L1, L2 Visa

Thanks to immihelp though my application has been rejected :).

I had applied for blanket L1 & L2. I went with my wife and kid. I had to wait little bit though they give preference to family with kid.

I was bit tensed before interview out but i was cool and confident during the interview.

I have been asked following questions and inter lasted for ove one minute:

VO: Why are you going to US?
ME: I am going us for work.
VO: What's your role in US
ME: My role in US would be ZZZ
VO: What is your responisbility in US?(I had asked to repeat the question as she asked me the question while i was answering the my previous question)
ME: Explained my responsibility.
VO: Who is your client?
ME: Gave my client's name.
VO: What's your specialization?
ME: Answered.
VO: What's your team size?
ME: XX onsite and YY offshore.
VO: How do you differ from the other team member in india
ME: answered
VO: She said "I am not convinced"
ME: I have started explaining in detail. (She has started typing and stamping my application before i start explaining. I thought she is listening to me but it was not correct she had already made the decision and rejected)
VO: She gave me orange letter and told me that they are not conviced my specilised knowldge and asked to apply for L1 individual or H1B.

Reason for Denied: "Clearly not approvable"
Orange letter says: Some of the legal issues which you or the petitioner failed to sufficiently clarify may include: Specialized knowledge professional.

My Observation: There are lots of theory about on what basis they approve or reject and still i am confused. VO voice was low and was clearly able to hear the question. I was not nervous during the interview and i had hope untill i took my passport in hand -;)

Please let me know if anybody has experience of L1b individual.

All the best !

Question: Why are you going to US?

Answer: ZZZ(My client a renowned bank in the whole world) would like YYY(My company) to incorporate the recent regulatory changes by Dodd Frank Act, which was signed into law on 21st July 2010 by Mr. Barack Obama. YYYY has to be compliant to the changes by the end of this year. This requires a new application development on the client’s system(interrupted by VO)

Question: How much experience do you have in YYY?

Answer: 2 Year 9 Months

Question: What is your specialization?

Answer: I have specialization in developing product processors for regulatory changes for US retail banks. (interrupted by VO)

Question: How many people in YYY can do your job

Answer: No one.

Question: How can that be possible? I have seen people from ZZZ(Another US bank) coming here as programmer analyst and they develop software’s for them.
Answer: My job is a bit different than those. I develop applications specific to regulatory changes. This directly involves Federal Reserve and my applications are not for YYYY internal projects.(interrupted by VO)


Question: What if you fall sick there?

Answer: In YYY we go through a medical test before we are sent onsite so that we don’t fall sick there.

Question: You are not getting my question(very bluntly). Think of a scenario if you are at onsite and you fall sick who will take care of your job? YYYY and YYY must have some million dollar contract and I can’t buy the point that you are the only person for this job.

Answer: Well I used to work with my client Mr. A but now he has retired from YYYY so it is just me who knows this functionality. We are 4 person team but rest of the guys are for testing and maintenance I am the only one for development. If I fall sick there will be no development done for this project. Development will be put on hold. That’s why I want to go USA with time in hand. Like I said I have to deliver this project by year end so I am planning to go ASAP as any delay in the timelines will result in huge penalty for ZZZ


Question: How long have you been working with ZZZ?

Answer: 2 years 7 months


At last he said your VISA is approved

There were 3 guys before of me and all got rejected. I think confidence is the key. VO will check your confidence by not accepting your points. There was one time when he wasn’t looking at me but I kept on saying about my specialization and then he turned back again at me and started questioning. Had I not done that I don’t think I would have got my VISA

Be confident and present yourself as a person having unique specialization
Rest will be fine :)

Questions Asked:

VO: What does your Organization do?
YYYY
VO: Who is the client?
YYYY
VO: It this a Blanket or an Individual Petition?
YYYY
VO: Will I work out of Client's Office or My Office in the U.S?
YYYY
To My Wife
VO: Is this a Love or Arranged Marriage?
YYYY
VO: Where did we First meet?
YYYY

VO: Your Visa is Through and you will receive you passports in the next 7 days.

Hi All,

My L1B was rejected today at the Delhi consulate. The Visa officer told me that you are very specialized for your job but I can't approve your visa as you don't have the appropriate experience for this category of Visa.

All the visa's in my queue were rejected. THe candidate just before me upset the mood of the Visa officer, she had an argument with the visa officer that she was qualified for this type of Visa. My chances already became bleak.

July 14, New Delhi1

My Thanks to Immihelp!!

Below conversation happened during interview.

How long you are working with ABC?

what are the specialized tools you are working on?

There are so many specialized people in ABC in these tools. What makes you so special?

you are working for DEF customer ?

How long you are working with DEF?

Indian salary?

US salary?

If you are so specialized why your company paying less salary in india and US?


Then he stamped on I129S papers and gave them to me and said I’m issuing your visa.

Many thanks to immihelp!
My interview was scheduled on 13 Jul @ 8:15am. I reached there @ 6:30am and was the first person to get the token (it's based on first come first serve). Interview started @ 8:00am. Although I was the first person they called 2 student visas first (Token# 2&3). Both were rejected. But I kept my nerve strong. Then it was my turn. My name was announced in a very low voice (probably the speaker was not working). After giving the finger prints my interview starts. It's as follows:

VO: Why are you going to US?
ME: Answered.
VO: Your role in the project?
ME: XX
VO: Why you are different from others?
(This question is asked 3 times every time she was saying "Still I am not getting why you are different from others")
ME: Somehow convinced with my experience and skill.
VO: To whom will you be reporting?
ME:ZZZ
VO: Are you single?
ME: Answered.

While answering the last question,I saw officer was stamping my docs. Finally said "Your visa is approved".
Me: Thank you very much.

Interview tips:
1. Be cool, calm and confident.
2. Keep smiling while answering.
3. Don't be tensed or panic at all. They understand the body language very well.
4. Prepare well and KEEP TRUST IN GOD.

Few FAQ for visa interview is as follows:

Questions
1. Who is your client?
2. Client location?
3. Your specialization?
4. What is your project at onsite?
5. How many are there in team?
6. Your exp?
7. Degree?
8. During previous visit who was your client?
9. Why are you going US?
10. Why are you only for this position?
11. What is your role?
12. What would you be doing in US?
13. Present salary in India and in US
14. Are you into coding?
15. If company wants to train a person to bring your position how long will it take?
16. What is the end product after you work for your client?
17. Why you not anyone from US?
18. Domain knowledge?
19. Where will you stay in US?
20. Designation in US?
21. What is the critical part in this project?
22. Offshore job profile?
23. How long you will be working at onsite?
24. Tell something about your company.
25. Can’t it done from offshore?
26. Why your skill is a specialized one?
27. Still I am not convinced:

Hope my post will help you to approve your visa. Good luck.

Hi

   I got my L1b visa for myself and L2 visa for my wife approved in Chennai.I cont explain what this means to me.I dont think anyone else can recommend this site for review before
attending the interview, more than I do. It gives you the confidence and above all it reduces the chances of you going blank infront of the VO when he hurls that most unexpected
question for which you are just not ready.I collected a set of 30 questions from the site, mostly questions from L1B rejected interviews and thought of best possible answers I
can give to those questions. Well,it turned out to be an overkill, looking my how my interview had goneby. nonetheless,my confidence was just right, which is an absolute must.
I want to thank my wife, for taking those mock interviews this morning.the way she corrected my answers and the little modifications she made just sounded perfect. Wives
are intelligent to husbands, atleast for a while in day.haha......The mock interview with yourself or with anyone else really helps.
   Now, the serious business, our appointment is at 8.45Am and we were in a hotel called SPRING which is just 5 minutes walk to embassy.I got my business visa also approved
when i was in this hotel last time. Turns out to be lucky, i guess.so, there no need to wait in the queue for 1 hour before your appointment time, it doesnt help. we were there
at 8.35 and within 10 mins we were in with a token number.i had my RSA token along with my id and that was not allowed.so, came out of office, deposited it in the counter and went back in.Carry as minimum things as
required.
   Now starts the lousy part.We were behind a lady who was I guess applying for H4. She looked like she is missing a lot of documents and the lady checking the documents
is not happy about it. When she is done, I submitted my documents, and te lady officer asked the original copy of I797 of my mine and my wife. There are no seperate froms like that. i was confused. All i had
is 3 copies of I797 and I129S. She said I only have the photocopies and not the originals.I was pretty sure thats all I got from my lawyer in US. I have been saying this to her, she wouldnt listen and asked for DS-160 confirmation page. i was confused and taking time to find one.then comes the comment,Did someone else fill the form
for you. I was clearly pissed but in a controlled way said, i did fill the form. All of a sudden, she realizes that I applied for L1b-Blanket and not H1. that
explains to her that she is asking for the documents i am not supposed to have for this visa, but supposed to have for h1 Visa. A clear mistake from her end. i can see the regret on her face, but
she thinks she doesnt owe an apology. Well, that doesnt really hurt me. who cares. i was sent along with my wife to another counter for fingerprints, and then to the next bulding.
   We submitted our DD in a counter and then was sent to counter 13, where was passport was cross-checked because I lost one of my passports an year ago. it was all done and we were called for visa interview
on counter 21. The visa officer was cheerful and it went like this:
VO: Good Morning, How are you?
myself: Good morning. I am fine. thank you. how are you?
VO:i am fine. greeted my wife too.
then he looked into his PC for a while and asked me this question:
Vo: So, where are you going?
myself: plano, texas.
VO: Which company do you work for?
myself:abdcdef
VO:How long were you with this company?
myself:23 months including this one.
Vo: whats going to be your role in US?
myself: I am a technical instructor and I deliver company certified courses to internal and external employees.
VO:will you be working at client site or inhouse:
myself:in-house
VO: Whats your salary in india and what will it be in US?
myself:x.y lakhs & hhooo USD.
VO: suddenly, the question was to my wife, how long are you married, mam?
Wife: one year.....alittle more than an year.
VO: question to me: how long is going to be your US trip?
myself: I didnt quite understand and said it was week long on my previous journey.My wife immediately prompts saying.3 years.
VO:he rephrases it and says how long are you going to stay this time:
myself: i expect it to be 3 years.
VO:how long were you in this role:
myself:since i joined the company in 2009.
VO: was sigining on my I129S........i was able to hear my heartbeat this time.......i know it went well and not sure if he has anymore questions.
VO:looks at me....and says gently and in a low voice...your visa is approved and you will get it in another 4 days.
myself:thank you, sir, thanks a lot. I actually want to tell him how happy I am, but controlled it as I felt it was totally unnecessary.
    The funny and surprising thing, is when we were walking out, my wife said that she is not sure if visa is approved because she heard the visa officer saying "if your visa is approved, you will get it in 4 days".it took
a while for me to assure that visa is approved and had there been any delay, we would have got out passports back.
I am HAPPY MAN. A few things I learned:
CONFIDENCE IS THE KEY.
whether the visa officer is looking at you or not, just look into his eyes when he is seeing you and keep your eyes towards him when he is not seeing you.
Everyone will have those butterflies in the stomach, but take the moment in your control with confidence.ALL THE BEST GUYS.

Regards,
praveen

I had applied for L1A blanket. My visa is approved yesterday. My experience there is very unique and worth to share with you all. I was carrying a sack with me. SInce my interview was with family i was carrying my daughters extra pair of cloths in it. And the interview was at early morning my wife was carrying few biscuits and 5 star choclets for my daughter. I was not aware of this.
First, at the gate they asked me to deposit my cell phone at the VFS office. After that while entering thru the gate, the security person checked my sack and then he asked me to throw the eatables and water bottle. I kept it on the footpath near gate.

Then I entered in the security check room where while scanning my sack they found that I was carrying a USB modem in it. They asked to keep it outside or throw it in a trash. As a result I had to come at the main gate again and keep the usb modem on the footpath near the biscuits and water bottle.

Before that while submittng my BEP officer sitting there asked to take new photograph again as there was some problem with the existing photographs.

My daughter ( she is just 3 yrs old ) wanted to roam around in the consulate garden and it was very difficult for us to control her.

So many things were happening with me gave me little time to think about the interview. Because of my daughter I was getting a preferrence on each counter.

After fingure prints the officer asked to come out of queue and stand in front. SO i was the next one to interview.

The person before me was for L1B. His visa got approved. Then the officer called me and before I greet him the officer smiled at me and greeted me. Then following conversation happened

Question: Have you travelled US before

Answer: Yes. I had travelled to "ZZZ", "ZZZ" state to work with "ZZZ" as a "ZZZ". I had travelled on the same L1A visa

Question: How long did you stay there?

Answer: Six Months

Question: How long have you been with your company?

Answer: I am working with "ZZZ" since past "ZZZ" years

Question: How long have you been working as Manager

Answer: I am working as a project Manager since past 4 years.

Question: What is your team size at offshore?

Answer: Currently I am managing a team of 15 people.

Question: What is your team size at onsite?

Answer: To start with I am going to manager 5 associates but by "ZZZ" I will be adding 10 more associates and by "ZZZ" the team would grow to 20.

Question: Are you going to appraise them

Answer: Yes, these associates would be directly reporting to me and I am going to appraise them.

Question: Can you hire people

Answer: Yes. I am going to hire people for my project.

To my wife

Question: How long have you been married?

Answer: "ZZZ" years
 
Question: (Looking at my daughter) Is she your only child?

Answer: Yes

VO Comments: Ok. I am approving you visa. You will get your passport in next 4 days.


And thats it... I was in at 8.30 am and I was out at 9.30 am.

Tips from my side
1. Dont carry anything except the required document. Though they allowed sack in my case.
2. Dont think about interview at all. Just prepare with best of your capabilities and leave the rest with God.
3. Answer questions confidently
4. I was not wearing a tie and blazer, I was with formals only. I dont think it matter to officer if I am wearing a tie or not.

The key to get visa is confidence and presentation. So prepare well and present yourself well

All the best !!!

Though I`m from Chennai, didn`t get a suitable date at the Chennai Consulate. So went to New Delhi.

Since we submit our application, Petition Number etc online, I guess VO`s go through them in advance and make up a "picture".

I was hardly there for 1 min. Was asked just 3 questions.

(1) What is your designation
(2) Which Department?
(3) What kind of Company is yours?

Thanks a million to immihelp and to all who posted their experiences/guidelines here
Me: Good Morning
1 VO: Good Morning, how r u
Me: doing good, tx, how about u
2 VO: doing good.
3 VO: Applying for L1 & L2s ?
Me: Yes
4 VO: Are ur children under 14, Show me your children
My daughter: Hi
5 VO: Hello
6 VO asked my wife and children to sit in chairs, not required in interview
7 VO: This is the first time u apply for L1 Blanket
Me: yes
8 VO: What is your specialization
Me: Explained my actual specialization with confidence
9 VO: Typed in computer, Tell me in layman words
Me: Explaind about the functionality and benefits of tool
10 VO: How much time it took for you to learn this
Me: xxx months
11 VO: Did you train other in this tool
Me: yes, trained internal resources
12 VO: How much time required u to train others
Me: xxx weeks
13 VO: Who is your client
Me: xxx
14 VO: What u do there
Me: Implement the xxx I created for xxx in my project
15 VO: What other clients do you have in US
Me: xxx, xxx
16 VO: What is your qualification
Me: xxx
17 VO: What is the specialization in Degree
Me: xxx
18 VO: What would be the duration of ur stay in US
Me: xxx months
19 VO: Why don’t u train the resource at onsite
Me: xxxx
20 VO: What is your India Salary
Me: Rs.xxxxx
21 VO: What is your US Salary
Me: xxxxx

:-) Here comes golden words :-)
22 VO: I am approving your VISA, VFS team will be in touch with you



Friends: All the best to for your interview.

• Keep eye contact
• Keep your tensions low, Don’t Panic
• Keep smiling, Be 110% confident
• Keep documents handy
• You have to convince Visa Officer that you are specialized
• Answer all questions about specialization with confidently
• Your skills should be Unique
• Do not mention about common language(Java…) and software (Cognos, BO…..)
• Don’t go with prepared answers
• Listen to the question properly
• Don’t blabber with irrelevant answers when u feel frustration
• Answer to VO by keeping your mouth near to mike and look straight while you face the VO
• Speak positively , don’t show anything –ve over there even if you are wrong
• Your answers should be relevant to BEP and L1-B Petition
• Project that you are “all in all” in the project, without you the project cannot be successfully completed
• Whenever VO looks at you simply smile at VO as you are so innocent
• Be calm and confident
• More precise in answering
• Don’t use technical words
• Don’t concentrate on rejections happening in before you


**** * Thanks again to immihelp. This site was very helpful to me. **** *