L1, L2 Visa

Hello all,

First of all, I want to thank all contributors on this forum for sharing their experiences. They were priceless and extremely helpful in my preparation towards the interview at the consulate. Just going through this forum in detail will go a long way in helping with the preparations.

Here is my experience.

Bio-metric and Consular appointments for myself, wife and kid were on the same day at 8:15 a.m and 11:00 a.m. respectively.

We reached the Bio metric centre (Good Shepherd building) at 7:15 a.m. There were a few applicants already waiting there. The security guard came at 7:45 and opened the gate and asked applicants for the 8 am interview to stand in-line. At 8 a.m. he asked the 8:15 a.m. applicants to join in. Phones are allowed inside – but they should be switched off. Nothing else other than the paperwork / documentation is allowed inside. If you are carrying a bag, there is a locker facility available on the ground floor (not sure of the charges). You walk up to the first floor where you again stand in a line based on your time slot. You are sent to the second floor where the fingerprinting happens. Here the appointment confirmation and DS160 application is scanned (make sure the bar code is clearly printed and visible) and then we were sent inside with token number. Watch for token numbers on the screen and proceed to the respective window. Ten printing is done here and photo taken after passport and DS160 verification. Stickers with details are pasted on the back of the passport here. Kids (I think below 12) are not mandated to get their fingerprints or photos taken. Since my kid was asleep, they just took her recent photograph (we had taken this a week back as per specifications) and used that. That was pretty much it.

We had breakfast, waited for a while in the cab and then went to the consulate around 10:15 am. I left the phone and other stuff in the cab (had a dependable office cab, so took the liberty). The driver pointed to a PCO, about 100 meters from the embassy where I could call him once the interview was over. We then stood in the line (had about 10 – 15 people ahead of me) and were quickly sent forward. One more document verification happened outside and we were then sent to the security check inside. Post security check we had to stand in line for document verification – was asked to keep the DS160, i129, i797, DD and passport in order. Only applicants are to be in-line. Dependents can sit near on chairs. Post this verification we were sent inside. Since we had a kid with us, we were given priority treatment everywhere – skipped all possible queues all the way upto the interview. It really helps – saved nearly one hour easily. Once we paid the DD, receipts were issued and then again fingerprinted. Within 2 minutes we were sent to the visa interview window (last window on the floor – so was a quiet corner away from people – so less stress). We waited for our turn – as an interview was in progress. This candidate’s visa got rejected. However I was not worried as each case is looked at differently. My turn came.

Questions asked for which I provided my responses (I had applied for L1A – Blanket). The entire interview was pretty straight forward and lasted for about 5 mins overall.

Q1: Good morning sir, can I have your passports and documents please.
Q2: So you work for company XYZ (a reputed company).
Q3: How long have you been working at XYZ
Q4: What is your designation
Q5: What would be your salary in the US.
Q6: Tell me more about what you will do in the US
Q6: Would you manage a team or do specific managerial activities
Q7: Which location are you going to – Why this specific location?
Q8: How long do you intend to stay in the US

Officer turned to my spouse and kid. Did not ask any questions to my wife, but asked my kid – How old are you? Officer was happy after the response.

The golden words then pronounced “ Your visa has been approved sir. Have a wonderful time in the US”. Approval stamps were fixed on my i129s and passports retained. We thanked the officer and left the consulate in a cheerful mood, despite the baking hot temperature of nearly 40 outside.

Overall an exciting experience. Some points that I followed which helped:

1. Prepared a detailed Q&A document with all potential questions and short, crisp responses in bullets
2. Took a few mock interviews in the office and at home – helped fine tune responses and avoiding repetition
3. Answered slowly and clearly and in simple words – avoided any complicated or buzz words - Give only strong points – rest they will ask if required – prepare for one liners mostly
4. Keep smiling, maintain eye contact and be courteous with the officer – they are nice human beings – they just want to check if you are a genuine candidate. Every case is viewed differently – so not to get worried if people around you are getting rejected. If you have a honest intent, applying genuinely, not hiding any facts and have all the right credentials – you should get the visa.

Once again, I wish to thank everyone on this forum for sharing their experiences. Hope mine will be useful too.

Good luck everyone!