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L1A experience - Ottawa June 2021
Hello All - sharing my experience below.

Case: L1A Blanket
Location : Ottawa Embassy

Profile Created - 8 April, 2021
EA applied (Toronto) - 12 April, 2021
EA denied (Toronto) - 14 May, 2021 (this 1 month was very stressful considering earlier Toronto was approving within 10 days)
EA applied (Ottawa) - 20 May, 2021 (created new DS-160, Paid fees again, applied with almost same content as Toronto - the only extra information I mentioned is that I am PR and currently living in Canada)
EA approved email received - 21 May, 2021 (For EA mail content - it was specific to company, project, my skill set, $Mn impact if I can't move etc.)
Interview Scheduled email received - 26 May, 2021
New Interview Date - 22 June, 2021
I had booked Mariott Downtown Byward Market - just 5 mins walk to Embassy from this hotel.

Reached at 10 mins early, guard asked us to come back after 10 mins. Roamed around and came back after 10 mins. Was escorted inside after verifying DS-160. After initial screening, went inside. Security asked to go to Counter 6 for document verification and payment. There were 4 candidates ahead of me.

At Counter 6 Officer took my L1A documents (2 copies are needed). Took the money orders for the interview. Ottawa takes only money orders (no other mode available now and I had emailed earlier to get this information). Arranged all of the documents in order and gave back to me. It took around 10 mins.

Counter 2:
VO : Good Morning
Me : Good Morning officer, how are you doing? (Gave the documents)
VO : Doing Good, how are you?
Me : Doing good, thank you
VO : Looking at the kid - His passport?
Me : He is US Citizen
VO : What is your status in Canada
Me : PR
VO : Which Visa you are applying for
Me : L1A
VO : So, you work for YYYY company?
Me : Yes
Vo : What is your proposed role?
Me : answered
VO : What would be your responsibilities?
Me : Said just 3-4 well prepared sentences
VO : Will you have HR responsibilities
Me : Yes (i assumed she meant Hire/Fire authority)
VO : What was your last work visa?
Me : H1B
VO : How long were you in US?
Me : answered
VO : (To my wife) Will you be working in US?
Wife : No
VO : Do you work here? Which company
Wife : Yes, answered
VO : Will you accompany him?
Wife : Yes, will take leave from company
VO : (Back to me) Will you work in Client location or your office location
Me : Client location
VO : Where is it located
Me : provided the address
VO : Were you ever in US on L1 (L1B or L1A)
Me : No
VO : Were you ever on Student Visa in US?
Me : No, (seeing her asking these questions I clarified) I had B1/B2 and have been in US few times for tourism and business meetings
VO : Ok, I see (pause for few mins - typing something)
VO : Which one do you consider your base location?
Me : Canada. I live here in Canada
After some more time and typing on her computer..
VO : Everything is fine with your application. You will receive the passport within 1 week
She gave me back one copy of I-129S with Approved stamp, date and other stamps
Me : Thank you, have a good day!

She did not say "Approved" though :)

It was around 10-15 mins interview. Was in and out of embassy within 45 mins. Not complaining, but personally I felt she asked too many questions comparing with others who shared their experience here. But again, each visa officer is different and so is each case. She denied 2 student visas before me while we were waiting in line.

DS-160 Status
In process 22 June
Administrative Processing 23 June
Issued 24 June (I had applied Premium Delivery so tracking number was also provided this day)
Received Stamped Passports 25 June

Planning to drive to US in July.

Just Hang in there folks. All the best!
All Replies (26)

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