L1, L2 Visa

Hi Everyone,

My L1B blanket was rejected saying it is not clearly approvable and was given 221g blue sheet.

Now I am applying for L1B individual under premium processing, I am selected for US role considering to work for a client of my parent company. I will be supervised by the parent company but work and work location will be of client's.
When I see the experiences here, I understand L1 visas are not given for those who will work for client.
Could you please clarify?

My l1 A blanket rejcted at chennai. Can I apply for individual? will there be questions around rejections?

22-05-2017 - Bio-metric:
Our biometric appointment time slot was 14:45 but we (me and my wife) reached there @ 13:45. It takes 15 minutes to finish the biometric process. Around 14:00 we are out of the biometric center. Process is systematic and you would get step by step guide to complete the process.
23-05-2017 Visa Interview:
Our interview time slot was 11:30. We reached @10:00 and after waiting for 15 minutes we are allowed to stand in queue. For L1B you asked to arrange 3 sets of forms (in other post you would get the form numbers) and after payment of USD500 (INR 34000) we went into main queue for interview. You can see candidates are going to different counters. Officers manages the queue and send you in different counter as per visa type and availability of counter. Around 11:30 we came out of the interview center. Questions asked to me and my wife by lady officer:
1. Will you be working for?
Ans: I miss understood the question because It was quick. I mentioned the Indian company name, VO again repeated the question then I gave proper answer - US company name
2. Your experience with current company and total experience
Ans: 4.1 & 9.4
3. Salary in US
Ans: ? (mentioned the salary as per petition.)
4. US Work location.
Ans: I forgot to mention the state name. Lady Officer asked me the state name as well.
Now tricky questions start (I Prepared for that)
5. Who is going to use your product?
Ans : YYYY companies which provides YYYY X
6. Why only you?
Ans: I mentioned my importance in company propriety tool
7. Why now?
Ans: We have delivered this product and to customize and enhancement of propriety product.
8. Are you going to work for specific client?
Ans: nope. I am going to work for parent company.
9. Again, Will you going to customize this product for specific client (tricky question)?
Ans: No, not to specific client. YYYY ZZZ
Now question to my wife (Now I am sure, I will get the visa ?)
10. Your highest qualification?
Ans: YYYY X .

Finally I heard the golden words “Your visa is approved”
Tips:- Be confident , Look @ the VO while answering, Be prepared for product and its use, Be prepared with offshore and onshore team size, Read the petition completely and understand your role and responsibility properly.

First things first, a massive thank you to everyone who taken time out to share his/her experiences as it has been one of tremendous help!

My L1B Blanket was rejected in Feb 2017 at Singapore Consulate and I think it's mainly because of unusual situation. I was with Company "A" (Massive MNC, #1 in it's market) in India from Feb 2010 to Jun 2015. Then I left and rejoined Company "A" in Singapore; this time as a contract employee through an agency, we'll call it Company "B" for simplicity. Now, Company "A" offered me a job again as a full-time employee, but in the US. They said I was still eligible for L1 after consulting with their lawyers. There's a clause that states "The alien must have been employed abroad by the qualifying foreign employer for one continuous year within the three years immediately preceding his/her admission into the U.S." and hence they applied for my L1B Blanket.

My L1B blanket interview had a rocky start as the VO immediately raised his eyebrows upon reviewing my application. This is how it went:
VO: So you work for Company B here? And Company A is petitioning for L1?
Me: Yes
VO: (Stares at his screen for a minute, perplexed) Ok, what's your specialization?
Me: abc, xyz and also pqr.
VO: And how many people in the industry know this?
Me: None because it's proprietary to the company.
VO: I see, and how many within the company know this?
Me: Not sure, maybe around 10 people globally.
VO: (Keeps typing away) What's your work location?
Me: SF, Cali
VO: Salary?
Me: $xxxk plus bonuses and benefits
VO: (Typing something).. Here's the thing, I can't really approve your visa at this time. Please take this (hands pink slip, 221g) and share this with Company A's HR. They are a big company so they will know what to do next. Sometimes, these things happen, that the companies apply under an incorrect visa category. Maybe they should try for an H-category instead.
Me: (Dejected) Ok, thank you!

I clicked a photo of the pink slip and emailed it to the lawyers. They came back the next day and said that they will proceed with an L1B-Individual filing because it has better chances of success. At that point "better" didn't really instill confidence in me but the opportunity was too good to pass up on. They filed the petition in March first week and received an RFE within 3 days. This time I was devastated, I know, it's just a visa but sometimes even such things seem incredibly important especially when you have so many hopes and dreams associated with it. This time I was assigned a senior lawyer for the RFE response. I told the lawyer that I don't think it's going to work out but the lawyer was very supportive and confident at the same time. The RFE was requesting for proof of my permanent employment with Company A in India from 2010 to 2015. So we promptly retrieved 60 months+ payslips, tax documents and a letter confirming my full-time employment during that period. Along with that, the lawyer also drafted two support letters, one from hiring manager in US which signified the importance of my presence in the US and the other from my last manager in India, which outlined my specialization and skills. The lawyer was incredible! She ensured that all the minute details of the support letters were faultless and kept sending them back to me for countless revisions. Once she was happy with the documentation, the RFE response was submitted after 2 weeks. Within a week of submitting the response, the petition was approved.

So I scheduled the appointment again at the US consulate in Singapore. My wife and I were standing in the queue and we noticed the same VO in one of the counters. We were terrified because the applicants on his counter were getting rejected one after the other. We looked at each other with a nervy smile and just prayed that we don't end up with him again. When it was our turn, it seemed like we would have to go to his counter again! Luckily, another VO called us up instead. This VO had previously approved my B1/B2 in Oct 2016 when I had booked tickets to SF for onsite interview for the same role!

Without boring you further, here's how it went:

VO: Good Morning!
Me: Good Morning! This is for L1B Individual <Handed over I797B and passports>
VO: Oh so you this is by Company "A"! But you're working for Company "B" here?
Me: Yes, but Company A is petitioning because I was a full-time employee with them for over 5 years from Feb 2010 to June 2015. Also, over here in Singapore, I contracted to Company A but through an agency i.e. Company B.
VO: <Typing away> Oh I see.. and now you will become a full-time employee *again* for Company A, but in SF...
Me: Yes!!
VO: Ok, what's your specialization?
Me: <Blurted out a one liner that I had been practicing all week in the build-up to that moment. I had practiced that one sentence as if the my entire life was a build up for this one moment>
VO: Oh, nice! <Turns to my wife> How long have you been married?
Wife: 5 years
VO: <Typing away again> Your visa is approved! Your passports will be ready in 3 days. Thank you and all the best for your stay in US!
Us: <Grinning> Thank you so much!

So that was it! It took a while for the feeling to sink in but it did.

So here's the thing I want to tell you. Even if your blanket was rejected, even if your individual petition went into RFE, please do NOT panic!!! Just fill up that RFE as if it was your phd thesis and make sure that you leave nothing unsaid about the superstar that you are! Once USCIS approves your petition, your visa is as good as approved...unless ofcourse, you say something completely different from your DS160 and I129..then that would be a blunder on your part. They will not reject your visa unless there's a massive hole between what's mentioned on the petition and what comes out of your mouth during the interview.

I hope this is useful for someone in a similar Company A/B situation like me. Remember, being with the company for 1 continuous year within the last 3 years makes you eligible. Period.

again big hurdle!!!

I had my L1B Individual interview on 19th may. at that time VO told me 'your visa is clearly approved'. after obviously I was relaxed as I was having already approved petiton.

then I pick up my passport on 23rd may. what can I see!!! no visa stamping instead I got 221g blue slip to reappear for the interview with VO with not tic mark any of the document. they have mentioned general document like I have to carry documents related L1B visa

now my question is anybody has same situation as me. and who got reappear for interview later and got it approved? any help will appreciated.

Thanks to this forum for providing experience.
I had my OFC on 18th and interview at 9:30 on 19th may.
I reached there at 8:15. I entered around 9:30 in consulate after huge queue.
around 10:45 my turn came.

here is the list of question.
1) Good morning. how are you?
2) who filled your petition?
3) how long you are with this company?
4) where are you travelling?
5) are you married?
6) why you spouse not travelling with you?
7) do you have kid?
Not any question about specialization.
Finally golden word "your visa is approved"
I am out at 11:00.

My believe is if you have your petition already approved 99% you will get your visa.
my experience is be confident, don't worry about other visa as every case is different.

All the best

First of all thanks to this forum for providing such a valuable information. I had my OFC along with my wife kid on 9th May. I had my interview on 15th May. I did took my kid to interview as it was quite hot now in Hydwrabad and it is not mandatory to take kids less than 14 years to interview.
I went to around 30 mins before interview scheduled time. First we were in queue for finger print check and then in the next queue for interview. The interview was quite short like 5 queations mentioned below and gave the decision.

VO: Good Morning, hiw are you doing?
I: Good morning, how are you doing?
VO: Who is you petitioner? What would be you salary in US? Where are you going in US?
I answered all.
To my wife: how long you have been married and you have one kid?
She anwered them.

VO: Looked at the screen for 1 min and said we are issuing you the visa. Have good time in US.

Hope this informations help you in you preparation.

All the best.

I am happy to share my experience with you all as this forum helped me a lot in my Visa Preparation. Thank you all and I want to reciprocate the same generosity now.

OFC on 4th may 2017
Nothing special to add on and my experience is the same as of others. The process is pretty straight forward.
Just one thing to add even if your Photograph and Finger prints are taken still carry few photographs (as per US Visa guidelines). I carried additional photographs with me that I carry with me but were not used.
Visa Consulate Chennai on 11th may 2017

I had an appointment at 11.30 AM. Though I was aware that there is no need to go early there but still I reached the consulate at 10:15 AM to avoid any unexpected issues. As stated earlier, I was waiting in the scorching heat outside as the officers did not let me in before 11 AM.
I was aware that apart from the required documents (DS-160 signed by OFC, 3 petitions and my passport) I did not carry anything else. I paid with my credit card and did not carry any demand draft.
The process inside was straightforward as you will be guided by officers at every step. So after the security check I was asked to arrange my documents and then further I paid for the fee.
Once I was through with the formalities, I get into the queue for my interview and could observer and hear other people interviews. The questions that I hear quite often were Area of Specialization, IS Stay, Salary and Tenure in the current company.
My turn came and and old VO guy was standing in front of me. Though I was very much relaxed but during 2 minutes of my interview my heart started pounding. I prepared a lot for this interview but in the actual interview I gave where short crisp and to the point answers without any stoppage or fumble. I was giving them quickly as I was a bit anxious but I believe that it worked in my favor as the Visa interview only asked me 4-5 questions and that too pretty simple.
Me : Good After Noon Sir
VO: Responded back with a smile.
VO: Your Company
Me: Answered
VO : Your place of Visit and Stay duration
Me: Answered
VO: Your salary
Me : YYYY XX USD
VO: Direct Reports
Me : 5
VO : Your supervisor will work from the same office or a different one
Ans : I said No he will work from a different office
And then the Golden words “Your Visa is Approved” and I happily spend my rest of the time to visit a few places in Chennai.
Questions to you all :
How difficult is to get L2 Visas for the family – my wife and kid. Will it be a problem if I file L2 Visas couple of months later as my family travel plan is postponed. Also, Do My wife need to carry my kid (2.5 yrs) along with her and Will I be allowed to accompany my wife.

Hi All,

I have a unique experience to share. My L1A blanket visa got rejected on 17th. I have more than 5 years of experience and the company felt I had a very strong case but for some reason I was not approved. I am listing down all the questions and my answers.I was confident, we were smiling, my body language was good. I cannot think of a reason.

VO: Good Morning
Me: Good Morning.

VO: What is your designation?
Me: xxx

VO: What would be your salary?
Me: xxx k per year plus bonus

VO: How many people would you manage?
Me: I manage around 10 people

VO: Indirect?
Me: Around 3-4 people indirectly report to me

VO: What will be your role?
Me: Engaging with the client on my different projecst and helping with selling new projects/business development

VO: Will you work for your company or client?
Me:Company

VO: The scope of L1A blanket is very limited and we will not be able to approve your request.

Stamped “Not Clearly Approvable”

A few questions:

1. Any idea why it was rejected?
2. How soon can I reapply?
3. Should I go for L1A individual as opposed to L1A blanket?

Hi,

I got my L1B Blanket visa approved earlier this month. While stamping the I129S form, the VO wrote the date as 11/5/2017 instead of 11/5/2020. I went back to the embassy and they told that they will send the form along with my passport.

The date has been corrected in the same form by overwriting the date and the VO has put his signature beside that. Will it be any problem at the POE for me? the immigration officer may think that its tampered by me.

any suggestions appreciated. Thanks in advance