L1, L2 Visa

Special thanks to all members who post their experiences and help others to prepare of most important phase of visa processing step.

I am following up this forum from 2013. I got L1B-blanket rejection in 2013. Then later I got B1 in 2015 and later applied for L1 A individual in normal processing mode.

I got petition approval exactly after 5 month from Vermont center. All this happened while I was in India.
Later I moved to UK and after 5 months I decided to go for stamping in UK to take a chance and get through, which I felt would be easier than India and yes it was.

Initially while, preparation I was not sure, what should be answer for tricky questions like roles and responsibilities, how your and your manger's role is different, why you? I used same trick as engineering, gone through all 2016 posts on this forum for same visa category and prepared answers specific to my case.

Going through questions builds confidence a lot rather than just doing mock on same QnA you prepared. Do mock 3-4 times and just go over questions on forum/posts that is more fruitful.
After couple of mocks, I did self recording on mobile and observed which points I get blank/take pause- rephrase those answers or keep in mind logically.

I had my appointment 8.30 AM, I reach embassy 7.30 AM but useless, reach in exact time but we normally take precaution to avoid any risk.

There was big line outside embassy gate to get application slot verification and getting first sticker applied on DS160.

Then after security check, went inside. where there is normal window where they check for documents and make a file to give visa officer. No alteration to document sequence is expected.

Note - mobiles, small bags/sags are still allowed in US embassy, London. but not trolley bag even though it is cabin bag.

Then asked to queue in for next step..which is facing visa office.

In few minutes, my turn came and VO asked very basic questions as below.

1. Are you applying for L1 visa?
Ans: Yes

2. Is it managerial or executive category?
Ans: Managerial Category

3. Which company you work for?
Ans. XYZ

4. What is you designation?
Ans: Project Manager

5. How you will be tied in US?
(I didn't get this questions at fist, I replied as state name, then VO express by hands with many people you will be tied with, at this point keep smiling don't get nervous and reply as expected)
Ans: 5 direct and 2 indirect reportees

6. What will your role in US?
Ans: Project Manager

Golden Words:Today your visa is approved, you will get passport in 3-5 business days.

Things are simple but confidence matters!!
Feel free to contact me if any tips needed.

Hi All,

I'm having my L1B interview next week, I'm confused about few questions which I read on this forum. Can anyone please help me with correct answers.

Q1: What is your project ?
Answer: Should I tell about my client name and my current responsibilities or anything else ?

Q2: What is your role ?
Answer: Should I answer about my current roles or my US role ?

Q3: What kind of services state provide to your client ?
Answer: does it mean what kind of service USA provides to my client ? or something else ?

Q4: What do you exactly do ?
Answer: My specializations or something else ?

Special Thanks for this forum for helping me out with preparation. I learnt a lot from past experiences of candidates.Now its time to give back to this forum(sorry for delay in writing this) and help prospective candidates.

OFC Appointment,Delhi : You only need DS160 confirmation, Appointment confirmation and passport for this .You will be good in half an hour with fingerprints and photo. Not much preparation is required for this. Person taking photo and fingerprint may ask your DOB and visa type.

D – Day : 10:00 AM, 20 Sept,Chennai
You only need DS160 confirmation,appointment confirmation, 3 sets of I129,3 sets of I797, Rs 35000 DD and passport for interview. I started from hotel Ibis (hardly 1 km away) around 9:30 AM but due to driver stupidity (he took a wrong turn and crossed the Gemini flyover) reached Consulate around 10:10 AM. My mood was bit spoiled due to this and tried to calm myself. On reaching consulate, a person checked my appointment in his tablet and asked me join the queue. There was a long queue outside consulate and after multiple security checks I went inside. There was a lady specifically asking for L1B candidates in queue. She helped me in preparing the 3 sets of I129 and I797 with DS160 and Rs 35000 DD and put a rubber band around documents.
After waiting in queue for around one and half hour and seeing anxious faces, reached the counter where I had to submit Rs 35000 Demand Draft. Payment can also be done by card/cash but please take DD. One of the candidate in front of me was asked to bring cash from ATM outside as card machine was not working. Then I was to asked to move to a counter for fingerprint verification and then to final queue of 40-50 people to face visa officer(VO).
While queue was moving, I was able to hear approval/rejection results from VO. This was making me more tensed, I was trying to remember the answers I had prepared ( avoid this , although its easier to say ) and keep on praying to god. Finally, I was one turn away from facing VO and went blank. Some random thoughts about result started coming due to tension.
In the meantime , my turn came and it went like below
Me : Good Morning. How are you? (With a smile on face)
VO : I am good. How are you doing?
Me: Good (passed my documents to him)
He took the documents, scanned my passport , opened up second page of my I129 and started looking into computer. Then he asked
VO: How long have you been working with ZZZ?
Me:2 years
VO: What is your Designation?
Me: ZZZ
VO: What is your roles and responsibilities in ZZZ?
Me : I am developer who has designed and developed YYYY in last 2 years. Also I work with client to get specific requirements. Then I mentioned something about project (which I think I shouldn’t as it was not asked)
VO: What will be your salary in USA?
Me : I will be receiving Accommodation+Food allowances + Insurance . On top of that I will receive a base salary of XX k
VO: What your project do?
Me : ZZZ
VO: What will you do in USA?
Me : ZZZ
Then he started writing something on his computer. I thought he is done and was getting tensed but maintained smile on face. Then he asked,
VO: So you said you are developer . right?
Me : Yes, I have designed and developed ZZZ.

Then he again went on writing something on his computer for 30-40 seconds. I was getting more tensed and thinking about result but still maintained big smile. After about 30-40sec he said the Golden Words “Your visa is approved” and passed 2 copies of I129/797 to me and continued “ show one copy at your port of Entry and handover other to your HR”
Me : I thanked him thrice in flow (with a big smile on face.)

Points to take care:
• Prepare but don’t overprepare( read last 50 pages of this thread)
• Always maintain smile on your Face in front of VO no matter how your interview is going.
• Keep eye contact with VO.
• Even if you have answered something extra in the question asked. Stop at right moment and not abruptly. If VO has any doubts, he will ask again.
• Don’t take any electronic devices in consulate(wallet is allowed, but avoid it and take cash ).Although, You can submit them outside consulate, but it will result in unnecessary wastage of time.
• Start early to reach atleast half an hour before appointment to handle unexpected events. No one checks your appointment time (only date). So if you reach early, you will be free early.

 

Hi,

I had L1B Visa interview at Chennai on 07-oct-2016.

I got L1B visa not clearly approvable.

Below are the questions asked by VO and my answers:

VO: Good Morning Sir
Me: Very good morning sir
VO: Please give me your documents
Me: Sure sir, gave my 3 sets of I-129S,I-769,DS-160 and Passport.
VO: For how long you are working for "XYZ"
Me: 2 year and 7 month.
VO: What is your overall experience?
Me: I have 5 year of experience
VO: Prior to "XYZ" where you were working?
Me: Prior to "XYZ" I was working for "ABC" for 2.5 years
VO: What are you going to do in US?
Me: I am going to integerate our company product "PQR" tool which is a unique tool in client's various projects.
VO: What is "PQR" tool?
Me: Answered in simple way so that he can understand well.
VO: Is this tool is client specific?
Me: No sir, It is a generic tool developed by us which can be integerated with any software project.
VO: What is your designation?
Me: Lead
VO: you said Lead?
Me: exactly sir Lead.
VO: How many client using this tool?
Me: one client name "DEF". Based on that feedback they want to integrate our tool in most of their projects.
VO: what you do?
Me: Leading our development team,guiding them.Integratiing our tool in projects.
VO: What will be your role in US?
Me: I will analyse client projects, integerate our tool in their projects and helped them to undersatand our project.
VO: What is your US salary?
Me: Answered
VO: How many member were in development team?
Me: 3

After few second of thinking VO says:

Sorry sir I cannot approve your visa.I am returning your documents.
Ask your company HR to file visa in some other categaory.
Stamped "Not Clearly Approvable" in all my I-129S.
He gave me my Passport, 2 sets of I-129S.
He did not given me any slip which says the reason of rejection.

Then Helping Volunteers told me to wait because i did not get any slip.volunteer told me she will check with VO what happen.
But VO was not their in the counter. we waited for 15-20 minute then volunteer told me Sir you can leave.

Please help me what happened in my case? Is anything serious?
Can my company file L1-individual or H1B.

Please help me.

First of all thanks for all suggestion and now i am sharing my exp for others to benefit

Last week i went for L1 B interview.
Reached the venue at 9 AM there was not much rush and as i didn't take anything so i was in within 5 Min.
>> No wallet (optional but they will check in and out),No keys ,No electronics ,No closed envelope
once you go in there is separate line for Blanket Visa and the ask you prepare 3 sets (I129s 8 page +I797 first page + DS160 + DD +Passport) and put rubber band.

>> Now get into line for DD or fraud detecion fee payment
>>after payment move to next line for finger print scan
>> after this next line is for VISA interview big queue so took 30 min in line

asked 4-5 basic question
salary /specialization/experiecne and golden words "Visa approved"

Please update if any information regarding L1 individual petition status by vermont.My petition was submitted at vermont under regular processing on 29 mar2016 but still no updates

I had interview for L1A Blanket in Chennai on Oct 6th. I will skip the OFC part. The line for PA took a little over an hour from the external gate to the interview counter. All the interviewers at the counters(5 operational) were ladies. Moving through the line to get to the counter, we could hear most of the Visas getting approved. The questions asked to me were as follows:

1. Which category A or B
A. A
2. Which company do you work for?
A. Answered
3. How long have you worked for this company ?
A. Answered.
4. Who is your client ? What is the location? Will you working at company or client location
A. Answered - working at client location
5. What is your role over there?
A. Project Manager.
6. Who do you report to ?
A. Client Partner
7. How many other Project Managers report to him?
A. 3 including me.
8. Is your supervisor in same place as you ?
A. No he works from ZZZ,YYY as he handles multiple clients and is geographically located to handle those clients.
9. What are your typical duties that your perform ?
A. As project manager, I am responsible for all deliveries. I have to plan and create strategies for the project deliverable and being P & L owner, I have to also work on costing and staffing and ensure on time and on budget deliverables.
10. How many direct reportees ?
A. 5
11. How many indirect ?
A. 2
12. What are their designations ?
A.Answered
13 Do you have hire and fire authority ?
A. Yes
14. What is your annual salary in USD ?
A. YYYY X with housing benefits and performance based incentives.
15. Is housing taken care by the company ?
A. No but part of the home rentals are reimbursed by the company.

Then the lady said she is approving my Visa and provided 2 sets of I129S (one for HR and other one to be used at port of entry when entering in the states). Also said passports will be ready in 4-5 days, etc.

My key takeaways from this is as said many other contributors here, that be confident. I was told by many of my colleagues that Project Manager role is bound to get rejected. I just took a couple of deep breaths, put a smile on my face and then faced the interviewer. Also was mindful to provide answers as quickly as possible and not fumble with any responses. Hopefully this helps and all the best!

Can someone comment when their case was received USCIS and when received reference number to go to embassy.

My case was received on April 22nd, and still waiting for update on that.

thank you

We had our L1B visa approved on 3rd October in Chennai centre. Overall process took 40 minutes. I didn't need to wait in long queue as I had my twin daughters (3 years old) with me.

Below are the questions:

1. Whats your current designation.
Told my current designation.

2. How long you have been associated to this company.
Two years and five month.

3. You already have any other visa.
Yes mam. business visa.

4. Whats your salary in US
Answered my annual salary.

5. What's your specialisation
Answered with my role and specialised knowledge. Be abstract while answering.

6. Why you need to go to US
As core team is in company headquarter and I need to work in collaboration with team.

7. For which client you will be working
I will work with parent company as it is a product base company.

Questions to my wife:
1. How long you have been married
2. How old your kids are
3. You also hold US visa?

Then came the golden words "I am approving your visa".
Stay focused. Don't get distracted with other's rejections.

Firstly, thanks to this community for helping me clear this interview.

My interview was today, i.e. 3rd Oct 2016, and I'm writing this review from Chennai itself.

My slot was at 9AM. I reached around 7.40AM and was free by 9.10AM.

Here's the list of questions asked in the interview:

Q) Which company are you working for?
A) YYYY India

Q) How much experience with the current company?
A) X years, Y months

Q) Why are you traveling being with company only for such short duration?
A) Because I'm the primary architect.....followed by supporting arguments.

Q) Have you done your studies in US?
A) No

Q) What will be your US salary?
A) $ZZZ pa

Q) Tell me about your product.
A) Answered in 4-5 lines.

Q) How many team members?
A) 5.

Q) Then why are you going to US?
A) Primary architect, senior most member, most experienced etc.

That's all. Just be confident in answering all the questions and you should be good.