L1, L2 Visa

Hello guys,
I will soon be attending the visa interview for L1B and I noticed that the period of stay on I 129 is 3 years and while filling the DS 160 I had filled 12 months. So would that create conflict?
Moreover my passport also expires after 2 years from now.

I went through about 50 pages of the immihelp experience, did mock interview for 1+ week and I must say it paid really well. The below write-up is a return of favor...

THINGS THAT MATTER MOST FOR L-1A interview

VO's job is to ask you all the questions and put "tick marks" against them, - more number of "ticks" you get (or less "cross"), better the chance of your visa approval ..(like US driving licence test), - so if someone says "salary doesn't matter" because his visa got approved even with low salary, then that's a wrong judgment, - may be there were other points in his application which helped him, which may not be true for you if you have a low salary coupled with less number of team at onsite, or any other negative point. So anyway, here's the things that matters according to me. It's not a legal advise, but it's what I have realized after reading all the threads applying a sense of logic.

1. Onsite Salary - I think it matters the most, anything above 100K is good. Think like this, a dishonest petitioner and employee can fabricate everything (e.g. team etc), but they can't fabricate the salary. So it's logical for the managers, who are senior persons in the org, to get well paid. So a good salary helps and VO's like that.

2. Team structure - If you are not a "functional manager" having > 10 people in your team structure helps, and you must have 2 level hierarchy.. just 1 level is not good enough.

3. Your reporting manager NOT at client site and managing multiple clients - If it's a client based role, then your manager shouldn't be managing same client, as it makes you NOT the senior most person in the account. Now, is L-1A only applicable for senior most person in the account ? NO, but this is a logic that plays in the VO's selection criteria as the "invisible" bar is raised now, and they get a feel of you being a junior manager at the client side, and I have read several rejection experience only because of this reason.

4. Confidence - this matters a lot, but I had a weird problem. I'm a fairly confident person, I have 16 years of IT experience, managed projects in EU and US for 10+ years and worked for couple of most respected IT companies in India, but when I read in Immihelp every one is asking people to be confident, - it made me think, am I confident enough ? It was a weird thing that when someone asks you to do something again and again, you think may be you are not doing it right. Don't let this happen to you, but if it does, keep practicing. I had practiced for about 1 week with mock interviews with myself in mirror and my wife. I made an excel with the list of questions and their answers. This is very important.. it helps your confidence.

5. Your past history - This is just my idea. If you went to US before, I think they check all such info based on your SSN and if they dont find anything negative for you, they feel more comfortable giving you a visa as compared to someone that they never issued a visa before. But normally anyone with L-1A is a senior person and has traveled to US before... so I guess, it's not an issue anyway.

6. Educational background - again you have no control over it, but higher education helps.

Now, if you don't meet any of these criteria, will your visa get rejected ? Probably not as the pass marks probably is 80% and not 100%, but I'm pretty sure if you have got all of them your visa WILL be approved.

THINGS THAT DO NOT MATTER

1. Dress - I have suits, and I even ironed them for the interview, but eventually I didn't wear them for the following reasons. My friends told me about 5% people wear suit (it's end Feb and pretty hot by now) - so I decided to NOT wear it, because if I wear it, I will stand out in the crowd, the VO may like it, or may not like it.... or may be it won't matter, but in every case, not wearing it, and going with the crowd is a better decision than wearing it, and feeling hot or stuffy or even make the VO think you are dressing well only to hide your competency. A couple of guys were wearing suits, and I could clearly tell that they looked more nervous... I dont know if it's because they were feeling hot, or they were just not good enough... but please don't wear extra stuffs, wear formals as if you are going to office.

2. Your offshore team structure - I rarely saw anyone asking this question, and it doesn't matter at all. All the VO cares about is your US team structure.

NOW HERE'S THE INTERVIEW WITH MY VO.

Most of others dont give answers, but I will write them also so that you understand how those influence the decision..

VO: Are you applying L-1A blanket or Individual?
Me: It’s L1A Blanket

VO: Who is your employer?
Me: YYYY (Sorry I can't disclose my employer's name, it's Indias one of the most respected IT company)

VO: What is your designatio?
Me: YYY (I can't disclose this also as then you may guess my company name :) .. but my designation has no "manager" or "director" word in it... so probably it's another thing that doesn't matter.

VO: Are you going to a client site ?
Me: Yes, gave the client name + location

VO: How many direct reportees ?
Me: 8

VO: How many indirect reportees?
Me: 6

VO: All at onsite?
Me: Yes

VO: Do you have hiring and firing authority?
Me: Yes mam.

VO: What would be your salary?
Me: Answered (it's above 150K)

VO: What is your highest qualification?
Me: Bachelor of Engineering

VO: What would be your duties ?
Me: Answered in 3-4 sentences the following keywords (program management, delivery, budgeting, roadmap planning, resource management, client relationship management, business growth)

VO: When did you get married?
Me: Answered

VO: What is the date of birth of your daughter.
Me: Answered

VO (to my wife): What is your highest qualification?
Me: Bachelor of Engineering.

After some typing, "Your visa is approved"

She was typing and talking, and while everyone in the forum said, maintain eye contact, I sometimes felt a bit odd staring at her eyes while she was typing, so I kept a mix of eye contact + watching the wall etc :) ... but she never asked me any question looking at my eyes, she was mostly on the computer.

Hope this helps.

Hi,
I recently appeared for L1B Blanket visa and here is my experience. I had read a lot of questions from this portal and now its my turn to add some. This is solely my observation and take on the interview and many would disagree with me.

Visa: L1B Blanket
Location : London, UK on 11th Feb
Status : Approved for the full term. I have also received my passport

Few things that helped me get the visa
- Prepare a list of question by going through this posts and create a master list with all your answer
- Keep your answer short and crisp. Practice a lot even if chances are you will not be asked all question. In my case it was almost none.
- Dress as general. If in UK dress in suite, if in India dress in formal. Do not look isolated from the crowd. By now you must have got what I wanted to say.

Try to slip in information to VO in a smart way even if it not asked explicitly but again smartly. Do not overshoot but take advantage where ever you can
Few things that helped me and I used it to my advantage.
- Total Number of years of experience that you carry. In my case >12 yrs. So in case question is how long you are with YYYY Company, you can say I have been with YYYY for past X yrs but overall I have YY yrs experience.
- Any earlier US visit. In my case I earlier had a H1B with which I was in US for 6yrs.
- Any other Onsite location where you have worked. Like during explaining your specialized skill mention that you have implemented or worked on YYYY in other location as well.
- US Salary if more than 100k

This is how my day went on the visa interview.
Arrived at US consulate in London at around 7:50 AM for an 8:30 AM appointment. It was a bit chilly in London so be prepared to face the Mother Nature. There was a quite a line and we (me, my wife and my 2.5 yr old son) had to stand outside for more than 45 mins before we were inside the embassy which was a bit warmer ?.
In London US embassy document collection and Visa interview are on the same day as opposed to India where it’s a 2 day process as I read from this portal. Once inside the embassy you will arrive directly at the reception where you will get your ticket number which is your reference for document collection and visa interview.
We arrived in the main lobby and were sited before we were called for document collection (this was within 15-20 mins after we got our ticket number). Then we went to the window with all documents out of which only 2 sets of I129S and 1 I797 was asked for. Then I and my wife were 10 finger printed and asked to wait for visa interview. Then I was asked to deposit $500 for the fraud detection charges at certain counter. When I asked how long it would be to get to visa interview he said depends on how many such applications are there. At this point the document collector kept all my documents along with passport and other I129 and I797.
I went and deposited the USD 500 at a counter and hang onto the receipt. We waited for more than 50 mins before our turn came for the visa interview.
Here is how it went.
Me: Good Morning. How are you?
VO: Good Morning. I am good, how about you.
Me: I am doing pretty well. But the weather is not so friendly today.
VO: Hmm, So which company you work for?
Me: ZZZ
VO: How long have you been working with this company?
Me: I have been with YYYY for past X years, with overall IT ex of 12+ yrs.

Then VO turns to my wife who is carrying our little one who is asleep.
VO to my wife: Is this your son.
My Wife: Yes
VO: Checking the application as his(my son’s application is not there as he is a US citizen). What nationality he has,
My Wife: US National
VO turning to me: Is this your only child.
Me: Yes, and one is enough to trouble.
Me, VO and my wife sharing a laugh.
VO: I have 2 son and I can understand. So is it for specialized skill or Manager.
Me: Specialized skill
VO: Which location.
Me (With a smile): Las Vegas
VO: Hmm, nice place.
Me: Yes my son was born over there.
VO: So you have been in Vegas before.
Me: Yes, I was in LA for 4.5 years and then in Vegas for 1.5 yrs
VO: Ohh. What is your specialized skill?
Me: I specialized in xyz, and this does this that blah blah some thing that I had practiced earlier. By then I can notice he writing a similar deposit slip (that I got from fraud prevention deposit).
VO: Are you ready to pay the visa fees 4500?
Me: Yes, (with a confused state as I was told by our immigration that visa fee is 2250). I though the visa fees was 2250.
VO: No, as per new rule we are asked to collect 4500 instead.
Me Okay. Getting the slip from him
VO: Once you deposit comeback straight to me and no need to wait.

Went to deposit counter and deposited the amount and came back.
By the time I reached another elderly person just went to the window crossing me. I would see that VO noticed me but I didn’t interfered. After the elder person was done I went to the window with my slip.

VO: Sorry about that.
Me: No I can understand. (Handing over the deposit Slip)
VO: Your visa is approved you can expect your document in 5 working days.
Me: Okay. Are we getting I129S copies back
VO: No you will get everything in the mail. Also here is your deposit receipt. You would be needing it.
Me. Yes, I would be requiring it for sure (with a smile)
VO: Thank you and have a nice stay in US.
Me and my Wife: Thanks a lot. Have a nice day.

The visa interview above happened in 2/3 mins apart from the waits in between.
Few advice that I think other would have also said
- Keep smiling
- Be confident
- One from my side, involve smartly in slipping in information that you think would help in getting the visa approved.
Best of luck to all of you.

HI,
 I needed some information. Please provide your inputs.
Am currently on L1A Visa. I have a valid B1 Visa too till 2018.I have applied for H1 visa.
I wanted to enquire if I resign from my Company in June & I get picked in the H1 Lot can I continue in US on B1 after June 2016, till October when I can start with my new employer.
Please provide your advice.
Thanks in advance!

Hi Friends,

Please let me know,if any one from this forum recently gets approval from USCIS for L1 B Individual (General) My case is pending in USCIS from more than 4.5 months after RFE .

Thanks !!

Currently I am holding L1B - Individual visa which was approved on 23 rd Jan 2016, This visa is valid till Dec 2021,

Also there is note on VISA, Note - Please show I-797 at POE...

My 5 year term will over by Dec 2016, and this date is mentioned on I-797 too.

Questions - Please validate my understanding , My current visa will not be useful for me after Dec 2016,
Or is there any way out by which I can use my visa after 1 year of cooling period in India.

Thanks

This is the time to pay back.

My VO was very good and friendly person. He spends 15 minutes for F1 visa applicant just before me and tries to find the good reason to approve it.
Finally he collects all the documents and issued a Slip. I don’t know the color of the Slip. Then he asks me to come forward.

I greeted well to VO.

He wished back to me.

Here are the questions.

VO: How long you are working with current company.
Me: YYYY Years out of ZZZ.

VO: Who is your client?
Me: ZZZ.

VO: can you tell me once again?
ME: ZZZ.

VO: will you work at client location.
Me: Yes. But employer will be YYYY . (When I start saying 'But my employer will be' His body language says 'He understand that what I try to convey to him)

VO: What is the requirement?
Me: Explained in 5 to 6 sentence.

VO: What is your solution?
Me: Explained in 5 to 6 Sentences.

VO: are you a lead for this development?
Me: No. (Explained my Role).

VO: What you will do at onsite?
Me: explained in 5 sentences.

VO: How long will you stay?
Me: Answered.

VO: How will you manage the big deployment?
Me: Explained.

After long pause, He said golden word ‘Your Visa got approved’.

 My current status is issued. Waiting for my Passport.

Suggestion: prepare well and speak true and don’t rush into the answer. I cound see in the other window one young guy explained too fast and put lot off spillers in between words or line.
It really shows that he is nervous and his visa got rejected. So be cool and don’t think about result. Be confidnt while you speak with VO.
He will check I129S and your confidence of delivery. Very few seconds he saw me in the entire conversation. But I feel that he observed the below points.

1. My body language.
2. Confidence.
3. Content delivery ( No spiller, shouldn’t be faster, loud voice )
4. Dress smart.

All the very best and let me know if you have any doubts. Thank you.

This is the time to pay back.

My VO was very good and friendly person. He spends 15 minutes for F1 visa applicant just before me and tries to find the good reason to approve it. Finally he collects all the documents and issued a Slip. I don’t know the color of the Slip. Then he asks me to come forward.

I greeted well to VO.
He wished back to me.

Here are the questions.

VO: How long you are working with current company.
Me: YYYY Years out of ZZZ.

VO: Who is your client?
Me: ZZZ.

VO: can you tell me once again?
ME: ZZZ.

VO: will you work at client location.
Me: Yes. But employer will be YYYY . (When I start saying 'But my employer will be' His body language says 'He understand that what I try to convey to him)

VO: What is the requirement?
Me: Explained in 5 to 6 sentence.

VO: What is your solution?
Me: Explained in 5 to 6 Sentences.

VO: are you a lead for this development?
Me: No. (Explained my Role).

VO: What you will do at onsite?
Me: explained in 5 sentences.

VO: How long will you stay?
Me: Answered.

VO: How will you manage the big deployment?
Me: Explained.

After long pause, He said golden word ‘Your Visa got approved’.

 My current status is issued. Waiting for my Passport.

Suggestion: prepare well and speak true and don’t rush into the answer. I cound see in the other window one young guy explained too fast and put lot off spillers in between words or line. It really shows that he is nervous and his visa got rejected.

So be cool and don’t think about result. Be confidnt while you speak with VO. He will check I129S and your confidence of delivery.
Very few seconds he saw me in the entire conversation. But I feel that he observed the below points.

1. My body language.
2. Confidence.
3. Content delivery ( No spiller, shouldn’t be faster, loud voice )
4. Dress smart.

All the very best and let me know if you have any doubts. Thank you.

People who read this forum will think that most of the Visa's are approved. But it's not the case, rejected people is not updating here.

Along with me yesterday I saw more than 10 rejections for L1B Blanket. If you go with your family especially with Kid and if your US salary is more then there is more chance of getting approved.

Questions asked by VO:-

Where do you work?
How many years with your company?
Salary in US?
Wats your specialization?
Where you will work/ client location?

she was keep on typing whatever I told in her system and thn she went inside and bought the seal and stamped - Clearly Not Approvable

She told me to apply in some other category like L1 Individual.

Good Luck !

For all rejections, they will stamp as "clearly not approvable only" ?

If I am applying in Individual, what is the probability of getting approved? when I can apply that?

Thank you to everyone who have posted to this forum. This has really been very helpful.
My interview was on 23rd Feb, 9 AM slot.

Questions asked by the VO:

How long have you been working for XX company?
What will be your designation in US?
Briefly describe your day to day duties in US?
What will be your salary in US?
Who will you report to? and who will he report to?
How many direct and indirect reportees in US?
How long do you plan to stay there?

Visa approved !

Answer slowly and clearly and be confident. Rest, leave it to almighty :-)

Best of luck

Thanks