L1, L2 Visa

Hello All,

I am working for ABC company.
I have my L1B visa expiring on Dec 15, 2016. I went for extension in Sep 2016 , It was rejected.
When I entered USA, I got I-94 till sep 2019.

Can I work on I-94 after I-129s expiration date which is Dec 15, 2016?

Finally its my turn and payback time to this forum. We had our L1B/L2 visa approved on 30th Sep. Interview process was hectic but smooth. We had to stand on the long queue for 2 3 hours before our turn came. I have seen many rejections especially L1B blankets and few B1 as well. 2 L1B and 1 B1 visa got rejected in front of me. It made me really nervous. But as soon as the interview started, I was quiet confident and that is the key I believe behind the visa approval.

Below are the qs?

1. Which company are you from ?
Ans: I am working for YYYY (US Product Based company)

2. Since how many years you have been working here?
Ans: I have been working with xxx since 3 years and 3 months.

3. Have you ever traveled to US before?
Ans: Yes on Business visa.

4. How many times?
Ans: 3 Times sir

5. Why so many times?
Ans: I have an unique opportunity to work in all the product development tracks of out client. To get training and KT on different tracks, I have traveled to client place on different occasions.

4. Are you going to work at client side or parent company?
Ans: Client Side

5. Had you traveled to the same client on the last travel to US on business visa?
Ans: Yes Sir

6. Which place are you going?
Ans: YYYY City , YYY State Sir

7. Where is the address in Phoenix?
Ans: YYYY YYYY Road

8. Did you said YYYY ?
Ans: Yes sir. That's correct.

9. Have you been to Baltimore Mall?
Ans: Yes Sir. It is one of the best places in Phoenix. My client office is just located opposite to this mall.

9. What is your current designation?
Ans: Technical Architect

10. What is your US salary?
Ans: My annual base salary is set for xxx dollars. In addition to that I will get a variable of 10% on base payment.

11. What is your specialization?
Ans: I have specialization in my company's proprietory tool YYYY YYYY YYYY XX. I have designed and developed the tool since its inception to deployment. I have got good expertise in handling the customization and integration of the tool. It is an application which allows to build very advanced analytical modules and harness insights through seamless visualization.

12 Great. Did you say Performance ?
Ans: Yes (One of the words of my tool name)

13. Tool was there before you join your organisation?
Ans: No Sir. I have designed and developed it since its inception.

To my wife:
1. Have you traveled to US before?
2. Have you traveled to any other country?
3.Do you have any children?
4. Ask your husband to show you Baltimore mall and (mentioned few other shopping malls) in Phoenix?
  I included the Grand Canyon in the list. But the officer replied that your wife will be more happy for shopping rather than travelling..Am I wrong madam ?
   

Dear applicants, I applied for the L1 Visa this month and after a rigorous few months of preparation I completed the process a week back. Here's a list of a few things you must bear in mind during the application:

 - The entire process can be really nerve-wracking and it is extremely important to be patient and use discretion at each level
 - The content of your petition will decide to a large extent how your interview is conducted on the day at the Consulate; please make sure you are involved in the petition process to the extent possible
 - Make sure you and your attorney are on the same page about picking the right kind of visa. Oscillating between L1 A and B may not be a good idea
 - Be extremely thorough about the 'purpose' of your application and your visit to the new country - why are you being picked and no one else from the US office - and this is a very genuine concern
 - Go through this forum as in depth as possible
 
On the day of the interview
 - Make sure you are ready to answer one question in five different ways, it is crucial to be prepared because you might get thrown off-gear completely during the interview. Presence of mind is super important
 - Remember that the Consular's job is not to intimidate you, but to make sure there's no fraud involved in the numerous interviews conducted during the day - you must bear with them during the entire process
 - Be well-turned-out. This is an interview for a professional Visa application and how you show-up is a very important part of the perception you're going to build
 - Have all your documents properly arranged and ready to be shown

Myths
 - You must have more than 20 reportees under you in the new office - Incorrect, I have only 5
 - You must be in the company leadership - Incorrect
 - You must be in your late twenties atleast - Incorrect
 - You must be from STEM area of work - Incorrect

The internet is full of a lot of incorrect advice, your engagement with your attorney is a lot more important during the entire process of application. Trust in them and give the application your best shot, ask as many questions from the attorney as you may like.

My questions
 - What is your company's name?
 - Where will you be based out of ?
 - What is your role?
 - How many reportees will you have?
 - What's your annual package?
 - Who will you report into?
 - Who does your boss report into?
 - Why have you been picked for this job?
 - For how long are you going to stay in the United States

Of note, please make sure all your documents are in the latest format, the I-129S has been recently changed to a new format. Go through the immigration and homeland security website in detail to stay on top of your game and to make sure no important guidelines are missed - a miss on this one could land you in a lot of trouble.

The process is fun and make sure you do all your due diligence on each step of the way.

Good luck to all the applicants.

Hi All, My story goes like this -
My L1B blanket was rejected last week. After the typical QandAs the VO told me that L1B is having a very narrow approval range and based on the answers that I gave, I dont fit into L1b category.
After that, I went back to my attorney and HR team. They are now thinking that L1A functional manager is a better fit for me. They are planning to file L1A individual with premium processing.
My question is - How advisable is it to go for L1A individual within couple of months after L1B Blanket rejection? Also, will the L1B rejection have any impact on my L1A when the case is considered by USCIS?
I have a total experience of 12 yrs and handle multiple projects as a delivery manager. But i am not a people manager for anybody.
Pleas advise if anyone has any information regarding this. Any help would be much appreciated.

It's time to give back to the community, it was really helpful for preparing the interview. Excellent forum and thanks to everyone who shared their experience in this forum. I've gained a lot in this forum. I had my Bio-metrics on 20 Sep and interview on 21 Sep 9:30 AM. VO was middle age gentleman.

Be confident and smart while answering the q's. Stick to your managerial role and have command while answering. All the best.

Question: How long you work for YYYY Company?
Answer: Answered

Question: Which client you work for?
Answer: Answered

Question: Which is your Roles and Responsibilities?
Answer: Answered

Question: How many reportees you’re going to have at onsite?
Answer: Answered

Question: What is their designations?
Answer: Answered

Question: What does your program manager does and what is his responsibility?
Answer: Answered

Question: What does that Olympic program? Can you briefly explain?
Answer: Answered

Question: To whom do you report to?
Answer: Answered

Question: Whom does he report to?
Answer: Answered

Question: What is his designation?
Answer: Answered

Question: How does your role and your manager’s role differs?
Answer: Answered

Question: Where does he locate in US?
Answer: Answered

Question: Where you’ll work?
Answer: In the same location

Other Comments by Visa Officer: Your Visa is approved. He signed the 3 I129 copies with the expiry dates and gave 2 copies to me.

Your Comments/Suggestions: Be smart and confident while answering and ensure that you’re sticking to your managerial roles and duties while answering all those q’s. Don’t get deviated and maintain straight forward answers in layman terms so that he can understand.

Interview
Whole consulate interview process would take 1.5 to 3 hours.

Me: Hello Sir, good morning. How are you?
VO: (No Reply as he was reading something. So I got nervous. Then he looked at me)
VO: Hi, Please give me your documents (Passed copies of i139, Payment receipts and passport)
(He took 30-40 seconds to read i139 and that gave me time to feel and prepare myself to the situation. After looking at the documents. He took one payment receipt and passed one to me. Then Started….)

VO: How do you pronounce this?
Me: <said my name slowly>
VO : (Laughing) No, I am asking about your company. What is X X X X .. (Initially I thought he was asking about my name but that smile gave me confidence and I smiled back..)
Me : Its XYZ. (Then he typed something on computer. May be he was googling about my company)
VO : What your company do?
Me : <gave answer in short> (I stopped after one sentence)
Vo : Is it product based or service based company?
Me : it’s both. We have our products as well as we provide services to IT organizations.
VO : OK, what you are going to do?
Me : I am going to implement our tool ABC for our client PQRS.
Vo : (Bit confused about ABC or didn’t hear it properly) what you said? H..?? What?
Me : A B C (pronounced slowly) it’s a big data tool.
Vo : What is it? Big what?
Me : Big Data. Its dealing with large data. You can say huge data more than tera byte and peta byte (By his expression he was not aware about technical terms)
Vo: Which is your client you said?
Me : Its PQRS
Vo: What? P .. Q?? (He didn’t hear properly)
Me : Its PQRS (and spelled for him . He googled on his computer)
VO : what your client do? (I think he was looking at clients website)
Me : Its one of the xxxxxxxxxxxx organizations in US (Just a line)
Vo: (He smiled at me ) how long you will be there.
ME : 2 years
Vo : any plan for extension?
Me : NO
Vo : when you are going to apply for green card? (..with a smile as he was looking at me carefully for answer)
Me : I don’t have any plan to stay there. I will be back after two years to my family here in india.
(He smiled at me)
VO: OK I am approving your visa. ( then the stuff about i139 copies. One for HR - one for you – Passport collecton.. so on)
Me: Thank you sir.
(He smiled back)

Total interview took 3 to 4 minutes.

Don’t carry unnecessary envelopes as they remove papers from envelopes and stamp all empty envelopes.

Don’t carry cell phone but you can carry wallets, goggles, Keys (But avoid if you can)

Key point is the confidence and be crisp about your answer. I didn’t give any answer more than 2 lines and he was okay for that.

Don’t be nervous looking at other candidates as you can see and sometimes hear other interviews while you are standing in queue. (I was nervous but took my time to feel comfortable)

I would be greatful if successful people post there answers when it comes to role,duties , etc.
I am 13 years in IT
3 years in PM role
4 years in current org
have 3 onsite and 16 offahore reporting.....any luck?

Time to give back....

I had my Bio on 22nd Sep and PAI on 23rd Sep. Both were very smooth and easy.

To be frank, ignoring the time spent in standing at the queue, my PAI took just 10 secs against the Bio which took 25-30 secs :)

Reached the spot at 10.30 AM (PAI was at 11 AM).

Passport and finger prints were verified again to confirm the VISA type.

I was then asked to stand at the long queue to meet the VO. Queue moved pretty slowly and after a long 45 mins wait, i got my chance to speak to the VO.

He was a tall guy wearing a neat blue shirt and a navy blue tie. He called me with a big smile.

I greeted him back with a big smile and the questions started!!

VO: Good Mrng Sir, can I have your passport pls?
Me: Good Mrng Sir, here it is.

VO: So you're applying for L1A Individual, right?
Me: Absolutely!!

VO: Who is your Petitioner?
Me: Answered!!

VO: Who is your Client?
Me: Answered!!

VO: Where will you stay?
Me: Answered!!

VO: What's your pay?
Me: Answered!!

VO: What's your Designation?
Me: Answered!!

Finally, the Golden Words!!

VO: Your Petition is approved.
Me: Thank you so much sir!! What about the I797? Should I take it back??

VO: Yes, Please!! I need your Passport alone for Stamping!!
Me: I greeted him again saying "Thanks Again and have a wonderful day, Bye!!" and came out with a big relief!!

Guys, it's pretty much simple once you complete, but surely you will have a fear before and at the time of interview. Seriously you should have that little fear so that you will consider this seriously.

Just be confident, clear and precise when you answer and practice answering the generic questions at least starting a week before the PAI, which really helps!!

Thank you so much Guys for all the support and all the best for the folks who are going to attend the PAI soon!!!

Date: 26/09/2016
Location:Chennai

I am very thankful this forum which gave me a confidence and guidance to prepare myself for 3 min interview which is very crucial.

Attendee : Alone.

Below are the Qns & Ans.

I was watching everyone about their conversation with VO before my turn just to study the environment. Two guys VISA (L1B,H3) got rejected infront of me), next is mine....here I went..

VO: Good morning!!
Me: Very Good morning Sir..How are you doing? ( I dropped my docs, later handed over my passport) :)

VO: For which company you work for?
Me: YYYY company from the past YYYY years. (Tried clarifying two qns with confidence)

VO: What is your designation in the current company?
Me: I am working as a YYYY Engrr

He was looking at the monitor, they may see our DS160 or petition details mean time. We should keep this mind and well alligned to the subejct written in DS-160 & Petition.

VO: What wiil be your role after going to US?
Me: Explained 3 lines confidently...
Being a YYYY Engrr, I am responsible for design & enhancement of propritary products related to YYYY technology. I will directly contribute in releasing of the proprietary components with my specialised skills and also carry extensive testing on the same. I will arrange technical review and meeting with local & global team. (With high confidence!!)

VO: Why are you going other than your team mate?
Me: I take a complete ownership of this YYYY product right from preliminary design to detailed design to release. It's necessary for me to be in parent company which helps the team in communicationg effectively and release the components product on time with quality.

VO: Whats your salary abroad?
Me: XXthousand dollar...

VO: Checks the documents and said Congratulations sir!! Your VISA has been approved!! Giving you a copy of these forms to submit to HR & to US consulate while entering!!
Me: Thanks alot sir!!

VO: Kept the Passport & handed over the required document needs to carry while entering US>
Me: Have a good day sir!!

VO: You too sir!!

SOME TIPS ---
Please keep in mind that, you should be well dressed and communicate clearly. Body langauge is very improtant as they focus on your expression in turn your confidence while answering.

Guys who went before me were styling their hair while answering, one was keeping hands in the pocket and answering, One guy answered, I need to complete the remaining project after going to US when asked what you will be doing after visiting US, One gilr just said VEGAS instead of LAS Vegas when asked where are you travelling!!! and VO repeated what is VEGAS.. thrice!! and later he only said is it LAS Vegas?? So please be precise and be prepared to answer completely. These things will impact your VISA rejection or go into pending mode.

I rehearsed infront mirror at the hotel as the questions to be asked are very common. Please go through your DS-160 and your petition to know and understand what exactly it has written about your role and responsibilities. This will help each one to answer perfectly with confidence. I hope, VO will also expect the same.
Be confident, have a smile, take a long breathe, have a eye contact with VO if he is looking at you!
Be prepared for all the questions!! You will not have much time, mean time you need to prove your caliber. Everyone has those qualities and deserve to get the required VISA. Just execute it perfectly!!

I am really happy with my interview and all the best to everyone. Hope these tips helps you!!

Interview Date: 23rd September, 2016
Interview Location: Chennai

Attended Interview with my family (Spouse & Daughter). Today, when I check the status..it shows Issued for me & my daughter..but is shows "Administrative Processing" for my Wife's visa. Can any one let me know..if they are in the same situation..I am not sure..why it was Administrative processing for my Spouse and they issued visa for primary applicant

Below are questions for me in main interview

VO: Good Morning..How are you ?
Me: Good Morning Mam...we are fine.

VO: Can I have your passport Sir?
Me: Handed my Passport

VO: What Visa type you are applying L1A Blanked or Individual?
Me: I said Individual

VO: So you work for YYYY company?
Me: Yes Mam

VO: How long you are working for this company?
Me: I just completed 10 years in this company mam

VO: WOW..congratulations sir
Me: Thank you mam

VO: What is the role you will be playing in onsite?
Me: Project Manager

VO: What are going to do at Onsite?
Me: I will be working as Project Manager..managing all the projects under YYYY Portfolio. Currently we have 3 active ..which I will be managing from onsite. Explained very high level about those projects.

VO: How many repotees do you have at onsite and there sub-ordinates?
Me: 7 direct and they don;t have any sub-ordinates

VO: What will be your salary at onsite?
Me: YYYY X per annum

Questions to my wife:
VO: What is your highest qualification?
Spouse: ZZZ

VO: Are you planning to do Job at onsite?
Spouse: No Mam

VO: well if you want to do, then do apply EAD and follow the process

To My Daughter:
VO: Said to show daddy & mom

Well that;s it ..she said..my visa is approved and we will be getting the passports soon.

We assumed the visa is approved for every one, but today 24th Sep ..when I check the status in ustraveldocs website..it shows Passport is ready for Pick up for me & my daughter ..but it shows "Administrative Processing" for my Wife in CEAC website...not sure..what happened..we haven;t received any slips or forms from VO and she said..visa is approved.

Can any one know...if they also attended the visa on 23rd sep, chennai and they are in same situation...also please let me know...how can I track this one and what are the available options.