L1, L2 Visa

Firstly, Thanks to this portal and the people for sharing their experience. I felt like, i also need to contribute to this portal by sharing my experience.

I have scheduled my Biometrics and Consular appointment on 05 Dec 2024 and 06 Dec 2024 respectively in Chennai. I have reached Chennai a day before (04 Dec 2024) and checked into Accord Metropolitan Hotel, which is 2kms from both Chennai VAC (Biometrics) and US Consulate.

My Bio-metrics appointment was on 12PM at Chennai VAC. I have reached the location by 11:30AM. Mobile phones, Bags, smart watches and any kind of electronic goods are not allowed inside. So, i have kept everything in hotel and just took the documents.

Required docs in Biometrics,
1. Original Passport,
2. Appointment Confirmation printout,
3. DS-160 Confirmation Page.
That's All. Nothing more. Don't carry all the i129S, i797 and etc. Nothing required. I see many people carrying whole bunch of documents, don't know why.
They allowed me inside at 11:30AM, Process just takes 10-15 mins max. I am out and reached back hotel by 11:50AM (My appointment was 12PM, lol)

Next comes the big day, My Appointment was at 10AM. I have got ready by 8AM and started arranging my Docs in order.
I have started from hotel by 9:30AM and reached consulate by 9:40AM. Again, no electronic items allowed inside. Just a digital watch and your hotel key can be taken.
There was not much queue at the entrance, they have checked my appointment Confirmation letter and allowed me inside.
First there will be a security check, just like At the airport, you have to keep everything in a tray and they will scan you.
Next you will enter another room where one person will be sitting and he will ask the type of Visa, if it is L1B VISA, he will give a checklist in which order you need to keep your documents.

Documents order:

1. 2 copies of i129S ( All pages)
2. 2 copies of i797 ( only First page)
3. DS-160 Confirmation Page
4. DD for Anti-fraud Fee and write your name and Passport number on the back of the DD (Or) Ignore if you are carrying Credit which has International transaction enabled for
    42000
5. Original Passport

He will verify all the order and asks to proceed to Consulate Building. After entering Security will ask you to sit and wait for Anti-fraud fee payment. Here it took good 15-20 mins waiting for me, as many people were in line for the payment, and some are having issues with their DD and credit cards. So, please wait patiently here and wait for your turn. As I wait for my turn, i see many applicants (L1B) were happy while leaving as their Visa got approved and few were (F1) sad as their VISA didn't get approved. Try to keep your cool here, as humans it is quite natural to get nervous, but keep it together and maintain your cool.
The person who takes the payment is chill and talked everyone out to cheer them while they pay. after the payment, he will ask to go to the next counter.
At this counter, your documents will be checked and verified for correct petition number, DS-160 details, i129S details and passport.
After the verification, they will ask to proceed for the interview.

Here it comes.

As I reached near the Counter, The VISA officer in that counter was talking to her colleague and she took 3-5 mins as I was standing and waiting for her. But that's Ok,
finally, she near the counter and apologized for the delay.

Me: Good morning, Officer (Passed the documents through counter window)
VO: Good morning.
VO: How long have you been working with your organization?
Me: gave exact experience with years and months.
VO: What is your US Salary?
Me: Gave the exact number
VO: Can you tell me about your Specialization?
Me: Explained about my specialized skills in 2-3 sentences and explained how I have used it in my project.
         (In half-way through my explanation, VO stamped on my i-129S and wrote the VISA expiration date. I have understood that my visa is approved.)
VO: Keep your left hand 4 fingers on the scanner.
VO: Your VISA is approved. Do not forget to show this form (Stamped i-129S) in immigration when you travel. You will receive your passport through courier in 7 days.
Me: Thank you, Officer. (With all smiles on my face)

That's all it took for me. I was very nervous and Anxious before the day and while waiting for my turn because my Student Visa got rejected twice back in 2012 at the very same consulate. But Now I'm professional with vast experience, I did manage to maintain my cool while answering VO's Questions. That helped me.

Things to remember, it’s safe to carry extra set of documents, but apart from the above mentioned you don't need to carry anything else. But please carry, your educational certificates, Experience letters and paystubs. because you never when VO will ask for which document. it's better have all originals with you.

I see 95% of the L1B Visas are getting approved, because we professionals and possess specialized skills.
So, take a chill pill and attend your interview with confidence.
All the best for your interviews.

Thanks.

First of all, i am really thankful to all the people who shared their experiences on Immihelp. I would like to share my experience for L1B blanket Visa interview @ Chennai on 12th Nov 2024.
I already have a valid L1B visa, which was approved in March 2024 and was valid till March 2027. However, since the blanket petition was expiring on 31st Dec 2024, had to reapply with new petition.
I had my biometrics done at Mumbai on 3rd November. Although it was Sunday, the center was operational. The biometric process is quite simple. Just carry the passport and DS160 confirmation. It took merely 15 mins to get through.
Now coming to the big day.
My L1B consular interview was scheduled on 12th November at Chennai. Thanks to God that i checked the weather beforehand and carried an umbrella. it was pouring on that day in Chennai. My appointment was at 8:30. I stayed in Kings Park hotel which is just 5-10 mins walk from consulate.
I started from the hotel at 7:45.
At the entry there was a long queue and all the applicants in the queue were of 8-8:30 slots.
After verification of Visa appointment letter, the security staff let me in.
Inside, there is a counter where a person asked the Visa type. On telling L1B, he gave me a pamphlet in which the documents to be presented were mentioned.
1) Two sets of I-129S and I-797
2) DS160 confirmation (carry the one which is stamped at OFC)
3)DD for fraud prevention fee.
He put rubber bands on the document sets and asked me to proceed to next building.
At the entrance of the next building there was provision to keep the umbrellas.
On entering the building, i was asked to join a queue for DD submission.
Unfortunately, my DD was not legible and the officer at the counter respectfully rejected it. I was carrying credit cards as a backup and paid the fees (inr 42000) using the CC.
The officer provided a receipt stapled to my Documents and then i was sent to another counter, where after some verification i joined the queue for the actual interview.
The interview went as below:
Me: Good Morning Officer, How are you doing today?
Off: I am well thanks, how about you?
Me: I am fine too thanks.
Off: So , how long have you been working for XXX (My company)?
Me: 17 Years.
Off: Well, that is a pretty long time.
Me: Yes, it is.
(She stamped my I129S after first question itself, so i knew that the Visa was approved, the following questions were just formality)
Off: What will be your salary in the US?
Me: XXXXXX USD. ( Be sure that the salary in DS160, I129S is matching and tell the same to the officer)
Off: Tell me something about your expetise?
Me: I explained it in two lines (no technical jargon)
Off: Your Visa is approved. You will receive your passport after stamping. "Safe travels"
Me: Thanks you vey much, you have a nice day ahead.

Thats all.... it lasted for less than 2 minutes.
Key points:
1) Try to book a hotel close to consulate to avoid travelling hassles.
2) As far as possible, reach Chennai a day in advance and get an appointment for next day early morning. (This is my feeling that officer is generally in good mood early in the morning)
3) Carry pay stubs, ITR, Degree certificates, letter from your company corroborating length of your employment. Although i have never been asked for any of these documents (in my last three visa interviews), it is better to carry them anyways.
4) Do not carry mobile, smart watch etc. I did not even carry keys or wallet, just carried some loose notes and CC in my shirt pocket.
5) No need to wear a blazer, but dress formally.
6) Keep our answers short and to the point. If in doubt, ask the officer to repeat he question.

When i was waiting for my turn, i was observing the other interviews and almost all the Visas were getting approved.
So be prepared and all the best for your Visas friends.

My biometrics was on Oct 7th, 09:30 AM, and I reached OFC biometrics one hour before. The guards outside the gate were arranging the queues based on appointment time. There were normal security checks and we were allowed inside. Inside there was also a long queue and a security guard checked our appointment letter and asked for our passport and DS-160 confirmation page. As my daughter is with us, they give us priority and are allowed inside. I had some edits in DS-160, so I took both the new and old DS-160 confirmation page for reference. They see both old and new DS-160 and add stickers to our passport with the new DS-160 number. After that they have taken our fingerprints and photo, and added stamps in the DS-160 confirmation page.

Note - If you are traveling with minors, you have to take at least 2-3 US VISA size (2 inch X 2 inch) photographs. Make sure their head, eyes, nose and ear is clearly visible. In my case, I have to take a new photo of my daughter as her hairs are covering her forehead. They took Rs.300 for 6 photos (1 sheet). There is a provision of a private locker (Rs 50). Phone is allowed in switch off mode. When initially waiting outside the gate, suggesting to carry some hand fan or hard paper.

Next day on Oct 8th, 8:30 AM I have a consulate appointment. I was there on time. At the gate they verified the appointment and passport of all of us. Next, we entered a room where a lady gave us a template and said to arrange documents in the order which is mentioned in the template. 
Passport of all - primary and dependent.
Stamped DS-160 confirmation of page (primary applicant only)
2 sets of i129S (all 8 pages)
2 sets of i797 (first page)
$500 anti fraud fee (Credit card or demand draft)
They make a bundle of this ask to go inside.
The immigration team has suggested paying through Credit card and carrying a demand draft as a safer option. In the last option I also took some cash. After submitting the anti-fraud fee and paper verification, I was added to another queue for the final interview. As my daughter is with us, they give us priority and are allowed in front of the queue. There were different counters having different VISA category interviews; the consular was asking the questions behind the glass. 
My turn came, I was with my wife and daughter. We greet the officer with a smile and greeting - Good Morning, Officer. He replied good morning and asked for documents. I passed the documents from the counter below space. For a minute he verified the data looking into screen and then started questions:

VO: Are you here for L1B?
Me: Yes officer.

VO: Which company are you from?
Me: I am from XYZ company.

VO: What kind of company it is?
Me: Briefed 2-3 sentences about company.

VO:  How long are you working for this company?
Me: I have been working in XYZ Company for 5 years and 2 months.

VO: Who is your client?
Me: My client is XYZ

VO: Where are they based?
Me: They are in Seattle. (Then he looked into his screen for 6-7 seconds)

VO: How long will you stay?
Me: I will be there for 3 years.

VO: What is your specialisation?
Me: I hold specialisation in two of the XYZ company proprietary tools (mentioned tools and their brief). I have been working in these tools since inception and am a core team member. (He again looked into his screen for approximately 10 seconds)

VO: Place your right fingers in the scanner.
Me: Sure, Officer.

VO: Looking at my wife? Mam, could you also please place your right fingers in the scanner.
Wife: Sure, Officer.

VO: Your VISA is approved and you will get your passports in a week.
Me: Thank you officer.

He stamped on one set of i129S, saying your VISA is approved and gave it to me. He said a smiling bye to my daughter. No questions to my wife.

We came out with happy faces. Got the passport with VISA delivered in the next 3 days.

Note - Please check all the pages of i129S and i797 carefully. Anti fraud fee demand draft should be of current exchange amount on that date. One person in front of my queue has created the Demand draft of a higher amount, but the person collecting the anti-fraud fee did not take it and said they don't even take 1 rupee extra. Credit card is a preferred way, make sure you have enabled international transactions with no limit or limit greater than $500. Take all the required documents with yourself.

My case:
Sr Engineering Manager in a small US based IT services company with development center in India, I am with the company for 3 years. Company size: approx 400

I received my I797 approval in early July.

My interview experience:

VO: Please provide your passport and I797 approval
Ans: Provided

VO: So what do you do at your company?
Ans: I lead the cloud team. I also strategise—VO cut me across here

VO: How long have you been with your company?
Ans:3 yrs

VO: What’s your highest qualification?
Ans: B.E (Hons)

VO: What’s your US salary?
Ans: Gave him the number

VO: Where will you live in US?
Ans: Provided the name of the state only

VO: Your visa is approved, safe travels :)

Visa arrived on the 5th day after the interview day.

Interview slot at 09:30AM
Reached center at 08:45AM
I was let it at 09:00AM

I was out at 10:30AM

The entire experience was close to perfect. Good seating area outside the consulate. Lockers available nearby.

Got I-797B approval under individual petition in the last week of July.
Questions:
1. What is your designation in the US?
A. CXO

2. How many people do I manage from the US?
A. 10+

3. Which city will I live in?
A. XYZ

Asked marriage certificate for my wife. And then asked her to verify her fingerprints, and then mine were verified. Visa approved.

Hi All,

Thanks to this forum & helped me lot..

I had Biometric 18Sep & 19 Visa consulate interview and Approved.

18-Sep-2024
Nothing special in Biometric .

19-Sep-2024

Question asked to me.

Which state are u going?
What Role in USA
What USA Salary?
What do you mean Solution Artech ?
Why you only ?

Just 5 min interview and she said approved Visa ..

Hi All,

First of all thanks to this forum , it’s helped a lot .

Questions asked:

1.How many direct reportees ?
2.Yearly salary ?
3.How long you have been working with current organisation?
4.Do you have hiring and firing authority?

She said the words I want here , then I said thank you.

My guesss, My L1 A rejected previously few years back, What I observed is that you should complete at least 3 years for the current company.

Please go in suit , I feel that adds some confidence to you.

They are not accepting cash or debit card , please take only credit card or DD.

Thanks for all the users of this community, it helped me prepare for the interview.

Petition Type: L1B Blanket
Location: Chennai
Dependents: wife and my son (we didn't take him to interview)
Date: 20/08/2024

Had some edits in DS160 took both old and new ds160 but they are only interested in the stamped one. Lost old passport with a valid B1 visa 😅

I had my biometrics done on 8th of August and today my visa is approved.

It was a quick one, the consular asked me the generic questions but I did get tensed. Due to this, I have prepared something and answered differently

1. How long have you been working in your organization?
2. What are you responsibilities?
3. What you would be doing in usa?
4. The cloud migration is common these days. Why is you work special?

To my wife

Where are you working?
Do you intent to work ? To which she said no and she mean it.

There were lot of rejections before me for student VISA. But I beleive as long as your paper work is good and you come prepared you should not have any issues. Visa officer was casual but if if they aren't you can answer normally to the point.

Officer : Hello, good morning.
Me : Good morning, officer.
Officer: Please handover your passports.
Me : Here is the copy of my and my wife’s passport. We are together.
Officer: Are you applying for L1A blanket?
Me :Yes
Officer : I see you have spent significant time in the US previously. What was the reason of your multiple visits and longer stays?
Me: I was on H1B visa for close to four years and have been going on business visa for internal discussions and potential new pursuits, strategical discussions.
Officer: (Asking my wife) – Madam, you also seem to have spent 40 months in the US.
My wife : Yes, I was on H4 visa with him.
Officer: Ooh, so you guys are married. Do you have a marriage certificate, please?
My wife : Yes, here it is.
Officer: (Redirecting questions to me) Sir, are you going for a specialty occupation or as a manager ?
Me : I am going as a program manager.
Officer: Who are you going to work for?
Me : XYZ
Officer: And what does XYZ do?
Me: Told 2-3 lines about the company
Officer: Ok. Which state will you work from?
Me : New Jersey office.
Officer: What will be your salary ?
Me : XX USD per year base and bonus and cost of living allowances.
Officer: What is your highest level of education ?
Me : Answered
Officer: How many years of industry experience you have?
Me : Answered
Officer : What area of department will you manage ?
Me : Answered
Officer : How many reportees you have ?
Me : I have 5 direct reportees under me in the US.
Officer : and indirect ?
Me : That would be 23.
Officer : Do you have hiring and firing authority?
Me : Absolutely.
Officer : How much budget you will be managing?
Me : 2.9 M USD
(Officer starts writing on my I-129S..)
Officer : Congratulations sir, your visa is approved. You will receive your passport to your home address through courier in next 7-10 business days.
Me : Thank you very much officer and have a great rest of your day.

Hello everyone,
Went to Chennai Consulate for Visa interview along with dependent spouse on 28th June'24.
Before going for the interview I read the experiences which were helpful in understanding the current trend of questions.

Was staying in The Park Hotel which in walking distance.
Reached the consulate before 15 min

Officer called and asked below questions:-
- Category of Visa?
- Name of company
- Designation
- Since how long you with the company?
- What will be your salary in US?
- How many reports due you have at offshore?
- Do you manage budget?
- Do you have kids?
- She stamped and approved the petition and handed over to me
"Your Visa is approved and your passport will be delivered to you in next few days. Have a good day! Thank you!"

My exp:-
It was quick. took 30-40 min from entry to exit
Be alert and confident.. answer to the point clearly until asked in details.
Bring transparent folder for documents, easy to manage
Wear formals, look neat and sorted.
Avoid carrying mobile, car keys or hotel room keys, to save time and unnecessary formalities. Carrying wallet, cards, ID cash is fine, no objections.
No need to carry any photographs for attending candidates. Photos will be taken on the day of OFC appointment. Same photo will be on the Visa.

Thank you!