L1, L2 Visa

Hello All,

My interview was on 4th August, 2017 @Chennai consulate.

Understand this - for Blanket cases VOs just have the info you gave in DS-160 and what they could get in their internal investigation. So you need to prepare well to prove your genuineness, in just 3-7 mins!!

I will provide my whole experience below. I will not provide the actual questions as that doesn't actually matters. You can go through this topic, you will get all questions ever asked or will be asked anyway!!

@Chennai:
1. Commuting in Chennai - Use Uber or some other vendor. Autos will charge you more.
2. If travelling through flight to Chennai - take extra identity proofs (for all passengers), other then passports, as you would need them while coming back if your visa is approved. Consulate would keep your passports in approval case.
3. The US OFC and US Consulate are very near to Nungabakkam Circle. Take hotel near to that.
4. Take umbrella if its raining season.

@US OFC:
1. It takes not more than 10mins to complete whole procedure.
2. Procedure - Security Check --> Documents Check --> Finger Printing --> Take picture --> Done.
3. You can take a File folder with documents in it. No electronic things with battery or storage allowed inside. Analog watches should be allowed, but don't take chance. Cellphones - don't take.
4. Essentially they need your passports, DS-160 forms, Appointment Letter. But there is no harm to carry all docs in a file folder.
5. They take picture of adults there only, no need to carry pics. Just carry the pics for young children only.

Thing to take care -
1. @UFC they will stamp your DS-160 forms. Don't loose them. You need to carry the same to Consulate.
2. Recommended - There should be at least 24hr gap between your OFC appointment and Consulate appointment.

Big Day @US Consulate:
1. Total time would vary. For me it took more than 70mins, when actual interview took just 3-5mins.
2. Chennai Consulate deals with all India's Blanket cases with all general B1s and other local cases too - hence expect a rush and lot of L1 Blankets.
3. Procedure - Security Check --> Documents Check --> Payment of L1 fee --> Passport Verification --> Finger Print Verification --> Actual Interview --> Done.
4. At Document Check, they will tie-up L1 applicant's DS-160, all the Passports (L1 and L2), three copies of I-129S and I-797(first page) and L1 Fraudulent Check DD together. You need to carry this along as-is till last step.
5. Payment section is most painful - there is a long queue for payment - just one counter. The other issue is with L1 applicants too, who bring cash (not dd) and then start counting it at the counter. That delays everyone. Personally i feel that consulate administration can handle this part better by having Cash and DD lines separate. Anyway, here they would take payment and give you a receipt back. Don't forget to write your details (Name, Passport Number, application ID etc) at back of the DD.
6. Rest all steps take 10mins inclusive of everything.

Preparation of actual interview:
There are two type of questions -
1. Straight forward Questions - How long you have been with the firm? How long you would be visiting US? To L2 - How long have you been married? L2 Kids - Whats your age?
Prepare above well so that you don't confuse the VO by any wrong answer.
 
2. Decisive Questions - Why your company needs you there? What if you don't go? What would you be doing in US?
These are the questions by which Visa officer would actually decide on your case.

1. Prepare your case strongly - as why you have to go to US.
2. You have a genuine case - so be confident about your case!!
3. Be confident, but not loud while answering.

You cannot control VOs mood. That's your luck part.
What you can control is to give clear, concise answers, so that there is no scope of confusion.

One last thing - if a young kid is accompanying you, you can take some candy to keep him/her busy!

Best of Luck!