L1, L2 Visa

Thank you, Immihelp members for sharing your experience. Now, it’s my turn to give back to the community.

L1 Blanket – Specialized Knowledge, Chennai
OFC: 2nd Nov, 2016
Visa Interview: 3rd Nov, 2016

OFC:
Required documents:
1. Passport
2. DS-160
3. Appointment confirmation

I reached the VAC location an hour early. The board outside the office indicated queue for earlier appointments. However, I was let in and I completed fingers prints and photo in 20 mins.

Points to remember:
Please ensure that the information entered in DS-160 is as per Passport, ex. Given name, surname, DOB and so on. If there is a discrepancy they will direct you to correction center on the ground floor. This’ll lead to unnecessary stress and delay.

Interview:

Required documents:
1. Petition Papers – 3 copies
2. OFC stamped DS-160
3. Passport
4. DD or Credit card
5. Appointment confirmation
6. Supporting documents – paystubs, educational qualification certificates and mark sheets, work experience certificates, certifications, and so on

You’ll visit three counters before the interview with VO,
1. DD or Credit card payment. I submitted DD, however, had credit card just in case
2. Finger prints
3. Passport check

Interview questions:

VO: Good morning! How are you doing today?
Me: I’m doing very well. Thank you. How are you?
VO: Great!

VO: Can you please pass the passport and documents
Me: Sure. Slided the two
VO: Looked at my papers and glossed through details on the system.

1. VO: How many years have you worked for at xxx company?
        Me: Two years

2. VO: What is your projected salary in US dollars?
        Me: …….per year

3. VO: Will you be working out of home office or client location?
        Me: I’ll be directly working for my employer

4. VO: Where were you working prior to working with xxx company?
        Me: I was in Academia. I worked for a ………….educational institute in …………….city, state.

5. VO: What is your highest educational qualification?
        Me: …..in….

6. VO: What will you be doing in the US? – (responded in 4 - 5 lines – specialization, responsibilities and outcome of my work).
        Me: I’ll be working with the members of xxxx company team in the US to design and implement ………solutions. Specifically, I specialize in xxx, example……In addition, I conduct and publish research in the areas of ………………. This will result in ………………….

VO acknowledged that he heard me by nodding his head and took my papers and stamped approved!

VO: VO smiling, ‘you’ll need these two copies with you, one’ll be submitted at the port of entry and other copy is for your HR. You can pick up your passport within five days at your chosen pickup location. You have a great day!
Me: Perfect, Thank you. You have a good day!
VO: Thank you.

Points to remember:
1. Be confident. Smile. Be courteous.
Go with optimistic attitude. Don’t get carried away by the rejections around. Remember, every case is different for them. The applicant prior to me was rejected, that didn’t mean VO was in bad mood or that my application will be rejected.
2. Be crisp and use simple language.
This is very important. Be crisp and precise in your response. You want to ensure you make it easy for them to understand your case and not difficult.
3. Specialization skill is the key question. Prepare for this question well based on your petition. Keep in mind, you know your job best! Do elaborate if you have a valid point but argument or story might not be apt. (Listening to 50 people in a day and making decision for them is not an easy job. The best we can do as an applicant is to keep it precise.)
4. I was dressed in Indian formals (salwar). I didn’t think western formals would make a difference. But dressing presentable and having a presence of mind is important.

Hope this helps!
Sending best intentions your way. May you have your visa approved! So be it!!