L1, L2 Visa

Hello Everyone,

This forum has been extremely helpful in getting myself prepared for my visa interview, so giving it back to the community and also hoping to get some pointers and insights on what I can expect over next few days.

Currently, dejected, demotivated and depressed and hoping to get some insights from the gurus here.

I attended an L1A Blanket visa interview at Chennai consulate on 16-Jul. The Interview slot was at 9 AM and i had my wife and kids with me so it was fast tracked and I was in front of the VO in about 20 mins from the time I was in queue. Here's how it went:

VO: Pls hand me the documents.
Me: Good morning. Here they are.
VO: You work for YYYY (one of the big five companies)?
Me: Yes.
VO: So you are applying for an L-1A visa?
Me: Yes.
VO: How long are you working for ZZZ?
Me: It has been 3.X years, I have a total experience of 16 years.
VO: What is your Salary?
Me: $1XX,ZZZ + bonus
VO: What is your designation?
Me: Senior Program Manager
VO: What is your role?
Me: Its a Senior Program Manager role, responsible for managing Product development, program and project management functions of the YYYY division of YYYY Product Group. My role requires me to work with GMs of Engineering, and Marketing groups of YYYY Product group to define product roadmaps and also to manage programs and projects for the YYYY team.
VO: Where will you be moving?
Me: ZZZ
VO: What is there at ZZZ?
ME: Company Headquarters
VO: How many direct reports will you have?
Me: I will not have any direct reports, but I will have a team working for me. I will have significant latitude over their day to day operations including prioritization, accept/ reject the deliverables.
VO: So you will not have direct reports?
Me: No, I will manage Product development, program and project management functions of the org and not engineering function.
VO: Let me check something.

At this point she went inside and came back after 2-3 mins.

VO: Can you explain your role once more?
Me: I said the same thing as above. Combined my responses which I provided above for role and direct reports question. Also added that I own accountability to ensure programs are executed on time and budget.
VO: Will you be accountable for all product development?
Me: Yes

VO then verified and checked at the passports of my wife and kids, but did not ask any questions.

VO: Your Visa is not clearly approvable. This is not a reflection on you, your work or the job you do, L1A blanket has a very narrow scope, pls give this blue form to your HR dept. and they will know what to do next.”

She wrote a case number on the blue form and checked the box which says “Your blanket L-1 application is not clearly approvable under section 8 CFR 214.2 ... or INA 101 ...” When I check online it shows my case to be in Administrative Processing.

Is there anyone out there whose visa got approved after this? I have read on several forums that if you are issued a 221g Form then there are high chances that your visa will be approved but you must wait till they complete their internal processing.

I checked with my immigration attorney, he strongly believes that the VO was wrong in rejecting as it was a strong functional manager case and they are rejecting blankets if you do not have direct reports. The immigration team are currently deciding whether they want to apply an L1A Individual or L1B Blanket.

Any pointers will help!