L1, L2 Visa

It is jst a miracle...

Hi,

My husband applied for L1A visa and me as L2 visa, I'm 26 weeks pregnant but my baby bump is not that big to notice. These are the questions asked by the Consul:

L1 A:

1. What countries did you visited for the last 5 years?
2. Have you been to Mexico?
3. How many people are you managing here? How about in the US?
4. How long will you stay in the US?
5. What city and state aere you going in the US?

for L2: no questions asked.

Consul said: Alright, you're visas are approved, wait for 1 week for the delivery of you passport.

Hello ,

   I would like to personally thank this site, Who helped a lot in preparation of my L1 B visa interview.

Questions asked were
a) which Company
b) Purpose of Travel
c) Duration of Project
d) No# of years in current company
e) Specialized Skills
f) Client Name and Place of Stay

VO was very sweet and kind.

Regards,
Pranav
Chennai-Consulate

I would like to thank this site for helping me with the FAQs.

Similar to all the L1 B applicants even me got same set of questions.

1) Who is ur client?
2) What is ur specialization?
For this question, i have answered my specialization but she was not able to understand which i understood from the way she posted me the next question.
3) She said u r going to work in so & so place right?
i said yes..

4) She then said i m not convinced with the specialization can u explain me more?
Then i stared briefly. then she stopped me asked my purpose and y i m chosen. Here is the last chance left for me to prove. I didn’t get nervous or disappointed with the way she posted. This is the time if u really face such a scenario. The answer i gave why i m chosen is main reason i think i got my visa approved.

Finally she approved and said have a safe journey to US.

My personal advice is don’t get nervous. Be confident at the same time don’t be over confident. Dress Professionally. Do lots of homework. Time we get to prove ourselves is very very short. We need to be proactive to convince them.

For each and every questions make sure that u make them understand that u are the person who deserves this visa.Dont wait that u will get a question asking for specialization or y u have been chosen.


All the very best!!!!!!!

Firstly I thank God and my sincere thanks to the owner(s) and bloggers of this site. I have been regularly reading the experiences since 1 year and always kept myself updated and educated with the interview questions, answers and skills. No doubt that the details here are immensely helpful.

I had been in the US for 2 years and six months before and more than one year back my visa extension was rejected. I had to come back to India and spent 1 year to file a fresh L1. My company filed L1 first and just as a backup, H1 was also in process(but not submitted to USCIS). Since I had my extension rejected last time, I had lot of fear this time thinking that they will grill and scrutinize more on the specialized skills area. I had been preparing with the set of interview questions and answeres for almost one week...doing mock interviews etc. However, at the consulate interview I used my own statements and spontaneous answers. That helped a lot because whenever I try to talk like what is in book, I mess up things getting nervous trying to recollect exactly like what is written or words that I missed. Key is not to over prepare or over dress. Be simple, cool, confident and Indian

Since we had our 2 year old daughter with us, we got all preference and attention starting from the queue outside consulate to the quene at the interview counter. This time I saw many desi who guides the applicants. We were directly guided to a counter where I saw a man with a very serious and furious face.He was also trying to talk tamil to an elderly person who was infront of me. For one moment, I determined that I will not be able to tame this guy and will have to return with a denail notice.

Questions:
VO: Hi
me: Hi Good Morning, How are you.
VO: I am doing great , Thank You.
VO: What visa are you applying for?
me: L1, L1 Blanket.
VO: Is your daughter born in the United States
me: Yes
VO: What visa were you holding at that time?
me: same visa category, L1 Blanket
VO: Who is your client
me: Just said the name of the client
VO: What is the project
me: Just said the project name
VO: What is your designation
me: at offshore or at onsite?
VO: What is your designation at onsite?
me: said my designation
VO: What will you do there?
me: I will be providing technical solution to my client to integrate....and customize....Said in two lines..no technical words were used.
VO: What is your specialization
me: YYYY Framework...said in two lines..even used one abbrievation that he never bothered to understand. no technical words were used..even I am allergic to it.
VO: Why is this so specialized?
me: Gave a reason in three lines..benifit to our clients, customizable, cost efficient, reusability, efficiency gain etc
VO: When did you start developing this?
me: Aug 2011 but the solution scoping started in Feb 2011..due to budget cut down client approved it later in this quarter.
VO: How will you develop this?
me: Using xxx framework's integrated services, patterns, tools and data model.
VO: Your visa is approved sir and you will receive your passports in 2 working days
me: Thank You very much
No questions were asked to my wife.

My perception changed...I felt that he is the most humble, noble and generous person I have ever seen in this world.

All thorughout the interview, the VO typed in some key information that I provided and then looked at me now and then.. When I am done answering I waited for him to turn back and ask the next question.
It is not just luck I would say, but Patience,preparing a good case, doing homework, being cool, being confident, not exaggerating, not showing oversmartness, not showing desperation, ability to give spontaneous answers, previous US travel history are the keys to crack the interview!! Reading www.immihelp.com is a must for a successful interview. Above all prayer... Hope this helps.
All the best!!

Hi All,

Thanks for each and every guy here, you have posted their comments and exp. And a big thanks to Immihelp for creating such platform.
I have been confident 98% and worried 2%(Its natural).
Reasons for being confident:
BEP Application
L1A
2 years with present company
Previous B1/B2 Visa, with one time visit, and return during time limit.

Reasons for being worried:
Lot of L1A Blankets are rejected and required to file individual L1A.
My company is not based out of Delhi, but in Chennai, and no one could have heard about it, even though its a 5500+ people organization.

Interview was scheduled at 8:45, and we reached by 8:10, waited for 20 mins outside, and then they allowed the people from 8:45 slot to enter.
Clearing the security, and reached the doc verification counter. Done with everything in 5 mins, and I entered inside the lobby.
At Delhi, they have started a 2nd screening before the finger prints and Visa interview.
Done with it in 10 mins, and moved to submit the Anti Fraud Fees, and the got in the que for BEP application.
I waited for about 20 mins there, and was observing the Counter where all B1 interviews were happening, and saw nearly 7-8 B1 application being rejected by Visa Officer(She). Got little nervous.
But when I observed another counter, I saw a gentleman approving nearly all the visas coming to him.
I prayed "God, please get my turn to the gentleman, and not that lady", and God listened me.
My token no. flashed with the same gentleman.

I was asked 4 Q's:

1: With which company are your working?

2: Why is the company's name different in India and US?

3: What's your job title in India and in US?

4: What would be your role there?

That's it !

No questions to my visa.

I was waiting to hear something from him.

But then he asked my" Did you guys got your fingure prints".....and oops, that true....
We forgot to get your fingure prints. The VO requested to get to another counter and get our fingers scanned, and returned all my documents.

I got little worried with a mixed feeling.
After I went back to him, he took all my docs, signed all 3 copies of I129S, returned 2 copies, and told me "YOUR VISAS ARE APPROVED AND YOU MAY GET YOUR PASSPORT IN 3-4 DAYS"

Visited Chennai consulate on 18 Nov. My wife and I reached the embassy just 10-15 minutes before the appointment time - which was perfect. We were directly let in after security checks, without having to wait outside.

Inside the consulate, after undergoing security checks things were fairly smooth. Got documents verified and fingerprints taken at a first counter. Then paid the Fraud Protection fee for L1 visa at another counter. Finally it was time to meet the consular officer.

CO: Good morning
Me: Hi, good morning
CO: (After scanning documents...) How long have you been with this company?
Me: 3.5 years
CO: What's your current designation and salary, sir?
Me: xxxx
CO: And will you be working at a client site or at your company's office?
Me: At my company's HQ - it's a software products firm
CO: What specialized knowledge will you be using in your assignment?
Me: (Gave details...)
CO: Sir, your visa is approved
(Handed me two stamped copies of I-129S forms).
CO: (Scanned my wife's passports, some more papers, and looked up on his computer) Sir, I have some good news and some bad news.
Good news - your visa is approved
Bad news - we need to send your case for administrative processing. This may take upto 6-8 weeks. You can check the status of your case on our website. Please wait for your number on the screen and proceed to counter XX where another officer will give you details. Thank you. (Handed me a pink form)
Me: (With a look of disappointment). Okay... thank you.

At the other counter, a lady explained that the case needs to be sent for administrative processing. May take upto 6-8 weeks - may be less but exact time depends on case to case. She handed me a pink 221(g) form with a questionnaire. I was asked to email answers to the questions after which they will resume action on my case. I asked her again if my visa is approved to which she replied 'yes'.

So now I'm left wondering:
(a) Is my visa actually approved or not?
(b) How long will 'administrative processing' take?

Anyone with experience on this who knows?
Thanks!

First of All thanks to all who shared their experiences for L1-B.
I got my L1B visa approved in Mumbai & following questions were asked:
1] How long you are working with your current organization?
2] What’s your Indian Salary?
3] Why you want to go to US?
4] Are you confidant that you are the best choice for this job? Why no one else was selected?
Note: More than 5 years at current organization & previous VISA stamps did help me. Be confidant & do not show any desperation to get VISA approved. They will definitely approve your VISA.
All the Best !!!

First of all I thank all of those who have shared their experience here. This indeed is a great help to prepare for Visa interview. At least you focus on the questions that need the precise answers.

  I attended the L1 Visa interview on 14 Nov 2011 (Chennai Consulate) along with my wife and daughter. Following questions were asked to me.

  1. Company you work for.
  2. I see that you have gone to US before. On which Visa ?
  3. Years of experience you have
  4. Total Years of experience.
  5. Previous company name.
  6. Indian Salary.
  7. US Salary.
  8. What will you be doing in US? - Very important Question (or what is your specialization, or why company has chosen you for this job). Make sure that you prepare this question very well.
  9. Is it proprietary to your company ?
 10. Team Size.
 11. How many years do you plan to stay in US.

 Councilor didn't ask any question to my wife.

 Things to note:
 1. There is a very small locker at one end of the embassy. They don't allow to keep suitcases or even reasonably size bags. So better don't carry them.
 2. Mobile phones and any electronic items are strictly not allowed. So if you taking them along, have a place to keep them before you go for interview.
 3. Go precisely 15 minutes prior to the interview. If you reach early, you might have to wait on footpath.
 4. You are allowed to carry the baby food in a bag. This will delay the process little bit. They will make you to taste all the food that you carry. Apply baby medicines on your skin. They will throw away baby creams. So better carry only the necessary things.
 5. It will be much easier if you keep the documents in order. Before entering the consulate, keep the Passport, Interview Confirmation letter separate along with your DS-160 form. Don't mix it with your HDFC receipts or L1 petitions etc.

It was indeed a good experience being to the US embassy and to see things being so organized makes me talk highly about it.

There were few questions asked to my wife and i was standing along her side listening to what she had to reply.

VO: Which Visa you applying for
For L1Blanket.

VO: Who is your client.
Explained.

VO: How long are you going to stay and expalin the duties you will be performng there?
Explained.

VO: Have you been to the US before?
Yes, been there for 2 and a half years.

VO was then looking at the previous Visa stamping which got expired and cancelled it. He was looking for my Visa which he could not find as i have not visited before.
Sir, have you been to the United States before? and i replied No and this would be my first visit.

VO: Mam, you are qualified for the Visa and will get your passport in 6 days. We were so excited and came out happily.

Onething i realized is if you are going for extension and if you have prior experience working there its a big advantage.

Regards,
Karthik