L1, L2 Visa

Hi all. Thanks to this wonderful forum - I was able to get tons of information from here about the PA. I would like to share my experience here. I had my PA just a couple of hours ago. It was really cool. The experience was like this:

We (me & my wife) had our appointment at 7:45 AM in the Chennai consulate. We had decided to use the Stars and Stripes lounge so that we can miss out on waiting outside the consulate. We shelled out Rs. 250 per head. We reached the lounge by 7:20 AM and were allowed in by 7:30 AM (that's when the lounge opens). We checked in our baggage in the baggage counter and proceeded to the consulate in the VFS van. We reached the consulate at about 7:50 AM. We were allowed in after the mandatory security checks. The documents were verified and finger prints taken. We moved to the next building to pay the 25K check. After that we moved to the interview queue. There were a lot of people waiting in the queue, but only one counter (counter 3) for L1/H1 visas. So we had to wait for quite some time. Then after about 15 mins, few more counters were opened and applicants were directed by the VFS staff to the various counters. This I believe was the turning point, since the VO who was in counter 3 was pretty hostile and was rejecting quite a few petitons. I saw about 5 L1B and 2 L1A's getting rejected by him. I was feeling nervous about going to this guy, but as my luck would have it, I was asked to move to another queue along the side. This was counter C. The VO there was pretty cool. There were about 5 applicants before me, and all but one had their visa granted. The one person to miss out did not have his application rejected, but it was withheld for want of more information. Then my turn came. The conversation between me and the VO went like this:

VO: Hi.

Me: (With a smile) Hello. A very good morning to you. How are you today?

VO: I'm fine, thank you. How are you madam (to my wife)?

Wife: I'm fine, thank you.

VO: Can I have your documents please?

Me: Sure. Here you go. (Gave the docs to the VO).

VO: (Kept typing something in the computer for about 20 secs) How long are you working for your company?

Me: (I heard the question as to whom are you working!!) Told him my company name.

VO: How long?

Me: Two years and eight months.

VO: Who's your client?

Me: Told him my client's name.

VO: Okay, and what are you going to do for your client?

Me: Told him that I will be working on an enhancing an application which will be used by the underwriters to create new life insurance policies.

VO: Okay. I need your verification. Can you place your left hand fore finger on the red light please?

Me: Sure. (Kept the left fore finger).

VO: Madam, I will need your verification as well. Your left hand fore finger please.

Wife: Sure. (Kept the left fore finger).

VO: (Kept typing in the computer and started to sign some papers). All right. It's all set and done. I'm approving your visa. Both of you go rock in New York City. (Gave back the I129S duplicates with his signature)

We: Thank you very much and have a great day ahead.

VO: You too.

And we were done !! The golden words had been said!! It took about 90 second for the whole thing. We got our visa and are all set to fly away.

My tips to the prospective applicants - dress smartly and have a smile in your face. That really helps. You should look like a professional before the VO. And try to look confident. Have your answers ready and be prepared. I had been preparing for almost 4 days for the PA. This forum helped me a lot. And also, the fact that I was from a leading software firm in India helped a lot. The briefing sessions I had in my company were really helpful. There were about 10 people from my company who took up the PA and all but one got through. Insist that your company briefs you completely about the L1B visa and what should be said and what not.

So, be confident, dress smart, and the visa is yours !!

Cheers,
Rajiv Shankar