Business Visa - B1

There has been news in the papers that all the appointments from June 22 - June 16 has been cancelled.

Did any one went for biometrics/interview today.

Was it business as usual?

First of all, thanks to immihelp for helping me preparing for my very first Visa interview. I have taken the Visa interview at US Consulate, Chennai.

CELL PHONES and BAGS are not allowed. There is a provision to deposit your belongings at the small petty shop like counter outside the consulate, but I would recommend you not to carry any of these - mobile, wallet, bags, pen drives, ipods, earphones, any kind of electronic items.

Umbrellas are allowed (I took one with me as it was a rainy day at Chennai).

The process was extremely smooth and it took less than 30 minutes for the entire process to complete. I had my appointment at 2.30 pm but I had my process complete by 2.05 pm (before time).

MAKE SURE YOU CARRY A PASSPORT SIZED PHOTOGRAPH (a recent one). They might send you back if you do not carry a photograph.

The interviewer was a lady in her mid fifties (i suppose). The interview lasted not more than 30 seconds.

VO: Good morning!
Me: Good Morning!

VO: Your passport please?
(handed off the passport)

VO: You are with XYZ company, right?
Me: Yes.

VO: Where are you going?
Me: ZZZ

VO: What is the purpose of your visit and how the duration of your stay?
Me: To attend training at client's place, which will not be more than 2 weeks.

(after typing for a while)
VO: So, you would be staying there for two weeks, right?
Me: Yep.

VO: Who's your client?
Me: YYY

VO: (with a smile on her face) Thank you sir. Your visa is approved!
Me: Thank you!

Stay confident and maintain good eye contact with VO. Maintain a smile on your face and answer for the questions casually.
 

Many Thanks to this forum for a wonderful insight of what exactly happens at a VISA interview.

Mine was a B1 (Business Visa) category and I am an applicant from Chennai.

First of all, there are issues with the US Consulate systems and it is important to bring our own passport size photographs with specifications as below link:

http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-niv-photoinfo.asp#picsreqs

Passport photo wont be needed at OFC, but it is required at VISA interview.

TPL House - 6/17 - OFC
----------------------------------

8:00 AM was the interview and I brought my bike at landed up by 7:15. But to my astonishment, I heard from people that they had come in by 6:45AM for 8:30AM interview. To my knowledge it is not necessary. I myself was pretty early is what I thought.

No bags allowed, Cell phones could be brought but needs to be switched off.

One security would come up to us and separate the single queue which would be mixed up with 8:00AM interview and 8:30AM interview into two separate queues.

That is a little happier instead of thinking whether an applicant who had come before us for an 8:30AM interview would be pulled in first ... :) :) Many thanks to the security there...

We were called inside the building by 7:45. Go to first floor. There will be two persons checking your documents...

3 documents needed

a. Passport
b. DS 160 confirmation
c. Appointment confirmation

They will verify the documents and we would be sent inside with a security check and a sticker would be pasted at the back of ur passport. Seal would be placed on ur DS-160.

You would be sent inside and made to sit. There would be screen which would show the counter number and the corresponding ur number. Get inside the counter where you would be asked basic questions.

a. Your full name
b. DOB
c. They will show you the passport and ask what your passport number is

Then will ask you to stand back and they will take a photograph!!!

Next comes the finger print

Left four fingers, right four fingers and your two thumbs

After all this is done we may leave ... This is as simple as that....

I was out by 8:15AM

Visa Interview - 6/18 - VISA Interview
--------------------------------------------------

Near Gemini Flyover

My interview time was 11:00. Reached by 10:15. Queue was huge!

Entered the queue and got confirmation from a person sitting there... He had some digital device which I think marks your attendance ... Not sure what it is used for ... But gave the passport and got it back...

If you have belongings deposit it at a nearby place meant for it...

Less luggage more comfort...

No cell phones, no electronic devices, no metal kind of thing allowed inside...

Entered the main queue... Waited for around 20 mins...

Two rounds of security check. One before you enter the door (Manual checking)... and one after you enter.(Digital cechkking)

Documents, men's wallet, cover would be checked via digital check. ...

Passport verification and you enter the main hall...

Your passport would be collected at the end of the queue and then you should wait...

Your name would be called and then you will have to give your finger prints...

These finger prints should match with the same what you gave the previous day for OFC

Once done you would be allotted a counter

The heart beat pounds faster when you enter the final queue for your VISA!

Previous two persons were given Visa and I was not very impacted by it...

35+ was her age ... she smiled...

Me: Good morning
VO: Good morning, Passport please

VO: So, you work for YYYY Company?
Me: Yes

VO: How long have you been working in this company?
Me: YYYY months

VO: What were you doing before?
Me: Was working in YYY Company

VO: Do you think YYYY Company is better than YYY Company???
(Probably the rarely asked question was this one .... I did not see any previous post in this about this question)
Me: Answered

VO: What is the purpose of your visit?
Me: Business discussions and Training

VO: Is your company YYYY going to pay you for it??
Me: Yes

VO: How long is your visit??
Me: XX weeks

VO: Do you have a training schedule for those weeks?
Me: Yes and I handed over a document

She read through and typed something...

Your Visa is approved ... Please have a safe journey!!

Me: Thank you and have a great day!!
VO: You too!

You can leave after this interview is complete and no other things are required...

As everyone says ... Smile can make you confident ... Dont be emotional or panic at any point of time ....

Sorry about the big explanation ... But I am sure this would be of some help to people who would want to get an insight of what is going on.

Guys,
Please check these websites:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/17/us-usa-passports-delay-idUSKBN0OX2FY20150617

http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/english/news/technological-systems-issue.html

Last updated: 17 June 2015.

Rgds
Atif

Hello Everyone,
First of all, thanks Immihelp for creating this platform where everyone can share their experiences and help each other with the interviews as well as information.

I am sharing my experience here on this forum. Went for interview yesterday (in New Delhi). I took morning slot of 8 AM. Only advantage of choosing earliest appointment is you wont find traffic/vehicles on road and can reach easily. Number of applicants will be consistent throughout the day - be it 8 AM or 4 PM.
Alright, we were asked to form a queue so that initial check can be carried out at Embassy gates. They check the sticker put on back of your passport - this sticker was put by VAC agents (routine check of passport and documents at Verification Center). After checking that, they let us in. There are 6 rows inside embassy. I sat inside the 4th row. As soon as clock reached 8 AM, 1st row was asked to go inside the building. My turn came approx at 8:15 AM. Went in - on counter number 5, the lady checked my photograph and gave a go ahead. Then I went to counter number 7, where another lady verified my finger prints. All came good and I was sent to counter number 11 for interview. An H1B applicant was already at the counter and soon enough, he got his visa approved - I felt a bit confident of cracking up B1.

Here the fun begins:
VO: Good Morning, how are you doing?
Me: Good Morning. I am doing good, hope you are fine as well.

VO: Yes, thanks. So, where are you going, sir?
Me: ZZZ

VO: Okay. What will you do there?
Me: My employer has invited me for Product training and Business meetings.

VO: What is the name of your employer?
Me: YYYY (I think she didnt hear me properly, asked me again). I spoke a bit loudly and she said OKay.

VO: What is your current designation?
Me: Blah Blah Blah, So and So engineering team.

VO: Alright, how long have you been working in this company?
Me: I have recently joined this firm. On 1st of June 2015.

VO: So, why are they inviting you when you have recently joined? Its very rare that employers invite their employee within few weeks.
Me: Explained why. I think I convinced her the moment I said "The training will help me in completing projects in Asia Market".

VO: How long will you stay there?
Me: For 3 weeks (I guess she heard 'For' as 4 and might have thought that I will stay there for 43 weeks). Asked me again. I said 3 weeks and she said Okay.

VO: Are you married sir?
Me: Yes.

VO: Do you have kids?
Me: Yes.

And finally...
VO: Your visa is approved. We will inform you via SMS or Email as and when it is ready.
Me: Thank you very much (with a very big smile on my face) :)

Note:
1. Please carry couple of photographs. In case there is technical problems at embassy and your photo is not transmitted correctly, you still have a backup. I saw many people not able to attend interview just because they didnt have photographs.
2. No phones or bags or electronic items are allowed inside. Switched off cellphone is also not allowed, however you can deposit your belongings at the counter, against a token). But its better to go with someone whom you can handover your stuff while you go inside for interview.
3. Whatever you say to VO, but just DO NOT EVER mention that you are going to work in US. To work, you need to have a work visa, business visa is not for that purpose.
4. Stay calm and relaxed with little bit smile on your face. That makes you look confident.
5. Answer each question briefly. VO doesnt have time to listen to stories. Short answers tells how focused and well prepared you are. Single line answers are the best.

Alright, all the best for interview!!!

Rgds
Atif Ibrahim.

My mother was at the New-Delhi consulate today for her visa interview. She was sent back and asked to come again on 18th, the reason was told as some server problem.

She was informed that there is some problem with the system and they are not able to retrieve her application.
My father was also there with her for his interview, but he got through and got the visa.

Wanted to check if something similar happened with anyone else? Or has it happened earlier also?

In my case it was very quick process

VO: Your passport please. What your purpose for applying visa.
ME: To attend technical discussion and conduct training.

VO: What are you going to discuss in technical discussion.
ME: Explained.

VO: Duration of your stay.
ME: 3 weeks

VO: Your visa is approved.

The key is to appear confident. Thats' it !!!!!!

Also carry your photo according to US visa specification. In case of technical problem it might save your time.

All The Best.

First of all, No phones or bags are allowed inside Embassy. Moreover it doesn't matter if you wear jeans. I wear jeans and full sleeve shirt and sports shoes. They don't see these things. Also you have to first go with finger scanning

In my case the lady was very nice

Me: Good Morning
VO: Good morning

VO: What is the purpose of visit
Me: i said B1/B2
VO: She said Ok.

VO: What is the purpose of visit
Me: i said Business meetings and project requirement specification and explained about my project and nature of meeting in 1 line

VO: Have you been to US before?
Me: Yes, i think she asked twice in a different fashion, i guess.

VO: What is your qualification?
Me: Engineering

VO: What kind of Engineering
Me: IT

Finally the Golden words, your VISA is approved sir

I just handed over the passport and no extra documents was asked.

Hello All,

Thanks to immihelp for providing such a platform, and all guys for writing their experience.

I am writing this post for those who were rejected for B1 visa in past. I had applied two times in past (before 1.5 years) and got rejected under 214(b).

I applied again this month and got my B1 approved. Only two questions were asked.

Me: Good morning, how are you doing?
VO: Did not reply, asked me to provide my passport.

VO: What is the purpose of your visit to US?
Me: I explained in detail, I took about 30 seconds to explain the purpose of my trip.

VO: Are you working with the same Company at the time you applied last time?
Me: Yes, I have been working there since 8 years.
VO kept typing after that for some time and at last Approved the Visa.

My take:
1) Explain in detail for a couple of important question like (purpose of your visit, your profile/role in organization). VO will stop you if you are making sense to him. I had read in other posts to keep your answer short and crisp but if you think you need four-five sentences to explain the scenario then go for it.

2) Keep gentle smile on your face and be expressive while interview. This will boost your confidence, and you will not look nervous from outside even though you are.

Best luck…

Thank you guys for sharing your valuable experiences, it really helped.
So sharing my experience as part of the tradition so that I can help someone.

OFC on 05-May-2015: TPL House
Scheduled at 12:30. I reached by 11:30 and was allowed in by 12:15(Since the number of people were very less).
Token was pasted at the back of my passport.
Photo and finger prints were taken.
Some basic question were asked as per the passport(Name,DOB,Place of Birth,Passport No).
My DS 160 was stamped.
Was out by 12:45.

Interview on 06-May-2015: Near Gemini Flyover

Scheduled at 12:00. I reached at 11:00, and was allowed in by 11:20(Since the number of people were very less).
They check the token pasted on your passport and DS 160, and let you in the building.
Next they check your belongings manually and through scanner. Here they also check you through metal detectors.
Next they Verify your finger print and Passport.
After this they let you go to the queue for the VISA Interiew.

The VO was around 35 Years. Before me one B1 & H1B were approved so felt confident.

VO: Good Morning
Me: Good Morning

VO: What is the purpose of your visit?
Me: Business Meeting and Requirement Gathering.

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

VO: Who is your client?
Me: ZZZ.

VO: What is the duration of your stay?
Me: 4 weeks.

VO: Where are you going in US?
Me: YYY.

VO: Is that your client Place?
Me: Yes.

VO: Your VISA is approved, Good Luck!!!
Me: Thank You.

Advice: Be confident in your approach to the VO counter, and sound confident in whatever you say. Look into the VO's eye while you answer.
Dress Code: Wear a formal. Also wear your company's ID Card(Adds to the pupose of Business meeting).