L1, L2 Visa

Hello all!

Would like to start by thanking everybody on the forum, who have been really kind to share their experiences and drive awareness in terms of what to expect during this process at the embassy.

My company petitioned me for a L1-A Blanket Visa & my wife for a L2 dependent visa.

Our interviews were scheduled on 02 May - OFC for biometrics and fingerprinting ; 03 May - At the consulate for interview.

Local transportation -
We were put-up in a nearby 5-star hotel with ridiculously expensive cab charges. Hence we choose to use FastTrack radio taxi services for all of our commutes to embassy/its offices.

OFC Location - Google Maps
We had a bit of a nightmare on the OFC location as Google maps still holds the old address in cenotaph street. Driver did not seem to know new address either. Went back to the checklist to realize that this office has now moved to a location near "Valluvar Kottam" signal and is now called "Visa Application Centre". We were fortunate to course correct and get to the right location on time.
 
Please take note and be aware of not being excessively reliant on Google maps.

Process at OFC
It is mostly smooth and lasts 15-20 mins. My slot was 12:45. There will be queues of people who would have arrived hours together earlier and will not be let in until their allotted time. Please do not get distracted by the queue. If you have reached 15-20 mins in advance you should simply walk up to the main entrance and the door man will let you inside directly.

Ground hall - verification (look for biometrics queue ; not the passport collection queue);
First floor - re verification of docs;
Next hall - security check and stickering on passport; First floor inner hall- scan passport stickers and allotment of tokens. Be seated and once your number flashes go to the window identified and finish photo and fingerprinting.

Note- the sticker on passport says L1b for all blanket L1's. This is not type of visa (don't worry why it did not say L1A)

Process at consulate
Reached 20 mins before (9:10 am). I was requested by my company's immigration team to were a suit (which I did).
First - big queue outside the embassy to undergo verification of tickers and allowed inside.
Then security check and seal on DS 160 ( different ladies and gentlemen queues. So pls separate the DS 160 for ease of management. I saw people all kinds of circus to remove the staple pin, tearing it, dropping documents in process, etc.,)
Next - Inside waiting hall. For l1 blankets, we will be asked to wait for a minute. The three copies of 129s and 797 will be stapled as three sets. A rubber band will be fastened with the passports and payment dd.
Next - walk across to "visa lobby" adjacent building ~ 100 mtrs away.
Next the door man allows folks in batches of 15 to enter the building.
A employee will call for blankets to come out of the queue and submit the dd and collect receipts.
Then next counter for fingerprinting
Then the adjacent counter for quick verification and a "green felt pen mark" on the passport stickers.
Then join the queue for visa interview .
We had a reasonably long queue (unlike the another gentleman below who claims otherwise - same day same time :)) nevertheless after a wait of ~ 20-25mins in an enclosed environment cramped tightly with little air circulation we were shown one of the counters.

A Jewish American officer wished and welcomed me and my wife. ( I was wearing my company's badge over my suit all along. Reputed US MNC). Here is the ensuing dialogue -

VO - (With a smile) Good Morning, please come over. How are you doing today ? Can I have your documents pls.
Both of us- (Smiling back) Good Morning. Doing very well,thank you. (Handed the packet with rubber band )

VO - What is your proposed role in US ?
Me - xxxxxxx

VO - Sir, Would you have direct reports in US ?
Me - This is a senior functional manager position which exercises tremendous influence.. (At this point I was stopped with another question.. I felt this was discourteous.. Nevertheless listened patiently to his next question)

(Tip : Stay to the point. No justification unless asked for)

VO - What is your function ?
Me - xxxx ( I answered with the function name in my title)

VO - (Looking at his computer) No sir. What is your function ?
Me - With a smile, I responded with the same answer with a slightly reinforced tone.

(Tip: stand your ground. But courtesy very important)

VO - Will this be for services division / products ?
Me - Products division

From this point on he did not appear to be attentive and was busy typing into the system.

VO - Can you tell me a little about the products ?
Me - Explained and was cut short after a statement

VO - What would be your salary ?
xxxxxx (Well over 100K)

VO - Did you say xxxxxx (breaking down in numbers)
Me - Yes that is correct.

VO - Who would you report to ?
Me - Director of xxxxxxx to a gentleman by name xxxxxx

VO - would you have other folks performing this role ?
Me - No

VO -You will be the only one for xxxxx in the whole world ?
Me - That is correct

(Tip - Confidence!)

VO - Great ! (Turning to my wife!) When were you married ?
Wife - xxxx (Spelled out the date).

VO - where will you stay ?
Wife - xxxx (Answered with confidence)

(I have visited US on B visa ~ 20 times and my wife twice,VO made a surprisingly incongruent remark at this point. Are you staying there or will be going now ? Before she answered he went to next question )

VO - (Stamping the I129S) How many children do you have ?
Wife - (Did not hear bcos of the mad speaker.. She requested to repeat..but VO himself volunteered 'none yet' .and handed over the two stamped 129S and "Have a great trip"

Both of us -Thanked and wished good day and left.

This was our experience. Thanks to the forum and Good luck to all aspirants!

Regards,
adakot