L1, L2 Visa

Hello everyone! This forum is very helpful.
I am helping a friend figure out the best way to start the L1 process.
Do you need a lawyer? She has a company in India and wants to open a branch in USA.
Thank you in advance.

I have a job offer from a company in the US that is a joint venture with my current company. However, my current company owns only 49% of the US company. My current company is willing to send me on their payroll if I cannot get a visa being on the US companies payroll. In this forum I have seen folks mention that they are going to go work at "client" companies, so I am assuming you can use the L1 visa to work at a company other than your current company? So basically can you get sponsored by your current company to go work at a client location?

Thanks

Hello everyone,

I want to thank this forum immensely, my L1B visa got approved and here is my experience:

OFC - My appointment was a day before the visa, we had arrived the previous evening to chennai, as suggested on the forum took an Uber to the OFC office. It was an uneventful trip, we went 45mins early and waited in queue. Once we were let through the process was smooth no hitches.

Now the interesting part :)

I work for a very famous US based product company and I know almost all L1 applications by my company has gone through. This thought gave me a lot of confidence before the interview and the attorneys handling my case (although very busy initially) really outshined in the application details and prep work before the interview. These factors plus a good salary gave me a lot of confidence.

Consulate:
We arrived at 9:15 for an appointment of 10AM, only to find big queues. After checking of docs, we were asked to wait in the final queue to enter the consulate. Long queues but they were moving fast, so after document checks and DD submission, we were asked to wait at the final line.

Our VO was nice, it looked like his day was going great :), finally it was our turn:

M: Good morning sir.
VO: A very good morning to you as well.

VO: which company do you work for?
M: I work for YYYY India company which is an Indian subsdidary of YYYY

VO: who will you be working for in US?
M: I will be working for the parent company YYYY

VO: what will you be doing there?
M: I will be working on YYYY platform and ZZZZ enabling it to expand operations globally.

VO: what is your specialisation?
M: My spec is in an YYYY product and its system for enabling A1 and A2

VO: what will be your salary?
M: My salary will be ZZZ,ZZZ(upwards of 130)

VO: How long will you be in US?
M: 3yrs

Turns to my wife:
VO: Ma'am, How long have you been married?
Wife: 3yrs now sir.

VO: Will you be joining you husband in US?
Wife: Yes sir

He took a long pause at this time and starting typing into his computer.

After that, I hear the golden words!!

VO: I am approving your visa, enjoy your stay in United States.
M & Wife: Thank you sir.

I strongly felt that if you are from a US based product company and have a good salary, there is a very high chance of your visa being approved. Keep clam, stay focussed, be very confident in your answers and smile a little :)

Thank you immihelp!!!

Hello All,

I have attended my L1-B visa interview and the result is approved.

Date of OFC: 10th May 2016
Location of OFC: Hyderabad
Date of VISA interview: 12th May 2016
Location of VISA interview: Chennai
Slot: 10:30 AM

I am not sharing my OFC experience, i am sharing my interview experience only.

Reached US Embassy in Chennai by 9:40 AM and joined the huge Q outside the embassy. There are some police men who just checked my passport and asked whether i was carrying mobile. I already knew that so did not carry my wallet and mobile phones; (you have a provision outside the embassy to submit the wallet and mobile phone they will take some money and keep it).

It took around 20 minutes of time to reach the entrance, there are some security guys who checked my passport and appointment letter (stamped during OFC) and allowed me to go inside.

Inside there will be a guy who will check our visa type and accordingly he will ask us to keep the required documents in order, though I carried all my documents starting from my schooling till date he just asked me to keep I129, DS160, email confirmation letter these 3 docs of 3 copies and of course passport. So I just kept all other docs apart inside my file, and put these 3 docs in order wise with 3 copies and stapled them; Make sure that you carry 3-4 copies of all your documents.

After crossing this guy, again there is a line to enter into the embassy building. when i entered there were around 100 members waiting outside I joined the Q again. It took again 20 minutes to inside. They will allow 10-10 or 20-20 members inside based on the space available inside the building.

I entered the building followed by a Q again, there again it took 20 minutes where i went to counter#X i have submitted by DD form of visa fee payment and i took the acknowledgement for the same immediately. From there I went to other counter#Y where i have given my passport and appointment letter for verification and also they took my right hand 4 finger prints to just match my finger prints with HYD-OFC.

After this again i entered another Q which is the main Q, here it took again 30 minutes of time; and then my turn came up. There is a person standing who asked me to go to counter#Z; By the time i entered the counter VISA OFFICER(VO) is talking to a Tamil family who are opting for visiting visa i felt. VO was trying to talk to in Tamil with the family and she approved the visa to them;

I then went to the VO and wished her and the conversation was as followed

Me: Good morning Madam!
VO: Very Good Morning! How are you?
Me: I am doing good, and submitted those 3 copies and passport to her
VO: So which company you work for?
Me: YYYY X
VO: How much exp you have?
Me: 6yrs
VO: Which client you work for in USA?
Me: YYYY X

All the time she was typing some thing in system while asking question she was looking at me and when i was answering she was typing something.
Here she took a minute of time and typed something.

VO: What is your role?
Me: I Just mentioned my designation first, then she looked at me i felt like she was expecting more answer; So i have explained more about my roles which i would do in USA
VO: How much is your annual salary in USA?
Me: XXk$
VO: You will stay in client location or company location?
Me: Client location, mentioned the place
VO: How long you will stay in USA?
Me: i answered that i would stay for 3-6 months first time, but later on based on requirement i need to travel multiple times.
VO: Does your product is used by other clients?
Me: My answer was Yes and i mentioned few client names from USA.

She was typing all the time while i was giving answers, and then she took 2 minutes of time and said i am approving your visa, will keep 1 copy of documents and passport with them and passport will be delivered the location which we have mentioned during filling of the visa application form. She added visa stamps on the other 2 sets and returned me those 2 sets. The stamping was for 3 years. I reached the embassy at 9:40 AM and done with my interview by 11:20 AM.

I said thank you and she greeted me with smile!

I have received my passport on 16th May 2016 in Hyderabad location, i went there and collected on the same day.

My observations:-
i) I felt like experience and any other previous travel to other countries matters.I had 2 country visits with multiple travels.
ii) Don't prepare too much, just be confident and answer with smile.
iii) Mainly your specialization matters, you need to thoroughly prepared for this question.
iv) Reach venue 1 hr. before at least. Don't carry mobile and wallets. wear formal dress.

Please reach me at [email protected], if you want to know more details about my personal experience;

I have scheduled the appointment for my L1-B Blanket and Wife's L2 - Dependent (Blanket).

What documents are required to be carried for wife L2, since my company has given just 3 sets of documents like I-797 and I-129 for me only.

And for my wife nothing has been given. However in the same appointment I have added her as a dependent L2. Do I need to carry extra copies of I-797 and I-129 or other docs.

Any help is really appreciated. Interview is scheduled for next week.

Hi All,

I am going to apply for L1 Blanket, and this petition is only filed for me as well as I-129 is only filed for me.

So to take my wife on dependent, what is the process?

Can I get her applied with me and we can schedule the interview together even though petition is only filed for me?

Or do I need to get my first and using that apply her?

And one more query is for my Wife, she has added my Surname after the marriage. Earlier she was only using her maiden name with no surname. So in DS 160, have you ever been known with other name alias, what should I put?

Hi All,

First Thanks to this forum to help me a lot in my interview preparation. My PA was scheduled on 18th of May at 10 AM in Chennai. I reached consulate around 8:50 AM in the morning. After that to be inside Consulate it took more than one hours.
First I have to deposit two demand drafts (value $500) and took receipt of it.
Second went to another counter for finger print verification.
Third went to another counter for passport verification where they put green mark on passport
Then went to final queue. Where I have to wait for 30 mins. Around 11:05 AM one counter have been assigned to me.

Please find below questions from VO
Question: You are working for which company?

Answer: Company name in India

Question: How many years with the current company
Answer: Answered

Question: Are you a Manager?

Answer: Yes

Question: What will be your Role in USA?

Answer: Answered

Question: Will you be in client location?

Answer: Yes

Question: Who is your Client?

Answer: Answered

Question: How many reportees you have in USA?

Answer: Answered

Question: After all hiring what will be the team size?

Answer: Answered

Question: Out of that how many will be your direct reportees?

Answer: Answered

Question: Whom you will report to in USA?

Answer: Name and Designation

Question: What will be your salary in USA?

Answer: Answered

Question: Whom he reports to?

Answer: designation

Question: Have you been in USA earlier?

Answer: Yes.

Question: You were in H4 visa earlier.

Answer: No I was in B1 visa from my previous company .

Finally VO told me that I am approving your visa please wait for sometime to complete the paperwork. After that VO returned me two copies of stamped I129. Thanked her and left the counter.

It was very cool. Be confident which will take you to success.

I agree with rajaArumai user blog

Here we go for Q&A

VO: Why do you want to go USA?
This is Intra Company transfer based on-demand requirement for this position and I will be working at client location.
VO: How many report to you?
Answered
VO: How long are you working this Company?
Answered
VO: Whom do you report?
Answered
VO: Who is your client and where is it located?
Answered
VO: What is your US Salary?
Answered

Hi Guys,
   I am paying back my thanks to this forum, here are tips and instructions which will be useful to you
people.

Day 1: BIO METRICS
          Please be advised to hire a cab to reach VAC.., it is nearby valluvar kottam , overall process would take only 10-15 mins.
1. Please bring Passport, DS-160 and appointment confirmation
2. You can carry phone, but while entering make sure you put on shutdown mode
3. If you want to correct any of DS-160 data.., there is a counter at ground floor to update your personal details etc ..,
4. Your passport and DS-160 will be verified at various stages and finally your finger print and photo will be taken by asking few verification questions about your passport.

Day 2: PAI day
             Please make sure you take VAC signed DS-160/Appointment letter and Passport in hand to help verifying your data while entering into consulate. As usual have all your original employment/educational/marriage/petition approval etc..,
          Please don’t worry.., People there will help you and guide what to do next
1. Finger print and passport will be verified once again from US consulate .., and you will be guided where to go next
2. Once all verification done.. , you will be sent to PAI officer counter it will take some time

Question asked:
1. Which company do you work?
2. Salary in US?
3. Customer Name?
4. Which category applied?
5. How long you stay there?
6. What is role?

Finally heard the golden words that your visa is approved

Hi Folks,

My L1B Blanket Visa has been approved. I would like to thank Immihelp for setting up a great platform. As usual I have benefited and trying to pay it back in kind.

My background:
I have been travelling all around the world for various customer assignments and had been to US for more than five times. I had a H1B in early 2000, but did not travel to US. I had a got a B1 in 2011 and H1B rejected in 2013. This time around I was applying for a L1B-Blanket with my spouse and 2 kids (10 and 5 year old).

My Petitioning Process:
It was a long painstaking process for 6 months (I dont know why it took 6 months) for me to get the required documentation from my company. I got it in early April and was ready in 3 days for booking my visa appointment. I finally booked it on May 16th (VAC) and May 17th (Visa Interview). I had to get it done in Chennai as it was a L1B-Blanket. I had my flight and hotel bookings done for Chennai and was ready.

My Preparation:
Had a couple of calls with my US Attorneys. Did a couple of mockups with my spouse. Self-prep standing before the mirror. Prepared an exhaustive set of questionnaire with all possible answers. Refined the answers to be precise communicate more with less words. Sparsely populated the responses with technical terms to sound very specialized in those skills and not overdoing to raise further questions. Precisely prepared answers in such a way to expect the next question if the VO want to explore further. All the documentation was set in order (with sticky notes) in a folder. Packed the bags 3 days in advance and shoved it under the bed not to disturb them.
Stopped thinking about it 3 days before. Enjoyed the weekend with a couple of movies (to relax myself). Having kids around helps with a relaxing diversion. Boarded the flight to Chennai on May 15th afternoon and settled in the hotel by evening. Watched the IPL matches and slept

May 16th (VAC):
There was a slight drizzle in the morning, and my appointment was at 8:00 am, was there by 7:30 am. There was a line and close to 15 people in the queue. The gates opened at 7:45 and I was the first one to get it (because of the family & kids) headed straight to the verification counter.

Following are the few checks
1. Verification of the appointment date and time
2. Verification of the details on the passport and DS160.
3. A bar coded sticker attached to the passport
4. Four tokens issued for four of us
5. My spouse was the first to go, next my elder kid and last myself and the younger one.
Following are the steps:
1. Ten Printing
2. Photograph
3. Verification of details again
4. Stamp on the DS160 that the VAC has been done.
5. No Ten printing for kids for 10 years and below.

We are out by 8:00 AM and were in the hotel by 8:15 AM. Rest of day at leisure. Again watched the IPL match and slept

May 17th (Interview):
Now it was raining on this day and my appointment was at 10:00 am and I was there at the consulate by 9:30. A VFS person came and stamped all the DS160. We cleared the security and since was a L1B we were asked to wait. After few mins the VFS person asked to take the first 4 pages of I-129S and firs page of I797, stapled them and did the same for all the 3 sets. He tied them with all 4 passports and created a bundle. He then asked me the demand draft for the Anti-Fraud fee and asked to write my Passport No and name on the back of it. He added this to the bundle and directed me to the next building. There was a long queue to get into the building, but I was allowed to go directly by skipping the line (because of family and kids). In the building I was again allowed to skip another long queue and get directly to the first counter where the gentleman collected the demand draft and printed two receipts and directed me to the next counter. At the next counter my finger prints were checked, put a red check mark on the bar coded sticker on passport and asked me to move to the next counter. At the third counter they verified the details in the passport and put a green check again on the bar coded sticker. Post this I was asked to move to the next queue (which was another long queue) for the Visa interview. Believe me, I was allowed to skip this and was provided a place to sit. Waited for 5 mins, and our turn came for the big show.

The VO was a good looking person around 45. During the entire interview he did not smile or maintain an eye contact with me. Was always glued to his system. The entire interview was a 15 mins with very long pauses between questions.

VO: Good Morning, Can I have your documents
Ans: Good Morning Sir, How are your doing today (while handing over the document bundle)

VO: I am doing good, thanks !!! How about you?
Ans: Thanks, I am doing good as well.

VO: Which company are you working for?
Ans: YYYY X

VO: Since how long
Ans: More than 5 years now

(deadly pause)

VO: Where in US are you going?
Ans: Atlanta

VO: What is your US Salary?
Ans: YYYY XX

(manageable pause)

VO: Which client are you going to work for?
Ans: There may be a need to visit multiple clients, but I will working out of YYYY X office in Atlanta.

(again deadly pause)

VO; So you will be working from your office?
Ans: Yes

VO: So you are going to Georgia?
Ans: Yes

(another deadly pause)

VO: What will you do in US?
Ans: I will be utilizing the YYYY proprietary tools, YYYY Engine and YYYY portal for configuring customers business

VO: Have you been part of designing this tools?
Ans: Yes

VO: What does your company do?
Ans: YYYY provides solutions to its customers around YYYY including, YYYY , YYYY , and YYYY .

VO: Why are you needed there?
Ans: Utilize my YYYY skills to reduce the latency in Customer go live on YYYY suite of products.

VO: Since how long are you with YYYY (again)
Ans: 5 years and 4 months

VO: Have you ever worked for YYYY (I had a H1B rejected earlier which was filed by this YYYY company)
Ans: No, they have filed my H1B petition and the Visa officer suggested me that I may be at risk of being benched and asked me to revoke my petition and I did.

By this time, I got a sense that its going well, as he started making some notes from my documents and he placed my passports in a different tray and took the stamp out and while checking the date and stuff on the stamp, he started asking the following questions to my spouse (For a change he was looking at my spouse this time)

VO: What is your highest qualification?
Ans: YYYY in YYYY

VO: Since how long have you been married?
Ans: YYYY years

VO: How many kids do you have?
Ans: 2

At this point he was ready to stamp my I-129S, but for some reason stopped and was again glued to his system. My confidence that it’s through was eroding really quick, but then he broke the silence with a Thud (Stamping both my I-129S) and the golden words.

VO: I am approving your Visas. Welcome to the United States!!! these are your 2 stamped copies, one for your HR, and the other needs to be produced at the Port of Entry
We: Thanks a lot, and Have a great day

VO: Sure, I will and you too.
We: Thanks

At this time, my younger kid who was silent from the moment we entered the consulate spoke for the first time, by saying "Bye" to the VO. For a change the VO reciprocated with "Smile".

Interestingly by 10:00 AM I was out of the Consulate with the stamping done. It only took 30 mins out of which 15 mins was the interview. Taking the family with me helped.

I know its kind of long but will help on the areas to focus more.

Following are my key takeaways:
1. Over preparation may make you nervous but definitely helps.
2. Mock interview will improve your responses to be more precise.
3. Be relaxed and don’t think about the interview at least 3 to 4 days leading to the interview.
4. If you have a family and intend to get them stamped, please take them with you (it certainly helps)
5. Your job experience, longevity in the company, your current and future designation, your current and US Salary will also play an important role in creating a sense of confidence to the VO.

Thanks and Good Luck !!!

Regards,
MVR