Business Visa - B1

Thanks a lot immihelp, this is really a wonderful and helpful forum. Now it’s my turn to share my experience with others

Today on 30 January 2014, I appeared for my B1 interview for second time at New Delhi US embassy. This time also they have kept my passport and given one slip stating that further administrative processing under section 221(g) for my visa application is required and I need to submit supporting documents such as invitation letter, resume-work history, accommodation details, travel itinerary etc.

I had visited US earlier on B1/B2 visa which was expired in year 2012 because embassy have issued visa for one year duration only, that time also they have kept my passport for administrative processing for approx one month under same clause 221(g) before issuing visa.

I know I have given my best shot (as I have past experience at same embassy), I have prepared well, dressed in formal with tie, had good confidence on voice, matched eye contact, given honest answers.

I am listing down the following conversation between myself and VO which may beneficial to others for their interview preparation. VO was American lady aged between 30-40 years.

VO: Good Morning, give me ur passport
Me: Good Morning, Yeah sure (given the passport)

{She opened my passport little bit seen my previous visa and closed the passport immediately and started typing on the computer keyboard}

VO: why u want to go to US?
ME: To attend business meeting and discussions with group leaders

VO: Which company you are working for?
ME: answered

{She continued hear search on her computer for 20-30 secs (may be going through my DS-160 or company profile)}

VO: Which company you are working for? (same question again)
ME: answered same

{Again She continued her search on her computer, for further 20-30 secs}

VO: since how long u r with xxxxx
ME: I joined xxxxx recently two months before but I have total 7.5 years of work experience

VO: for how many days u r going?
ME: 3 weeks

VO: How much do you earn annually?
Me: xxx Lakhs per annum

That’s it, then she returned my passport and advised that to go to extreme end corner window counter (I knew from inside that something is not going smooth this time also because during my last visa application also they advised to go to the same window)

No one was there at that window so I waited at some distance from the window, after waiting for 4-5 minutes at that window one Indian VO lady came to the seat and called me

Indian VO: So u r advised to come to this window
Me: Yes

Then she scanned my passport details, searched something on computer went back to some ones desk and come back after 2-3 minutes

Indian VO: (handed over one white form with some reference no with clause 221(g) mentioned on it) Sir we are keeping ur passport for further administrative processing, however, you please submit the mentioned documents (invitation letter, resume-work history, accommodation details, travel itinerary etc.) on given e-mail id at the earliest, further processing of your visa application will start only after receipt of these documents on mentioned e-mail address.
Me: OK Thank you (collected the form and left the window)

I have carried all the relevant documents with me such as Invitation letter, tour sponsorship letter by employer, employment details, company balance sheets, bank details, ITRs, home loan agreement papers, exp certificates, educational qualifications even marriage certificate also but they didn’t ask for the same.

Now Hoping for good, I do not understand how they are evaluating applications as they have given same clause this time also even though I have changed my last company, have different job profile, better salary.
May be your luck factor also matters to some extent because every genuine applicant going to US on B1/B2 has a specific purpose, does his home work, carries all relevant documents, though few got visa approvals and few got denials

All the best !!!!