L1, L2 Visa

Slot: 9:45

Reached at 9:30 and they sent us in only at 9:45. So as others said, no point coming way before and wait in the queue

Arranged the documents already in order (3 sets of I-129S and 1st page of I-797, DS160 confirmation and passport of primary applicant). Other documents like Letter to VO, G-28 or Support letter are not required to be in that bundle and has to be produced if asked by VO

Moved inside to pay anti-fraud fee. Dependends are asked to sit and primary applicant has to stand in queue. DD or cash or CC are allowed. I paid using CC.

Once that is done, you will be directed to biometric verification for all the applicants

Then we skipped the main interview queue as we had a kid but still took us 45mins to reach to this point.

Questions:
-Type of Visa?
-Name of petitioner?
-Where are you going to work in US?
-Salary in US?
-How long have you been with current company?
-Designation in US?
-What is your specialization?
-What you be going to do in US?

Questions to my wife:
-Married since?
-Age of kid?
-Highest degree of qualification?

VO after typing for few seconds, started stamping I-129S forms and returned 2 copies

Though VO didn't utter the golden words, we got it and said thanks and returned with a smile

All the best !!

Hi All,
 My L2 EAD application was received on 16th April 2019 by USCIS Vermont service center . No change of status till now. . Its still in case is received status. Its been 118 days already. I lost my job 2 weeks back . My company is willing to wait for few more days to rehire me . Has any april filer got their EAD for Vermont service center? Please let me know.

Feb 4, 2019 -> Submitted L1-B Individual Petition with USCIS California Office under Premium Processing

Feb 14, 2019 -> RFE received mainly asking for clarification on Specialized Knowledge. In hindsight, my application did lack some of the specifics on what exactly the products (I specialize in) are so I mentioned the list of products specifying the technical nature of products, application in international markets etc.

May 10, 2019 -> RFE response submitted

May 14, 2019 -> Petition approved

July 15, 2019 -> Biometrics Interview at New Delhi

July 16, 2019 -> Consular Interview and received a 221(g) Blue Slip at New Delhi

VO asked me the following:

1. What do I do for my employer in India?
2. Asked my wife if she also works for the same employer? (In my case, both I and my wife are in the same company. I'm applying for L1 with her as L2 dependent)
3. Asked her if she will be working for the same employer in the US as well?
4. My job title?
5. My highest education degree?
6. My Salary in the US?

Handed me 221(g) asking for I-797, I-129, LCA, Cover Letter, I-539 (not applicable in my case), Internal Project Description, Education Documents, and Resume.

July 25, 2019 -> Submitted requested documents

Last Updated on CEAC Website -> July 16, 2019

Dear All,

I am appearing for L1-B blanket visa interview at Chennai in last week of Aug.

I am married for last 3 years and my husband will also be appearing for dependent visa interview. He is working from last 7 years in IT industry.

Are there specific points we need to take care of while answering about my husband's EAD filling ?
He is planning to work in US but is it OK if he is upfront about it during interview or we should not disclose this.

What will be the ideal answer to this situation.

Thanks !

Dear all,

Sharing my Visa experience :

L1 blanket rejected in March 2019
L1 individual RFE issued in late April
L1 individual approved in mid July
Visa interview completed successfully in first week August at Delhi

After unsuccessful attempts at my blanket interview which lasted under 10 seconds at Chennai , I got huge rfe relating my work profile at India and US. After through preparation , RFE respaonses were submitted in July under premium and got approval by mid July.

The individual appt lasted for 10 mins . Each and every part of the petition was questioned, like:

Company name: it’s one of the biggest multinational banks
Package: mine is above 100k
Experience: under 5 yrs
Education
Detailed past and present experience
List of reporters and qualifications

Only i797 was requested however I would suggest carrying payslips of past employers as I saw they were verifying it.

The visa was approved and delivered next day.

Thanks

Hi all,
    Just wanted to share my experience in the consulate.

Location: Chennai.
Slot: 10am.

As everyone else have mentioned, do not go to that place earlier than 15 mins. It is very humid. And if you arrive exactly before 15 mins, you can approach the police and they will get you joined to the queue for your slot.

First, once you step in, they make you wait and a staff member helps with the papers. He/she helps you order the "8 pages of I129S and first page of I797" and makes 3 bundles from it, along with the passport and the DD if you are paying the Fraud Prevention fee with DD. Please fill your name and passport number on the back of your DD.

Once you are done with this, they guide you to the payment counter where you can either pay by cash or DD or Credit card. Please check the conversion rate online before you purchase the DD. Once the payment is done, they provide two copies of the receipt and staple one with your papers.

Now you will be guided to the bio-metrics section to verify your prints.

After this comes the interview. I would suggest you to refrain from hearing the other interviews that are going on so that you attend yours with a calm mind. Below are the questions that were asked to me in the interview.

VO: Which Visa are you applying for?
Me: I am applying for L1-B blanket.

VO: Which company do you work for?
Me: I work in XYZ corporation.

VO: Where will you work in the US?
Me: I will be working in XYZ, State.
VO: Oh! so you would be working in the head quarters.
Me: Yes, with a smile.

VO: How long have you been working with this company?
Me: I have been working for 6+ years.
VO: Ahh, thats a good number.

VO: Whats your job title?
Me: I am Senior software engineer.

VO: What would be your salary there?
Me: I would getting $ 1XX K per year.

VO: So, why are you special?
Me: I have gained expertise in certain proprietary SDKs and tools that are essential for my team.. (she didn't let me continue)

VO: What does your day to day work look like?
Me: I design and develops services and features for... (she didn't let me continue)

VO: How can I understand your product? What is the product you work on?
Me: I work on the product 'ABC' which helps our customers do ...
VO: (She is familiar with the product) Oh! You work on 'ABC'.

(Silence for few seconds)

VO: Your visa is approved. Please hand over one of these bundles to your HR and have one during your travel.
(She returned two of the bundles I gave with the approval stamp and date. She also kept the passport which she mentioned would be delivered within 5 working days)

I could clearly see that the VO was asking the question based on what she is seeing on her computer and verifying if what I am saying matches. So, we just have to be thorough with the information in the DS-160 and the petition.

Now that my interview is done, it is easy for me to say, "Just be confident and answer with a smile". But I know I was extremely nervous and sweating when I went in. The first two questions you answer, you will understand how lengthy or short of an answer the VO expects of you. So, just focus on the VO and maintain eye contact. With the first few answers, you will get your rhythm.

All the best to everyone trying!

Hi All,

My L1B individual petition is approved after a RFE is issued.
I have scheduled L1B individual interview in last week of August.

Can i get some help regarding the questions that will be asked? Can someone help me prepare and let me know if there is anything special that i need to take care of?

Also, it will be a great help if someone can tell me something if i need not to speak.

Thanks in advance!

Hi All,

I have L1b Interview at chennai on 29th of august.I am working as test engineer and have 7 years of experience having 9laks per annum.

What are the questions can i expect from VO and am having B1/B2 till 2028 and i didn't get a chance to travel yet with this visa

Can you please help me how to prepare and what to prepare.

Thanks in Advance

Hello everyone, A sincere thanks to all the people contributing to this forum and trying to help each other. Really appreciate your contributions.

My L1B - Individual petition preparation was started in Feb 2019 and to get it through we wanted it to be as detailed as possible. My case was file to USCIS on 13th May and we got an approval in 4 days. As I am based out of Mumbai I wanted to to schedule the Interview in Mumbai but the slots were all taken till August end and we booked the Interview slot in Hyd which was available in first week of August. L1B Individual cases can book their interview in any consulate across India but make sure to choose the correct location in DS-160 and fill the form accordingly. Your DS-160 location of Consulate should match the Interview location consulate.

On 4th the VAC appointment was taken and it was Sun morning. The HYD consulate is located just beside Rasoolpura Metro station behind Queens Plaza building.Finger-printing and Photo was completed within 15 mins after security checkup. They stick a barcode sticker on your passport and acknowledge the DS-160 confirmation page. This you need to carry on the Interview day.
Make sure to reach at least 45 min before on both the days of VAC and Interview.

On 5th Aug the Interview day, I arrived 45 min earlier and we went through security check. Trust me the documents that you carry with you apart from Passport, DS-160 Confirmation page and Appointment Page will not be seen by anyone. It is still safe to carry all your documents in transparent folder. Initial finger prints are matched and you are now sent to waiting area. The waiting area has provision of restroom and water. Token system is followed where the person who has completed the Interview will come and give you the token to a counter and then you have to go to that specific counter.

I was given a token to counter no :11 and I went and stood behind 3 people waiting already to be interviewed. They took our passport and gave the VO. When I proceeded the counter after he called my name, the following conversation took place,

Me : Smiling, Good Morning Sir
VO : Good Morning and returned me a smile back

VO : Which Visa type you are applying ?
Me : I have applied for L1B Individual visa type.

VO : Where do you work?
Me : I am currently working with YYYY India.

VO : What is your designation ?
Me : I am a Senior Consultant.

VO : What is your highest qualification ?
Me : My highest qualification is Bachelor's of Engineering in Information Technology.

VO : Explain me your specialization
Me : Having served multiple YYYY clients, I have acquired specialized knowledge related to core A, B, C, D modules of YY Industry. These expertise has helped me design and develop our proprietary tool ZZZZZZZ. (Stopped me in between)

VO : Visa is Issued. (Kept my passport)
Me : Thank you Sir. Have a nice day.

I believe the VO have access to DS-160 forms and most of the information they try to cross verify it with you. L1B Individual cases are scrutinized at USCIS level and hence are easy to get along in the Interview. The Visa status can be checked on CEAC website and also USTravel Docs.
It shows Administrative Processing for a day and on next day it changes to Issued.

Be Confident and keep a smile !
Thanks to the forum once again.

Hello All,

Thanks for sharing all your experiences here. It helps a lot. I have a query, my employer is filing L1A - Blanket for me for position in US. Designation is Technical Support Manager and will be having 10 direct reports.

Question - Does Designation matters for L1 A Blanket? Is above designation good ?