L1, L2 Visa

Hi all - first I would like to thank this forum. I used it quite a lot to prepare for my interview.
So now I come back with my experience. hope it would be helpful to you

My original appt was postponed for 2 days by the embassy back in May, without a reason give. In hindsight it was probably due to the Biden visit to Brussels

Brussels embassy Jun 2021. Appt at 9:30 - my description will be quite long since I couldn't find many posts about the brussels embassy
Arrived at the embassy gate around 9:12 and was asked if I have laptop with me (seems to not be allowed). I was asked to wait for a few minutes and they waved me in around 9:15 after checking my passport to match my name on the schedule. mobile phone is allowed. I personally brought a small hand bag for headphone, wallet, and keys, also a large envelope for all my documents. the security looked into my hand bag and my envelope to do a check. I have seen other people came in with backpack, so that seems to be ok as well

Once I am in the embassy ground, I lined up for security check. this line is outside. Another security personnel is checking passport against schedule before letting people into the security check area. all my items were run through xray. they kept my handbag and gave me a blue ticket. I was allowed to bring my mobile phone in without turning it off

After security check I was let into the waiting area. Water fountain is available here with paper cups. I did not see a restroom.

First line is to the document check counter. The person asked for my passport, photo, DS160 first page, three copies of I129S and I797. My sponsor bound everything into one large dossier and I was asked to unbind and separate the documents there. That took some time. I also was asked to remove the NIE letter and G28. The person then sorted the documents he asked for, put them into a transparent envelope and asked me to bring it to the interview officer. He then scanned my photo. There is an auto photo kiosk if he found the photo not to be up to the required standard. I then provided my finger prints too (4 left, 4 right, 2 thumbs). He asked me to go to the next line

I now am waiting in the second line to be interviewed. there were about 9 people waiting already; two counters were open. one can hear clearly the questions asked and answered. after about 20 min wait (or shorter?) it was finally my turn.

The officer waved me over and I handed him the envelope organized by the document check person. the interview commenced:
(O - interview office; M - Me)

O: (made a noise when I handed him the envelope)
M: (joked) is this a heavy package?
O: yes, must be an L application
M: you got it

O: (started typing)
O: We need to verify your finger print of right hand
M: (put my hand on the scanner)
O: you work for xxx?
M: yes xxx.
O: How long have you worked for your employer?
M: -answered-
O: What is your title?
M: (I was not clear what he meant so I asked back) do you mean my current title or the one in U.S.?
O: sorry the one in U.S.
M: -answered-
O: (a lot of typing)
O: do you have a specialized skill or are you applying as manager?
M: manager
O: how many people will report into you?
M: -answered-
O: what will you be doing in your role?
M: -answered-
O: (gave me a red slip) Please pay fee at fee counter and come back. you do not need to wait in line again when you come back; just come straight up to this counter
M: (went to pay fee, bancontact is not accepted here FYI)
M: (went back and gave him the receipt)
O: (stamp and endorsed three copies of I129S and gave me two back with the fee receipt, and the passport pickup slip)
O: there is a national interest -------- (I could not hear what he said here), when do you plan to travel?
M: end of June / early July. I have a NIE letter from the company, would you like to see it?
O: no need. NIE let you travel within 30 days. I think your role clearly fit into the requirement. Your travel plan is within the 30 days from now so it's also ok.
M: ok thanks byeeeeee

Passport pickup is one week from the interview day, only available from 11 to 11:30.
I then went back to pick up my handbag and left the embassy grounds.

Hi, I had my L1A interview in Chennai on 15th June. The officer approved my visa gave me the stamped I129S, kept my passport for stamping. Also applied NIE approval for me and gave the 221g for NIE approval as my case is eligible for NIE as I am planning to travel in next 30 days. now I have both the L1A approval and 221g as NIE approval. did anyone had same situation?

Hi,

My L1B initial petition expiring by this Aug. I am unable to stamp it due to lockdown and embassy closures. my employer said need to file extension for it. is it normal extension or it is another category. what is the chance of approval. Please give me info on this case.

Thanks in advance

Hi,
Our visa expired on 12/14/2020. We applied for an extension a couple of months prior - in September. My husband’s L1 visa was approved on March, 2021 and my son and I are still waiting for our L2. My son just got his high school diploma from here and the university he wanted to go to are denying admission since he has no valid visa. We tried to request for an expedite for that reason, but that has also been denied since “it doesn’t match the criteria for expedition”. At this point, we are unsure what we can do for his college admission in this scenario. Please help.

Thanks in advance!

Hi All. I have been reading about L2 EAD extension/renewal delays. My L2 EAD is valid until 04-February-2022. My I-94 is valid until 29-August-2022, so no immediate issues with my L2 visa. Given that EAD renewals are taking more time now, Can I file my EAD renewal now itself? I have around 9 months left on my EAD.

Some have mentioned that it is mandatory to file EAD renewal only 6 months before the expiry. I am not sure if it is a hard rule/limit and if it is mentioned in any website. Any suggestions or help in this regard will be very helpful. Thank you!

Hello there,

I am currently residing in the United States on an H4 visa, while my wife holds an H1-B visa and I am a dependent visa holder. My company is processing my L1B (Specialised Knowledge ), but I'm curious if there is a way for me to change the status of my visa from H4 to L1 without having to travel to India.

Is there any way to get my L1 visa approved without going to India if the above option does not work? Is the L1 Individual method helps?

Greetings

Hi,

I am sure you all have read recent news about Biden putting VISA processing for L1 and other types on hold. Need to know

- Whether interview slots can be scheduled through DS160 now
- Any tentative date when the processing will start
- Are the Chennai and other consulates working
- What are the chances of getting an emergency interview slot?

GSM

Hi All,

I have been following these blogs for quite some time now and I feel its good to share my experience.

I had L1B - Blanket Visa interview on 6th May, I was checking or Interview slots 2 months back but it was showing no dates was available in Ottawa and the latest date available in Toronto was somewhere in December or January 2022 (Calgary and Vancouver will be too far me to travel with family so I didn't bother to check for those locations). I was randomly checking for dates everyday and one day I was lucky enough to get date on 6th May 2021 (This could be probably someone has cancelled or US Consulate has opened few slots for that day I am not sure).

Whole process was pretty simple and straight forward.
I got appointment for 9:00 AM and I was their by 8:45, it was given in instructions not to bring Kids below 13 due to pandemic but my kid was only 4 years and I don't have place to keep her alone but consulate as kind enough to allow my kid inside.

First was security check , electronics was not allowed...car key is fine.
then I went to second counter where the lady at the counter helped me with arranging all required documents.
Third counter was Interview, VO took all my documents and asked me around 4-5 questions.
why are you going to US?
Since how many years you are working in this company?
nature of work?
how many years you will stay in US?
how you been to US earlier ?

to my Wife -
how long have you been married ?
have you been to US earlier ?
then he said your visa is approved.

I feel these are pretty standard questions and it last for 15 mins.

Like everyone I was little scared that they might cancel by appointment due to recent situation but it didn't happened so.

Looks like they have opened slots for very few appointments a day with only 2 counters, I could see around 20 ppl got interviews along with me but when I came outside by 10:00 AM I don't see any one standing in outside.

I think if anyone of you have interview in coming weeks they are going to honor it.

Thanks,

Hello All,

I am on L1A Individual VISA and got stuck in India due to Travel Ban. My current petition is expiring in next 3 months.
If i want to file my extension from India then do I need to have a team in USA reporting to me or have to be a projected team at USA?

If any one have filed extension from India or share the information on proceedings would be great.

Thanks in advance!!

Hi,

I am currently working on the US in a managerial role under an L1A VISA and my company has offered me a higher managerial position (with a different positon name) in the same job location. The duties of new the role are similar to the current one but with more responsibilities.

Does my company need to file any amendment?