L1, L2 Visa

Hi,

Due to unavailability of slots for consulate interview, i am planning to go for USCIS filing for L1B extension.
I am planning for premium processing but L2 is not covered under premium.

The question is after suppose i get my L1 extended., L2 can get the visa stamped from India (home country).

However can L2 go for visa stamping without L1 stamp being obtained only carrying the L1 approved petition ?
(i129s)
Is L1 visa stamped a required /mandatory document for L2 visa stamp?

Thanks to this forum for the help.

We had the interview yesterday for L1A. Arrived 45 minutes before and were let in. Lines were very long both to get in, and inside the consulate but blanket L1 applicants were made to skip queue

Dress matters, husband was in a suit.

Was asked about job, title, what the company does and number of direct reports abroad and in the US

Were told we should have passport back within a week

Officer was friendly and interview lasted about 3-4 minutes

Hi All,

I came to Canada on the 26th of June for my L1 A visa at the Calgary US consulate.

5th July - Appointment completed
5th evening - Admin Processing
6th July - DS160 - Status changed to issued
Current date: 12th July and not update yet

Its been more than 7 days since my appointment, I have a family emergency in US and I need to be there ASAP. Is there a way I can collect the passport earlier or any way to let the consulate know about my situation?

Thanks

Thanks to this forum that helped me a lot in preparing for our Visa journey.

Biometrics : This was completed first week of June 2022. Myself, wife and 2 kids (10 yrs and 6 yrs) came to VAC 30 minutes before and the entire process was completed in less than 30 minutes.

Consulate Interview : I received the appointment after 12 days of completing biometrics; so technically, had to fly twice to Chennai. We arrived at the consulate around 25 minutes before the scheduled time and there was already a huge queue.

After the security checks, we were asked to move to the waiting area. After checking the papers and arranging them in the prescribed order, went to the main building and was asked to wait in the queue for completing the payment. Once payment was done, again was asked to wait in the queue for the interview. The discussion went as below

VO : Good morning; how are you?
Me : I am great thanks and yourself?
VO: Good too; please pass your documents
(I passed the document set. He looked at our passports and documents)
VO: Please scan your left four fingers
(Once I scanned by fingers and the VO asked my wife to scan her right four fingers. Then he asked my wife and kids to wait at the seating area)
VO: So you are applying for L1A
Me: That’s correct
VO: How long you are with XXXXX
Me: I completed 3 years and 2 months
VO: Who is your client in US and which location?
Me: Our client is XXXXX and the location is YYYYYY
VO: What will be your salary?
Me: Its XXX,XXX
VO: What’s your wife's qualification?
Me: She is a doctor and her qualification is Bachelors in XXXXX
(VO started typing on his system for 2 minutes and at the end he stamped on my I-129S)
VO: Your visa has been approved and you will receive the passports in 1 week. Have a nice day
(VO hands over the I-129S, Green slip and copy of the fee receipt)

Tips:-
1. Attire : If you are applying for L1A, I believe this matters a lot. I was in a suit and tie
2. Be confident and be clear when you speak
3. Always maintain eye contact (even if the visa offer is not looking at you)

If you have any questions, please do reply and will be happy to answer.

I am an Engineer working with an Investment Bank in US. I am in the process of applying for my L1B. I am confident on the product and technology I am working with. But, being a 3 year experienced, is it going to affect my chances of getting Visa approved?

13 Feb 2023 is the earliest date I am getting for appointment any one please suggest. I am looking VISA appointment date for Chennai VAC.

Hi All,

I am going for L1B blanket second attempt on June 8. Mine was rejected in April 11 2022. Any one went for second attempt recently? Please comment below your experience.

First of all thanks to the forum for sharing their experiences. Which helped me immensely while preparing for the interview. Now it’s time to give back to the community 😊.

Me along with wife and Kid (9yrs) appeared for the L1A interview in Chennai. We stayed in "The Park" hotel which is very close to both VAC and the consulate. Out appointment was on 23rd and 24th of May. Both days our appointments were scheduled earlier in the day. That helped us to escape from hot Chennai weather.

DAY 1 - VAC Center for Biometrics

We reached 30 mins earlier and immediately we were allowed inside. Inside, we were asked to be ready with DS-160 for each of the applicants along with the passport. In the first desk at reception, passport number in the application was verified. There they put stickers which had our name along with a barcode on our passports and attached sealed DS-160 to it with a rubber band.

Next we stood in the queue for BM. Wife and kid were sent to one counter and I was sent to different one. In counter basic questions were asked to confirm the identity and took the photographs and fingerprint scanning. Though we were carrying photograph of my Kid, it was not asked. There as no fingerprint scanning for him.

P.S: As per the center, mobile phones are allowed inside in switched off mode. But we left it at hotel just to be on safer side.

DAY 2 – Consulate for Interview

Again we reached the venue 30 mins in advance, we were allowed inside after verifying our appointment letter and DS-160.

After first gate, bags and body were scanned. No electronics items are allowed, including car keys. One lady standing in front of us was sent out twice to throw sanitizer and moisturizer she was carrying. You have to go all the way out till first entry point to dispose it. Be careful about what you are carrying.

After initial security check we were sent to next room, where we were asked to arrange 2 sets of I-129S and I-797 along with Primary applicant DS-160. Also we were instructed to write the Name and Passport number behind the DD I was carrying for Fraud Protection fee. They verified the documents and made a bunch of it with rubber band and sent us to next building.

There were already few people standing in the queue, but the lady at the entrance asked us to skip the queue and directly enter inside.

Inside main building there were many counter where interviews were happening and waiting area was just in front of that. You could clearly hear the conversations of the interview. 2 separate lines were maintained for L1 and H1B. I was asked to go to Counter 32 to pay the Fraud Protection fee and family was waiting in the queue. My company had issued me a DD of INR 39k as per the exchange rate but 2 days before the appointment date, it was revised to 40k. I got a mail informing difference amount can be paid through the cash / card at the counter. But they were accepting only cash on that day.

After some time, we were sent near a counter and asked to wait in the queue. One medical student/Intern was being interviewed before me it went on for 10 mins and his visa was approved.

Next we were called, Conversation went like this.

Me: Good morning Madam, how are you?
VO : Very good morning, I am doing great. Let’s see who we have here - with a Smile
         Please handover your documents.

She started going through I129S and scan the documents.

VO: So you are here for L1B
Me: No Mam, its for L1A
VO: Oh yes, its mentioned over here. My bad.
        How long you have been your petitioner ?
Me : 8+ years
VO: 8 Years? That a long time.
          Please tell me about your roles and duties
Me: Explained about my project, Client, my role and team structure in couple of mins in pure layman terms.
VO: What will be your team size?
Me: XX
VO: All direct reports?
Me: No, only Y , they will be my LOB managers and other will report to them
VO: Do those Y mangers perform managerial activities as well?
Me: Yes, they manage their respective team. I will be overall governing the program.
VO: Are they technical resources?
Me: They are Techno-Functional.
VO: Ok. Will your family be accompanying you ?
Me: Yes, they will be

Then she started interviewing my wife

VO: What do you do for living?
Wife: At present I am a house wife. Earlier I used to work but quit my job after kid’s birth.
VO : I can understand. What is your highest qualification?
Wife: I am a Civil Engineer, was working for an architect firm.

Asked me to scan my left hand, my wife’s right hand.

VO: I am approving your Visa, you receive your passport in a week’s time. Have a nice stay.
All of us : Thanks a lot. Have a nice day 😊.

Overall Interview went very smooth and VO was very friendly and made us feel comfortable from very first second. All questions were more like a discussion rather than interrogation.
I was carrying all original documents like Educational, Marriage, birth certificates, marriage phots but none of those were asked.

Few tips

• Be calm, confident and Prepared.
• Answer to the point in crisp layman terms. Don’t get into too much technical details unless you are asked for.
• Look professional, dress for the occasion. You are applying for a Managerial / Executive position, so look like one . I was wearing a blazer with formal wear.

On a lighter note, this was the first time in my adult life I wanted to look older. Many people have told I look lot younger and I didn’t want VO to doubt my experience based on my looks 😊.

I am a Canadian citizen applying for L1A visa. I still have a valid B1/B1 visa on my cancelled Indian passport. Am I eligible for dropbox?

Below are the details of my visa experience:

My appointment was scheduled for 8:30am at the US Embassy in London, located close to Nine Elms tube station. I arrived to the embassy at around 7:45am and joined a long queue outside. The queue moved quickly and within 10 minutes I reached the security checkpoint. I was asked for my passport and DS-160 confirmation page. After a quick check of these documents, I was directed inside the security screening building. I passed through the metal detector and was asked to make my way across the courtyard to the main embassy building. Inside, my DS-160 confirmation page was checked again and I was issued with a number. I then made my way to the lifts and up to the first floor marked ‘Visa Services’. Once there, I took a seat and watched the screen for my number to be called. Once called, I went to the window number stated on the screen and passed the officer two copies of my I-129S along with my passport. The officer checked these over, slipped them into a plastic folder and passed them back to me. My fingerprints were then scanned and finally I was asked to make my way to another window to pay the ‘Fraud Prevention’ fee. This was for $500 and I paid using a credit card. Next I returned to the waiting area and watched the screen for my number (the same number as before) to be called again. After about 20 minutes my number was displayed and I went to the window indicated. I had to wait while another interview was being concluded and then the officer called me forward. The interview went like this:

VO: Good morning! How are you? (very friendly)
Me: Good morning! I’m well thank you. How are you?
VO: Good thank you. Please may I see your documents.
(I handed her my documents pack).
VO: So I see this is your first time applying for an L visa?
Me: Yes that’s correct.
VO: Ok. Please can you tell me about the company you work for:
Me: I work for XXX. We do XXXX
VO: And what role do you do?
Me: Explained my role and the unique specialised skill set I have
VO: How long have you worked there?
Me: 4 years, 5 months (be exact with this)
VO: Tell me a little more about the role you do
Me: Went into further detail about what I do and the tools I use.
VO: Ok, thank you.
(VO then began typing and then stamped my I-129S)
VO: Ok – your visa has been approved and you will receive your documentation within a week. Enjoy your stay in the US!
Me: Thank you very much! Take care.

I then headed back to the lifts and exited the building.

Overall the process was efficient, easy and very professional. My main tips are:
- Be calm, confident, smile, and maintain eye contact with the VO.
- If you fumble your works, stop and calmly start again
- Wear a suit. I honestly saw someone go for his interview wearing a Grateful Dead baseball cap. Ridiculous.
- Be prepared. Have all your documents ready and bring $500 in case your credit card doesnt work.

Good luck!