Business Visa - B1

Hello

I got my B1 Visa approved in first attempt on 18 September 2013 (US Consulate Hyderabad) at 10:30 a.m.

My appointment was scheduled at 09:00 a.m. Reached the consulate at 08:30 a.m. and stood in the queue outside the main gate. I was allowed inside at 08:45 a.m. after checking the passport. We were made to sit in batches as per the appointment timings. At 09:00 a.m. I was asked to be in queue for taking the token. The receptionist checked the passport and pasted a big sticker containing the token number on the front of passport. Then we were asked to go through the security check. After that we went to other bulding where in there was a waiting area and 2 LCD screens displaying the token numbers. I waited for about 45 minutes and at 10:05 a.m. my token number was displayed. I went at the corresponding window where already 3 members were in queue. The VO at this window was an american guy 30-35 years of age and bit serious and rude. The adjacent window had an indian guy. He was speaking hindi with senior citizens. At my window, there was a couple (with baby) giving the interview.This VO suddenly asked the lady about her date of marriage and she was caught unaware and she murmured which was not audible to the VO. He again asked and she was telling the date to her husband. The VO intervened and said you need to give the answers. Poor husband shouted at her and she told the answer. Then VO asked about their baby's date of birth and again she fumbled with the DOB saying last year september. VO got angry. I was thinking like I got the wrong window. The adjacent guy was so soft spoken and nice and was issuing visa to everyone. At the end, he gave a piece of paper to this couple and sent them. Sam thing happened with the next member, VO handed over a piece of paper to them. I don't know what was that. The guy ahead of me got the visa issued. And then my turn came. VO called me. I was not nervous or tensed but was having odd feeling.

Here are the excerpts:

ME: GOOD MORNING
VO: GOOD MORNING.. YOUR PASSPORT PLEASE..

I GAVE THE PASSPORT..

VO: PURPOSE OF TRAVEL.. (I WAS UNABLE TO HEAR THIS SINCE HE SPOKE IT AWAY FROM THE MIC)
ME: SORRY... COULD YOU PLEASE REPEAT IT..

VO: PURPOSE OF TRAVEL..
ME: TO PRESENT A PAPER IN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

VO WAS TYPING AND LOOKING AT THE SCREEN.

VO: WHAT DOCUMENTS HAVE YOU GOT FOR YOUR AGE?
ME: REPLIED.. AND WAS ABOUT TO SHOW THE DOCUMENT..

VO: DONT SHOW ANY DOCUMENTS AND ANSWER FACE TO FACE ALL THE QUESTIONS...
ME: YES SIR

VO: KEEP YOUR RIGHT HAND FOUR FINGERS ON THE SCANNING MACHINE
ME: KEPT THE RIGHT HAND ON THE SCANNING MACHINE

VO: WHERE ARE YOU WORKING?
ME: REPLIED..

VO was continuously typing and looking at the screen... He was hardly looking at me..

VO: WHERE IS IT LOCATED?
ME: REPLIED..

VO: WHATS YOUR DESIGNATION?
ME: REPLIED..

VO: ARE YOU MARRIED?
ME: YES..

VO: CHILDREN?
ME: NO..

VO: WHAT DOES YOUR WIFE DO?
ME: WORKS AS A TEACHER IN A PRIVATE SCHOOL..

VO: WHAT IS YOUR SALARY PER ANNUM?
ME: XX LACS PER ANNUM...

VO: HAVE YOU BEEN TO ANY OTHER COUNTRIES?
ME: NO...

VO: YOUR HIGHEST QUALIFICATION?
ME: M.TECH.. PRESENTLY PURSUING PH.D.

VO: WHAT IS YOUR RESEARCH TOPIC?
ME: REPLIED IN ONE LINE

VO: FERROUS AND NON FERROUS MATERIALS ? (HE WAS QUOTING IT FROM THE TOPIC)
ME: EXPLAINED IN DETAIL

VO: TELL ME ABOUT YOUR PAPER?
ME: TOLD THE TITLE...

VO WAS EXPECTING MORE AND SO WAS LOOKING AT ME..

ME: CONTINUED WITH THE EXPLANATION..

VO: CAN YOU TELL THE NAME OF CONFERENCE?
ME: YYYY X CONFERENCE

VO: WHERE IN USA?
ME: XX CITY, XX STATE

VO: HOW MANY DAYS WILL YOU BE THERE?
ME: SIX DAYS..

THROUGHOUT THE CONVERSATION, HE WAS CONTINUOUSLY TYPING AND LOOKING AT THE SCREEN.. I TOO WAS CONTINUOUSLY LOOKING AT HIM AND ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS CONFIDENTLY..
VO DID NOT CHECK SINGLE DOCUMENT.. BUT ASKED TOO MANY QUESTIONS WHICH I REPLIED CONFIDENTLY WITHOUT FUMBLING OR STAMMERING..
HE DID NOT ASK REGULAR QUESTIONS LIKE HOW MANY YEARS I'VE BEEN WORKING, WHO'S SPONSORING MY TRIP, INVITATION LETTER, SPONSORSHIP LETTER ETC..
conversation lasted for about 12 minutes.. and then came the golden words..

VO: OK.. I AM APPROVING YOUR VISA... CONGRATS.. BYE...
ME: THANK YOU..

Next day..i.e., 19 September 2013, I receuved a mail stating that my "PASSPORT IS READY FOR PICKUP"

I am yet to collect it.

I OWE THIS TO IMMIHELP AS I HAD NO IDEA OF WHAT THE VISA PROCESS Was...THANKS A TON IMMIHELP FOR ALL THE GUIDANCE FROM FILLING DS160 to VISA INTERVIEW.

USEFUL TIPS:

1. Prepare all the documentation. (Even though in my case, VO didn't check a single document, one should always have the documents)
2. Prepare well for the interview. Rehearse it many times. Stand in front of mirror and do it. You will know the body language.
3. Dress formal wear.
4. Reach early at the venue. (minimum 15 minutes early)
5. Be self-confident and not over-confident.
6. Dont get tensed. Be Relaxed.
7. Keep your body posture right and look at VO.
8. Answer all the questions confidently without fumbling the words.
9. Don't argue with the VO. Be polite.

BEST OF LUCK !!!