L1, L2 Visa

My company recently applied for L1A extension in the US in the blanket category under premium processing. I have a valid visa till Mid-2019 but my petition and I-94 was valid until Mid-2018. It took Texas center 10 days to review my documentation and send the approval notice to my attorney.

Here is my complete experience and how things went Up-down .

I spoke to my manager about a year back about my interest to work out of our US office and he was very quick to get all the approvals for my movement. But then re-org happened and next 4-5 months were slow as snail. But then after re-org thing settled down I started approaching my US manager who again helped me and got things back to processing.

After about 6 months my company applied for my L1B Blanket visa last year December and I appeared for interview on 26Dec2017. Interview went well but then my visa was rejected with the reason "Not Clearly Approvable" and I was told to work with company HR and apply in different category . Obviously I was hearth broken and I couldn't understand what just happened. My interview went almost for 4-5 minutes and I was expecting the golden words but suddenly whole game changed and I got into rejection. Me and my wife were very very upset, next few days went like hell and I wasn't able to understand what really went wrong. Most of the folks I saw that day got rejected within almost a min or two. But my interview went for 4-5m so I was getting confident that I am gonna get visa today.
I dropped a mail to HR and attorney and gave them all requested info (about questions n answers) . Within couple of hrs attorney decided to re-apply for L1B individual under PP. And the whole process had to be started all over again.
It took them almost month to file new petition with USCIS and I was still recovering from my previous rejection. My new L1B application was taking longer time that I expected which made me more frustrated. After few days attorney shared receipt number with me, and I was checking the status like 4-5 times a day. One day I got mail from my attorney for RFE and man … it was massive. I mean looking at RFE I left all the hopes of my application and thought i should probably stop pursuing my US dream since it was making me more frustrated and also started taking toll on my work.
But then I worked on my RFE prepared around 25 pages document, got the reviewed with my local and remote manager multiple times and submitted that document along with all supporting documents (which was another 50-60 pages of proof which included my awards, salary hikes, appreciation later, workday feedback ... pretty long list). After this I was again at the mercy of attorney, unfortunately , H1B application filing was happening around the same time so our attorneys were also super busy. But they prepared my case really very well, they collected atleast 20+ more documents from my company HR and manager and submitted RFE almost after 2 months.
During this entire time, USCIS status was showing as "petition received". But luckily within week from RFE submission, it changed to petition approved.
Now it was almost 10 months I have to wait for this day. I got the interview slot after almost a month.
I appeared for interview today and it went very smooth. just couple of questions to me, n usual questions to my wife and GOLDEN words. Your visa is approved.

VO didn't took any of my document (not even I-797B), he just kept all of our passport and said your visa is approved. I asked him if he needs I-797, and he said, no need, I dont need any other document than your passports. So we left happily , all the frustration and painful days finally ended and now I am waiting for my passport. I should get it next week and then straight to USA.

Introspection about my L1B blanket rejection :
 - I was probably not well prepared.
 - Little over confident. I already assumed in my mind that I will get the visa easily as my many company friends got it.
 - I got excited while answering and started hands movement (and I saw suddenly VO face changed)
 - When VO asked me if there is anyone else can do your job - I said "NO" but very slowly becoz in my mind I was literally thinking if anyone else can do my job. (Biggest stupidity anyone can possibly make)

Improvements for L1B Individual interview :
Prepare below answer perfectly :
 - Specialised Skills (Make sure to include your expertise on the company proprietary technology.)
 - India Job Duties (Be very clear n crisp while giving this info)
 - USA job duties (Identify critical projects that you are going to work on, include your skills which you answered in first question , how are they must have for this project, and what value you are bringing to project that no one else can do)
 - Why only me (i.e why cant anyone else can do your job - bring all your knowledge, experience, specific technology, proprietary technology, your achievements)
 - Why you need to shift to USA (Explain how your presence will help company and project, local teams dependency on you, local customer project involvement)
 - What your company do (Simple google or your company website should give you 1-2 liner)
 - Customer name (some info on your customer would be good)
 - Company revenue (latest earning call details, just few highlevel numbers)

My suggestions:

 - Whether its blanket or individual , prepare above answers really very well, mug them, repeat them at least 100 times,
 - stand in front of mirror and loudly answers yourself
 - start playing VO role in your mind and you will know exactly when you don’t sound convincing,
 - each above answer should not be more than 1-2 lines (you only have couple of mins with VO so giving them essay will only get you to rejection) answer to the point.) But be prepared to have detail answers as well , in case VO asks you more details.
 - Keep body language simple i.e no need to become excited and explain them with your hands or any other part of body,
 - keep eye contact (dont stair at them but just have eye contact every now and then)
 - be calm and answer.

VO are there to help you, so well prepared you are == more chanced of approval.
Most important, never lose hope, have patience, you are going to get best results for sure.

Visa Interview date and time : 3rd may 2018 , 8:15 am.
 
VO: Good morning , sir.
Me: Good morning , officer.
VO: Can I see Passports and I-129S ?
Me: Provided the documents
VO: Are you still working with XYZ company?
Me: Yes
VO: How long you have been working for this company
Me: N years (which is a single digit number)
VO: How many years have you been in US?
Me: M years(single digit number)
VO: How many people you are managing
Me: I am overseeing work of abc (single digital number)
VO: What is your highest degree of qualification?
Me: XYZ
VO to my wife:What is your highest degree of qualification?
My wife: abc
VO: Sir , do you have HR authority?
Me: I can recommend on hire and fire of subordinates working with me .
VO: Do you approve leave for your subordinates?
Me: I recommend on leave, but dont authorize directly
VO: Is there a manager , who your subordinates report to?
Me: Yes, manager is in India
VO: I am approving your visa and giving one copy of i-129S(there is no need for 3 copies now, like before , only 2 copies needed)
Me: Thank you!

Hi,
       My Employer has got the blanket approval in Aug 2017, and they have submitted the Case in dec2017 to one of the service centre in USA. it's 5 months passed , but we didn't hear anything from them.. it is still pending at Service centre and we are waiting for the case package..

Does it take that much time ? Can anyone please share with me , what exactly they do within this time period?

Thanks

I went for L1A-blanket Visa interview on 30th April at the Chennai Consulate. The interview experience is similar to what most of you have already listed however the wait time was high.

The VO stamped "Not Clearly Approvable" and returned my documents i.e. Form i129s & Passport, he did not gave any slips to me.

However now when I am checking the status on CEAC site it shows " Administrative Processing".

I am not sure if there is any scope now, is there any one else who have faced the same issue, please suggest.

Also I was planning to reapply with L1A - Individual category, can I do it parallel while this visa status showing Administrative Processing.

I have wrongly entered annual salary instead of monthly salary in DS-160. I have paid the fees and my booking for visa interview is confirmed.

Please suggests is there any way to change this now.

Thanks everyone for sharing your good and bad experience in this forum. This helped me a lot for my interview.

OFC [26th April 2018]:
---------------
1. Ask security officer for the way, he/she will guide you the way.
2. Once you enter the premise's, another security officer will ask you to go to the next level.
3. Document verification officer will ask you to provide
1. Appointment confirmation page printout [Black&white or Color]
2. DS-160 confirmation
3. Original passport
4. Now you will be asked to go to the next level
5. Security check [switch off your mobile]
6. Verification officer will check the appointment confirmation name, DOB, Passport number etc..
7. New bar code label will be pasted in the passport [back of your passport cover] and they will give you a token number.
8. Now you will be asked to stand in the Que. Wait for your token number. Go to the corresponding counter
9. For verification they will ask your name and DOB
10. Now you will be asked to read the terms and conditions in front of you
11. Scanning part: Left four finger, Right four finger, thumb.
12. Photo will be taken.
13. Officer will handover your DS-160 with stamping in it, application confirmation page and passport
14. Remember to take all these three to consular interview.

Consular interview [27th April 2018]:
--------------------------

Documents required:
1. Appointment confirmation
2. Passport original
3. I-129S[3 copy - full set]
4. I797[3 copy -first page only]
5. DD [fraud fee] write your name and passport number behind it.

Process:
1. Go to interview 15 to 30 mins in advance
2. After security check and documents verification, DD will be collected [Fraud fee]
3. Finger print will be re-verified.
4. Then will be asked to move to main queue.

Consular Questions:
1. Hi how are you? Documents please.
2. Applying for L1A or L1B?
3. Which company you work for?
4. Been in this visa already? [Applicable for L1B extension only]
5. Salary in US
6. Job description [Specify what exactly you do, short and accurate answer]
7. Visa approved

Note: Listen to the question carefully before answering. Practice few questions and answer before interview, This will help you during last minute pressure/nervousness.

Thank you to this forum for all the great support and help it has provided to me and lot many L1 visa applicants like me.
This forum definitely helped a lot to understand the entire process and what all documents to be carried, while going in for the VAC Bio-metric Session and US Consulate Visa Interview.

I will explain my experience in two parts:
1. For VAC Bio-metrics (April 25th, 2018):
A. Carry original passport, appointment Confirmation Letter and DS160 (for self and dependents (if any)).
B. Fingerprints would be taken for both the hands and an image was taken (presumably for retina scan & photograph for VISA).
C. Once A and B is done, then your DS160 will feature a few tick marks and a "Verification Stamp" to be used for the "VISA Interview". This process is to ensure that you are the same person, who will turn up for the interview the next day! :)
[NOTE: You can carry your mobile phone and need to keep it in silent mode, while in the Centre.]

2. For US Consulate VISA interview (April 26th, 2018):
A. Carry original passports, Appointment Confirmation Pages (for self and dependents (if any)) and the DS160 already validated in above Point "1.C".
B. All Supporting Documents as guide lined by your petitioner/attorney/company.
[NOTE: You cannot carry any mobile phones inside. But there are local auto drivers, you can find around the US Consulate, trying to do their business of keeping your phones (they may charge around 300-400 rupees. I did not go for this option, thanks to this forum. I just took around 750 Rs with me and necessary documents as suggested.)]

3. The questions which were asked:
A. To myself:
   * Which company you are from?
   * Who is your client?
   * What is your total experience in YYYY Company?
   * Which place you are traveling to in US?

B. To my wife:
   * How many years you have been married?
   * Do you have any kids?

Then the final "GOLDEN WORDS" came - "YOUR VISA is approved. Have a wonderful stay while in US!

[NOTE: In the interview, try to answer to the point and keep it short and simple. Try to keep a good smile on your face while conversing with the Visa Officer. My entire interview was over in 4-5 mins. Good Luck All ! ]
  

Thanks for this great forum. It helped a lot to understand the process, req docs

I completed my biometrics on 25th and visa interview on 26th

For Biometrics
- Carry original passports, appointment confirmation and DS160
- Mobile phones can be carried, but should be turned off.

For Visa interview
- Carry original passports, appointment confirmation and DS160
- All supporting docs

I had my kid with me, so we were given preference and skipped the longggg Q

Questions
* What type of Visa - L1B Individual
* Whats your role
* What does your company do
* how long are you going to be there
* salary

checked for few mins and said your visa is approved....

Keep the discussion short and answer to the point. Good luck!

Hi,

I need a help to find a way from below situation in a way that L2 EAD is not affected.
My L1 visa expires 15 June 2019.
However my wife's L2 EAD sis approved only till March 22nd 2019.

I am due for my L1 extension.
Can you please suggest in what order should i proceed?

Option 1)
Apply for L2 EAD renawal in September 2018 (6 months before EAD expires). In this case would she just get till her L2 visa validation (i.e. Jun 2019). Or is there a chance of rejection.
Then apply for L1/L2 extension in January 2019.
And after L1/L2 extension, apply for L2 EAD renewal again.

Option 2)
First apply for L1/L2 extension in January 2019 (6 months before L1/L2 expiry)
Then apply for L2 EAD renewal based on L1/L2 extension receipts.
But there is high likelyhood L2 EAD renewal will not come till March (till her EAD validation date) so she might be out of employment.

Can someone please confirm if you were in a similar situation.

Thanks in advance!