L1, L2 Visa

This forumn was highly helpful in the preparation.

Time to give back to the community

VAC on 2nd Jan 2023 was a smooth process if all the details in DS-160 is correct went in by 3:00pm came out by 3:30pm

Visa interview on 3rd jan 2023

Reached the consulate by 10:30am paid the fraud deduction fee in DD and was asked to wait in the line for the interview

Questions asked
Me: good morning and wish you a happy new year officer
VO : You are working for XYZ company?
Me : yes
VO : Whats your Job title in US?
me : answered
VO : whats your salary in US?
ME : Answered (above 100k)
VO : why cant a us person cannot do this work ?
Me : Answered
VO To my wife : are you working?
Wife : yes
Vo : which company?
Wife : answered
VO : Do you have a H1b visa?
Wife : No this is my first us visa application
VO : do you work for a client or inhouse?
Wife : Answered

VO to me place your right hands for scanning
Vo to my wife place your right hand for scanning

VO : Am approving your Visa and handed the green slip

The entire interview itself took only 3-5mins

We left the consulate by 12:00pm

My take away is be confident and answer truthfully

listen to the VO questions carefully before answering

Received the visa on Jan 6 visa premium delievery services

All the best

I am so thankful for this forum for all the help and information on the interview. It helped me greatly to prepare not just for the questions but also mentally. Now is my turn to give back to the community and so, here is my experience with the visa process.

Logistics – We stayed at The Park which is diagonally opposite to the embassy and about 1.5 km away from the OFC. Let me tell you this, the hotel is subpar and perhaps gets people only because of the embassy.

Nov 29, 2022 at 8AM - OFC
We reached about 7:30 AM and were let inside. There were a number of people standing outside who had appointments in the afternoon (people have way too much time!) Just reach out to the guard and he'll let you in. The process was pretty smooth, although long. It took about 30-35 mins but that would've been much shorter given the start of the day wasn't delayed. We waited for about 20 minutes in the first queue and then another 10 mins in the 2nd queue. A lady checked DS160, appointment confirmation and passport details. Stuck a sticker on the back of the passport which had details of the DS160 and appointment. The actual biometrics process took only about 5 mins. DS160 was stamped post-taking biometrics.
 
Nov 30, 2022 at 10AM - Interview
We reached at the Embassy by 9:15AM. There were, again, a lot of people again with interviews later in the day. We reached out to one of the embassy people there and they let us go to the 1st queue. In between a guard asked if we have any electronics (mobiles, watches, tablets etc. - you aren’t allowed to take anything and there isn't a place to keep as well). Took about 15 mins in 1st queue where the embassy guy checked for the passport, stamped DS160, and yesterday’s sticker on the back of the passport.

We, now, stood for more than half our in the second queue before we were let in the embassy. Meanwhile, it was post 10AM. Inside the embassy, a guy will help with organizing the documents i.e., 2 copies of I-129, I-797, passports and DD (Fraud Detection Fee of $500 – we chose DD as that’s the quickest – Embassy’s website states the exchange rate and I suggest everyone to take DD rather than cash/card).

Then, we moved to the second building of the embassy. There is going to be a big queue which is for F1 visas, but if you tell the people there that you are for an L1 blanket, they make you jump the queues. I submitted the DD (took less than 5 mins to do that) and my husband was asked to stay behind. Post getting the receipt, I stood in the L1 interview queue and in 2 mins was asked to go to the interview window wherein I stood second to the person being interviewed. I called my husband to stand there with me.

My husband and I stood behind the interview window and the interview lady was noticing us and our body language while she interviewed the guy ahead of us. I could hear her as she cross-questioned him to clarify her understanding – he did get his visa approved. Then came our chance for the interview. This went as follows:

Me: Hello! Good Morning
VO: Good Morning! Your visa category is L1A or L1B
Me: L1B for me and L2 for my husband
VO to my husband: What’s your qualification [my husband and I were bit shocked given she asked him first]
Husband: Answered
VO to my husband: What do you do currently?
Husband: Answered
VO to my husband: You can either now hang out at the back or can go and wait outside.
Husband: I’ll hang out at the back
VO: Your company name is XXX?
Me: Yes
VO: What does it do?
Me: Started explaining and I had gone through only half of the answer and she had stamped my I-129. She then cut me off.
VO: What’s your specialization?
Me: Started explaining and she started typing in the system. She again cut me off even before I had reached to half of my answer.
VO: Seems like a glorious XX job.
Me: Explained why it isn’t a glorious XX job and how my specialization mattered and how only a handful of us are there and can do this.
VO: It seems very interesting what you do. [I was very happy listening to this]
VO: Your designation in the US?
Me: Told
VO: Your salary
Me: Told
VO: Your visa is approved. Safe travels
Me: Thank you! Have a good day
VO: You too!

This entire conversation was only about 3-4 mins max. She handed me the green slip and my husband and I left very happy.

Let me tell you this, it DOES MATTER the way you are dressed and the way you carry yourself. They can see you from head to toe (including shoes) when you are standing 2nd for the interview – My husband and I had formal pants and a shirt with formal shoes (he didn’t wear any suit etc – we thought that would be too much).

I could see that she was already pretty sold on my application given that she didn’t even know what my company did and this perhaps goes to the fact that we dressed up properly and carried ourselves with confidence. Although, there were several others who were dressed shabbily or maybe not as uptight and got the visa.

I Lastly, I did see many rejections (one super pissed-off guy) but don’t let that hassle you as your application is unique and you should know what it entails. Be honest and confident in your answers.

Best of luck!

My L1B Visa was got approved on 30-Nov-2022. Biometrics was scheduled on 28-Nov-2022. No matter what preparation we do at the last moment its our confidence and convincing counselor office is the key for your visa approvals. This portal is best to see the previous experience, I assumed it will be the same with my case too. But counselor officer dragged the interview for 45mins to make sure all the information and answers are correct.

Logistics- Stayed in ibis hotel, which is good for bachelors but not for family and near to consulate and walkable and good thing is it is near to metro Station as well (Thousand lights Stop) on blue line rout. They do have shuttle to US consulate. The Lunch and Dinner Buffets are expensive and ordered the food from Swiggy.

To feel the Chennai utilize the Metro and local buses, though Tamil is difficult language to communicate with local but they can speak english. Uber is expensive.

The questions that were asked to me are mentioned below

1. Company name
2. How long its been working with this organization.
3. Designation (US and India)
4. Job duties
5. Specialized Knowledge
6. Location in US
7. Annual Salary in US and India (in terms of Dollars)
8. Client that you will be working for
9. How long your working with client
10. Client Letter
11. Will you be working with Client place or parent office
12. Products of the Client
13. Details of the projects current project
14. Why do you have to travel to US why can’t this work can be done in India
15. Previous travel details (Month and year to be precise) -
16. Asked about LCA Letter if any
17. About Marriage

Good luck

The overall process is smooth if you are prepared well in terms of your documentation ! Chennai is the only centre in India to provide this type of visa.
Book flights and hotel in advance - Google is your best buddy here, choose whatever suits you best.

Day 1: Biometrics - Docs needed: Appointment Letter, Passport and DS160 confirmation. If you have kids take photos of them from the shop at the ground floor.
Day 2: We reached the Consulate 15 minutes prior to the appointment and were let in pretty quickly as we had an Infant with us too. You start with the security check (Mobiles, smart watches are not allowed, best to leave them at the hotel). After security check > You will be directed to a team that will arrange your docs > Order of docs : I129 - I797 - Passport of main applicant followed by dependents. Then you move in line to pay the fraud fees > $500 (Best to carry credit card as exchange rates can fluctuate and DD may not be best for this). You can see others being interviewed while you wait to pay the fraud fees.

Now I was in line for the interview, I called my wife along with my son and we stood in line.

VO: Good Morning
ME: Good Morning Officer, How are you doing.
VO: I am Good, How are you?
ME: Excited to be here
VO: Good to know someone is excited
VO: So we are applying for an L1A
ME: Yes
VO: Could you tell me what your company does
ME: Gave a couple of lines about the org in the simplest manner without any jargons.
VO: Thats great, What will be your designation in the US
ME: Same as in India - Senior Manager (This is where the VO was already preparing my docs for stamping)
VO: What will be your salary in the US
ME: XXXK + Bonus + Stock Options ( VO stamped the I129 here and moved our passports to the box next to them)
VO: Any direct reportees ?
ME: I am a functional manager and manage multiple folks from different teams but do not have direct reports
VO: How many people in the cross functional teams
ME: Depends on the projects however If I were to put a number to it - around 20 on any given day
VO: Makes sense, Please place your right hand fingers on the scanner. Looks at my wife : Could you please step forward
Wife: Good Morning Officer, How are you doing today
VO: Good, What do you study
Wife: Bachelor in Computer Science
VO: Are you working currently
Wife: Yes
VO: Please place your left hand 4 fingers on the scanner
VO: Addressing me - We are approving your visa at this time and you will receive your passports within a week. Please carry the greenslip with you when you arrive at the US port and make sure its secured as this is your only copy.
We: Thank you Officer, You have a great day ahead
VO: Smiling, You too.

If you are what you say you are - Just be your self and there is nothing to worry about
Plan your next day, be it biometrics or consulate visit - Prepare docs, Credit card before hand. If you have everything thats needed, that inturn will boost your confidence for sure and will avoid last minute hassle.

Wish you best of luck with your preparation and consulate interviews.

Thanks to the forum for such a great information is being shared here – I am sure every L1 applicant wouldn’t have missed this site!.
I was in US between 2008-2012 on L1B Blanket and in year 2017 my L1B Blanket refused by stating “narrow approval range thus cant be approved”

I always having in my mind how this will effect my L1A case although every visa application is separate case altogether.

My company filed L1A individual on Sep 2021 in normal mode and got RFE in May 2022 (asking for more information on my managerial duties, it was certainly was on the cards because in initial petition wasn’t supported any managerial related documents(my law firm started doing now at the initial petition itself!, may be learning for them, glad that I got RFE instead of rejection!!)) and responded to RFE in June 2022 and finally approval came in Aug 1st 2022.

Searching for consular appointments were nightmare, was able to reschedule to Nov4th during October bulk slots release.

I do not want to get into VAC and other process, there is NO change to that process and called out by many applicants here already.

My Interview went like this:

VO: Good morning

ME: Good morning sir, how are you doing?
VO: doing great thank you.

VO: So, you were in US on L1B and your L1B refused with current petitioner?
Me: Yes sir, L1B was with same petitioner.

VO: Who is your petitioner?
Me: XXXXX

VO: You were in US with YYYY Petitioner?
Me: Yes sir, it was YYYY

VO: Where are you going in US?
Me: AAA, BBB state

VO: what is you annual salary?
Me: XXK+ other benefits (got nervous here as I am sure its not par like 100K but close)

VO: what will your designation in US like Program Manager or Senior Manager?
Me: No Sir, its just Manager

VO: How long you are with XXXX?
Me: 7 years 7 months

VO: as manager experience?
Me: 2 years 2 months

VO: what will be your team size in US?
Me: 15 (7 direct and 8 indirect)

VO: your VISA is approved sir, have a safe trip
Me: thank you sir, have a good day

VO didn’t ask i797 either, he took only passport. So, I kind of felt that L1A individual cases are sure shot as now a days L1A blankets itself getting maximum approvals (not sure how long this continues, may be COVID effect?)

Finally 14 months wait is over with positive results.

Here’s my case:

* In the US on L1-B (through XYZ Company) between Mar-2011 & Feb-2012
* In the US on L1-B (through the same XYZ Company) between Mar-2015 & May-2016
* Went to the US (through the same XYZ Company) on L1-A (Visa Expiry Date: Jan 10th, 2020) in Feb-2018
* L1-A extension filed in May-2019
* GC Filed (by the same XYZ Company) in Sep-2019 in EB-1 category (Priority Date: 09/16/2019)
* L1-A extension Denied on Jan 7th, 2020
* Came back to home country on Jan 16th, 2020 and started working for the same XYZ Company
* I-140 (For the GC Filed in Sep-2019 in EB-1 category) Approved on Feb 15th, 2020
* Currently, working from my home country for the same XYZ Company

Questions I have about my case:
1. Can my I-485 be filed while I’m in my home country ?
2. If I get my H1-B from a different employer, can my I-140 be ported/transferred from XYZ Company to the H1-B employer?
3. If I leave the XYZ Company, what happens to the Approved I-140?

Any guidance is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

First of all thanks to the forum and valuable inputs from group.

I attended my L1-B Renewal Consulate Interview in Chennai this week.

Please come prepared and save your time and energy in the hot weather.

1. 2 Sets of 129s and i797 first page which has WAC* number
2. Passport
3. DS160
4. Appointment confirmation

Keep all your G28, supporting documents in separate folder.

You can pay fraud fee $500 in INR, USD, DD, Credit/Debit Card at the counter (USD exchange rate is INR 84)

Me - Good Morning, how are you?
VAC - Good, which visa category are you applying? L1A or L1B
Me - L1B
VAC - What does your company do?
Me - Answered the generic product line we sell
VAC - What is your specialization?
Me - Answered my specific skills
VAC - What is your total experience?
Me - 10 in the company and 15 overall
VAC - I am approving your visa and please take the signed form 129s with you. you will receive the passport in a week.
Me - Thank you, have a good day.

I have seen B1, L1, and F1 rejections. Key things to consider: Be confident when answering, understand the logicality of questions and your answers, be prepared.

Best of luck.

Hi All,
October 13th done with PA for L1B Individual interview @US Consulate. Everything went smooth, finally Consular gave the Yellow slip (221(g) Refusal) status stated as in "ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING" and kept my Passport and Petition copy with them. What will be the next step. Can anyone suggest or share your valuable input.

Hi All

This forum has been really helpful for me - so here's me giving back - hopefully someone can benefit from it.

Background: Have B1/B2 Visa, travelled once on it in 2016. Applied for L1-B Visa in 2019 and was approved. Travelled twice on it for 3months each (in 2020 - pre covid) and then it expired in Jun 2022. Instead of renewing wanted to apply for L1-A Visa since that was closer to my current role (Managing a team rather than having specialized knowledge).

Logistics:

Stay - Taj Connemara - ~2kms from the Biometrics VAC, ~1.2kms from US Consulate (<10mins ride each time)
Biometrics: Date XX-Oct-22. Apt time -9.00 AM, Arrived at 8.30 AM

Things to carry for Biometrics-
1. DS 160 Confirmation Form Pages for all applicants
2. Appointment Confirmation Page
3. Passports Original

Your name, DOB and other details should exactly match in the above 3 documents.

Dress - Formal Shirt and Trouser (Optional- this is what I wore)

What else you can carry -
1. Phones are allowed but must be switched off.
2. Smart Watches are not allowed

Process -

1. You are made to wait in a line on the 1st floor post verification at the entry gate
2. Submitted documents mentioned above for verification along with passport.
3. Photo and fingerprints for all 10 fingers.

Overall biometrics process should not take more than 30-45mins (at max) from your reaching the venue to exiting.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interview - XX- Oct-2022 - Apt Time - 8.00 AM - Arrived at 7.20 AM.

Since this was the first slot in the morning, there was a queue outside - There are 2 barricades with security protection. They allowed inside the first one by 7.50, and inside the final one (that allows entry to the US Consulate by 8.05am)

Documents required:

1. All original passports
2. 2 Sets of 1-129
3. First page of 1-197 (2 Sets)
4. Credit Card/DD for $500 Fraud Prevention Fees. (MC or VISA only works/AMEX doesn't work - No PIN is required for the transaction)
5. Stamped DS-160 from the Biometrics
6. Appointment Confirmation Page

Dress - Formal Shirt and Trouser with Blazer (Optional- this is what I wore)

Note: Make sure NOT to carry anything else apart from the documents and wallet/cash. Smart Watches are not allowed, so are mobile phones or any other gadgets. Analog watches are allowed but asked to keep inside along with documents.

Process -

1. Entry in consulate – all your belongings are scanned, and you are post security check - there is counter to segregate/arrange your docs as per instructions provided for each VISA Type (List mentioned above on what is required for L1 (Blanket) Visa.

2. Document validation – Here is where they verify your DS-160 and Appointment letter along with your passport.

IMP Note: I had an issue with my DS-160 where I found there was an issue in my Spouse’s middle name (Spelling error) – I highlighted the same to the officer and they corrected the same. If there are any issues/discrepancies that you identify in your DS-160, please make sure to highlight it to this officer and he’ll make sure to correct it in your original DS-160. On a safe side, I had made correction to the DS-160 online and carried a new DS-160 number along with updating the same DS-160 in the Appointment Confirmation (by updating the profile) and the new print for both. They said since it was a small change, they corrected in my Original DS-160 itself and I was good to go. Any corrections to the DS-160 can happen until right before the Visa Interview (even after Biometrics) so don’t panic if you find an issue with your DS-160 a night before the interview. Be honest with them and they should be able to help

3. Proceed to VISA Fees (Counter 32)- $500 - you get a receipt for the same – You proceed to counter 32 crossing the other counters where the interviews are happening for others, so you tend to overhear the kind of questions being asked and their responses.

4. Wait in Line for the Visa Interview (separate line for Blanket) – There was only one person ahead of me and he was applying for L1-B so I could hear what was being asked, while I was mentally preparing for my interview
As soon as it was my turn - Handed over the documents and passports (arranged and wrapped with a rubber band to the VISA officer – VO). Kept my folder on the side and waiter for her.

Usual Greetings.

VO: So you’re applying for L1-A visa, Ans -Correct? Yes.

VO - Which company do you work for? - Ans - XXX

VO - How long you have been working with this company? - Ans 5.5 yrs.

VO Did you join the firm as a manager? – Ans – No, I joined as an XXXXX and grew in the firm to become a manager

VO - How many direct reports? Ans – 7 Direct

VO - What is your US Salary? Ans - Total of $XXX,XXX

VO - So are you going to be there on a short term assignment? Ans - Yes, I'll be there for about 3 months on the current engagement

VO – Are you travelling alone? Ans – Yes

After Q4, I saw that she already started arranging all documents and had stamped the I-129 (S) which is for the visa approval (Knew this from my earlier experience with L1-(B) Visa. Handed over stamped form 1-129 back along with green slip.

I kept my answers to be crisp and to-the point of what was asked. I read a few places to answer descriptively but I felt as a manager, you’re expected to be crisp and clear in your communication. I answered what was asked in it’s entirety but not more details that weren’t required or asked specifically)
I was out of the embassy by 8.40am. Actual Interview time was <3mins (Including time for her to review her screen for my profile, the actual Q&A).

Wish you the best, being calm and verifying all information you’ve provided is accurate is helpful to prepare. Also, make sure you practice the sample questions enough times as it’ll give you confidence to answer questions and know what could be asked. The forum here provides an exhaustive list of questions asked. From what I could hear in other parallel windows were pretty much the same set of questions over and over again.

Here is the list of questions I had prepared for (This is for L1-A Blanket)

Commonly Asked L-IA Visa Interview Questions:

• Which company do you work for?
• How long have you worked for XXX?
• What is your current title?
• What will be your title in US?
• Where will you be working in the US?
• Will you be working at a client location?
• Who is the client?
• What does the client do?
• What will be your role on this project?
• Who will you report to in US (state XXX Supervisor name)?
• What is your direct supervisor's title?
• How many people will report to you on this project?
• How many of your reports are physically in the US?
• How many will be direct or indirect reports?
• What will be the titles of your direct reports?
• (If you do not have any direct reports) In what department will you be situated?
• What is the primary function of this department?
• Who will you report to within the department?
• What will be the major initiatives of this department?
• In what way are you leading the initiative or an aspect of the initiative?
• What are the managerial decisions you'll make in pursuing these initiatives?
• What will be your salary in US?
• What kinds of projects do you manage?
• Why are you transferring to the US?
• Have you travelled to the US before on any other visas?

Thank you!

All,

Does anyone know what is the current (Sept/Oct 2022) normal processing time for L1A Visa in Chennai VAC? Appreciated any responses.