L1, L2 Visa

Hi,
 
I have my in L1 (B) interview tomorrow and i have a couple of questions regarding it

1. Can i pay the $500 in cash on the day of interview?
2. I recently got my H4 approved. and now I am travelling for L1B visa. Will having an H4 be a problem?
Also if they ask me how many years i am planning to be there, What do i tell? given my husband is working in the US ?
3. I work for a management consulting firm with majority of work at client location. But do i tell that to the consular? or say i work with my company only?

Thanks in advance for the help

Hi all,

Please help me to prepare for my L1-B blanket interview scheduled next week at Chennai.
Any particular things that I should keep in mind.
I have total 4 years of experience in my current organisation and this is my first job.

All kinds of help and suggestions are welcome.

Also I am recently married and I am applying only for my Visa.
Can there be any question from VO on why I am not applying for my spouse as dependant. And what should be my answer to it.

Thanks in advance.

Thanks to all the members of the forum for all the insights and for sharing your experiences. Finally created an account to give back to the community!

Working for a Pharma MNC for last 4 years. Overall 7 years of experience. Got an offer for a position in US in May. Applied for Blanket L1-A functional manager role. Due to delay on attorney side and exploring options for going for visa interview in any other country, finally decided to book slots in Chennai. Couldn't find anything before August 7th, which I later moved by 1 day.

Biometrics: straightforward. No waiting. Was done in 5-10 minutes. They don't allow smartwatches or fitness bands and for some reason I managed to carry one. Had to go down and use locker facility and pay 50 RS. Car parking is unavailable. Parked my car in one of the side streets ( guess I was lucky).

Visa interview experience: Had my visa interview today (6th August - 915 a.m.) took my car again and parked it in my friend's office which is nearby and walked to the consulate. Didn't want to be harassed by the auto guys. Reached the place around 820 a.m. which was way too early with too many people standing in line. Good thing was that the heat was bearable today and there was some shade. We were asked to stand in a line at 9:00 a.m. which will inturn lead to another line where security check is done. Car keys were not allowed! Had to go back to the police booth where they were issuing tokens for mobiles and other electronics. Deposited and went back in the line for security check. There is nice AC inside. The restrooms and drinking water facilities are good as well. Waited almost half hour - the longest wait was for paying the fraud detection fee of $500. Some people had got DDs at old exchange rate and were asked to pay again and get the DD cancelled. Would advice everyone to carry their credit cards for this eventuality. Finally joined the line for the interviews. Got my turn in 10-15 mins. Saw a variety of people ( shipping industry professional, mathematics researchers, etc.) being interviewed. Most of them were approved, few were rejected. Finally I was called. Following are the questions asked:

1. Who is your petitioner? - Told
2. How long have you been working with this organisation? - Told
3. What were you doing in China? He saw a page in my passport with China visa on it- Told him that I had a Chinese visa from my previous organization for business travel but didn't travel
4. Where did you work previously?- Told (another pharma company)
5. Have you applied for L1 before? - No
6. What will be your designation in the US- my designation is quite long and is a AD level position.
7. That seems to be quite a long designation, what does that mean? - told him
8. Asked some clarifying question
9. How many reportees? This is a functional manager role where I have oversight of multiple teams' deliverables but no direct reports.
10. What are those teams and how many members in each team? Told him that it depends on each product line and varies.
11. Let me ask you another way. Who do you report to? - Told
12. Who does he report to? I said it's not a "he" and smiled. He apologised and repeated the question.- Answered
13. Are you married? Yes.
14. Why isn't your wife here- my wife already holds a valid visa and is in the US.
15. No kids? No

Keeps typing for a long time and starts stamping. I was lost and didn't realise he was stamping approvals. He finally said your visa is approved and you should receive your passport in a few days. Felt relieved and came out with a smile! :-)

I am not sure if the tips I am going to say will help as each petition is different and each experience is different. But because of the fact that all of us would wait in the hot sun, please ensure you are sufficiently hydrated. Take a break if needed before standing in the final line to relax. Be thoroughly prepared with the information on your petition. I had mock interviews with my attorneys to help me prepare. And last but not the least, have a pleasant disposition and try to smile. The VOs in every counter greeted and smiled at everyone today. It helps you calm down and look confident.

Would like to thank everyone once again! This has been my go-to forum for all my queries. All the best!

Dear all !!!

This is very nice column to see reviews of relevant visas..
Today it’s my turn to give u back !!!
Let’s start from beginning.
Interview date: 06/08/2019
Time: 9.00 am
Reached consulate at 8.25 am, waited in que for half n hr. We went inside, checking was done.
Very important if you are L1A individual then u don’t have to make any 3 folders of I-129S, I-797 and DS-160.
It’s very straight u go to biometric checking one more time.
And then go to que for your turn to come.
Here is the turn comes, officer called us we said Good morning officer with smile on face.
VO smiled back and said good morning.
Q-1 who is your petitioner ?
Q-2 what is yr position ?
Q-3 what is yr salary ?
Q-4 is your daughter citizen of USA ? ( note: as my daughter is citizen of USA )
Lastly VO said your visa is approved and passport will come to your address.

That’s it !!!!! Great news !!!!

Note: L1A individual is very straight process, just quick 2 mins interview and u r done. 9.20 am we are out of consulate..

Good luck everyone 😊

Hi All,

Thanks to all who have been contributing relentlessly and its my time to contribute to the forum.

Applying for L1B Extension:

Petition Filed: 5th June 2019
Flew from US to Chennai on 31st July for Bio metric Appointment - whole process completed in 15 mins
1st Aug Interview with VO:

Me: Good morning Sir, How are you?
Officer: Good Morning
Officer: Your visa still has another 2-3 years, why cant you work on same visa?
Me: SIr, there is a confusion, My Petition is getting expire in Nov 2019, hence applying for extension.
Officer: Gotcha!!
Officer: How many Years with company?
Me: 6 years
Officer: location?
Me: City, State
Officer: Salary?
Me: 1xx..
Officer: Role and responsibility?
Me: Working as Product Marketing specialist responsible for driving growth in xyz to deliver xyz revenue in next 3-4 years
Officer: Your visa is Approved.
Me: Thanks, Appreciated it.

1st Aug - Status changed to Administrative processing
2nd Aug: Visa Issued
3rd Aug: Passport delivered to Delhi from Chennai
Never expected to get my Visa in 2 days, i thought i may miss my flight as i kept 7 working days after my date of interview, but everything was done in 2 days.

Rgds
Amit

Thanks to everyone who is contributing to this forum, especially Libra_14 who is exceptional in providing a response to most of the queries, hats off to you.

My VISA process Journey:

L-1 Blanket process initiated on 12 March 2019
VISA Interview scheduled on 3 May 2019
Result: Rejected
Reason: Not clearly Approvable.
Complete details: https://www.immihelp.com/forum/usa-l1-l2-visa/694949-l1a-blanket-visa-denied-with-221-g-form-stating-not-clearly-approvable

L-1 Individual process initiated on 18 May 2019.
Approved by USCIS: 21 June 2019
VISA Interview scheduled on 30 July 2019
Result: Approved

Biometric: All you need is DS160, Appointment letter, Passport(s), Child photo (If you have one).

PS: Be there just 5 minutes before the scheduled appointment, the whole process will get over in max 15 minutes.

VISA Interview:

Since I went with a child of 18 months, all queues are bypassed. Within 10 minutes we were in front of VO.

PS: Be there just 15 minutes before the scheduled interview, otherwise unnecessarily you will wait on the road.

Fun fact: I got the same counter number which I got for my blanket VISA! However, it was different VO :)

There was B1/B2 (or L1B) interview going on, the candidate appeared a bit nervous while answering questions, somehow I got the clue that she will be rejected (Maybe from my last experience), and I'm telling myself that your case is completely different and strong, so be confident, don't be worried based on outcome of that interview. As I guessed it was rejected.

Now it's my turn!!!

VO: Next
(Lady in front of me was shocked because of rejection, took a while to move from the counter).
VO: Next, Please
(I started to make a move along with my spouse and a child).

ME: Good Morning officer.
VO: (Drinking water), hmm, Good morning. (She went backside for few minutes)
VO: Give me your passport.
ME: Handedover all 3 passports.
VO: Are you applying for L1?
ME: Yes, L-1A Individual.
VO: Which company you work for?
ME: XYZ (Product company)
VO: What's your designation?
ME: XX YY(Function) Manager. (I mentioned US designation)
(This is where we had eye contact, and I was pretty confident(Due to all preparation) and with a smiling face (because my child was continuously fulling my shirt).
VO: What's your US salary?
ME: 1XX US Dollars.
VO: (Kept green slip), Typing... Your VISA is approved, go through the green slip to know more details, thank you.
ME: Thank you, have a great day officer.

Key to success:
1. Know your petition thoroughly.
2. Understand the VISA type you are applying for.
3. Prepare for all questions available here - https://www.immihelp.com/l1-visa-stamping-interview-questions/
4. Some mock interview may help (Your spouse can take VO position :) )
5. Practicing your answers in front of a mirror (or camera) will help to appear confident.

About L-1A VISA:
The L-1A nonimmigrant classification enables a U.S. employer to transfer an executive or manager from one of its affiliated foreign offices to one of its offices in the United States.

Executive capacity generally refers to the employee’s ability to make decisions of wide latitude without much oversight.

Managerial capacity generally refers to the ability of the employee to supervise and control the work of professional employees and to manage the organization, or a department, subdivision, function, or component of the organization. It may also refer to the employee’s ability to manage an essential function of the organization at a high level, without direct supervision of others. See section 101(a)(44) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended, and 8 CFR 214.2(l)(1)(ii) for complete definitions.

About Functional Manager and No direct reports:
If you read the Managerial capacity explanation you understand that you can qualify for L1A if you manage an essential function of the organization at a high level, without direct supervision of others. So it's absolutely fine if you are a functional manager with no direct reports!, however, you need to make it very clear to VO on your position, role, and responsibilities if asked. Especially for the most anticipated question - How many direct reports? your answer can be - This is a functional manager role, I will be managing xyz function which is essential to abc organization, but you will not have any direct reports.

Referance: https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-workers/l-1a-intracompany-transferee-executive-or-manager

I received passports with VISA stamp after 3 days, I selected the option to collect instead of courier. Better to go with spouse, carry any identity proof of yours and spouse. Carry passport copy or birth certificate copy of your child.

Last few words:
Blanket VISA is very straightforward with less hassle, but VO will be adjudicating you strictly and very carefully. So if you prepare well then you will get it. If it's rejected it's not an end, you have the option of L1 Individual, if your case is strong and your attorney prepare the case well by providing all necessary evidence to show you are a qualified candidate then you will get the approval from USCIS, fortunately, I didn't get any RFE's, however, if you get also no need to worry, work with your attorney for strong response and you will get the approval.

Wish you all the very best and good luck (I still believe it matters :) )

 

 

Thanks for all the members who posted their experience here, which has really helped me in my preparation. I had my Blanket L1 in the month of Feb which wasn’t approved. I have prepared for months almost all possible questions reading over 1-2 years of experiences in this forum. I had full confidence in my interview, and finally the decision was “not clearly approvable”. It was really heart breaking moment. I was working with a top US MNC, parent company, salary in a range which can be said as “high” for L1A/L1B. Was going to a state where living expense is one of the lowest, at the end it didn’t go through. I appeared interview with wife and child, and the VO asked questions to my as well, with which my confidence level was raised, but the decision was what I never want to hear. We were totally disappointed and it took really weeks to come out of it as I was feeling I missed something which I was deserving.

Luckily my company US counterpart was agreed for L1 individual and I started processing immediately, and it took my attorneys about 1 ½ months for filing it because of H1 timelines. Right after five days of filing it in PP, I got RFE!!!. It was beyond my expectation, as I put enough time for researching and making a very strong documentation with my attorneys. I didn’t want to give up this time, and put all my efforts for collecting almost everything possible which talks about my expertise and uniqueness, but it took some time for my attorneys to file it, almost 3 months !!!. But luck was in my favour this time it looked, five days after I got status my case was approved. This happened towards end of June. Next challenge was getting an interview slot. Earliest slot I received was in September, but luckily I got an early slot after keep on checking for weeks, which was July end. This time again I booked in Chennai.

Stayed in THE Park, which is walkable distance from embassy. OFC went fine as usual and we spent rest of the day going to temple and Marina. This time couple of other things I done was, one didn’t look at any forums including this as I didn’t want to get tensed/relaxed based on other’s experiences. Though I used same set of questions in immihelp forum for preparation. Second, I didn’t prepare in the way I prepared for blanket, all I did was going through my petition 3-4 times. I got a slot early in the morning, and we could bypass the queue because of kid and finally infront of one of the counters.

VO : Hello
Me : Good morning Ma’am
VO : So, you applied for L1-Individual
Me : Yes Ma’am
VO : Which company
Me : YYYY company
VO : How many years with ZZZ
Me : 9 years
VO : Salary
Me : Indian or US?
VO : US
Me : YYYY k USD
VO : All the best , your visa is approved

Right after that she took our passports and returned a green slip. I really couldn’t believe that moment. We returned back from Chennai on same day. Spend rest of the time till flight in visiting temple and in hotel.
Next day morning, I could see status as Issued and yesterday got my passports stamped.

Hello All,

My L1-B Blanket VISA got rejected today under 221(g) section as “Not clearly approvable” and then VISA officer asked me to contact HR and immigration team to apply with appropriate category. But I didn’t receive my passport back from them.

VO gave me only two sets of I-129s form by stamping "Not clearly approvable" and 221g form.

Did anyone have similar experience? I don't know why they didn't give back my passport, can someone share your thoughts?

Thanks!

I'd like to thank everyone in this forum for sharing their valuable experiences.

My Timeline -
Petition filed on Feb 15th, 2019
RFE Received on Feb 23rd
RFE Response filed on May 15th [ our attorney deliberately took their time]
Petition Approved on May 28th
Visa appointment in Kolkata on July 29th [ Couldn't find anything earlier ]

Here's my interview experience.
My visa appointment was at 9:30 am. We reached the consulate at 9:15 and they made us wait outside for 15 mins while it was raining. Please carry an umbrella! Once we go it in, it took us about 20 mins to reach the VO's window. The person before us got grilled and got rejected (B1 visa) and that kind of unsettled us a bit. Don't worry, if your things are in order, there's nothing to worry about.

VO: Who's your client. Do you have a client?
A: We have 20+ customers in North America.

VO: Will you work at a client location or at your company's office?
A: At our office in Bay Area, CA.

VO: Have you been to the United States before?
A: Yes. On 3 occasions for business meetings.

VO: What's your role and do you have a team?
A: (Gave them the answer I had prepared for). I am a functional manager and I manage the YYYY function for all of YYY's businesses in North America. I do have 6 direct reports and I am also supported by the A, B, C, and D teams. (got cut off at this point).
[If you are applying for a functional manager role, please be sure to call it out. Direct reports are not relevant for functional managers. But do talk about how you work with or influence other teams.]

VO: How long have you been working with your company?
A: 3 years and 4 months.

VO: What's your total experience in this field?
A: 9 years of experience in total and 7 years of experience in this field.

VO: What will be your salary?
A: 1XXk + Bonus

"Your visa is approved and your passports will be ready in 2-3 days."

VO had no questions for my spouse. Neither did he ask for our marriage certificate or any other documents.

Booking an appointment - There is generally a 45 days to 60 days waiting period for appointment slot so plan your appointment accordingly.

VAC Visit: VAC visit is a breeze. Documents needed : (DS 160, Appointment Confirmation and Fee Receipt) nothing else is required for VAC Visit.

VAC Experience: They just take your photographs and fingerprints thats it.

You are not required to take any photograph with you neither for the VAC nor for the interview. There are mix responses online so thought should clarify this. I took mine along and they came back as it is.

Consulate Experience
Reached an hour before the interview slot and to my surprise consulate was actually letting people in for people who had interview timing till mine slot.

Mobiles and any other kind of electronic devices are not allowed, there is a paid booth outside the consulate (Rs. 50 charge per mobile) for storing. I skipped to avoid the hassle.

Everything is very organized and clear instructions are provided for all the procedures.

Coming to interview experience.

VO Officer: Asks for passports.
VO: Asks for I797
VO: How long have you worked with this company?
VO: Which location are you working at?
VO: What's your salary at your company?
VO: Okay, which location you will be going to?
VO: What will be your job responsibilities?
VO: How many direct reportees you have?
VO: How many direct reportees in your US profile.
VO: Before this company where were you working?
VO: What was your role in that company?
VO: Where did you do your masters from?

VO: When did u two get married?
VO: Do you have a marriage certificate?
VO: Looking at the certificate, so this is the legal marriage, was there a big celebration?
Showed her a big wedding album we had.

VO: (To me) So will you be working for any client?
VO: Your visa has been approved

This was where I took a sigh of relief :)
My outlook, the purpose of the interview is to check whether whatever has been filed in the petition is correct, the consulate office also judges your confidence and command.

Status Changed to Administrative Processing on the same day.
Status Changed to Issued on the next working day.
Passport ready for pickup the day after.

I have to commend the consulate for their efficient process.

This forum helped me get clarity on lot of things and I would like to thank all the members for their contribution.