L1, L2 Visa

Hi ,
I feel it is my duty to reciprocate back to this forum . It really helped me to visualize the real interview scenario .

I had my interview on March ,2008.

Had pre screening at room1
Submitted the HDFC slip in room2 where there were 6 counters
Then I was directed to the nearby building where I had to pay the DD at counter 12 .
Finally entered the visa counter cell.

From the moment I went in I was keenly noticing what is the intention of the officer in each counters .Frankly speaking they are really cool , their job is to validate the INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE IN YOUR PETITIION AND THE INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE AT THE TIME OF INTERVIEW SHOULD BE MATCHING and should almost be the SAME.

First and Foremost 'Dont Panic' this will spoil everything .Keep yourself cool or atleast act so !

I would adivice you to present yourself the best you can . Clean shave ,tie and dont bother buying yourself a new dress for the interview afterall this is gonna pay you back in dollars .
Dont forget to wear a SMILE .

Remember L1 B is purely for specialised knowledge.Whatever you are questioned regarding specialised knowledge,etc remember the answer should revolve arround the fact that YOUR COMPANY & CLIENT RELATIONSHIP is mandatory to perform your duty at onsite ,be it your skillset,technology etc remember this !!

Read what is there in your petition and please dont by-heart the content that will spoil your interview .( The person before me got rejected for the same reason) Express positive attitude just make him feel that you are comfortable too.

Practise some questions from this forum .Shud give you confidence and then everything is set to go ...

Finally here are the questions :
VO: How many years are you with your employer ?
VO: How many years are you with your Client ?
VO: What is your specialised knowledge ?
VO: What are the technologies you work ?

ALL the BEST for your VISAs....

Thanks
SK

Thanks to everyone who posted there experience here. Its really helped me a lot to prepare for this interview process.

I had my interview on 23rd March 2009 at 9:15am. After the verification me and my son 3.5 yrs kid went inside. We were given preference in the queue for the document verification and took our finger prints. They were told to go to the counter 12 where the VO asked the following questions.

1. How long you have been working for this company?
Ans. 5 yrs

2. What are you going to do there?
Ans. Going to work for internal project.

3. What is your Project?
Ans. xxx

4. Describe your Project?
Ans. Answered in single line

thats it. By the time VO stamped I129 and said that we will receive passport in another 3 days.

Tips
Dress Formally
Be bold and confident in your answers
Keep praying God and Luck will follow you

Thanks a lot for everyone and All the best who are going to attend the Interview

Hi All,
        This is really a good forum for the people who are going for stamping. I had my stamping interview on 16th march 2009 at Hyderabad US Consulate.
I attended for L1 Blanket Visa
My reporting time was 9:00 AM and i reached the venue 30 mins before my scheduled time. As recently opened at Hyderabad there was not much rush at consulate. Only 30 odd members were there at my appointment time.
At start Security people at the gate will check for the passport and the appointment letter and will allow only the applicant into the consulate.
Please dont take any bags, mobiles, electronic items as they will not be entertained by the security people.Its better to carry your documents in a folder and attend for the interview.

As the next step your belongings(documents,belts wrist watches etc) will be scanned and will be guided you to location where you will be given a token which will be having a number (similar to the tokens given in ICICI banks for cash deposits) and a monitor will display a counter number for the given token. You have to go accordingly to your respective counter and need to submit your application forms and the HDFC receipt and DD's in that counter.

After this is done you will be asked to sit in the waiting hall for your turn for the interview.

You will be again called to a counter by your token number for the final visa interview.

My interview went like this after exchanging formal wishes

Officer: For how long you are been working for the current company
Myself: xxx
Officer: Descibe about the project and the role you are going to work in US
Myself: xxxx
Officer: Asked some specfic questions about the tools i will using in that project
Myself: explained the tools used in the project in a single sentence.
Officer: how long you are trained in the tools
Myself:xxxx months
Officer: whats is u r current Indian salary and US salary
Myself: xxxx
Officer: how long will you stay in US
Myself: xxx months

thats all, then he asked me to wait for some time in waiting room as they have some technical problem. After 10 mins he called me and first apologized for the delay and told that your Visa got approved and you will be getting your passport in 3 days.

My suggestions are direct eye contact with the officer and answer confidently. Visa is yours.

Let this post clarify the 221 g (Blue form issued in Chennai) once and for all. The form said "Your blanket petition is not clearly approvable under....."

I had an L1B Blanket interview on Sep 11, 2008 for an L1 visa. These questions were asked.

The name of the client
The name of the project
My role in the project

After listening to my answers clearly, the VO handed me over a blue form and asked me to come through the individual petition route next time.

My company filed for an individual petition and I had an interview again on Jan 29, 2009. This time things went fine. No questions asked. Visa granted.

The chances of getting a visa on individual petition are more becasue the USCIS would have already given their approval to your petition in the US when your petition was approved.

These are the points to note

If you are going for an interview again within one year from the date the blue form was issued, you dont have to pay the HDFC VISA receipt fee again. No need for Rs.23000 demand draft either as it is only for blanket petition.

You dont have to schedule an appointment again. You can carry the blue form, the passports and DS156 and DS157 forms to the embassy and walkin between 1000 am and 1300pm on any Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays.

Other important points are

During blanket interview NEVER talk about general technologies like visual basic, C, C++, Oracle, SAP etc.,

Always talk about "Specialised Knowledge". That is specialised knowledge about your company's product (most of it would be mentioned in the petition)and how you would be using that knowledge when you come to the US.

Read your Petition THOROUGHLY. (At least thrice one day before the interview and make notes if possible of the product and your role in the US).

All the best and best of luck
Raj.

My appointment was at 8:45 am. I reported by 8:15 am.

Points to remember.
1.Dont carry bags. They wont let that in
2.If you are coming by car hire a driver as they wont let your keys in. not ven bike keys
3.Mobiles:No way
4.Carry your company ID card. Wear it!.
5. Dress up well. That adds to your confidence
6.Hair Cut and Shave. Be a professional

After the security check and the pre-screening I was asked to wait. At around 9:00 the VSF asked the L1 guys to go to next building. We paid our Cheque at Counter 12 and joined the Que.

1.Point to remember: You are applying for L1-B specialized Skill category. Even if you are in a managerial designation, dont say that you are going as manager. Your Visa will be rejected without any futher Questions.

I had aan approximate 20 ins wait time in the Que. I saw few guys getting rejected by a Gentle man with a tie and nicely trimmed hair.He was very polietly rejecting Visa for many and my heart was in my mouth when i waked to him.

Here is a list of Question after the good Morning Stuff. Needless to sat he has noted down my previous Visa pages as well.

Be confident. Reply camly and confidently. Dont stammer as it send wrong signals. Prepare well and do your home work as you can get thru this

1. How are you doing today: Fine Thank you. How are you
2.Are you going as a manager?No
3.What are you going as: Give the designation on your Business executive Program letter
4. Is that a specialized Skill set: Yes
5. How long are you working for the current Employer: X Years and Y months
6. Sorry did you say X years and Y months: Yes
6.Who is your coustomer: ABC
7. How long are you working for them: X months
8. How do you use your specialized skill here: I explained the nature of project,what i do.
9.Whic place are you going to: ZZZY.
10. Will you be working at Client site: Yes, at LMN office, church road.
11. Where are you staying: Hotel Name and location.
12.How long is your stay in USA: 11 months
13. When are you leaving: On 28th March
14.Which Airline: Say the details in your itenary along with the details of Airport.
15. Can this be done at Offshore: No. This involes interaction with end user, training them and hand holding for deployment
16. Can you put right hand middle finger on the scanner please. Did that
17. Your Visa is approved!!. Have a good day. The passport will be back with you in 5 working days.Have a good day.

Thank you. Thank Lord almighty( I did not voice that). You too have a great day. I stopped at the water coller near exit and drank few cups. Was happy to get the Visa approved.

Do your bit. Prepare well. Have all the information ready. And pray to lord. It will help. Good Luck

I am just shring the conversation:
VO: You have open H1B petition..r u still interested..
Me: No
VO: What is ur total exprience
Me: xx Years
VO: How long with current company
Me: XX Years
VO: Who is your end client.
Me: xxx company
VO: When did you get married.
Me: xxx date.
VO: What was the function-hall name..
Me: xxxx
Vo: What is ur father-in-law's name..?
Me: xxxx

No question to my wife..

thanks...

Hi all,
thanks for all the postings, it helped me in my preparation.
I attended the interview on 10th March and i've got my L1 Blanket.

Anticipate all the question and be prepare with your answers and be confident before stepping in to the consulate and sure you'll get ur visa. All you need just answer the question with confidence in your voice.

My interview went like:

Me: GM office, how r u doing today
VO: hi (smile)
Me: gave my folder
VO: how long you working for this company and client
Me: xxx years and xxx months
VO: who is ur client
Me: YYYY
VO: what do u do for ur client
Me: blah..blah...blah...
VO: who is ur previous employer
Me: answered
VO: what technologies you use
Me: abc abc bac
VO: how did you get this computer konwledge
Me: xyz xyz
VO: ok, you'll get ur passport in 7 days
Me: thanks office, have a nice day

First of all i would like to thank for this wonderful Forum which helped me in preparing for the interview.I have attended the Interview on February 18 at Chennai Consulate and got the Visa on 20February
After the initial check and formalities i entered in to the next building where my interview had taken place there were few guys infront of me and one of them got rejected.I am carefully observing the VO and the questions he asked My experience with VO:
Me:GM sir how are you.
VO:GM I am Fine
VO:Can i have the file
i handed over the file
VO: which company are u working
Me:xxx company from xxx years
VO:Who is your client and since how long you are associated with Client
Me: I have explained in detail
VO:what is your specialized knowledge
Me: I have explained my specialized knowledge
    Dont mention any java,c++ technologies we must cover the technologies mentioned in the Covering letter,they verify the same I have seen a applicant rejected before me she haven't answered well for this question.
VO:Why exactly your company selected you for this project
ME: bla bla bla ..... :-)
VO: Where are you going to US and where will u work
ME : I explained i am going to ATLANTA
Vo:What is your tenature
ME:i explained as mentioned in BEP letter
VO:OK Your passport will be couriered with in 7 days
ME: Thank you, sir have a nice day

I had a appointement at 8:45 and i reached consulate at 8:30,i am out of the consulate at 9:15.It is really a good experience Guys who are preparing for this go through this thread it will be really useful in preparing ourselves.
!)Dress formally.
2)Wish with a smiling face.
3)Dont get tensed and be confident.
And Visa is Your's Allthe Best

Hi, I got my L1 B Visa stamped today at Chennai.

My interview with the office was for not more that 2 minutes.
He just asked 3 questions:
1)How long have been working in this company?
2)Who is your client?
3)What do you do in your company (I told about my responsibilities)

My visa office was in a great mood, I think/hope he has not denied any visas this day!

Please allow me to suggest:
1)Dress formally, preferably a plain light blue shirt for the gentlemen
2)Wear your smile
3)Look confident and speak/answer confidently with clear and audible voice
4)Please don’t look confused or worried
5)Please help elder people or ladies carrying children and those huge photo albums.

Good Luck and Cheers!
Raj

Interview date: 9th Mar-09
Steps:
1. Physical security check at gate
2. Physical security check again including folders inside gate.(no mobile/electronic good should be there).Even if I saw the security guard forced one person to throw away the chewing gum packet.
3. Stand in queue for submission of docs.
4. Stand in queue for interview

Interview (by VO : an Indian)
1. How are you doing in your company?
2. What are you going to do in US?
done- visa issued
provided a sheet to contact the visa office to track the passport.