L1, L2 Visa

This forum helped me a lot in getting an idea about the overall interview process and made things easier. Adding my experience so that others can get benefitted.

Biometric: 8th Feb, 2023
Visa interview: 9th Feb, 2023

Reached Chennai a day before Biometric. Stayed at Hotel Raj Park Chennai. it is close to VAC and US consulate. Easy to get auto from outside hotel and reach these centers within 10-15 mins.

For Biometric, reached 30 mins prior to appointment. Remember to carry mask for kids as well, else they will not allow you inside. Stood in the queue for 10 mins before they let us in for document verification. Following docs needed:

1. Passport for self + dependents
2. DS-160 confirmation for all applicants
3. Appointment confirmation for all applicants

Kids under 14 years of age need not accompany as mentioned under instructions in appointment letter but my kids accompanied me. Also, it’s better to carry 2in x 2in white background photographs for all applicants though they did not ask the same for all of us. They captured photographs for myself, wife and 1 kid (12 years old). They asked to show photograph for my kid (3 years old) and told to submit the same during interview scheduled for next day. They verified name and DOB and stamped all DS160 forms for myself and dependents. Please ensure to verify stamping on DS160 forms for all the members before you leave consulate. The entire process hardly took 30 minutes.

Note: They have a facility on the ground floor to take photos and printouts if you need any. If you face any issue with a photo, like the VAC center not approving it for some reason, you can submit it at the time of the interview.

On the day of the interview, reached the center 45 mins prior to the appointment time. Waited for 10 mins and then joined security check queue. First, they do a security check for all your belongings, and then they let you in. Ensure not to carry any bag, mobile etc. At the first counter, they asked to arrange the documents in following order.

• Appointment Confirmation
• Demand Draft (asked me to write full name and passport number on back of Demand draft)
• DS160 for myself only
• I-129S (two copies)
• I-797 First Page only (two copies)
• Passports for all dependents (They did not ask for Old passports)

Note: They did not ask for any other documents during entire interview process.

As I was having kids with me, they asked me to skip the queue and make to next building. I was asked to stand in queue and they allowed my dependents to go inside the building. After 10 mins, I entered into building and they asked me to go to the payment counter, where you need to pay 500$ fees. The person at the counter asked names of dependents along with my organization name. They attach the payment receipt to the document set.

Then I moved to next room where my dependents were waiting. I joined another queue and after waiting for almost 15 mins, was asked to join another queue in adjoining hall where interviews were getting conducting. They were two queues having lot of people. As I was having kids, they asked me to skip the queue and asked me to move to next available counter. Here my documents were verified. I also handed over one of my kid's photo. They scanned it and returned back me the original one. Then I was asked to go to next available counter for final interview. I got my turn within 5 mins. I proceeded to interview window along with my dependents. The interview went as follows.

Me: Good morning Sir. How are you doing?
VO: Good morning. Can I have your documents?
Me: Handed over documents

VO: What is your current company name?
Me: Answered.

VO: What is your Job Title?
Me: Answered.

VO: Since how long you are working with current company?
Me: Answered.

VO: How much experience do you have in Managerial role?
Me: Answered.

VO: Are you going to USA first time?
Me: Answered.

VO: Where are you going to USA?
Me: Answered (I mentioned Client name and Client address)

VO: Would you be working at client office or company office?
Me: Answered.

VO: How many direct reportees will be in USA?
Me: Answered.

VO: What are job titles of direct reportees?
Me: Answered.

VO: Do you have hire and fire authority?
Me: Answered.

VO: Asked me to scan fingers
Me: Done.

VO: Did not ask any question from my wife except spouse name. Asked my wife to scan her fingers.

VO: I am approving your visa. Please secure this green slip and all the best.

VO: He kept Original Passports, one copy of I-129S and I-797 and returned back one stamped copy of I-129S form and I-797

The entire process took around 1 hour. I received all the visa stamped passports on 12th Feb.

Thanks