L1, L2 Visa

I had my L1A individual visa interview scheduled for October 12th, 2016 in Mumbai. To prepare for the interview, I went through this forum and read through the experiences that others have gone through to prepare myself better. My interview was scheduled for 10am. However keeping the traffic conditions in mind, I arrived around 9:15am for my interview. One tip for people who decide to bring their cars to the consulate, please keep in mind electronic car keys are not allowed in the Consulate. There are various rickshaw drivers willing to hold on to your keys and mobile phones for a price. However, trusting them with your valuables is entirely at your discretion. In case you can get someone with you, that option works the best.
When I arrived at the consulate there were people who were scheduled for 9am interview, still waiting outside. I went and asked the security guard, if I could join the line even though I have a 10am appointment and was refused. So I waited for the 10am line to be formed. Around 945am, the guard signaled us to form a line. We were let in quickly post that. There is a security check before entering the premises, where you are asked to remove belts, pens, wallets, watches etc. Once that is done, we were asked to wait in the seating area. We waited there for nearly an hour, before we were let in. I believe we were the last batch for the day as I didn’t see anyone enter after 10am batch.

After reaching inside, the first thing I underwent was fingerprint check to authenticate my identity. Once that was done, I joined the line with other visa applicants. Since the line was long, I was able to see most of the visa officers and hear the kind of questions that they were asking. It appeared to me that they were rejecting a lot of visas, almost 1 out of 4 applicants were getting rejected. (This was also confirmed by a colleague of mine who attended a B1 interview next week). I also saw some VO asking questions for about 10-15 mins to some applicants. This really made me nervous. The attendant at the center will direct you to counter were you need to appear for the interview. Finally my number arrived and I went to the window.

VO: Good morning
Me: Good morning Sir, how are you?
VO: Good. Can I have your passport and approved L1 petition?
Me: Sure
VO: You have already been on L1 before?
Me: No sir. This is the first time.
VO: Were you on a student visa before?
Me: Yes sir.
VO: So you came back after your studies were over?
Me: Yes sir.
VO: How long have you been working since coming back to India?
Me: 10+ years
VO: How long with your current company?
Me: 3+ years
VO: Are you a manager here?
Me: No sir, I am an AVP.
VO: Which University did you go to?
Me: Gave the name of my university
VO: Will you have people reporting to you in the new role?
Me: Yes. 2 DRs.
VO: Will you have people reporting to you in India? (I didn’t understand the context of this question)
Me: No sir.
VO: Can you tell me again which university you went to?
Me: Answered again.

After that he returned my L1A petition and kept the passport, but didn’t say if the visa has been approved or rejected. This was unlike other experiences which I had read on this forum. So out of curiosity and eagerness, I asked VO if the visa was approved and he still didn’t respond and just made eye contact and gave a slight tilt of the head. I assumed that this meant that visa was approved, however, the lack of verbal approval did create doubts in my head.

I returned home and started reading some other experiences where applicants were requested additional information after 7-12 days even after their passports were collected and their visa status showed “Administrative Processing”. I immediately logged to check the visa status and saw that my case also showed “Administrative Processing”. I wasn’t sure on what would be the next steps post this, but decided to not think about it and wait for things to happen as there wasn’t anything that I could do. The next day, I got the message that the passport was on the way to the delivery center and visa status showed approved.

24th Oct was my PA in Chennai at 10:00. I've appeared with spouse and kid. Initial checking and entrance was very smooth as we appeared with our small kid.

After the finger print verification, we got allocated to the very first counter. The VO was looked tensed/upset since he was handling few tourist visa in front of us and they were not answering him properly.

Then he called us using his index finger. Here are the questions to me:

Me: Good Morning! How are you doing?
VO: Good Morning! Passports please.. then he took around 20 secs to find our details.

VO: What's your visa type L1A or L1B?
Me: Mine is L1A individual

VO: Oh ok, its individual (then he took more than 10 secs)

VO: So, why do you want to go to US?
Me: I want to work as a project manager in client's office for my employer

VO: Who is your employer?
Me: Answered

VO: Who is your client?
Me Answered

VO: Your client has operation is US? (this question has come up because my client based on Canada)
Me: Answered how they have business and operation in US

VO: What's your salary?
Me: xxx$ per annum

VO: How many direct reportee's to you?
Me: X direct reportee's to me

To my wife:
VO: Mam, what's your highest degree?
She: Answered
VO: What's your specialization in it?
She: (didn't expect this question, but she managed to explain about it)
VO: Do you have work experience?
She: No
VO: Why you don't work?
She: As I got married soon after my studies, so I had no opportunity to work.

That's it, he said 'your visa is approved, please collect your passport in a week time'

We thanked him but he never replied to us. We found the VO was not polite to us, may be because of his mood at that time. Though I observed his mood while I was in a queue, I kept myself calm and confident.

Hope it helps.

Thanks.

Its time to give back to this forum. I found this forum really helpful for the Visa interview. Mine was on 21st October 2016 at 11:30. I will directly go the Questions since the process is simple and the Consulate staff guides you at each point

I was with my Wide and kid

VO: Greeted us : how are you doing
Me: Replied back with a greeting

VO: How many years you have worked for this compacy
Me: Replied

VO: He then started typing something on his computer, for quite some time, the 2nd question did not come. finally he asked me the 2nd question after may be 2-3 mins.

VO: How many years you have worked for this company (Same question)
Me: I realised he did not hear me the first time, replied back with in a louder voice.

VO: Why you going to US
ME:Answered

VO: What would you be doing in US
Me:answered

VO: Have you been to US before
me:NO

VO: How much would be salary in US
Me:Answered.

He again started typing something in his computer , again for some time. HE stamped the two 129-S copies "approved" and started explaining me the process. Kept my passport and said i will get it in 5 days.

We greeted him and left.

We went with a lot of preparation for my visa interview.
My wife also applied with me as a dependent.
I will share my experience with you all:

OFC
We had our OFC scheduled at 11:45am on 18th Oct 2016. We reached at 11:40 and saw a huge line of over 50 applicants. I asked the security, if I can directly go inside to which they allowed after seeing my appointment confirmation letter.
Inside they checked our passports, DS-160 and appointment confirmation, gave a token number.
We both were sent to separate counters for bio metrics.

The speaker at the OFC centers were loud but not clear. They asked to read instructions and then took finger prints followed by photographs.
The whole process tool around 10 minutes.

VISA INTERVIEW @ CONSULATE
We had our Interview scheduled at 11:00 AM on 19th Oct 2016. We reached at the consulate at 10:00AM and there were only two people ahead at the main gate.
We entered and were checked by the security and our documents were passed through the security scanner. We did not carry anything except our documents.
Documents we carried,

Self:
I had two plain clear folders. In the primary folder I carried my passport, recent revised DS-160, Appointment Confirmation, Fraud detection fee demand draft, three copies of the bundle provided by petitioner (G28, I129S, I797, Supporting Letter).
In secondary folder I carried my US offer letter, promotion letter of India, 6 months payslip, 6 months bank statement of my salary account, all educational certificates, previous companies experience letters.

Wife:
Even my wife carried two plain clear folders. In the primary folder she carried passport, recent revised DS-160, Appointment Confirmation.
In secondary folder she carried marriage certificate (original & copy), 5 marriage photographs, marriage invitation card, educational certificates, work experience letters.

Process:
At the first checkpoint post the security scanner, I was asked to take out the three copies of I129S and first page of I797. He stapled each of them and bundled with a rubber band and gave back to proceed to the consular office.
At the consular office our finger prints were checked and were asked about marriage and date of marriage.

From there we were asked to move to window for interview. There was a huge line there, over 60 people ahead of us. The couples with infants & kids were sent directly for the interview. I was a bit nervous in the beginning but by the time I reached the consular window I was back in confidence. Though the guy ahead of us was rejected, I kept my poise and smile.

The counselor greeted us and we greeted back and gave him the documents.
Inteview:
Q:- So you are applying for L1A ?
A:- Yes

Q:- Since when you are married?
A:- (my wife responded) with Date and duration of marriage.

Q:- How many direct reportees you will have?
A:- (I said) X Reportees (X is a single digit).

Q:- Whom you will be reporting to & his designation?
A:- Managers Name & designation.

Q:- Will you have indirect reportees?
A:- No Sir. I am in dual role of process & team management. I will not have indirect reportees.

Q:- How many years in current company?
A:- Over 6 years.

Q:- What will be annual base pay?
A:- YYYY thousand USD + Bonus + Incentives (ZZZ is number close to 150)

He made some nice comment about my company. Without saying anything he started stamping my I129S and said, he will take one copy and I have to give one copy to my HR in US and other is to show at the port of entry.

We were still confused. Then he finally said, your visa is approved, welcome to United States of America. He kept our passport to be later collected at the passport collection center.

We thanked him and went out happily.

My Analysis:
1. Dress nicely
2. Look confident
3. Keep smiling
4. petition documents should be perfect
5. US salary is a determiner of your importance and requirement in company

What I prepared:
1. Current role and duties
2. Proposed role & duties
3. Reporting structure
4. Authorities on my process & business
5. Why only me
6. My experience
7. My previous travel history

I had done lot of practice and preparation just to be very confident. I am very happy that the counselor was very satisfied with basic questions and answers.

We went with a lot of preparation for my visa interview.
My wife also applied with me as a dependent.
I will share my experience with you all:

OFC
We had our OFC scheduled at 11:45am on 18th Oct 2016. We reached at 11:40 and saw a huge line of over 50 applicants. I asked the security, if I can directly go inside to which they allowed after seeing my appointment confirmation letter.
Inside they checked our passports, DS-160 and appointment confirmation, gave a token number.
We both were sent to separate counters for bio metrics.

The speaker at the OFC centers were loud but not clear. They asked to read instructions and then took finger prints followed by photographs.
The whole process tool around 10 minutes.

VISA INTERVIEW @ CONSULATE
We had our Interview scheduled at 11:00 AM on 19th Oct 2016. We reached at the consulate at 10:00AM and there were only two people ahead at the main gate.
We entered and were checked by the security and our documents were passed through the security scanner. We did not carry anything except our documents.
Documents we carried,

Self:
I had two plain clear folders. In the primary folder I carried my passport, recent revised DS-160, Appointment Confirmation, Fraud detection fee demand draft, three copies of the bundle provided by petitioner (G28, I129S, I797, Supporting Letter).
In secondary folder I carried my US offer letter, promotion letter of India, 6 months payslip, 6 months bank statement of my salary account, all educational certificates, previous companies experience letters.

Wife:
Even my wife carried two plain clear folders. In the primary folder she carried passport, recent revised DS-160, Appointment Confirmation.
In secondary folder she carried marriage certificate (original & copy), 5 marriage photographs, marriage invitation card, educational certificates, work experience letters.

Process:
At the first checkpoint post the security scanner, I was asked to take out the three copies of I129S and first page of I797. He stapled each of them and bundled with a rubber band and gave back to proceed to the consular office.
At the consular office our finger prints were checked and were asked about marriage and date of marriage.

From there we were asked to move to window for interview. There was a huge line there, over 60 people ahead of us. The couples with infants & kids were sent directly for the interview. I was a bit nervous in the beginning but by the time I reached the consular window I was back in confidence. Though the guy ahead of us was rejected, I kept my poise and smile.

The counselor greeted us and we greeted back and gave him the documents.
Inteview:
Q:- So you are applying for L1A ?
A:- Yes

Q:- Since when you are married?
A:- (my wife responded) with Date and duration of marriage.

Q:- How many direct reportees you will have?
A:- (I said) X Reportees (X is a single digit).

Q:- Whom you will be reporting to & his designation?
A:- Managers Name & designation.

Q:- Will you have indirect reportees?
A:- No Sir. I am in dual role of process & team management. I will not have indirect reportees.

Q:- How many years in current company?
A:- Over 6 years.

Q:- What will be annual base pay?
A:- YYYY thousand USD + Bonus + Incentives (ZZZ is number close to 150)

He made some nice comment about my company. Without saying anything he started stamping my I129S and said, he will take one copy and I have to give one copy to my HR in US and other is to show at the port of entry.

We were still confused. Then he finally said, your visa is approved, welcome to United States of America. He kept our passport to be later collected at the passport collection center.

We thanked him and went out happily.

My Analysis:
1. Dress nicely
2. Look confident
3. Keep smiling
4. petition documents should be perfect
5. US salary is a determiner of your importance and requirement in company

What I prepared:
1. Current role and duties
2. Proposed role & duties
3. Reporting structure
4. Authorities on my process & business
5. Why only me
6. My experience
7. My previous travel history

I had done lot of practice and preparation just to be very confident. I am very happy that the counselor was satisfied with basic questions and answers.

I got to know this forum for only 10 days before my interview, but it is such a treasure, i went through last few months' post and found the questions to be more or less the same, hence prepared my answers for FAQs.

My biometrics was on 19th Oct at Kodambakkam
There were no questions. The place where they take your finger prints and photo seems to echo a lot, so pay attention fully.

My interview for L1A individual was at 10am, however i reached the venue at 8:45am itself and was let in.

After long cramped queues here and there(1st queue to check your passport and 2nd one to check your finger prints), my turn came.

My VO was a very polite lady:

Me: Good morning, how are you?
VO: Good morning, very good, thank you.

She asked for my passport first

VO: Which one are you applying for - Individual or Blanket?
Me: Individual
VO: Can i have your petition document please? (I shared the same)

VO: Your designation at the proposed onsite role:
Me: Manager - ZZZ

VO: Your experience with your current organization
Me: Gave the answer in years and months

VO: Your Educational qualification
Me: Mentioned my Masters and Bachelors degree

VO: Your proposed salary in the US per annum:
Me: Mentioned the 6 digit figure along with the benefits

VO: Which client do you work for
Me: I do not work for any client
VO: Oh, you work for your own organization ZZZ, i understand.

VO: Are you married or single?
Me: I am married now (When i applied i was single)
VO: Oh i understand, you are recently married! Do you have any kids?
Me: No, i do not (and i smiled).

VO: your visa is approved, you can collect the passport in 5 days
Me: Thank you, would you need any other documents from my end?
VO: No ma'am, thank you, have a safe trip.

Me: Really appreciate your time, have a good day.
VO: you too

I dressed in crisp cotton salwar, was confident, and was absolutely undisturbed by what was happening to other petitions in front of me or in other counters because i saw lot of rejections even in tourist visas.

Few men were dressed in blazers and ties too, but normal western formals were good enough, as it is very warm inside, in spite of the air conditioning.

As others in the forum say, please be confident, please articulate your points well. They are only helping us to get our visas approved by asking more questions in case they do not understand it in the first instance. So be very clear with your answers.

Good luck!

I appeared for L1 Blanket interview on 17th Oct at the visa consulate, Chennai. Unfortunately, my application was rejected. But there was no slip that is being issued to me, VO just stamped my 129s 2 copies with "Not Clearly approved" and returned my passport to me. Now when i am looking the visa status, it is showing " Administrative Processing" .

Can I reapply under L1B individual if this status don't change soon.

First of all, heartfelt thanks to this website creator.

I attended the visa interview with lot of panic. My F1 visa rejected thrice from 2010 to 2012.

These were the questions.

Where are you going in US?
Have u ever applied for a visa?
What is your specialisation?? Compulsory question... remember..
Why is it so special?
Who is your manager in US?
What is your project all about - I answered this question for 20 minutes. All the time he was looking in to my eyes.
Have u travelled to US or any other nation before?
How long you need to stay in US?

That's all. Golden words has come... "your visa is approved".

God is great.... keep smiling. Your visa will get approved.

L1 A Visa Approved today.

I am not going to deny that I wasn't tensed, I was indeed very tensed until I spoke my first word with the Visa Officer, he made me very comfortable, I felt relaxed after he greeted me. I am lucky I guess the VO was a very pleasant man.

Will cut the chase and jump directly to Interview Questions.

VO: Good Morning
Me: Good morning and passed my documents.

VO: Which Company do u work for?
ME: YYYY India private Ltd.

VO: How long are you working for this company?
ME: 5 Years and 9 Months.

VO: What will be your Designation?
ME: Development Manager

VO: Who do u report to in the US?
ME: Director

VO: Who does your boss report to?
ME: Senior Vice President

VO: How may direct resources you will manage?
ME: 6

VO: Indirect?
ME: I am not sure, at this moment I don't have any indirect resources, I need to see once I move there.

VO: What are your roles and why you?
ME: I am going to start a new team for customization and implementation of the product, I have been working on this product for 11 years (The VO interjected and said so u know in and out of your product) and I said yes.

VO: How long are you going to stay in the US?
ME: 2.5 yrs to 3 yrs.

To my Wife:
VO: How long you are married?
ANS: 3.5 yrs

Then he stamped the for and gave 2 of them and said that you will need to carry this with you.
He dint say the golden words though.

I have a total exp of 15 Yrs and been with my current company for almost 6 yrs and in total 11 yrs with the product.

Read the DS-160 and specially what you might have written about your current roles and responsibilities, and similarly bread the I129S properly as your company would have written your roles and responsibilities and the VO generally checks if your answers are as per the I129S.

All the very best.

Hello All,

I was following this forum from 2 months and finally something to give back to the group.

As everyone knows from other posts about the process, I will directly jump to the question asked by VO. I saw many rejections in front of me specially for L1B and main reason was the specialized skill told by persons were not not suitable for L1B. So be prepare on what you are projecting in your specialized skill.

Time: 10:30 Am on 18/10/16.

ME: Good morning Sir
VO: Good morning Sir, May I have your documents plz.

ME: Sure sir, I passed all documents.

VO: What category you are applying for?
ME: I am applying for L1 Blanket Sir,.

VO: Is it L1 Individual or Blanket ?
ME: Sir Mine is for L1 Blanket.

VO: Who is your employer?
ME: I worked with YYYY .

VO: How long you have been with this org?
ME: I have been with YYYY from 3 years and 5 months.

VO: Where will be your company location in US?
ME: I will be based out of YYYY city in YYYY state.

VO:What will be you designation in US?
ME: I will be YYYY .

VO: How much your projected US Sal?
ME: I supposed to get xxxx on annual basis.

VO:How long you will be there in US?
ME: For X months.

VO: So what is you specialization ?
ME: Sir ,I have more than 3 years for e2e integration expertise in YYYY framework.. This is YYYY propriety tool to connect two difft systems running on difft platforms.. I have designed all of the engg interfaces for our project using this framework.

VO: Why it is special?
ME: I told about the propriety tool and limited to only our organization.

VO: What is your role and responsibility ?

ME: I explained in four lines. My project and what i have done and what will be doing in US.

VO: Why only you not others from your area considered for this work?
ME: I have been part of this project from its inception phase and i have designed all of the interfaces of it.. I need to be physically present to deploy this project smoothly on our targeted dates.

To my Wife

VO: How long you have been married mam?
She: Answered

VO: How many guests attended you marriage?
She: Answered with numbers

VO:So all guests were from your side?
She: Answered.

Then he smiled and was putting some comments on screen,, finally he put stamp on my all I229S and golden words " Your Visa is approved". please show this receipt to collect your passport

Me: Thank you sir, have nice day ahead.
 

Take away: Be confident and precise with your answer. Presence of mind is key here since they ask counter question on your skills.

All d best !!!