L1, L2 Visa

On 10th May,My visa got approved.

Questions
1. How long with your current organization?
2. What are the major project you have completed with your current organization?
3. What technology you are going to use for this project?
4. Whether the particular tool you are saying is it your company proprietory? (Same question for 3-4 times,just checking my confidence)
5. Are these tools very commonly using?
6. Are you married?
7. Whether your wife going to work in US?
8. Any children you have?

I had my visa interview at Chennai consulate on 12 May at 8:30 am. Few suggestions before I jump to questions especially Ladies (guys would anyway carry their wallet) please keep some money in hand. I was asked to take new photograph and it costs Rs. 100 per person. I didn't have the money and had to step out to get the money from my relative who waited outside.

Me: Good morning Sir
VO: Good morning how are you
Me: I am doing good how about you
VO: fine thank you. who is your client
Me: ...
VO: are you going back to the same project
Me: Yes sir
VO: which location
Me: ...
VO: how long are you with this company
Me: six years and six months sir
VO: how long are you with this client
Me: 2 years sir
VO: what is your role
Me: I translate requirements into the document and work on the design, development and implementation of the project. For development I use my company's built framework and technique to make it more efficient and meet quality standards
VO: why is it you why not some other fresher
Me: I have 2 years of experience with this client and more over this is my company decision. my company have chosen me for this position

after a while

VO: Maam your visa is approved. you will get your passport in few days

Me: Thank you sir. you have a good day

So, mine was not a very easy one still I managed to get it. The guy in front of me got rejected. just be polite and maintain consistency. don't panic. all the staffs are friendly. I clearly made up my mind as I am not going to lose anything if I am not getting this visa. I am appearing for this interview for the benefit of my company and me. Don't project yourself too much.

My L1-B blanket was rejected in Feb 2007. then I got L1-B individual on Apr 2007 and worked in US till last month. I am here on vacation now and got the new L1-B blanket approved today. I appeared for the same client and project.

I thank everyone who have shared their experiences here. This is an excellent site and all the best to everyone.

I had a a successful visa interview this morning - 11 May 2010. The appointment was at 09:15AM. I, along with my wife and kid (1.5 yrs old), went by auto and reached the US Consulate at about 08:40AM and were made to stand in a queue outside for security check (Good that we reached 35 minutes early). We had to stand outside for about 15 minutes - the queue moved very slowly. We carried only 2 plastic bags containing all relevant folders - one bag for me (principal applicant) and another for my wife and kid (marriage certificate, birth certificate etc) - No cell phones, key chains, pen drives, cameras please!

I was dressed in business casuals - I was surprised to see some people wearing coat and blazers in this hot summer!

There is a seperate security check lane for the ladies and kids, so be prepared to hand over their passports and the visa interview appointment letters to them. After the security check, they can join you for the screening process.

After a couple of rounds of security checks (one outside the consulate and one immediately on entering the consulate), we were guided to the the seating area for the screening process. I had to wait for my wife and kid to join me after their security checks. Water cooler is available in the seating area with paper cups.

The person at the screening counter checked and organized the papers in the relevant order and then got the ten-print done for me and my wife (my kid was excluded from fingerprinting). He then gave us back the pink copies of HDFC Application Fee Receipts. He tore the barcode and pasted on our passports. He gave us back the folders properly organized. We waited in the queue to get to the adjacent building for the visa interview. Once inside the new building, we were asked to proceed to the Cashier counter who got the Demand Draft for Visa Issuance Fee and gave us the receipt. Then, we went straight to the counters and because our kid was making so much noise, we were asked by the attendant to go first to the counter (bypassing others who had been waiting there - Sorry guys!).

There was one person who was being interviewed at the counter, probably for L1B visa - I gathered he was being drilled with questions and that made me a little uncomfortable at first. But after he was finished, we went in:

VO - Visa Officer

Me: Good Morning, Ma'am
VO: Good Morning, Sir.
I handed over the folders. She scanned the barcode and asked my wife to do the fingerprinting.

VO: How long have you been working for this company?
Me: 10 years

VO: What is your job?
Me: I am a Project Manager - I manage projects for my company's clients.

VO: What are your responsiblities?
Me: Primarily managing projects - I manage a large team, manage project plans, prioritize and allocate work to my subordinate staff, use discretion in their day-to-day operations, hire staff for projects, recommend star performers for promotion, manage their leave/vacation plans etc. I conduct steering committee meetings with client stakeholders, do risk and issue management in projects and make sure the project delivers optimal results to the customer.

VO: How many people work for you now?
Me: I said 125 but I am assisted by other assistant managers in my daily role

VO: Will you manage a similar number of people while in the US
Me: No, my onsite team will be much less - of the order of 15-25 because that's the way we execute projects for the good of both my company and the client.

VO: How long have you been here in India after your return from your previous trip to the US?
Me: About 3.5 years now but I have been travelling on business trips to the UK in the last 2 years

VO: I see your wife had a US visa already. Is she working now? (this was asked to me as I guess my wife was busy managing my kid)
Me: Yes. She had a visa but it expired a month before she quit. Now, as you see she is busy managing the kid (VO smiled as if in acknolwedgement of what I was saying)

Then, the VO typed something into the computer for a minute or so, as I waited. Then, the good news came as she said "Your visas have been approved". She handed over 2 copies of I129S with the approval mark against "Approved as: Manager/Executive" - Validity Dates: From: <blank>; To: 2013.

No question was asked to my wife - we didn't have to produce our marrigae certificate or wedding/reception photo album etc

I thanked and wished the Visa Officer a nice day. Then, we left the premises. We are expecting to receive the passports duly stamped with our visas by early next week.

A few years ago, only if the visa was approved, would we even submit the Demand Draft. Probably the practice has changed recently.

I wish everyone who applies all the very best. Be confident and while you prepare your answers for every possible question, make sure you are thorough with your answer to the single most important question -
What is your job/specialization?

It could be asked differently like "Why are you travelling to the US", "What are your responsibilities?", "What do you do?" etc.

Thanks for everyone who has posted their experiences. This helped me a lot in preparing for the interview.

I had my personal appearance for L1B Blanket today at Chennai. It was a simple interview and lasted for less than a minute. It went like this,

VO: Why did you visit UK? (On seeing the UK work visas in my passport).
Me: I went to implement my current project
VO: Place your left thumb
VO: How long have you been with this company?
Me: XX Years and XX months
VO: Who is your client?
Me: ZZZ
VO: You will get the passport in 7 days.
Me: Thank you. Have a nice day.

I wasnt posted any usual questions like why are you going to the UK, what is your specialization, etc.

I was expecting her to see my visas for other countries in my passport and she did as expected. This is the main reason why my interview was simple, I suppose.

BTW, I was interviewed by the famous fat lady that many people have mentioned here.

It was very simple.
I feel if you are a geneuine candidate and belong to a reputed Organization then there is no need to worry.
Just know
- Why are you going to US
- What are your specialized skills
- Where will you go

Thats all its simple. The staff is supportive and process is streamlined.
Good Luck

Thanks to immihelp. This is really a good site before one go for US Visa interview.
Today my L1-B got approved at Kolkata US Consulate.

My interview was schedule at 8 AM. I reached the venue at 7 AM. At 7:30, 8AM batch was called out for security check. DD and documents submission went well. After waiting for 10-15 mins, My name was called and I was requested to proceed towards the interview counter.
Me: Good Morning Sir (with a big smile)
VO: Very Good morning Mam
VO: Please put your right hand four fingers for scan, then left hand, then 2 thumbs.
Me: I did as instructed.
VO: You went to Candada? (Looking at my passport and previous wp travel)
Me: Yes Sir.
VO: Who was the Client? ( Asking while he was typing something,,)
Me: So and So was my client...Same client for whom I'll be travelling to US.
VO: Same Client .. (He repeated and seemed convinced).Where in US?
Me: Dallas, Texas.
VO: How long were u in Canada?
Me: For so and so months.
VO: How many years with this company?
Me: 2 yrs with IBM and I have an overall experience of 5 yrs.
VO: R u married?
Me: No Sir.. am single.
VO: Any plan to get married in next 6 months?
Me: No plans as such(with a smile).
VO: Started stamping my I-129S and gave it to me with a smile saying "Your visa is approved Mam".
Me: Thank you Sir.. have a nice day.
VO: Have a grt day Mam.

Tips:
1. Do not carry bags/mobile phones/water bottle etc if you dont wish to waste time submitting anything in locker(Small purse is permissible inside).
2. During documents/ DD submission, do not hand over the entire folder, take out only the required documents and put it inside passport before handing it for verification.
3. Write your name and your company's name at the back side of the DD.

Be confident!!
All the best :-)

Hey Guys,

Thank you very much for sharing your experiences and it really helped me in my interview. I applied for the Visa from UK and though the process is entirely different when compared with the process in India, your experienes gave a good overview of what can be expected.

My interview was a very simple one since I use to travel a lot. I had infact visited US in March 2010 with my B1 visa and hence my L1A interview was very simple. Consular did not ask any questions to my wife. Since she was already with me in UK on a dependent visa, they did not validate the genuinity of our marriage.

For everyone's benefit, I have consolidated all possible questions that can be asked and this might be helpful to anyone who is going to attend the interview.

1. Where are you working?
2. Where and when did you finish your graduation?
3. Who is the client?
4. How long you have been with this client?
5. What will you do in US?
6. Why is it that you have to go for this job?
7. What is the Indian salary?
8. What is the UK salary? (In my case since I was already in UK while attending the interview in London, this question was relevant)
9. What will be your salary in US / How much will be your salary in US / How much money you will get in US?
10. What are the qualities of a project manager?
11. Do you have authority to hire and fire?
12. Who is your onsite manager?
13. Who will you be reporting to?
14. Where will you be working in US?
15. Will the supervisor work in client office or TCS office?
16. How many people will be reporting to you?
17. Who is the best, average and poor subordinate who report to you?
18. What is the nature of the work / what are you going to do in US?
19. What are your day to day activities?
20. What the client is doing / What is the nature of client’s business?
21. How long you have been with this company?
22. What is your total experience?
23. What does your company do and how many employees are in US?
24. Have you ever been to US before? If yes, what was the purpose of your visit?
25. Do you know who will apply for L1A?
26. Do you know what happens on 4th July?
27. Where will you be staying in USA?
28. What is your role?
29. For how long would you be staying in US?

Following are some possible questions for the dependents

1. What is your qualification?
2. When did you get married / How long you have been married for?
3. How did you meet each other?
4. Are you planning to work in US?
5. Do you have kids?

Take care guys and all the very best.

Today i got my L1 B approved.

Qns Were

1. Which Client
2. What project
3. Why you are sent
4. Special knoweledege and did your company gave any training for this special skill

Donot worry.. I am a Civil Engineer with 80 months of experience.. I got my visa approved.. Go with confidence and speak and listen carefully

Hi,

My experience is almost similar to other posts here.. So not replicating the same. However, 1 additional thing which I would like to point out is wrt the photo. For almost every one with a spectacle they were asking to take a new photo with out spectacle.

Largely they were friendly and there are people at every point to direct you to the right counter.

Regards,
Jeeth

Hi,
many thanks to immihelp and past others who posted their experience. This helped us a lot and we were able to get our visa stamped.

She was a nice lady. Before I went in I gave her the sweetest smile possible and she smiled back. I guess this simple thing helped me get the vis. Also when I went in I wished her.

Questions asked by VO
1. Describe your project
    told

2. I am not asking what TCS is going to do but what you are going to do
    told

3. Rest of the questions to my wife

Visa is approved.

Thanks to you Immihelp