Queue 1: Verified DS160 details and wright right mark on each item and stick the sticker on back side of the passport
Queue 2: Verified and match the name in the DS160 form and the passport asked to tell our full name.
Queue 3: collect the token and wait in the bay for counter number as per the token number, (similar to bank counters and the token number)
Queue 4: This is the last queue for the biometric test. Here officer asked my full name, when is my next schedule? Asked me to read the lines which are pasted in the desk, after that he took fingerprints and photo, asked me to read my passport number, and handed over the passport,
  Day 2: there are 5 queues one by one.
Queue 1: my Passport number has been entered in a devise looks like TAB
Queue2: first security check he will check my shirt and pant
Queue 3: Second security check, they scanned my documents, file, key bunch, shirt, pant etc., (for ladies queue has been split)
Queue 4: He checked my passport and makes a mark on the sticker with green pen
Queue 5: Left hand finger prints has been scanned
Queue 6: with VISA officer.
VO: Good morning sir,
Me: Very good morning sir.
VO: Give me your passport.
Me: I produced my passport to him
VO: So… you are working for Xyz Company?
Me: Yes sir.
VO: Your details are pretty much clear for me.
Me: Smiled,
VO: How long you will be in US.
Me: Maximum 4 weeks
VO: What is the purpose of your visit to US
Me: We won a project; I am going to meet managers to discuss on project, scope finalization, and knowledge transition. This is an onsite and Off-Shore model, I need to implement the same in offshore,
VO: who is the client?
Me: Xyz company.
VO: OK, Hmmmmm
VO: what you do with client, I need to type here,
Me: Project discussions with managers and Knowledge transition,
VO: good, I am approving your VISA; please collect after 3 days,
Me: Thank you sir, Have a nice day,
VO: You too
Me: I smiled back and returned,