Business Visa - B1

Hi All,
 
This is a step by step guide with some valuable pointers to go to Chennai for US Visa.
 
I live in Bangalore and had gone to Chennai for my US Visa (B1/B2) in Jan 2020 and eventually got it.
 
1. Fill the form DS 160 if you want to apply for US Visa.
 
2. Fill the form with correct information and follow the related steps to make Visa payment.
 
3. Once your Visa payment is received you can choose the slots online for Biometrics at the VAC centre and Interview at the US Consulate.
 
4. My recommendation is to choose the back to back available day slots so that you don't have to waste time and money in Chennai or travel back to Chennai on different days to get the Biometric and Interview done.
 
5. Try to choose a late slot for Biometrics (eg: Post 12 PM slots), to avoid rush ( Although this rush is subjective) and early slot of Interview at US Consulate (I chose 3:15 PM slot for Biometrics on 20 Jan and 8:15 AM on 21 Jan slot of Visa Interview next day)
 
6. Book a hotel in advance (via MMT, Agoda or other apps of your choice as they offer some brilliant discounts) which is closest to the VAC and US Consulate. (My recommendation would be Ibis or Park Elaza as these are the decent ones with good food and not too expensive as well).
 
7. Book flight, train or bus tickets so that you can check in the hotel at around 11 AM on the day of your Biometrics and you will get some breathing time before going to the VAC centre.
 
8. I took 6AM Shatabdi Express from Banglore to reach Chennai at 11 AM, took an Ola auto/cab or a normal auto (Charges Rs.200 approx for Park Elanza from Chennai Central Railway Station).
 
9. Goto the VAC centre for Biometrics 30 mins before your slot timings as it generally happens early. Carry form DS 160 confirmation page, with the appointment page and your passport (don't forget to carry your old passports as well, if you have one). Don't carry unnecessary documents, as nobody will ask for the same during Biometrics.
 
10. Mobile phones are allowed at the VAC centre but authorities will ask you to switch it off before going inside for Biometrics
 
11. There is no specific dress code recommend for Biometrics from my side. You can wear whatever you want. (I went in Jeans- Shirt)
 
12. Total Biometrics is max 30 mins process. They will take your pic at VAC, which will come on the US Visa and left, right and thumb scan. Post which a stamp is put on the DS160 which will be referred at the US Consulate during Interview.
 
13. Come back to the hotel and relax.
 
14. Go to the US Consulate for interview. Carry all the relevant documents (I will provide a comprehensive list of documents at the end of this post). Don't carry your mobile, although there is a designated place to keep your mobile there. My recommendation is not to take it as it will create unnecessary tension in you mind. Take an auto to the US Consulate (Rs. 100-150 approx charges).
 
15. Dress well for the Interview. Men should be clean shaved in formals (I recommend formals/suits with polished leather shoes if you are going for the business Visa. Women can also dress nicely in formals if going for a business Visa). Don't wear any digital watch as they will ask you to remove that.
 
16. Reach 30 mins before your slot. There will be a big line but do not panic. Check with the authorities standing there. They will guide you as people can only go inside slotwise.
 
17. Go inside as directed. First would be the confirmation Biometrics. Immediately after that you will be directed for the Interview
 
18. There will be a long queue again as no segregation is there based on the Visa type. There are some 10-12 windows of Interview managed by the native Americans (They have Indian translators with them for regional languages)
 
19. You will be redirected to a window on your turn.
 
20. Wait for your turn is somebody is already giving the interview.
 
21. Greet the interviewer. Be calm, confident, communicate clearly, listen well and give specific answers to the questions asked. Don't rush and narrate long stories. (I will share the list of questions asked to me at the end of this post)
 
23. There are two options of collecting your passport on successful Visa Approval and the provision to select this option there at the time of form filling.
 
1. Goto the collection centre to take your stamped passport for free.
 
2. Premium Delivery at home address via Bluedart for Rs. 500 (I chose the premium one)
 
22. You will be handed over a green paper if your visa is approved else a white paper. Interviewer will also tell you whether you visa is rejected or approved.
 
24. List of documents to carry for B1/B2
 
1. DS160 with Passport (Compulsory)
 
2. Appointment Letter
 
3. Invitation Letter from the client.
 
4. Company's cover letter
 
5. Appointment Letter (Current Company)
 
6. Last 3 months salary slips
 
7. Last 3 months bank statement
 
8. Last 3 years ITRs
 
10. All educational certificates (10, 12, Graduation & Post Graduation whichever applicable)
 
PS: They will not ask for any document but it is also recommended to carry these, to be on the safer side
 
25. My Interview QuestionsWhere are you going in US?
 
1. What is the purpose?
 
2. What is the duration of your visit?
 
3. Who all are traveling with you?
 
4. Why the client is calling you now? Are they doing anything special?
 
5. How many people are working for this client?
 
6. What is your designation?
 
7. How many people are reporting into you?
 
8. What is your annual salary?
 
9. From how many years you are working with the current company?
 
10. From where you did your MBA.
 
11. Are you married?
 
12. What is your wife?
 
13. Do you have kids?
 
14. I hope you are carrying all the relevant documents..
 
She asked me to step back…Looked at me and then said Thankyou Sir…"Your visa is Approved"