L1, L2 Visa

Hi All

This forum has been really helpful for me - so here's me giving back - hopefully someone can benefit from it.

Background: Have B1/B2 Visa, travelled once on it in 2016. Applied for L1-B Visa in 2019 and was approved. Travelled twice on it for 3months each (in 2020 - pre covid) and then it expired in Jun 2022. Instead of renewing wanted to apply for L1-A Visa since that was closer to my current role (Managing a team rather than having specialized knowledge).

Logistics:

Stay - Taj Connemara - ~2kms from the Biometrics VAC, ~1.2kms from US Consulate (<10mins ride each time)
Biometrics: Date XX-Oct-22. Apt time -9.00 AM, Arrived at 8.30 AM

Things to carry for Biometrics-
1. DS 160 Confirmation Form Pages for all applicants
2. Appointment Confirmation Page
3. Passports Original

Your name, DOB and other details should exactly match in the above 3 documents.

Dress - Formal Shirt and Trouser (Optional- this is what I wore)

What else you can carry -
1. Phones are allowed but must be switched off.
2. Smart Watches are not allowed

Process -

1. You are made to wait in a line on the 1st floor post verification at the entry gate
2. Submitted documents mentioned above for verification along with passport.
3. Photo and fingerprints for all 10 fingers.

Overall biometrics process should not take more than 30-45mins (at max) from your reaching the venue to exiting.
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Interview - XX- Oct-2022 - Apt Time - 8.00 AM - Arrived at 7.20 AM.

Since this was the first slot in the morning, there was a queue outside - There are 2 barricades with security protection. They allowed inside the first one by 7.50, and inside the final one (that allows entry to the US Consulate by 8.05am)

Documents required:

1. All original passports
2. 2 Sets of 1-129
3. First page of 1-197 (2 Sets)
4. Credit Card/DD for $500 Fraud Prevention Fees. (MC or VISA only works/AMEX doesn't work - No PIN is required for the transaction)
5. Stamped DS-160 from the Biometrics
6. Appointment Confirmation Page

Dress - Formal Shirt and Trouser with Blazer (Optional- this is what I wore)

Note: Make sure NOT to carry anything else apart from the documents and wallet/cash. Smart Watches are not allowed, so are mobile phones or any other gadgets. Analog watches are allowed but asked to keep inside along with documents.

Process -

1. Entry in consulate – all your belongings are scanned, and you are post security check - there is counter to segregate/arrange your docs as per instructions provided for each VISA Type (List mentioned above on what is required for L1 (Blanket) Visa.

2. Document validation – Here is where they verify your DS-160 and Appointment letter along with your passport.

IMP Note: I had an issue with my DS-160 where I found there was an issue in my Spouse’s middle name (Spelling error) – I highlighted the same to the officer and they corrected the same. If there are any issues/discrepancies that you identify in your DS-160, please make sure to highlight it to this officer and he’ll make sure to correct it in your original DS-160. On a safe side, I had made correction to the DS-160 online and carried a new DS-160 number along with updating the same DS-160 in the Appointment Confirmation (by updating the profile) and the new print for both. They said since it was a small change, they corrected in my Original DS-160 itself and I was good to go. Any corrections to the DS-160 can happen until right before the Visa Interview (even after Biometrics) so don’t panic if you find an issue with your DS-160 a night before the interview. Be honest with them and they should be able to help

3. Proceed to VISA Fees (Counter 32)- $500 - you get a receipt for the same – You proceed to counter 32 crossing the other counters where the interviews are happening for others, so you tend to overhear the kind of questions being asked and their responses.

4. Wait in Line for the Visa Interview (separate line for Blanket) – There was only one person ahead of me and he was applying for L1-B so I could hear what was being asked, while I was mentally preparing for my interview
As soon as it was my turn - Handed over the documents and passports (arranged and wrapped with a rubber band to the VISA officer – VO). Kept my folder on the side and waiter for her.

Usual Greetings.

VO: So you’re applying for L1-A visa, Ans -Correct? Yes.

VO - Which company do you work for? - Ans - XXX

VO - How long you have been working with this company? - Ans 5.5 yrs.

VO Did you join the firm as a manager? – Ans – No, I joined as an XXXXX and grew in the firm to become a manager

VO - How many direct reports? Ans – 7 Direct

VO - What is your US Salary? Ans - Total of $XXX,XXX

VO - So are you going to be there on a short term assignment? Ans - Yes, I'll be there for about 3 months on the current engagement

VO – Are you travelling alone? Ans – Yes

After Q4, I saw that she already started arranging all documents and had stamped the I-129 (S) which is for the visa approval (Knew this from my earlier experience with L1-(B) Visa. Handed over stamped form 1-129 back along with green slip.

I kept my answers to be crisp and to-the point of what was asked. I read a few places to answer descriptively but I felt as a manager, you’re expected to be crisp and clear in your communication. I answered what was asked in it’s entirety but not more details that weren’t required or asked specifically)
I was out of the embassy by 8.40am. Actual Interview time was <3mins (Including time for her to review her screen for my profile, the actual Q&A).

Wish you the best, being calm and verifying all information you’ve provided is accurate is helpful to prepare. Also, make sure you practice the sample questions enough times as it’ll give you confidence to answer questions and know what could be asked. The forum here provides an exhaustive list of questions asked. From what I could hear in other parallel windows were pretty much the same set of questions over and over again.

Here is the list of questions I had prepared for (This is for L1-A Blanket)

Commonly Asked L-IA Visa Interview Questions:

• Which company do you work for?
• How long have you worked for XXX?
• What is your current title?
• What will be your title in US?
• Where will you be working in the US?
• Will you be working at a client location?
• Who is the client?
• What does the client do?
• What will be your role on this project?
• Who will you report to in US (state XXX Supervisor name)?
• What is your direct supervisor's title?
• How many people will report to you on this project?
• How many of your reports are physically in the US?
• How many will be direct or indirect reports?
• What will be the titles of your direct reports?
• (If you do not have any direct reports) In what department will you be situated?
• What is the primary function of this department?
• Who will you report to within the department?
• What will be the major initiatives of this department?
• In what way are you leading the initiative or an aspect of the initiative?
• What are the managerial decisions you'll make in pursuing these initiatives?
• What will be your salary in US?
• What kinds of projects do you manage?
• Why are you transferring to the US?
• Have you travelled to the US before on any other visas?

Thank you!