L1, L2 Visa

A big thank you to everyone who had shared their experiences and that's a great way to analyse and prepare oneself. Its time for payback

28th - Biometrics went smooth. Just reached the center 30 mins before and the security just allowed me inside before my time. It was just 30 mins process. They take photo and fingerprints of you, verified passport, appointment letter and told me to carry the same documents on the next day

29th - interview was at 9:45, gemini circle. Luckily I parked my car to one of my friend's office nearby and dumped all my things, wallets, mobile phones in my car and gave the keys to my friend. That saved me a 500 bucks. Never wear a smart watch, or carry your car keys with you.

I reached at 9:10, There was a huge crowd outside the consulate and I felt I am gonna burn in the heat. Then I realised there are people who are waiting for different time slots. So don't be dumb to stand last on the queue. There will be a time board where they change the slot timings every 15 mins. I just stood near that board and it was showing 9:15 and 9:30 timings to enter in that queue. So when they change it to 9:45 I just peeped inside and stood on the right queue at 9:20 after 10 mins of wait near the time board. I stood until my time 9:45 then it slowly started to move. There are two checks on that queue before you reach the main security and consulate entrance. It was just a passport and appointment letter check.

Entered inside consulate at 10 AM, Submitted my files for scanning and had my security check. Once done the person in the corridor asked me what visa you are in. I said L-1B individual, they asked my i797 to validate. Similary they asked i797 at multiple security points. Keep it handy with your passports. I had to take it Everytime from my file.

So I validated the finger print inside and stood on the final queue. It took nearly 30 mins of wait in that queue. At last the person before me found a counter for the interview and the feel inside your tummy that you are gonna be next person is a real Halloween. There is a guy who routes everyone to the free counter. He asked me what visa, I said L1-B individual. He asked for i797 and told me to go to a counter which was free.

Vo - Give me your passport
Me - Hello good morning, here it is
Vo - you are working for ?
Me - xx company
Vo - how long you have been working?
Me - 2 years and x months and overall 4 years and xx months
Vo - is it a blanket or individual.
Me - it's individual and gave him i797, he smiled
Vo - where in xx company you work?
Me - I asked him to repeat and I said I work in Chennai
Vo - oh Chennai, that's fine
Vo- where will you be staying in USA?
Me - xx location
Vo - what's your pay in American dollars?
Me - xx,xxx $ per annum
Vo - your Visa is approved.
Me - couldn't realise that moment and standing like a dumb with little smile. ( I haven't overreacted and that came naturally)
He said wait a sec and looked at monitor and verified something and said yeah it's approved by giving a green slip. That's it. I aksed him how long it takes to get my passport. He said in a week probably. I just smiled and left the place.

Points to note- Be just 15 to 30 mins before the interview like everyone says, eat your breakfast or your energies will be drained. Keep some cash in your file and leave your wallet, mobile and keys in safe place. Be patient until your turn comes and don't rehearse your answers when you stand on the queue and that's gonna make u tense and it's of no use. Never listen to anyone and rephrase your answers, stick to your petition. Just relax and go for your turn. Don't lean too forward to listen to them. There is a speaker which is very much audible and a mic will be there. So just stand near to the counter and speak up openly and it should be fine. Have a smile and be confident with your answers. Confident means not like you should convey what all things you prepared in a single stretch. Just listen and answer confidently. Last and final, dress up well for God sake. It's not a small company interview, spend some bucks on clothing. I was wearing a tie which was initially uncomfortable but later got used to it. I am seeing people with bad dressing sense and wearing sandals for formal Wear for the interview and thats really gonna make it worse for them, So yeah that's it, perfect everything and you are just gonna be okay. All the best folks.