L1, L2 Visa

First of all thanks to the forum for sharing their experiences. Which helped me immensely while preparing for the interview. Now it’s time to give back to the community 😊.

Me along with wife and Kid (9yrs) appeared for the L1A interview in Chennai. We stayed in "The Park" hotel which is very close to both VAC and the consulate. Out appointment was on 23rd and 24th of May. Both days our appointments were scheduled earlier in the day. That helped us to escape from hot Chennai weather.

DAY 1 - VAC Center for Biometrics

We reached 30 mins earlier and immediately we were allowed inside. Inside, we were asked to be ready with DS-160 for each of the applicants along with the passport. In the first desk at reception, passport number in the application was verified. There they put stickers which had our name along with a barcode on our passports and attached sealed DS-160 to it with a rubber band.

Next we stood in the queue for BM. Wife and kid were sent to one counter and I was sent to different one. In counter basic questions were asked to confirm the identity and took the photographs and fingerprint scanning. Though we were carrying photograph of my Kid, it was not asked. There as no fingerprint scanning for him.

P.S: As per the center, mobile phones are allowed inside in switched off mode. But we left it at hotel just to be on safer side.

DAY 2 – Consulate for Interview

Again we reached the venue 30 mins in advance, we were allowed inside after verifying our appointment letter and DS-160.

After first gate, bags and body were scanned. No electronics items are allowed, including car keys. One lady standing in front of us was sent out twice to throw sanitizer and moisturizer she was carrying. You have to go all the way out till first entry point to dispose it. Be careful about what you are carrying.

After initial security check we were sent to next room, where we were asked to arrange 2 sets of I-129S and I-797 along with Primary applicant DS-160. Also we were instructed to write the Name and Passport number behind the DD I was carrying for Fraud Protection fee. They verified the documents and made a bunch of it with rubber band and sent us to next building.

There were already few people standing in the queue, but the lady at the entrance asked us to skip the queue and directly enter inside.

Inside main building there were many counter where interviews were happening and waiting area was just in front of that. You could clearly hear the conversations of the interview. 2 separate lines were maintained for L1 and H1B. I was asked to go to Counter 32 to pay the Fraud Protection fee and family was waiting in the queue. My company had issued me a DD of INR 39k as per the exchange rate but 2 days before the appointment date, it was revised to 40k. I got a mail informing difference amount can be paid through the cash / card at the counter. But they were accepting only cash on that day.

After some time, we were sent near a counter and asked to wait in the queue. One medical student/Intern was being interviewed before me it went on for 10 mins and his visa was approved.

Next we were called, Conversation went like this.

Me: Good morning Madam, how are you?
VO : Very good morning, I am doing great. Let’s see who we have here - with a Smile
         Please handover your documents.

She started going through I129S and scan the documents.

VO: So you are here for L1B
Me: No Mam, its for L1A
VO: Oh yes, its mentioned over here. My bad.
        How long you have been your petitioner ?
Me : 8+ years
VO: 8 Years? That a long time.
          Please tell me about your roles and duties
Me: Explained about my project, Client, my role and team structure in couple of mins in pure layman terms.
VO: What will be your team size?
Me: XX
VO: All direct reports?
Me: No, only Y , they will be my LOB managers and other will report to them
VO: Do those Y mangers perform managerial activities as well?
Me: Yes, they manage their respective team. I will be overall governing the program.
VO: Are they technical resources?
Me: They are Techno-Functional.
VO: Ok. Will your family be accompanying you ?
Me: Yes, they will be

Then she started interviewing my wife

VO: What do you do for living?
Wife: At present I am a house wife. Earlier I used to work but quit my job after kid’s birth.
VO : I can understand. What is your highest qualification?
Wife: I am a Civil Engineer, was working for an architect firm.

Asked me to scan my left hand, my wife’s right hand.

VO: I am approving your Visa, you receive your passport in a week’s time. Have a nice stay.
All of us : Thanks a lot. Have a nice day 😊.

Overall Interview went very smooth and VO was very friendly and made us feel comfortable from very first second. All questions were more like a discussion rather than interrogation.
I was carrying all original documents like Educational, Marriage, birth certificates, marriage phots but none of those were asked.

Few tips

• Be calm, confident and Prepared.
• Answer to the point in crisp layman terms. Don’t get into too much technical details unless you are asked for.
• Look professional, dress for the occasion. You are applying for a Managerial / Executive position, so look like one . I was wearing a blazer with formal wear.

On a lighter note, this was the first time in my adult life I wanted to look older. Many people have told I look lot younger and I didn’t want VO to doubt my experience based on my looks 😊.