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L1A-Blanket stamping in Ottawa
Hi,

Following is my experience with L1A-Blanket visa interview at Ottawa location.
I reached consulate for 7:45 interview about 15 mins early. To my surprise, there was queue outside consulate. I have had 2 prior L1 visa interviews at this location and I was in and out in 30-40 mins. I got in at security scan in about 20 mins. Ottawa consulate has 1 cashier window where L1 candidates have to hand over their 2 checks. Same window is used by citizen who want to pay any fees and they are given priority. There were quite few citizen visiting that day, so I had to wait longer at cashier window.

On side note, there was small complication in my case; while submitting DS-160, I answered 1 question incorrectly; "about immigrant petition filed". (my employer has filed I-140, but I answered No without understanding it). I realized my mistake 10 days prior to interview and created new DS-160 as per recommendation from our immigration team. There was also change in format as I had to add my social media handle info too. As I could not update DS-160 number for my appointment, I was suggested to carry both DS-160 confirmation pages and request an update at consulate. I was concerned if this will raise any alarm.

As I was waiting in line at cashier window, I was listening to other conversations where I heard one applicant was warned about what is mentioned in DS-160 before fingerprinting. As per officer, applicant takes an oath while providing fingerprints that all info on DS160 is accurate. So, I got even more worried.

When it was my turn at cashier window, I mentioned about the mistake and explained about the exact question. Officer typed something as I was explaining and asked me to explain the same during fingerprinting and during interview. She also mentioned that it is not a big deal. sigh of relief ... phew ... She asked me to move to fingerprinting window where I explained same story. This time, officer told me that she would not want to update new DS-160 as it is not a big thing and asked me to explain it to VO.

Now, while I was going through these 2 windows, other applicants for all reasons were lining up for interview. There was only 1 interview window to serve visitor, student, H1, L1 visa; so queue got pretty long. There were almost 15-20 applicants in front of me. After almost 45-50 mins, my turn was getting closer and another interview window opened. Second window had L1A-Blanket applicant, VO was new may be, because she was taking quite some time on PC before starting interview. He was asked very standard questions. I was hoping that I would go to same VO ;) ... Applicant in front of me was for visitor visa and got denial. I was called to that window.

VO first asked me to share documents; while she was going through them, I repeated same cassette about DS-160 mistake. She updated something again on her computer and did not raise any concern. Questions to me;
1. Total experience and experience with current employer
2. Will I be working at client location? what is the address?
3. how many reportees I have? what is their role? this is where I explained that I have some managers reporting to me.
4. would you say you have hire/fire, appraisal authority over reportees?
5. Then give some examples of it

And that was it; I heard the word approved. I think I was at interview window for hardly 2-3 minutes. I was out of consulate at 10:15 after almost 2.5 hours.
I checked visa status online that same evening and status changed to Issued. Next day, I got email that my passport is ready for pick-up.
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