L1, L2 Visa

Dear All,

I would like to share my experience regarding my L1A Blanket Visa Interview which was held at Chennai on 23rd June, 2014.

First of all, many thanks to all those who have shared their experiences in the forum. This has helped me immensely to prepare for the interview. Before I visited this forum, I was under the impression that the L1 Blanket visa approval or rejection is purely based on luck. However, after going through posts in the forum, I realised that though luck plays some role, it is not the sole criterion for getting through.

Let me describe my process. My interview was scheduled in early morning, at 7.30 a.m. I reached US consulate around 7.10. There was a long queue, mainly because of student visa. Security guards helped us to form different line for 7.30 batch. Around 7.35, they opened the gate and started checking our passports. After that, we were asked to go through the metal detector, and then enter the consulate.

Once we were inside the consulate, after another round of checking through the metal detector and validating appointment confirmation page, they gave a token number to each applicant. For every category, the token numbers began with different alphabets. Like for L category, it was L. Then we were asked to get the token stamped from one counter.

For L category Visa applicants, Anti-fraud fee ($500) needs to be submitted next. For that, one has to submit the draft (in favour of Chennai US consulate), passport, 3 sets of I-129S and I-797 to the designated counter. Once that is done, I had to wait in the waiting lobby before my token number to be flashed against a counter number. After that I went and stood in the queue in-front of that counter. After a wait of around 10 minutes, my turn came for the interview.

VO: Good Morning.

Me: Very good morning ma’am, how are you doing?

VO: I am doing well. Please give me your set of documents.

I handed all my documents (3 sets of I-797 and I-192S) and my passport.

VO: So you are applying for L1A Blanket?

Me: Yes

VO: How long have you been working for your current organization?

Me: 1 year and 6 months.

VO: What is the purpose of your visit?

I explained the requirements and my future profile for US in three four lines.

VO: How many people would report to you?

Me: 16, 9 direct and 7 indirect (I also had my organizational chart for US ready, in case the VO asked for it)

VO: What will be your designation in US?

I told the designation which was also mentioned in my support letter from the company.

VO: Why does your designation and role not match?

Me: They are two different things. Designation depends on Organizational Hierarchy and Role depends on project requirements. (I also mentioned the designations of the people who will report to me and the designation of the people I will report to)

VO: Will you be in Indian Payroll or in US Payroll?

Me: US payroll

VO: What will be your US salary?

I told the salary, which was also mentioned in my support letter from the company.

VO: How long do you intent to stay in US? Is it a long term or short term assignment?

Me: It’s a short term assignment, for around 8 months (Those facts were also mentioned in DS-160 form and I-129S form.)

VO: How can you perform your job responsibilities in such a short stint?

Me: Since I have already performed similar job duties in India, it would not be difficult for me to replicate the same in US.

The VO then remained silent and kept on typing in her system. Finally she stamped on my I-129S documents and signed on them.

And then came the golden words “I am approving your Visa, get these two stamped copies for I-129S , one for your future reference and the other needs to be given to your HR. Please collect your passport from your pickup location after 4 business working days”

I was very happy.

Me: Thank you. Have a great day.

A few suggestions I would like to make:

1. Be confident. Body language does count and plays a vital role in such interview.

2. You need to be convinced yourself that you are eligible for L1A Blanket visa which is meant for higher managerial role. If you have performed the same in India, your answers will reflect the same.

3. Be truthful. Please remember that these VOs are taking such interviews for long time and they can easily understand when you are telling the truth and when you are not.

4. Be calm and composed during the whole interview process, right from beginning, when you have to stand in a queue outside consulate.

5. Do not get influenced by what is happening to the others. Don’t change your answers at the last moment just by listening to other candidates inside the consulate.

6. Do not ever deviate from the actual facts and whatever was documented in your I-129S form and DS-160 form.

All the best.