Business Visa - B1

Thanks a lot to all those who shared their experience on immihelp. Please go thru all the questions shared in recent experiences.

Interview schedule @10:00AM on 12-Aug-2015. Reached @9:30AM and joined the queue outside embassy. Was taken inside @10:00AM.

Inside there were around 100 people sitting in the waiting area. Waited for 30 minutes and finally inside.

Again in a queue long, checking finger prints for authentication and then in the final queue.

TIP: You can hear the questions VO is asking to the person ahead of you in queue. Do not try to focus on that questions and also don’t try to prepare the answers at that moment.

Now comes my turn....

ME: Good Morning Officer
VO: Good morning

VO: Passport please
ME: Given

VO: What is purpose of you visit to US?
ME: To attend business meeting and acquire knowledge on upcoming project.

VO: Who is your client?
ME: YYYY Company.

VO: What is the business of your client?
ME: Explained the business in 1 line.

VO: How many days you will stay in US?
ME: 28 days

VO: 28 days is almost a month, why you need so many days?
ME: Explained the complexity of the project in 2 lines.

VO: Please show me the invite letter of your client?
ME: I passed the invite letter from the window.

VO: typing for 30 secs….

VO: Are you married?
ME: No.

VO: Your visa is approved and you can collect it in 3 days
ME: Thank you officer.

Interview last for less than a minute..

Tips: Dress well in formals cloths, wear company Id if possible. Officer can see you when you are standing in a queue so don’t try to mumble your answers. Maintain eye contact with a smile and don’t get nervous if you cannot catch any question, you can politely ask officer to repeat the question.

All the best...

I literally read all experiences, thanks to all who contributed and here is my 2 cents

VO is cool and approved F1 visas even for 2 students who fumbled a lot , before me.

VO : Good Morning Sir , how are you Sir?
ME : Good Morning officer, I am doing great, thank you

VO: Which company you work for sir?
ME : Told . ( i am in hurry and he didnt get my company name, so he asked spelling and I told slowly now)

VO : Purpose of visit Sir?
ME: To attend business discussions and interact with different client co-ordination tems

VO: From when are you wokring for this company Sir?
ME : More than 2 years

VO : Before that sir?
ME : Told

VO : What's the difference in your roles of your previous vs this company sir? ( Didn't expect this)
ME : Tried to tell something like learning, growth and all, which he seems to be not impressed

VO : How many weeks and where?
ME : 4 weeks in New York City ( Make sure you tell city name as well instead of State)

VO : Where do you stay sir?
ME : Will be in a hotel in New York City

VO : Which hotel sir? ( He seems to be from NYC)
ME : That will be taken care by my logistics team based on availability( Actually I know hotel name, but didn't tell him, he seems to impressed here)

VO : Can I see your company ID card sir?
ME : Given ID card ( Glad that I carried mine)

VO : Which blood group sir? ( Didn't expect and hear properly)
ME: Pardon me

VO: What is your blood group type sir?
ME : O +ve

VO : What is your typical day like in office?
ME : Told

VO : Place your left had 4 fingers on scan machine
ME : Kept

VO : I am issuing you visa sir
ME: Thank you, have a great day officer

He keep calling me Sir always but I told officer twice, in the starting and ending...

Thanks for immihelp users, it helped me prepare for my interview questions..

Interview on 4th Aug, 10AM.. reached by 9:30.. Got entry to consulate by 10:05.. Was in front of VO by 1o:30

Interview was over in 20 Secs

ME: Good Morning, Officer
VO: Good Morning Sir

ME: How are you doing?
VO: Doin good, how about you..?

Me: Doing very well, Thank you for asking..
VO: Smiled

VO: Why you want to visit to US?
ME: Business discussions and Technical Training

VO: Who is the Client?
Me: Gave the name of the client.

VO: Business of the Client
ME: Told the nature of Buiness

Me: Thank you, Officer.. have a nice day!
VO: Thank you

Golden Words " Sir, Your Visa approved and you can collect it in 3 days"

Tips: Dress Well (Formals - Light Colored Shirt - Dark Trouser), Be calm and polite.. Maintain eye contact with a smile. Hear patiently and answer to the point and precise. Don't be nervous.. Although we prepare ourseleves but during the process we do get nervous and jumble. Don;t jumble.. if not understood.. VO are very polite and they patiently handle each candidates.

ALL THE VERY BEST..

Thanks to immihelp users who posted their experience and helped others to prepare for their interview.
Biometric on 3 rd Aug@ 9:15 - Reached at 8.35 , Got entry in 5 minutes and came out by 9 AM. Process was really smooth and fast. Only Passport , Interview confirmation letter , DS160 confirmation page is required.
Officer will scan the barcode on DS160 , check the name on Passport and will let you in. At reception a sticker will be pasted on the back of passport and you
will be redirected to once of the counter for biometric. The officical will ask Name and DOB, will take a photograph and finger print and thats it . Done for the day.

Interview On 4th Aug @10 AM: Reached consulate by 9:45 . There was a long queue got entry by 10.45 and it took less than a minute for interview.

VO: GM Sir
ME: GM Sir

VO : Why you want to visit to US?
ME: I need to attend business meeting and technical transition

VO: Which Organistion you work for ?
ME : Said YYYY my current org name

VO: Since how long you have been working with your current organistion.
ME: 3 years 6 months ( VO smiled and started typing on his system)

VO: Which city you will be visiting ?
ME: Orlando

VO: For how long you will be in US?
ME: max 4weeks

VO: Why only You are selected for this business meeting?
ME: I am the SME of the new business domain.

VO: Who will be paying for your trip?
ME: Said my current Org name.

VO: What is you Designation?
ME: Sr. Software Engineer

VO: Are you Married?
ME: Yes

VO: Do you have Children:
ME: No

VO: Is you wife accompanying you?
ME: NO

VO: Have you ever visited internationally?
ME: NO. This will be my first international visit

 Then came the golden words " Sir your VISA is approved and you can collect in 3 days "

I thanked him and said Have a nice day Sir.

Do not go with VISA refusals you see before you turn. Those hardly impact your approval.
Be Confident and clear whatever you speak.

GOOD LUCK !!!

Thanks to immihelp and the users who have posted their experiences , which helped me to take up the interview confidently .

-> Appear in formals , wish the officer , have smile and be confident with your answers
-> maintain eye contact with visa officer while answering to his questions .

In my case , it is just a minute of interview , fired 3 questions

1 ) why are you travelling to US ?

2) which city you will be visiting ?

3 ) Duration of stay ?

i answered confidently looking at him , after 3rd question answer , officer said "approving your VISA , Thank you " , I replied Thank you sir , have a great day ...

we may face only few questions but have the answers to every question given here based on your criteria

http://www.immihelp.com/business-visa/sample-interview-questions.html

here are the some questions which are very frequently asked , be prepared for these .

1 why are you travelling to US ?

2 where are you travelling to ?

3 duration of stay?

4 what's your salary ?

5 which company you are working for and how long?

6 where will you stay in US ?

7 what's your designation and role ?

8 company profile?

9 how many employees are there in your company ?

10 why your trip is so long?

11 why have you been choosen for travel ?

12 what will you do once you are back ?

13 why business meetings in US ?

14 which project you are working on , whats your role?

15 how your trip is benefit to your team in india?

16 why do you need business visa?

17 If you dont travel , what is the impact to project ?

GOOD LUCK !! WISH SUCCESS FOLLOWS

Thanks to immihelp for the wonderful experiences shared by fellow mates which not only gives you confidence but also

provides plan and support to face embassy/Consulate officer.
Guys This is a lifetime experience (the nervousness, fear, sweat, excitement, thrill)!!!

MY Exp is bit lengthy so if not intereseted please scroll down for the questions:)

31st July 2015
My OFC Experience:-
I reached OFC center by 8:30, my interview was at 9:00 AM as i am a local of Hyderabad I knew where exactly to park my

vehicle (parking charges hourly 10rs). please do not bring your bags or else you would have to pay hefty amount for

security locker(200rs), Security at consulate is outsourced by local security guys, and to tell you these guys have real

attitude, they do not care who or where you are from, they deal everyone with same kind no respect, we just need to ignore

these guys.
@9:00 AM I entered the consulate carrying my D160 and Confirmation with my passport in hand (here i had made modifications

to my D160 form with few changes, as this can be without any issue, but mind you you need to make sure you have the latest

and correct D160 with you)
@9:05 AM I stood in the line outside the Door where Consulate staff(local guys) was assisting in checking the Confirmation

document.
@9:10 AM I entered into the building went through all the scanning and at the reception i was asked for my passport and

D160 i handed over to him and he asked me whether i had modified the D160 and i said yes and he took the sticker and pasted

on back of my passport and confirmed my D160 has been confirmed with the changes
@9:15 AM I entered the room where the local consulate staff were taking finger prints and photograph, here i was made to

read a board with english (Disclaimer) i was wondering what this has to do with it, but yes they were checking my accent i

suppose,

finally she told me that the confirmation has been accepted and need to carry a photo to the interview.

@9:25 AM I left the building, as my house is just 10 mins ride the whole process was just an hour duration.

4th August 2015
My Consulate Interview Experience:- (please do not carry phones or any valuable items)
I went with fomal clothes with my ID Card and a file containing my completed Documents

As again i started by 09:45 AM as my interview was scheduled at 10:30 AM, reached at 10:05 AM(hyd traffic is

uncontrollable), parked my vehicle and went to the building as it is the other building where the interview is held,
I stood in the line(line was lengthy) all of them coming from different places for different visas, coming with elders and

family and kids, looks like you are standing for movie tickets:), consulate staff who is also a local guy asked for

passport and marked the amount mentioned on the sticker which was attested at the OFC, almost stood for 30 mins (here it

does not matter what time is your interview only matters is at what time you come) as a batch of 20-30 were let inside

where there is a shed with all steel chairs were laid for the applicants to sit untill sent inside for scanning at almost

10:45 AM i was called for security clearance with a plastic tray given to me to place all my stuff(watches, wallets, belt,

file etc) I removed my belt( my tray had only three items - file, Company ID, belt) went through the scanner and there was

again a open air lobby with almost 70 chairs laid down for waiting area applicants.

It took almost 45 mins for me in the waiting area seeing and passing my time with watching all beauty and dull faces around

me (i could describe the intense in the atmosphere, pin drop silence, no ones moving) Unfortunatly i had to find a washroom

to refresh myself, returned to my place waited and waited and waited at last my batch of 15 people were called, it was

almonst 12:00 Noon.

Stood in the line and observed people waiting for their turn for the interview, consulate staff was handing a card with a

number of the counter written on it and applicant has to take the card and go to the respective counter to face their

destiny :)

you know what i got a card with counter number 9 which most of them feel lucky but here there were arount 6 people standing

in front of me with couple of family members and rest all gentlemen like me followed by me, while eagerly waiting for my

turn i noticed counter number 10 where a english guy was conducting interview and how lucky those guys were who were

standing in that line(wish i was also in that line) not more than a minute or two, inspite of facing difficulty

understanding the language our guys speak still he patiently was listening and approving almonst everyone.

Compared to counter 9, counter 10 was way too fast, the ratio was (1:4), its not approval its the speed :).

finally my turn came, please be careful do not cross the yellow line untill you are being called.
My passport was already produced to the VO while standing at the yellow line by the consulate staff for speedy process

VO was a lady around 30's

VO: Step forward (nodded to come front) and place left hand on the scanner
ME: Walked to the counter with my ID card ON(no words here) placed my left hand on the scanner

VO: Thank you
ME: Good morning, how are you doing today

VO: Great, where are you going
me: I am going to parent company which is Headquartered in New York

VO: oh, you are going to New York
ME: Yes mam

VO: What is your company name
ME: Told my company name with abbriveated the letters

VO: From when are you working here
ME: Joined recently just 2 months

VO: Previously with whom you were working
ME: Told my previous company

VO: Why did you leave the organization
ME: Told her the genuine reason in detail (client support contract end and could not relocate to other place except Hyd),

     (here i also mentioned my family and the attachement for not leaving them) baaang she was convinced with this part.

     (here as i already mentioned changes in my D160, checkmate she caught that)

VO: What are you gonna do in the period 2 or say 3 weeks you mentioned (exact words)
ME: 2 weeks, Told my plan week wise (please keep it short and clear)

VO: What was your position in previous company
VO: Told her my Designation

VO: what is your position here, are you a software engineer
VO: explained, No Mam i am a Infra lead, act as escalation manager between US team and India team.

VO: ok, so you are Team Lead
VO: Yes and also I manage the Infrastructure for India.

then CAME THE LORD HIMSELF... (You will be issued VISA)

I just said Thank you and left, sat at the nearby chair grabbed a glass of water and drank(since three hours only my brain

was functioning:) )

Confidence is KEY, the Questions are from your D160 only nothing outside ( its like your syllabus)

HOPE THIS EXPERIENCE WOULD BENEFIT SOMEONE, THANKS OT immihelp again!!!!!
HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON WITH H1B ::)).

Thanks a lot immihelp for getting me information on visa process and the questionnaire.
I appeared for visa interview at Chennai consulate on 30th July.

My case was: B1 application, working in Pune based company.
I had applied for B1 last year and visa was approved for 1 year. I had received 'administrative processing 221g' for last year's visa. The VO had asked me for 'Resume' which I didn't have.
Once resume was mailed my visa was approved.

This time process was quite straight forward.
OFC : Normal process. They asked for Visa size photograph to carry at the interview though nobody asked for the same at interview location.
Asked few questions like : designation, role, company profile, why do you need to travel,how much time, experience with current organization. And then visa was approved.
My inputs:
Be calm, polite, well dressed,professional and clear about your reasons of traveling to US.
All the best to everyone, keep posting and helping!

VO: How are you?
Me: I am good. How are you doing?

VO: doing good. Purpose of your visit?
Me: To attend business meeting and technical discussion with business team there in austin

VO: So you are going to Austin to head quarters?
Me: Yes

VO: You work for ZZZ?
Me: Yes, I work for ZZZ.

VO: Oh good(Since it is a popular laptop manufacturer in U.S)
VO: What is your role here?
Me: I am a software developer, develops software applications

VO: How long you have been with this employer?
Me: 2.5 years

VO: is it your first company?
Me: No

VO: Prior to this where did you work?
Me: Given company name and tenure

VO: How many people you have in the business team for the meeting?
Me: More than 10 business team members.

VO: Are you going with 10 members?
Me: No, My business team is there. I am only going to meet them.

VO: Is it your first international travel?
Me: Yes it is.

VO: Thank you. You VISA has been approved.
Me: Thank you.

Salary :33950 per month experience : > 5 years( not asked ?? )
VO: Passport
Me : Handed
VO: Why u want to go to US
me : to attend a conference
VO:So u r working as a lecturer
VO : Have u travelled before to US before
me: no
VO: Whom do u work for
Me : told organization and its profile
VO: Why u want to go for conference
ME : Answered in 2 lines
VO : where is the conference :
Me : Las vegas . Nevada
VO : Have u travelled before to the US
Me : no ( same question again )
VO : R u married:
Me: yes
VO : do u have kids
Me: yes ... one
VO : Is your wife travelling with you
Me : No
VO: Sorry sir . i cant give u visa this time ..handed passport and 214g paper to me

Is the salary less . she did not ask experience and salary . is my visa category different ???

Hey guys,

Just wanted to share my experience. Thanks to all others who shared their story, it helped me prepare better for my interview.

Here are some tips and information that was hard to find while applying for my visa:

- The account with the name "BANA MUMBAI US VISA SFA" where you pay your DS-160 fees is a Current Account (CD).
- If you pick Chennai as your location in DS-160 and then choose Mumbai as your interview location, you need to edit your DS-160 again and change the location to Mumbai. They won't accept your DS160 if it says a different location as your interview.
- Remember the answers to your security question (that you choose while filling DS160). Write it down somewhere. So if you have to make some last minute changes to your DS160, you can do it at a nearby internet cafe.
- Its your responsibility to show relevant documents to the interview office. After you give him/her the answer to the question he asked, tell him that you have a document do support your answer and if he would like to see it. In my case, the officer only accepted my request for invitation letters, but I think the fact that I had documents to support all my answers helped my case.
- Be honest. They write it all down and its a permanent record. So if you say you are married and say 5 years later they find out that you are still single, then you will be in trouble.
- Dress well please. It is just awkward to see someone dressed poorly while applying for a BUSINESS visa.
- Print your documents in color. Don't cheap out here.

So my case. I am self employed. Do not have a registered office or company, more of a freelancer. I don't think they care what you do or what you are. They are looking for these things:

- A valid reason to go to the US. I had invitation letters to prove my intend.
- Enough money to afford the trip. I had my bank statements. He asked me how much I earned monthly. I said a figure above 1lakh and I said, I have bank statements if he is interested. He said that's okay.
- Enough reason to come back to India. I have traveled to other countries before. Plus he asked me if I was married, I said I had a girl friend, which I do. In fact, I had documents of land and property owned by my father, my car, and fixed deposits in banks.

If you can satisfy the above three criteria, you should get the visa. Collect as many documents you can. Its better to have and not need than to need and not have.

I had:
- A one page covering letter that showed: the reason, my finances, and my immediate plans on return. I offered him this, but he didn't look at it.
- Invitation letters
- Pass to the event I am attending.
- Printout of the website of the event.
- My degree certificate
- Bank statements
- Fixed Deposit receipts
- ITR documents
- Photographs of my family and from events that I have attended in the past.

He only looked at the invitation letters and the event pass. But having everything ready gave me the confidence.

Note that you do not have to sound needy. They are not doing you a favor by giving you a VISA. They are just doing their job and wants to make sure that you are going to do what you say you are. If your real intention is to illegally migrate, then do not attempt this. It is because people have done it in the past that we all have to go through such tough visa application process and that India isn't eligible for the visa waiver program.

People have been going everywhere since the dawn of civilization to do business. So as long as your reasons are valid, you will get it.

I wish you good luck.