L1, L2 Visa

Hi All,

   I am having 9 yrs of IT experience and my designation is Project manager.
   I was asked to initiate L1 A Blanket Visa
   
   I have not worked in US earlier and applying US visa for the first time. Would this be a major concern to get rejected ?
   
   Can anyone help me with above query

Could not thank this forum enough. Thank you immihelp and all the members.
Coming to the experience. OFC process is what people have already mentioned here.

Main Interview:
Attended on 3rd March @ BKC (9AM) with my wife and 3 years old daughter (yes, I feel going with a family does give you a slight advantage). Below were the questions asked:

Me: Good morning!
VO (lady in her 30s): Good morning! Can I have your passports?

Me: Sure (handed over the passports)

VO: Your company's name?
Me: ZZZ

VO: Your current designation?
Me: ZZZ

VO: Your total work experience?
Me: XX years

VO: Your highest qualification?
Me: B.E. Electronics

VO: Your client's name?
Me: YYY

VO: Will you be managing or supervising people?
Me: No

VO: How did you and your wife meet?
My Wife: Told in few words

VO (with a smile) So it is a love marriage?
Me & My Wife: Yes

VO: <Typed something for around 60 secs> Your visa is approved.

Me: Thank you very much.
VO: Ok, thank you very much.
My 3 year old daughter (from nowhere copying the VO): Oh Okay, thank you very much.
We all laughed and left the counter.

Overall experience & tips:
L1 Individual has a big advantage. Since it is approved by USCIS, the interviewers dont ask much. I had prepared so much on my specialized knowledge, but not a single question was asked.

Yes, the place gets crowded but the ambience is pleasant and you really dont get distracted after reaching your counter.

Prepare well by creating your list of questions and answers.
Wear formals but wear comfortable. I wore my normal office shirt and trousers.
Let me know if you have any specific questions. Good luck!

First of all, thanks to Immihelp for really helping in getting prepared for the process.

I had my interview on 2nd. Went in early, surprisingly the queue outside was very small. Reached almost 30-40 minutes before. Went through security quickly as I was not carrying the mobile, so no need to deposit it as it wastes lot of time. However, inside the queue was large.
Inside a guy would be there. He will see that you have L1 Blanket, he will separate 3 copies of I-129s and I797 is bundled with passport. He would ask you to write your name and passport no. on the back side of the draft. Visa fees keep changing, so please check before going for appointment whether the visa rate is valid or not on http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/.
I carried the cash difference, just in case card is not accepted or some issue with card and avoid all such noises. Paid it, got the receipt. Other formalities done and waited in the queue for visa interview.

I just relaxed and took some deep breath. The key is to keep calm and do not worry about the outcome. I had my mind set up that in worst case what could happen is that the visa would be rejected. This is not the end of the world and I will take it in my stride. Remain calm and confident. Again I am laying emphasis, please keep your calm and be confident. One of the guys got his stamped even though he was stuttering in giving answers. Do a mock before, and highlight the questions where you get stuck and then practice them again.

I dressed in formals. Nothing overboard, no tie and no coat. I am not comfortable with a tie and the
Chennai weather, you will really sweat, so wear what is comfortable.
The VO was male, in mid-30 or late.
VO did not greet me, so I said Good Morning, How are you? This is standard courtesy and then he greeted back.
So here are the questions, pretty standard, nothing out of the box.

VO: You are working for YYYY ?
Me: Yes sir.
VO: How long you have been working with YYYY ?
Me: Gave the duration
VO: What is your designation?
Me: Working as BBBBB
VO: What is your annual salary in US?
Me: YYYY per annum
VO: Are you going to client location?
Me: Yes
VO: Who is your client?
Me: ZZZZZ Client
VO: What is your specialization?
Me: WWWWW Specialization
VO: What WWWWW? <<He asked about the specialization in detail>>
Me: Mentioned WWWWW in detail. Told him about my product experience & specialized knowledge about it.
VO: For how long you want to go to US
Me: CCC years.
VO: Are you married?
Me: Yes.
VO: Do you have children?
Me: Yes
VO: How many?
Me: One
VO: Are they travelling with you?
Me: No, not with me right now…but later on – I mentioned in DS-160 that I will be travelling alone
VO: What will be your role at client location?
Me: Developer
And then those golden words, Sir your visa is approved, please give 1 copy to your HR and one copy to immigration officer when you go to US. I tried to maintain an eye contact with him, especially when he was asking about the specialized skills question, as that is a make or break question.

Thanked the guy twice out of excitement.

Thanks a lot Immihelp.. It helped me a lot for my preparation.

It was a very good experience at the Consulate office. I attended the interview with my wife and kid. We reached there by 8 AM. The interview was scheduled for 9 am batch. After checking the passport barcode (the one which they stuck in the OFC) and appointment confirmation letter, they let us to a queue near the consulate.
Then I was made to sit in a hall. Within a minute or so, I was let inside. They checked the appointment letter and let me in. There the VFS people were guiding us to the right counter. Our finger prints were taken first and we were led to a counter. The VO was cool and he was just watching our confidence and way of reply.
 
Below are questions from the Consulate Officer
 
VO: Which VISA category you have applied for?
Me: L1A Individual
 
VO: Which company you work for?
Me: I work for xxx
 
VO: How long you have been with this company?
Me: I have been with xxx for 2 years
 
VO: What is your Current Designation?
Me: SA
 
VO: Who is your client?
Me: xxx
 
VO: Where is your Client location?
Me: xxxx
 
VO: What will be your US salary?
Me: $77K per annum
 
VO: How many direct reports you will have in US?
Me: I will have 10 direct reports and 10 indirect reports
 
To my wife,
VO: What is your highest degree?
My wife: Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science
 
VO: How long you have been married for?
My wife: 4 years and 6 months
 
He kept writing on his PC and then finally the golden words “You visa is approved”.
 
Process is very well organized. Make sure you avoid getting cell phones and the like. This will save 15 - 30 minutes of your time (else you will have to wait in a separate line first to store your belongings).
Reach one hour before your allocated time. You will be allowed to go into the first line. Security checks go through fast.

There will be quick finger print verification and then you will be put in line for interview. I had one applicant in front of me. He was L1B visa applicant.

NOTE: The interviewer is barely audible. I had real hard time listening and responding to him. Immihelp website is really helpful, I went through the experiences of other people and it help me to prepare for the interview. Be confident and respond clearly. That should work.
 

Small correction in below query.Visa for L1A

Hi All,

   Need suggestions and advice for L1 A Blanket Visa.I am having around 9.8 experience and designation is technical manager.I have an opportunity in onsite.

My company decided to go for L1A blanket for me.

1) Whether VO will approve L1 A for Technical Manager ,as it is mentioned as technical manager in my designation

2) Second concern is my salary will be around 80 K, due to less salary there is a chance of rejection?

3) How many direct and indirect reportees are required?Is this make difference?

4)My company is not reputed company

5) This is the first time i am applying for US visa

6)Whether i need to say i have a manager in onsite or offshore?

Can anyone help me for the above queries?

Thanks

Hello All,

I need your suggestions and opinions for few of my questions,

I am working on a support project since last two years and my total experience in IT industry is also two years. All of a sudden i got an opening at onsite on the same project which i am working on now, since i don't have a visa ( US) and also cant be filled for this financial year because its too late now , i got a word from my manager that they will file an L1 visa for me. Could anyone please help with the below questions.
1. I am having only two years of experience , would it be a negative point for me in interview?
2. I am working on support project , i heard from few of you saying that the visa would be rejected if you are from support. How far is it true?
 if so, could anyone suggest me how do i put in right way??
3. Its bit kind of urgent requirement at onsite , so how many days will it take to complete the process?
4.Finally ,how tough would be the interview?

 This would be my fist interview for visa, please help through this.
If you have any docs which will help me in preparation, kindly forward it to my mail address
[email protected]

Hi,

I will be going for the visa stamping next week.

In my specialized knowledge column I have mentioned about 4 tools and in that only one have my company proprietary. Remaining 3 we are trying to get IP.

During interview should I explain about all the 4 tools or only about the proprietary tool.

Thanks,
aravind

Dear All,

Need expert advise/input on probability of getting L1A ( Functional manager) visa approval.

My details are below.
1) My company ( Reputable and has presence in over 25 countries) is filing for it.
2) Have over 13 years of experience.
3) Education is diploma in hotel management.

Any advice/feedback is welcome

In my I129, no where it is mentioned about the specialized knowledge. But in supporting letters, there is a detailed description about specialized knowledge. So would it create any conflict ?