L1, L2 Visa

Friends,
I co applied L1B for me in Sept and then converted to Premium on Jan , Now case is stuck in RFE... can anyone ls guide how much time its gone take to receive the Notice and after submitting the clarification will my process be shifted to normal or premium will be continued ...

Singh

I am going for L1A-Blanket interview on 4th Feb, please need your help on the few below points.

1. I am having 10+ years exp and My designation is Project Manager(as per my petition) in onsite.
Also i am reporting to Program manager. Will this impact my approval?

2. I have 9 direct and 2 in-direct suborinates at onsite. Please let me know what is the minimum subordinates for approval?

Appreciate your quick reply.

Thanks!.

Today is a good day. I went for L1B and was asked 4 questions,. Which co u work for, what do i do, my salary here and there. VO did not ask or see any documents.
Visa was approved for 3 years. My appt was at 11 AM and I was back in the room in Savera by 11.20.
I am a DSP research engineer specializing in Video display with 10 years of experience and 15 patents to my name.

Are they conducting interviews both in Mumbai and Chennai for L1-B?
If Yes, is it like the approval rate is higher in Mumbai?
Please reply soon.

I am very thankful of this site that I have done lot of preparation from this site. I have attended L1B visa interview today and successfully cleared it. Below are questions

What is your specialization?
Why only you?
How long you will stay?
How long you took to develop this product?

And then he agreed with my product and started stamping my petition. I have very nervous and babled while talking but always maintained smile and eye contact to make sure he is conviced.

Hi All,

My Bio-metrics appointment was scheduled on 09/01/2014 and Interview on 10/01/2014.

Day 1:
I arrived at the OFC center ( near Apollo cancer hospital, Teynampet) by 8.40 am. My appointment was for 10.00am batch. There were about 50 applicants waiting for 9.00 and 9.30 batches. At 9.45 my turn has come. The security asked to take the Passport, DS160 conformation and appointment letter in hand. A batch of 8 persons sent inside at once...

Inside the building premises one official was waiting for us with a printed list in hand. He checked the documents and wrote a number on appointment letter. Then we were asked to go to first floor of the building. in the 1st floor, one person entered the DS160 conformation number into a Tab, and asked us to go inside (he requested to Switch off mobile phones). A small security check happened in a room and a white sticker was pasted on my passport. We were asked to wait for our turn for the Bio-metrics.

When my token number displayed on the screen, I went the respective counter. On official sitting behind the glass door asked for the documents and he took the Photo and finger prints. He stamped the date information on the DS160 form. That's all for the day 1.... every thing was finished in 10 min...

Note: I request you all to go just 15- 30 min before the appointment time (not before that). Families with infants given preference first...

Day 2:
Today I had my L1 B interview scheduled at VISA consulate (Anna Salai, Gopalapuram).

My VISA appointment was scheduled at 7.30 am on 10/01/2014. I reached the consulate at 7.00 am, there were about 70 - 100 applicants waiting in queue. (all mixed like 8 am, 8.30 am appointments also).

At 7.20, one security person segregated 7.30 appointment applicants. We were asked to take out DS160 conformation, Passport and appointment letter. (Use the DS160 conformation which was stamped in OFC office earlier).

At 7.30 the queue started moving, one official entered the sticker number pasted on my passport (the white sticker pasted at FOC) in a Tab. The queue continued moving for security check. After security check, we were directed towards next building.

In the next building one lady asked for the passport and pasted a new sticker on it (a alpha numeric number was printed on it), then three lines are formed and we were waiting for the document verification.

When my number is displayed in the monitor I went to respective counter and an US official verified the passport and asked to wait for cashier (in other counter). In the mean while one of the Indian official arranged my documents and bunched with a rubber band. Later the cashier collected the DD (500$) and gave a conformation slip.

Finally I was waiting for the interview, my number flashed on the screen (counter number 24).
A lady US official(VO) was taking interview for a student VISA, the girl in front of her was unable to understand VO's vocabulary and giving wrong answers...almost VO got irritated...the conversation took about 5 min... Finally she asked her to wait for some time.

In-front of me, there was cook. Appling for B1 VISA...I think he got the VISA (intentionally I was not focused on their conversation).

Then finally my turn had come...

Me: Good morning (with a Smile)
VO: Good morning (with a Smile)

VO: Can you pass on your documents?
Me: Please…(passed the documents bunch+passport)

VO: So u r working for XYZ company.
Me: yes. (with Smile)

VO: what r u going to do in US
Me: I will be using YYYY technology, to develop YYY product etc...

VO: what is your US salary in dollars?
Me: #### $

VO: #### $ per year ?
ME: yes

VO: How many people are working in your Indian subsidiary?
Me: ZZZZZ...

VO: How many working for this SW tool in India ?
Me: Z...

VO: Z..? (With face expression only Z !!!)
Me: yes..

and Finally the Golden words...I am approving your VISA...u will get a mail information to collect the Passport....

ME: Thanks and have a nice day...

Note:
If possible try not to carry any wallet or bag for the interview...(carry only necessary documents)
Keep the eye contact with the VO...(it is very important…I say 40% of ur chances depend on it..)
Try not to listen the conversation between VO and the person in front of you in the queue.
Keep smiling... :-)

I wish you all the best for your Interview.

My expiry date on my L1A blanket visa is August 10 2013 & expiry date on I94 is May 12 2016

I am currently in US and planning to visit India around June 2013 for a month

Should I apply for L1A renewal in June 2013 ? Please advice

Hi All,

Thanks everyone who has shared thier experience here. It helped a lot for us to get through the interview.
 
We had gone for L1 A interview and here is the questions asked:

Mine - L1 A, Counter 18

Me : GM & Happy New year!
VO: GM, How are you doing?, give me the passport pls
Me: Good thanks and handed over the passport
VO: So, you work for ZZZ?
Me: Yes
VO: which client?
Me: YYY
VO: Whats ur designation in India?
Me: Associate Manager
VO: What is your designation in US?
Me: Program Manager
VO: How many ppl report to you?
Me: totaly 8
VO: How many direct and how many indirect?
Me: 5 direct and 3 indirect ( after that he had some confusion, they he was re-confirming the nos again and again)
VO: What do they do?
Me: explained.
VO:Whom do you report and what does he do?
Me: explained
VO: Whom does your supervisor report to and what does he do?
Me: explained
VO: How many ppl at your project level and at engagement level working in US?
Me: 21 & 80
VO: How many ppl comes under you ?
Me: 21
 
My son was my dependent (4 yrs old), then he started talking to him
VO: whats your name?
My Son : answered
My Son: Can i go to America :-)
VO: Why do you want to go there?
My Son: i wanted buy Ben10 Watch of my size
VO: he laughed and said your visa is approved madam.

My husband had come for seperate L1 A, his and mine was same client and more or less same role. Luckily we got diff counter.
Counter - 20 (person infront of my husband got rejected for L1 B)
VO: GM Sir
MH: GM, How are you today?
VO: good thanks, can i have ur passport pls?
MH: handed over
VO: who is your client?
MH: ZZZ
VO: what are they into?
MH: Insurance
VO: How many ppl reports to you?
MH: 24
VO: all of them in US?
MH: Yes
VO: Whats your designation there?
MH: Computer and information sys's manager
VO: (she started reading my petition, then she started stamping) your visa is approved sir
MH:Thanks
VO: handed over 2 copies of petitions, said have a safe journey.

Tips:
1. Dont loose your confidence at anytime, be positive
2. 100% preperation required, read all the questions in the forum and prepare yourself
3. Ready the visa requirements correctly and prepare accordingly.

When i was sitting and waiting for husband's to complete, i was observing most of the counters there, i just sensed that you we need convence them that we match the visa criteria and we are eligible. They were not at all rejecting just like that, they will analyse based on what you say and then take desicions. So its very important to read the visa criteria you have applied for.

All the best for everyone, be postive and be confident.

Regards
Sowraj

Ok everyone! (January 2014, 1st week Visa)

I got my F-2 Visa Approved to US
Let me share my experience here:
A: There will be an entry check first and you should show your passport, don't hesitate to ask someone about the appointment time for them and seek help on the queue cuz there will be different queue for different appointment timing. You don't want to miss your appointment time here.
B: Next, security check (you need have your passport and DS160) different queue for Females
C: Again, there will be a security check to see if you have only documents inside the folder or if you are carrying any CDs or mobiles
D: Before the interview hall, there is another room were they get your finger prints
E: Finally, you will be asked to be seated until your token number will be shown on the television along with your window number, this is the interview queue.

First of all, I was nervous until I got inside the interview room but once I got in to the waiting room, I was more nervous :) when I waited at the actual interview queue, I felt more relaxed as I saw my interviewer so there was no surprise left and I was prepared.

I was looking at the television screen where token numbers and the window number will be displayed and was also focusing on the consulate who is interviewing the other candidates.
My interviewer was a young guy, who was the perfect combination of being bit friendly and to the point. He didn't ask lot of unwanted questions but chose few significant ones.

ME: Good morning sir, Happy New Year! (With a big smile)
VO: Thank you, Happy New Year to you!
ME: Kept my passport and DS160 ready to show him
VO: May I see your passport? (Started Typing something)
ME: yes, sure (handed him)
VO: (He looked at my DS160 which I was holding) So which university?
ME: Actually I am applying for F-2 Visa, sir
VO: Oh ok, so your husband is studying in so and so university?
ME: Yes Sir.
VO: What is he studying?
ME: Replied
VO: is he enjoying the classes (typing again)
ME: Yes very much, he is studying hard.
VO: is your husband working?
ME: No sir, he is not
VO: oh! (A slight dubious expression and again typing)
VO: (Then he looked at me eye to eye for like 6 secs and I did the same, I didn't wander my eyes anywhere else, I had a smile and looked at him)
VO: When did he start his course?
ME: Replied
VO: When did you get married?
ME: Replied
VO: congratulations, your visa is approved (he started typing)
ME: Ok (I didn't get too excited or anything but was waiting for him to say the last word so that I can move cuz I didn't want to be rude)
VO: We will send your passport through post.
ME: Thank you sir, Have a great day. (Smile)

The key to remember when attending the interview!
1. Remember to smile always, do not come across as an arrogant or rude person cuz your nervous face without a smile can give away any vibe to the interviewer so switch your nervous face to a smiling face.
2. For everyone who is attending the visa for the first time, make sure to notice the people who is moving before you and see how things work to get an idea about the security process so that you will feel confident and won't lose track of it.
3. Trust me! Most people will be nervous even if they have everything ready but DO NOT show that on your face or in your conversation with the interviewer. Trembling voice or any weak body language can be very well spotted. Take a deep breathe every time you feel too nervous. Stay focused and be present in your interview
4. If you think that looking at a sky or trees while waiting for the security check or a kid who is in the interview room or talking to someone who is sitting beside you can put you at ease. Just do it cuz you will better. Whatever works for you to be more relaxed. Just remember the last time, you were in an interview or in a distress situation and what helped to calm your nerves.
5. DO NOT feel discouraged or demotivated if some one else got rejected who is in the same queue and think yours will be the same result cuz thats not how it works. These people are professionals and if you have the right intention, you don't have to be tensed. You need to stay positive and believe in yourself. Everyone has a different results coming their way and it all depends on your confidence and positivity.
6. Preparation is the best and only option for success. Prepare, prepare and prepare. You need to show your dedication and deserve to get the place which is possible only when you are prepared and this will give you more confidence to answer aptly.
7. If you think that you didn't answer a question up to the mark. Don't let that bog you down and spoil the rest of the show. You need to focus on answering the next question in a much better way. Try to have logical thinking and spot the opportunities to answer to your strength and plus points.
8. Remember, interview lasts for few minutes and do not go with the body language of the interviewer. If you find him/her rude or a jovial person, it shouldn't be a matter to you. You be more focused on yours to turn on the impression mode. Having said that, don't come across as desperate. Just be confident but not over confident!
9. Have a good sleep and make sure to take all the documents to avoid last minute stress.
10. Finally, if you have the passion and genuine reason to get the Visa, its yours.
These tips apply for any Visa.

All the best!

Hi All,

It goes without saying that only by sharing our experiences, we all can mutually benefit.
My L1B Blanket interview was scheduled today.
My slot was at 7:30 am & I reached there around 6:45 am. This made me stand in a long queue which was later sorted.
Hence try not to reach there more than half hour before scheduled time. Its OK & nobody misses : )

After DD submission & re-biometric scan (finger print), VO interview turn came.

 I was asked below questions:
1) Which project are you going for?
2) He said, " I cannot understand any technical detail. Please explain in simpler terms".
3) This appears not specialized skill. It has to be unique for L1B. Please explain how it is different from other vendors?
4) How long would you stay?

Then he started reading my DS 160 details & searched in his computer about the same.
Finally he approved my I-129 & gave 2 sets back.
I said "Thank you" & left : ) Nowadays I suppose courier thing has stopped & you get passport only after 3-4 days at visa appointment centre (OFC) only.

 All the best to fellow readers !! Good Luck !