L1, L2 Visa

I don't think I can thank this forum enough for helping out hundreds of visa applicants such as myself.
I would not go into the details of the OFC and the visa process since those have been exhaustively covered on this forum already. However I would like to write about things I believe are essential for every visa applicant to know.

One should be aware that the L1 visa is a special skillset visa and should be applied for accordingly.It is meant for intra-company transfers only and the applicant should avoid mentioning anything around working from a client location. The documents prepared by the attorney and letter for support provided by the petitioner could play a major role during the interview . If you have applied in the right category and you are able to convince the VO to believe in the below mentioned bullets, you should not have any problems in getting the L1 approved:

-What you have acquired is in fact specialized knowledge.
-This knowledge is not available in the open market and gives the company a competitive advantage among its competitors
-It would cause the company significant economic harm (spending of time and economic resources) to impart this knowledge to another hired from outside.

So basically you have to weave your story around the above mentioned points(with data per your individual case) and make sure you include explanations for these in your answers to questions such as " What is your special skill-set", "what are your roles and responsibilities", " what will you do in the US" etc.. My advise to you all is be as precise as possible in your answers and only elaborate when asked to.Any extra/ unecessary information given voluntarily could invite more questions. Software development/testing technologies may not fall into the specialized knowledge category. Try to stress on the domain knowledge that you have acquired by working on proprietary tools and by interacting with SME's and product owners.
It is always wise to learn / cram basic points and structure them into your head for the specialized skill-set question. You should have 2 answers prepared for this question. The first one being short and crisp and the second one being an elaborate version of the first one .( Note: You may never need the longer version but you would feel all comfy knowing that you have it just in case !!.).

-Impact of previous B1 visits on L1 : This topic has been widely discussed on many forums.As far as my understanding on this subject goes, previous B1 visits are of no consequence to an L1/H1 visa application.However if the B1 visits have been prolonged ones , meaning more that 3-4 weeks , the VO may ask you to state reasons for the extended trips. At that point all you need to do is to convince the VO that your visits on the business visa were confined to B1 activites only and that you did not do any productive work during that trip.Based on your answer the visa office may take a judgement call. I had been to the US on a B1 visa twice before I applied for the L1 . Both the trips were about 10 weeks each(for the same company) but those involved discussions and knowledge sharing sessions only. The VO did not ask me anything about those trips and I got my L1 anyway.

-Always talk about your Indian salary in lakhs and the US salary in dollars.
-Look at the VO while you are talking even if the officer is looking elsewhere
-Never fake an accent
-Dress formally . A tie always make that shirt on a man look good.
-Be confident and polite while talking . A smile goes a long way

Here is a bird's eye view of my profile and my interview experience:

Petitioner: A huge oil company based in the US
Current Work place: This office is a wholly owned subsidiary(sister company) of the petitioner.We just have one office in India
Experience with the sister company :18 months(with about 5 months in the US on a B1 visa)
Total experience: 3.5 yrs
Designation: specially skilled professional :)

Interview at the Chennai consulate:I was wearing my ID with the company name written in bold all across it.

VO: Good morning sir . How are you doing?
Me: Good morning sir. I am doing just fine. Yourself?
VO:I am good . Thank you.Please give me you petition documents
Me: (Handing over the petition bundle) Here they are.
VO: So you work for ZZZ?
Me: yes sir I do
VO: How long have you been working with ZZZ?
Me: 18 months
VO: (smiling and Stamping my I 129's ) I think you are good to go sir.Your visa has been approved.
Me: Thanks a lot. Have a good one

Yes. it lasted for 40 seconds flat.
So much for all that 3 week long interview preparation !!!! I guess I got it based on the company's reputation but I am glad I was prepared for a nasty interview nevertheless.

Before I end this really long post, all I would say is that no matter how confident or nervous you think you were during the interview, you would not know whether you got the visa until the VO tells you about it. So do not give up or take the VO for granted until you are done answering the last question. Remember: It is not over until you hear the bell ring !!!

All the best,, Go get your visa !!

Regards
Romeo

I think the questions are 90%same as in this forum.

just to give background I am in aleading IT co. And leading a team of expterts...I had an eariler U travel history ...went there on H1. Also got US B1, B2 visas from U consul during my stint in Europe some years back....

I reached just 15 mins..and was allowed in soon...we completed...doc verfification, finger print verification, dd erc in30 mins,..but had to wait for 1 hour for thr interview...
My 3 year daughter was getting...impatient with the wait...i was relaxed as was not the first time...but interview environment makes all a bit nervous anyways..!


When i was called and as we were walking to counter...my daughter strting somewhat crying...and Vo noticed that...

VO...smiling and said...what,s wrong ...(looking at my daughter...)... We ll make it fast!
Me .....hello...( i kind of got a feeling that he has already made up the mind...VO gestures and words...seemed to say....its positive,)

VO ....please give your passports.....

I started pulling each passport bundled with DS 160, I. 129..,...by last counter....but VO said...'give the whole...its easier this way'
Me...yes its easier...

Other questions...

VO.....What is your... role..
VO...which are the clients...to which i said multiple clients ..i lead a team and my team works with multiple clients...
VO....how many report to you in US..
VO...so you will be hiring..more...? He asked...as if ... he wanted me to say yes..and
I said...as well...!
VO...What are designations of your team...
VO...Whom do you report to?
VO...Your salary in .india ...and how much you will make in US...

while i was answered 4 th or 5 th questions...i already saw 2 copies...of stamped I-129...but no word ...from VO...As i to make an eye contact..i kept on looking at him..but as he kept looking at his screen..i just peeked at the forms which...he had pushed towards...me ..it read...approved.! I was obviosly relieved.....

Finally... one or two simple questions on date /place of daughter's birth...and then i asked are these my copies...

Then... finally golden words..Your Visa is approved......!

i thought they had already had made up some mind...to almost grant the visa even ....may be because...of my past US travel and 3 US visas...history and/or my long stints.. in Europe..as i included in Ds160

No questions were asked to my wife....

this forum...has been a great great preparation...THANKS.

Hi All

I really need to thank this forum for helping me and my hus to get through the Visa procedure without any kind of Difficulties.

OFC is a very simple procedure, it hardly takes 10 mins , you need to carry DS- 160 form , appointment letter and your passport , Not required to carry all the documents . Just be there on time , Otherwise you need stand in a very lengthy queue , they just allow you before 10 minutes of your appointment slot
Next day , we had our interview slot at 9 A.M , we reached by 7.30 and saw a big queue standing before the consulate . Thought that everyone in India wants to go to US .
       1. Good Morning Sir. How are you?
• Very Good Morning Officer. How about you….
2. How long you are working with YYYY X?
• I have been working with YYYY XX for the past 2 years and 2 months
3. What’s your Indian salary?
• YYYY
4. What’s your salary in US?
• YYYY
5. Who is your client?
• YYYY X
6. Where will you work in US – State and City?
• Plano, Texas
7. Will you work out of YYYY X Location or some other client`s site?
• I will be working out of YYYY X office.
8. What`s your specialization?
• I have been working with YYYY for the past 2 yrs and 2 months and have gained good knowledge on the tools like. I am certified in ITIL V3 Expert and COBIT and have over 8 year’s domain knowledge in Service now .
• I was involved in designing the solution architecture for YYYY tools and facilitated the implementation.
• These tools are required for the project, without which we foresee risks and this would impact the development of the SCA Assistant services.
9. What is your client requirement?
• Client wants to develop a Service Catalogue Architecture Assistant on the Service now Platform based on the YYYY tools. This will enhance business aligned interface and user friendly experience reducing functional costs.
10. What’s special with these tools ?
• Explained in detail abt the tools .
11. Is there any alternative available in the market for these tools?
• These are YYYY X IP Tools and there is no alternate available for these tools.
12. Why do you need to work from US and why can’t this work be done from India?
• This work needs the presence in US as we need to go ahead and gather the requirements, discuss with the technical teams, conduct workshops and then design the architecture and implement it accordingly.
13. How many people are involved in your project?
• 3
14. What’s your role in this project?
• My role over the project is to develop a SCA Assistant to guide customers to the correct architecture. Gather requirements, Conduct workshops with relevant stakeholders, Develop the solution architecture, facilitate Implementation and testing and manage projects by coordinating with the technical teams
15. Have you done similar kind of development or implementation for any other client?
• No, this will be a new tool.
16. Can I see your petition?
• Yes Sure….
Then he typed in his system for a while and stamped in 3 copies of I-129 form and then came the Golden words that your visa is approved and you can collect the passport in 2-3 working days.And today we got our Visa stamped for 3 years ….
 

 All i can say is be confident and have eye to eye contact with the VO , All the very best .

HI All,
First let me thank all the persons who had shared their experience in this forum.
I had my OFC on 7th Dec and that went thru smooth without any issues got completed in 10 mins time for me and my family
The Visa Interview was on 11th Dec 10 AM. I was in the consulate gate at 9.30 AM and they were allowing inside for the 10 AM appointment.

1st they verified the DS160 confirmation for all the applicants and put a seal in it.
After that security checks are done and we are asked to go inside. I collected the token from the token issue counter and took a seat inside. My token displayed and went to the counter where they verified and organised the documents and put rubber bands. THen is the finger print verification and then went to counter 14 to pay the fees.

Once that is done we went to sit but the token number flashed in the screen and I moved to Counter which was allocated. there were 2 persons prior to me and they got approved
Here is my Visa Interview

VO: Hi Good Morning
ME & fam: Hi Very Good Morning

VO: Can I see your papers please
ME: Gave the papers

VO: Which State are you going
ME : Answered

VO: What is your role
ME: Project Management

VO: Who is you client
ME: Gave client name

VO: How many people report to you
ME: XX Offshore and XX Onsite

VO: Whom do you report to
ME: MR. XX Onsite

VO: Will you work on the Client Site
ME: No and gave the address in the petition

VO: Show me the Organisation Chart
ME: Showed and explained

VO: give me two mins ( she went to scan the BEP letters)

VO : Can I see the roles and responsibilities
ME: Gave the document with the roles and responsibilities document which the company gives you along with the approved petition

Finally - I am approving your Visa, and stamped the documents and returned them

My two cents - Be confident, speak straight into the eyes, not look here and there and loose focus, keep smiling, clearly read and prepare from the documents you had submitted for the L1 petition.

Regards
Srini N

My L1B Visa interview was scheduled on 20th Dec 2012 on 9:30 AM . In initial verification of docs she(the lady at counter) asked for my wife's photo.( It's widierd to see she asked for photo as at OFC they take photo of every individual a day before). She asked me to come back by 10:45 AM or 7:30 morning next day. We have to run pillar and post to make the photo done as there were power outage. By the time we were back with photoes it was already 10:50 AM and we were not allowed to go in.

Next day i arrived a 6:50 AM. It was big queue ahead of us. At 7 AM the gate opened and the first preference were given to the couples or ladies with kids. I requested and were able to go next to them as i already had gate pass issued last day.

After security check and all we went inside and given new token again. This time we went other counter (than yesterday) for doc verification and the person checking the docs was surpized to see we were sent back to get the photographs. He asked whether we were photographed at OFC or not. Which i confirmed to him. After verification and all again we went to other counter for our fingerprints and asked to go next building for Visa Interview.

We went to other building and waited for our coupon number to flash on sceen. My number flashed after a while at counter 16. There were 3 people ahecd of us in line. The first one was for higher education (probably PHD in Maths). The officer was not convinced why it was required to have PHD for a school teacher and did not approve the VIsa. After that two person were given the VISA, probably they had H1B.

Here it goes and my tern came:

The officer greeted me with good morning and reverted the greetings.

First Question came -- Ok you are woking with so and so company?
--Yes sir !

What is your specialization?
-- Sir my specialization in client proprietry toll ...., I am working on this from so and so yrs and have gained lot of expertize with respect to application and process. While describing i have given the details on the application functionality. But it looked like he was pre occupied and was not ready to be heard.

Ok this is reporting application, then what's special about this?
-- I told about the functional flow which need lot of understanding of different application. But he responded evertime - it does not make it specialized :)

Ok what database this application use?
-- Sir this application runs on Oracle database.
Ok you work on Oracle database?
-- No sir the application is on Oracle but i don't work on database rather on functional and technical design. And ...reports which we create in compalince with CFR Part 11 and FDA regulations.
Ok anyone can read and know about FDA regulations does not prove any specialization?
-- I told about my experince on the system and overall functional understanding of client system which is not very common. To be very true it's very rare to have that understanding which i got working on the application over the last 6 years.
Everyone says the same but i can't consider this as specialized.
--Sir there may the cases were person are specialized in other application but in this case i am specilized in this client application. Also you can see my experience on the same?
-- Let me see , he looked into the computer for sometime and stamped on my I-129S, I thought he is granting me VISA but at last he handed over one more paper which says-
"Your blanket L-1 application is not clearly approvable under section 8 CFR 214.2 (l) (ii)(D) and INA 101(a) (15)(L)"

Observation:

From the start of the conevarsation itself it lookes like he was preconcived not to approve the case. On every answer i gave he replied everyone says the same. I can't approve visa for evryone. At last he says multiple times there is nothing wrong with you or what you said you are very much eligible to go. Just i can't approve your VISA in this category, ask your HR to file it in right category.

The officer looked very knowlegible and had overall knowledge on process and clients as well.
I may be wrong but it seams to me he was predecided not to agree on my points. Every answer i gave resulted in everyone says the same.

Not sure how while first time i was given L1 on the same application and it was considered as specialized. And this time while extension of the same L1 ,it's not.

Go with confidence answer with confidence, try to stablish yourself as specialized knowledge expert. don't get dejected if you don't get approval it may not be related to what you say.

All the best !!

My L1B was rejected on 1st November-2012 under section 8 CFR 214.2 (I) (ii) (D) and INA 101(a) (15) (L) with white slip and petition stamped as "Not Clearly Approvable".

I have re-applied with same petition and all supporting documents which is approved on 19th Decemeber.

As the overall process and interview questions remains same as mentioned on this blog following are my key Observations :-
1. The counsulate office treates the reapplication as new case ID, so they probably do not know earlier denials, unless they go through DS-160 in details. (For my case they did not asked about previouse rejection)

2. Most of cousulate officers are very well trained on Organizational operations so they know most of details and the key questions to be asked. So be prepared to convince them with proper examples. During my second interview, there was heavy rush, but the officers were not at all in hurry to process the visa. They were listening very carefully and cross questioning, though I am fortunate to have a very simple interivew as the counter started after a break. Only key question asked was "What you will be doing in USA" rest are salary and durations...

3. Your organizations reputations is very important.

4. Also, if you have travelled earlier on any Visa and violated immegration rules, then it is problem. like travelling on B1/B2 visa more than 6 weeks is looks odd one.

Thanks for the blog for providing very important and useful information.
Best Luck.

OFC Appointment:
The OFC appointment was pretty straightforward. My Appointment time was at 10:00AM but my wife and I were let in were allowed in ahead of time at 9:15AM (i hear this is not the case always). All you need to carry are the following docs:
1. Appointment Confirmation printout.
2. Passports
3. DS 160 confirmation.
4. Photographs (just in case!)

First the security frisks you. Then your docs are checked and your barcodes are scanned for verification in the first counter. A sticker is stuck on the back of each of the applicant's passport. Then you are allowed in with a token for each applicant (you and your dependent). Based on your token number you are assigned a particular counter. At the counter, you are asked for your name and date of birth. After which you are asked to place your four fingers of both hands and thumb finger for capturing your fingerprints. Once this is done a seal is placed on the DS 160 confirmation page and that is it - You are done. You can exit and make your way out.

PA Appointment:
My wife and I had our PA scheduled for 7:30AM on 17-Dec-2012. We reach there around 6:45AM and we approximately had about 50 people waiting ahead of us in queue. If you have stuffs like the photo CDs or button unlock car keys either dont bring along or you can have it deposited at a counter outside the consulate. While in queue outside your Appointment/DS160 barcodes are scanned and your OFC appointment sticker on the passport is verified. You are then frisked by the security and allowed in for your verification. All your belongings are verified and allowed in after the second security check.

1. You are allowed into a first counter where your Appointment and DS 160 is scanned again and you are given a token number.
2. As per your token number (displayed in TV screens) you are assigned another counter where all your petition documents are verified and are bundled into 2 using rubber bands.
3. The third counter your finger prints are checked and your barcodes are scanned yet again.
4. Then you are asked to go to the next building which is where actual PA takes place.
5. At cashier counter, you pay your demand drafts and you are then asked to wait until your token number appears on the TV screens where another counter is assigned.
6. This is the counter where the PA will take place.

My PA experience was very pleasant, however, the visa was rejected. Here are the questions asked and my answers:

Q: (After exchanging pleasantries) Are you going on a L1?
A: Yes Sir.

Q: So you are a project manager, right?
A: Yes Sir.

Q: Okay. Where are you travelling to?
A: XX, XX

Q: Who is your Client?
A: YYYY

Q: Okay. Is this a retail company.
A: Yes Sir, it is.

Q: Have you travelled on L1 before?
A: No sir, I have travelled before but not on L1.
Q: (He cancelled my expired H1 visa on my passport) What is you salary in the US?
A: $ YYYY X per annum

Q: Who is your boss'?
A: He is a Service Delivery Manager.
Q: Okay. How many reportees do you have?
A: 20

Q: How many at onsite?
A: 5 at onsite.

Q: Oh ok… So the remaining are at offshore right?
A: Yes Sir.

Q: So how many years of managerial experience do you have?
A: Close to 4 years (I have a total 9+ years experience in IT)
Q: (He kept typing something on his computer. After this he pulled a 221G and ticked the "Clearly not approvable" option and stamped the same on my petitions.) He then said - "Sir, I looked at your application and unfortunately I cannot approved your visa in this category. You can give this form (221G) to your HR and they can apply for a different category visa"
A: Ok. Thank you.

Overall the atmosphere was tense but I saw a lot of approvals in all the counters. Good luck!

JP

immihelp helped me alot to prepare for my interview !!

My 2 cents

In my view following two things (probably in equal weight) determine how strong is your case:

- How strongly your case comply to clauses of Visa requirement. So for L-1A following will positively impact:
       - Work ex (individual and with same company)
       - Managerial experience
       - profile pf people reporting onsite (must be professions, senior the better)
       - position of your manager (senior the better)
       - current and onsite salary (more the better)
       - your proposed role onsite (must be high up the value chain - budgets, hiring, strategy, not just managing day to day activities)


- Soft aspects during interview
      - From what I read, it is official for VOs to reject the case if a person meets all of above but is weak on social, communication and other soft aspects. So everything that people said about confidence, eye 2 eye contact, dress up etc etc DOES matter
      - In a subtle way you should be able to convince the VO that you are what has been projected in the case. Don't press/insist/argue or show desperation at the same time.

Good luck !!

I would like to share my experience on the Visa interview through this forum. My OFC was scheduled on 12th Dec at 4 PM. I reached there an hour before (3PM) which was of no use as i had to wait outside for an hour. At 4 PM they were allowing the 3.30 PM batch so i had to wait for some more time. My 4 years old daughter got fed up and started crying. Even then the security guard was not ready to allow us inside. After a long discussion and explanation he asked one of the internal officer who then allowed us inside. Went to first floor, where again there were around 15 to 20 people already standing in queue. After requesting the security there to allow us since we had kid, he allowed us inside. Then it was just 10 minutes job and the fingerprints and photograph for myself and spouse were taken. Kid's fingerprinting and photos are not taken. Just carry one photograph of the kid. So suggestions over here, reach just 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment. and nothing to worry over here.

Next day, 13th Dec, i had my Visa interview scheduled at 8 AM. I reached at the Consulate just 15 minutes before. After 10 minutes i was asked to stand in the long queue outside the main gate. Somehow we were trying to distract mind of our daughter so that she does not start troubling us again. After 10/15 mnts the security check was cleared. We got our token and waited for our turn. At one of the counters the documents were checked and told to go to another counter. Here our fingerprints were verified and told to proceed for interview in another building. Here in one of the counter the demand draft was taken and reciept was provided. After that we were told to wait for our turn for the interview. After 15 mnts my token no., flashed and we stood in the queue for the displayed counter no. There was a family before me and they got there Visa approved, this gave me positive feelings that even mine will get approved. And then my turn came

Me: Good Morning Sir (Placed my documents in the window opening)
VO: Good Morning

After looking at the documents..
VO: How long you have been working for YYYY X
Me: I have been working for YYYY ZZZ for past 8 years

VO: What is your specialisation
Me: I have been working with YYYY X for past 8 years and have acquired good domain knowledge on the YYYY products. I have expertise in Software testing and writing Test Plan and Test Cases using YYYY proprietary process. I also use YYYY proprietary tool for defect reporting and tracking. My project name is YYYY and i am responsible for....

VO stopped me and said that's fine sir. After some pause while looking at computer he asked me
VO: Where will you be working in US
Me: I will be working in YYYY city in YYYY state

VO to my wife: What is your highest degree madam
Wife: YYYY X

Meanwhile VO officer stamped all the 3 nos. I129 forms and then bundled all three passports and kept in one of the basket. Then he said, your Visa is approved sir. He forwarded two I129's and said please carry one when you enter US and another give it your HR for records. I could not believe its done. Happily i wished him thank you and have a happy christmas ahead. To which he replied thank you and same to you smiling.

Suggestion...
- Be confident of what you are speaking
- Practice answers for some of the frequently asked questions which are almost same and most of them are shared in this forum
- Be positive
Rest all depends on the officer....

Thanks

Hi,
I'm working for Company A in L1B visa and it's getting expired by 25-May-2013. Stayed in US for 2 years 2 months in that I took two breaks 3 weeks and 7 weeks. My company wants to file L1B extension. But I prefer to go for H1B visa but company says we can't file H1B this year since you had break in between. Please clarify what are procedures to file H1B instead of L1B extension.