L1, L2 Visa

Hi,

A big thanks to everyone involved in this site as it really helped me during the entire interview process.

My L1 B visa got approved on 7th May.
Got my visa today (9th may).
The background.
I have total 4 years and 2 months of experience.
I work in a mid-tier IT company.

My VO was a guy who was really very cool.

Q:Wer do u work?
A:xxx

Q:What does ur organization do?
A: Few lines about the firm.

Q:Wer r u travelling?
A:xxx

Q:Do u hv a client?Who is it?
A:xxx.In my case client is a reputed mnc.So as soon as i started with client's details, he stopped me in between.

Q: What is the project?
A: I started with some intro.But he stopped me again and told me to come to the point.So gave 2-3 lines about the project.This is important.So don't forget the keywords and make it short.

Q: What is your Indian Salary?
A:xxx

Q: What is ur US Salary?
A:xxx

All this time,he was typing something on the keyboard and checking the screen.Then all of a sudden he stopped,looked me into the eye and started his rapid fire round with few questions
Q: What is your designation?How many ppl of your role for this project?
A: Senior Software Engineer(I must say i was feeling the heat at that point)....

Q: Do people report to u?How many?
A: xxx

Q: What is your role in this project?
A: I started with a big intro which i had prepared.
He came back "Cut this out and lets come to the point". what are you going to do?
A: I said coding and integration(which is basically what I am going to do)

Q: How many engineers for this project and how many of your designation?
A: xxx

Q: How long have you been working on this project and has this been delivered to other customers?
A: 4 + years and gave the names of clients to whom this was earlier delivered.

Then he moved back to his computer and started typing something.
"Sir, may I add another point".
He said yes.
And i told him about my other overseas travel to South Korea which was related to this project.

He came back, now in a much better mood and asked? "Have I been nice to you till now.I'll make it even nicer...your Visa is approved."

And then he chatted for few more minutes about Korean food and Indian food.

Remember, CONFIDENCE is the key.

Give your answers to the point.It gives them time to ask more questions.And,i feel that the longer the interview goes,more are the chances of making cut.

You have about 5 minutes to convince them.Be calm.I know its easier said than done.But if you go there believing,u'll get it.

However, i do believe that there is some factor of luck involved in the process.

All the best.

USA is now at his lower level of Cheapness.

Today they have rejected 15 L1b in row without listning applicant of my organization. I am from one of the top Indian IT Company.
They collecting indian MNC money as a beggar for granted.

They have guts to do that only because of weak policy of India impotent politician.

They used to type refusal while asking question without listing.

This is time for INDIA to take some strong step against them by taking some strong action against USA company like PEPSI and COCA COLA need to control their revenue from india
.

If You are from top 3 indian company. No need to go for VISA PA.

Officer has already prepared for refusal.

She has asked me all the l1b question and continusely type refusal form without listning me

Guys, beware of the L1 visa. I went there this week for L1A visa and was not clearly approved aka rejected. I was supposed to be heading a team of more than 6 people and work for a big IT consulting firm. Confidence was there but luck hugely missing. The VO lady looked like a lesbian to me. I have had clean H1B before and worked in US without any payroll issues. The reason that they have specified belongs to specialized knowledge applicable for L1B and not for L1A. Also there is a rumour that you have to be in formal business dressing. I was overally business dressed and still got denied. In another window, a young guy dressed in jeans and T-shirt was here for L1B - specialized knowledge and probably going to go to work for Microsoft, was approved visa. His VO was a man.

75% luck and 25% confident answers needed to get this visa

Hello All,

i'm posting my experience a lil late . Its ok , but i wanted to post it sometime as this site gives you a good confidence to face this interview. I'm sure others have mentioned about the following things many times , neverthless i'll mention it again.

1. stay calm . I have this attitude when i face interviews. I go with a mindset that i'll not get through and if i get through i'm happy about (i dont start celebrating though) and if i dont , i'm not worried either coz i already knew im not gonna get it coz you know its not the end of anything.

2. Interviewers are definitely looking for a genuine reason to approve your visa .So if you have a valid reason , good experience to prove your specialized knowledge and you put forth to them confidently , your visa is approved.

My interview was at 9.30 am . My hotel guy dropped me off and i joined a medium sized queue. I was asked to keep my DS-160 and interview confirmation letter . In the first counter , you'll give these and receive a token . This token will be needed through the process.

Make sure you carry only required documents and carry them in plastic bag or a holder.

The next counter does the security check on the things that you r carrying , they'll check your files , your bag, pockets. A guy infront of me was carrying Amrutanjan and they told him dispose for which he told the security guy to throw it in the dustbin but the security guy insisted him to go out and throw and then get back. They're being sensible i'd say.

After this you'l enter the hall where your are asked to wait till your token number appears on those tvs. There is no need to panic if your number is already called and your are a lil late coz they usually dont work in an order. Ex : token 120 might be move ahead than you move in (if your number is 119). So you go to a counter where your number is displayed , give the following documents
http://www.immihelp.com/visas/l1/l1docs.html

The person in the counter will put them in an order and extra documents wil be rejected and will give you the required documents to carry it to the subsequent counters.

Next is you wait to finish the biometrics. Thats the last counter and they'll record your finger prints . You will again wait in the queue til they tell you go to the next building where the interview and fee receipt check happens.

Once you enter this building , stand in the cashier queue , person here wil check your hdfc receipt and later you are asked to seat and wait for your interview turn. The tv infront of your tells you which counter you need to stand for the interview. Sit comfortably , go through your BEP document and ds-160 to make sure you are telling exactly the same thing contained in it.

Though you are composed and calm , you tend to get tensed here. but remember to stay calm.

My number came a lil late and stood in the queue of 3 ppl .My number was called and i gave the interviewer my documents with a 'hello' .

Me : Hello
Int : Hello , your documents please.

Me : (handed over the documents)
Int : your work experience ?
Me: 3 yrs , 2 months
Int : designation ?
Me : Senior Support Engineer
Int : Pay here in lakhs
Me : 9
Int : what are your duties here
Me : (told him/her)
Int : What are your duties in US
Me : (told him/her)

I'm from a product based company and its difficult for me to tell them my clients. Coz every company requesting for a service is my client , but you cannot give them such a vague reply. Prepare yourself with a few clients in mind (big ones or rather famous ones). I wasn't asked this question luckily.

Int : Sir , your visa is approved and you'll receive the passport in 7 days.
Me : Thank you , bye

It was 7 days and my passport was not delivered , was a lil worried here . The immigration site contains the blue dart site , where your input your passport number and it tells you the status of the passport , and it was delivered in my office.

Thats all folks. Wish you good luck and all the very best for your interviews.

Hi All,

First of All, Thanks to this great site, where all people use this platform to share their experience to help others!
It's now Pay back time for me!
I had an appointment on 3rd May 10:30 AM.
Before going to Consulate:
1. Dress formal: full sleeve shirt with matching tie and contrasting trouser (I preferred Blue)
2. Wife (draped a sober coloured sari with traditional ornaments (not very heavy tough))
3. No bags (not even my purse, no coins, took some 100 & 500 Rs in pocket), no mobile phones (kept in the Company Guest House)
4. Three Transparent folders (1 Company provided mandatory docs, 1 for my Marriage related and last one for additional docs, certificates etc) in a transparent Polythene bag.
5. It’s too hot there in Chennai, so I booked for a AC cab to reach there.
About the Consulate procedure:
1. We (I & My Wife) were there at 9:15AM (1.25 Hrs before the interview appointment time)
2. We were in the queue outside, where we had to show our Passports, MRV copy and VFS Interview Confirmation page to get a token number chit.
3. Went inside where first physical security check and baggage check happened.
4. Went through another door to reach to a place where we were asked to sit and wait for our number to be displayed in the LCD. (This is not for the interview, for documents check and 10 fingers to be scanned.)
5. After our turn came we went to the counter 12 and provided 1st folder docs to the person (Indian guy) he asked – “when you took these photos?” I said when. He was there to put things in order and put rubber bands around and check the photographs in confirmation page. What I saw there is a digital camera, if the photo doesn’t meet standard then new photo also will be taken there. So folks please follow the Photo standard mentioned in the VFS website. Then he asked to go to counter 13 and then next building counter 14.
6. We went to counter 13 and got our 10 fingers each scanned. Then we were asked to wait and then to move next building.
7. After entering next building (were fully AC, whereas previous was not) and went to counter 14. This is the Cashier counter to submit the DDs. (Now there could be 2 DDs, due to exchange rate fluctuation, Please confirm and collect it from your company).
I faced an issue there, after submitting the DDs in Counter 14, in the display board it was constantly showing 14 against my token. I asked the attendants there to cross check. There were no L1B DDs submitted, so that guy in the counter forgot to release my Token number, so I had to wait for more than 45 Mins unnecessarily.
8. Once in the Big screen the Counter no (where the interview will happen) displayed I went to counter. Please remember you should be going in the order it’s being displayed may not incrementing order. Like for me there were 2 Token numbers displaying for a counter in incrementing order in the big LCD. However on the LCD above the counter it was in the opposite order. So wait for your turn according to the LCD above the counter.
9. Once she called, we went to the counter [The counter is just a big window with a closed glass, where at the bottom of the Window we passed the docs and passport (prepared by the previous building counter guy). There were a microphone and speaker at both side of the window.]. We were standing and the Interview started.
Interview
ME: Good Morning officer.
VO: Good Morning….
ME: How are you doing?
VO: I’m good .Thank u….how are u?
ME: I’m fine. Thank u.
VO: Which company you are currently working on?
ME: XX.
VO: How many years you are with XX?
ME: Around 7 Years - 6.8 to be exact.
VO: Who is your Client?
ME: YY.
VO: How many years are you with your client?
ME: More than a Year now.
VO: What will you do in US? (Not role and responsibilities)
ME: I will be joining as XZY expert from XX to integrate, automate and deploy XX Proprietary Tools in Client’s ZZ platform.
In last 1 year, as lead, I had analysed and re-designed various client application interfaces, integrated client tools like A, B, C with our M Tool and the same demonstrated to client as per their expectation…..
However, due to YY’s strict ABC policy, some core business critical applications were not allowed to study from offshore.
Now for the successful completion of the assignment, I’m being asked to be at onsite.
VO: What is your specialization? [ This is the Q]
ME: “I’m specialized in XYZ domain.
Being a graduate in BE, Computer science, I’ve been trained and having extensive experience in implementing XX proprietary Tools like M, N and O for clients in ABC and DEF Country prior to this assignment.
I’ve gained this knowledge through work experience at XX and not just through knowledge sharing sessions.
These differentiate me from others within XX who may have limited exposure and experience in these technologies.”
She was constantly looking at my eyes during when I was telling my specialization.
To My Wife:
VO: When you got married to him?
My Wife: DD MMM YYYY
VO: (after seeing her surname is different may be) Can I see your Marriage certificate please?
My Wife & I passed through that window.
Again to me:
VO: Which other country you said apart from ABC?
ME: DEF
Then she was writing three forms. I was so tensed as I was feeling it could be 221G which means ‘Not clearly approvable’, however when she tied our passport with docs, she was writing something and threw over the basket at the left side back. I was bit relaxed.
Then She said the Golden sentence – “Your Visa is approved and you will get it in max next 5 working days” and gave me the Cashier DD transaction receipt back.
Me and my Wife Thanked her and collected all the docs and came out of the building quickly. [No chance to give her a second thought! ]
Conclusion & My tips to all aspiring L1B candidates:
There are some myths said by many here. I want to answer them:
1. I’m from one of the first 3 Indian IT Service Company (which many said this company’s L1B’s rejected more)
2. My package is less than 8 Lakhs/ annum. (Which many said has to be minimum 8 lakhs)
What According to me are real game changer and worked for me are:
1. Your Attitude and giving answers cheerfully (I was nervous as everyone however never exhibited that )
2. Specialization should be from Company proprietary tools/ products only. NEVER EVER say any public domain technologies.
3. Answered all the questions looking at her eyes (irrespective of whether she was looking at me. I practised this with my wife during my preparation. I would suggest to everyone to prepare that way it will definitely help)
4. Answer in a crisp way and with voice modulation (should not be fast and sound like you just mugged up and telling there)
5. You should look and sound like professional.
6. Good Travel history could be a plus point (As I had 3 onsites apart from US earlier)
7. Don’t worry and think too much if you see someone’s VISA in front you, is/are getting rejected! Always remember everyone’s case is different.
8. You should know that your answers and documents prepared by company are in sync and what you put in the DS-160 online. Data matching is vital.

Note: There is a telephone both on the same side of the road, and after exiting from consulate towards right side in around 100 meters. You can inform your loved one about the news of your approval.
Hope this helps! And Wish you all the best!
If you like this post please drop a mail to [email protected].

My L1- B and my wife's L2 got approved in chennai and let me tell you i belong to one of the top 5 Indian software company .Question asked were

1)Where are you going in US?
Answered as per support document

2)Do you have client?
Yes

3)What is your client’s name?
Answered as per support document

4)What will you be doing?
Told that I will be working on <<project >>  using proprietary tool <<xxx>>

5)What will be you be doing for the <<project>>?
Told my roles and responsibilities .Stressed on Proprietary tool knowledge along with domain expertise

6)Team size at Onsite?
Answered .I had all the names of onsite people ready but she didn’t asked

7)Team size at offshore?
Answered .I had all the names of offshore  people ready but she didn’t asked

8)Why were you chosen for this opportunity?
Told my tool knowledge and domain knowledge .Also clients response to my POC

9)Have you done this kind of implementation before?
Yes

10)For which client you did an implementation before?
Told the client and project name

11)Spell <<proprietary tool>> ?
Answered .I guess she googled the tool.Its really important that tool should be a product which provides solution to same domain as you are working

12)Which company you worked earlier?
Answered

13)Why you stopped working for them?
Answered in Domain terms

Question Asked to Dependent(my wife)
1)When did you get married?.

IMO Do’s are
1) Stress on uniqueness of tool and its effect on Domain .
2) Stress on Domain expertise
3) Relate how your domain expertise along with you tool knowledge is an excellent combination for Project requirement
4) Prepare well before interview (Read all documents and make sure they are in sync)
5) Read experiences of people given interview earlier(available online) .Take positives from there
6) Be relaxed and genuine
7) Keep the discussion limited  to project and tool .

Some of my collegues got rejections.
I must say its 100% god's will , however 50% is luck and 50% is preperation..Don't loose heart guys ..Prepare Well.

Consular asked following questions..

>From which Company?
>Who is your client?
>What is your salary?
>How much experience in your current company?
>What is your project?
>What will you do at onsite?
>What is your specialized skill?

God knows what thought he had, told apply for other category.

My L1A Blanket was denied on Feb 16, 2012 which was deeply disheartening due to poor documentation. My company applied for L1A Individual (Premium) on Mar 25, 2012 and petition was approved on Apr 3, 2012. Interview was scheduled on May 1, 2012 which was a breeze this time. VO only asked two questions -
1. Which company?
2. Location
Even before I could complete my answer to these two questions, VO said visa is issued.

LIA candidates (to large extent for L1B), consider following -
1. Most important thing is to have a solid documentation/justification. Most large companies provide templates asking candidates to fill in the blanks. Ensure that you review each and every line of the template.
2. All steps after the first foundation step will be easy as you will defend the justification you provided earlier. And more convincing the justification better is your chance to get the visa approved.
3. It appears that most VOs or their representatives go through the DS160 and other documentation prior to the interview and pre-decide the case.
4. Wear tie and blazer - makes great impact.
5. Prepare answers to usual questions which will provide extra confidence.

Good luck to all.