Visitor Visa - B2

FIRST ATTEMPT - B1 VISA
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Hired an Agent. All he did was fill-up my DS160 form (didn’t even gave me form copy, nor did I ask for it). He submitted my documents to VFS. That’s it.

I was naïve and over-confident thinking my papers are very strong, and I wish not to lie on anything. There’s no reason why I should be denied visa. I applied for B1 visa as I was attending a business conference.

My turn came, and he didn’t even ask “why you wish to go to US” and instead asked question about my education, client etc. – I stammered! Didn’t make eye contact, and was waiting for next question when he said – “different visa category”!!

THEN I realized after 30 minutes what really happened. After initial reaction of “they are arrogant and not-fair and bla-bla..” I analyzed the things and it was few days after interview when I analyzed the things with calm mind and realized what really happened and why.

Also I realized that I should have applied for B2 visa and not B1 because even though this is a business conference I am attending, I am NOT doing any business transaction there. (Oh god, why did I hire this stupid Visa agent??)

It was kind of first defeat for me in about last 5 years and determined to crack this one. Now with a vengeance.



SECOND ATTEMPT PREPARATION
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Researched. A lot.

Didn’t even call visa agent this time. I was on my own and internet was my guide. Fortunately I landed over THIS SECTION OF IMMIHELP.COM where in lots of other people has shared their experience and that became my guide on what to do next .

I summarized everyone’s experience and prepared about 10 pages of different questions, categorized them in different categories – Purpose, Education, Money, Business, Trip, Family etc.

Then wrote down exact genuine answers that I SHOULD give to the Interviewer – while writing those answers, I asked myself the question “Why is he asking this question? ”. Then wrote the answers accordingly. The answers were short, one or two liner with accurate information.

Then rehearsed the answers 4-5 times. First time, I stammered at each and every answer, lost eye contact etc. But as I rehearsed more, I felt confident, kept eye contact and was able to give proper answers.
Because of ImmiHelp – forum, Path2USA guidelines.

Filled DS160 form and got an appointment again (20days after my first interview).


SECOND ATTEMPT. B2 VISA THIS TIME
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My interview time was at 9am, reached at VFS at 8:50. A bit late I know but my turn to go inside of embassy came at 10:30am. This worked in my favor.

This time I was familiar with everything that happens here so I quickly saw the pattern and sat near to the window where people of my age and purpose were interviewed. It was lucky day I guess as most of the people were given Visa.

My turn came at about 12:20pm. This time, I was ready with relevant answers to each kind of question he may ask.

QUESTIONS
1. What is the purpose of your visit to United States?
I am attending so and so conference in so and so place in america. This is a N days event.

2. What do you do?
I am CEO of so and so company where we create so and do products and sell online.

3. What is your income?
Mentioned exact montly income as per my tax records.

4. Since how many years you work with this company?
Since N years. I founded this company.

5. Why do you NEED to attend this event?
Industry leaders including competitors from around the world is to be present here and It'd be a good opportunity to do business networking with them.


I anticipated next question but he kept typing in his computer. And then said "Your visa is approved, you will get your passport in 3 business days"

:) :) :)

Got my passport the next day, 10 years of multiple entry!


if you haven't got tired yet, here's some tips that'd be helpful to you.

TIPS
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1. If you are an educated guy who can surf internet properly, DON’T TAKE HELP OF ANY AGENT. SERIOUSLY. They don’t care about you, they care about their fees. They don’t lose anything if you don’t get visa. So, help yourself instead of someone else helping you.

2. What if you were in interviewer’s place? What would you think of a person like yourself from opposite side of the window?

3. Do you LOOK like what you say you are? For example, if you say I’m a CEO of the company and you go there wearing just a t-shirt, you are bound to fail. Remember, the interviewer don’t give a damn about your achievement. You are what you LOOK like who you are in those 2 minutes.

4. Can you speak without stammering, hesitating or thinking, looking straight in his eyes?

5. Analyze your DS 160 form. What impression does it give to someone? Think over each and every questions/answers and submit when its perfect. You won’t be able to change anything once your DS-160 is submitted and Appointment is taken.

6. Documents, yes keep ready but there’s only 1% chance that they will ask for it. Don’t bluff here. You will only feel confident about your answers if you are having proof of it.

7. Prepare list of 50 generally asked questions and prepare short, accurate and genuine answers of them. Print it, practice it.

8. Your answers should include relevant information. Try not to include so much but don’t just keep it one worded answer either.

9. You will be asked about 4-5 answers in interview. At most, it will be of 2 minutes only. He will not ask the question that YOU think he should ask. He can ask ANYTHING to check your genuinity.

10. Don’t assume anything. He might make you feel that he likes you and then he throws a googly your way, taking you off-guard. Don’t react quickly. Relax, understand his exact question first and then confidently answer it.

11. You might be nervous. Overcome that fear. FACE the interview thinking “even if I fail, let me practice this as best I can so it will be helpful next time”.

12. Don’t go too early and stand in the queue. Instead, just go 15 to 30 minutes early and then sit inside. You DO have to wait either outside in the queue or inside waiting for your turn. Better to sit inside so you can observe other’s interview and get relaxed till your turn comes.


So yes, I'd say its all about Preparation and PRACTICE.

Good luck and I truly wish you success at Visa.

THANK YOU IMMIHELP AND THE MEMBERS WHO SHARED THEIR EXPERIENCE. THAT IS WHAT HELPED ME AND I HOPE MY EXPERIENCE WILL BE HELPFUL TO OTHERS

Thanks all for helping me prepare my parents for interview.
They has interview in mUmbai Consulate and we opted for Hindi language to provide comfort to both mom and dad.

The questions asked were:

For Dad:
VO : Where is your daughter living in US?
VO: Where is the place where your daughter lives?
VO: What do you do Sir?
VO: Is it gvt. or semi govt. or private job? Show me your employer letter.
To My MOM:
VO: What do you do?
VO: How many children do you have?
VO: What is the qualification of your daughter?
VO: From where she completed her studies?
VO: Where she is working and her post?

Then the magical words came, visa approved passport will be reaching home in 7-8 days.
Thank God !!!
All the best all of you!!!

VISA APPROVED...:)

i would like to thank immihelp for making a blog to post thier experinces....
my parents had a interview at 9AM today morning, they went to consulate by 8:30AM....they had a pbm with the font of DS-160 confirmation and requested to get new printout and gave appt at 11AM or next day 9AM...my parents took new print and went for 11AM...interview went for 5min and here are the questions

1) who is stayin in US and where does he stay ?
2) my paystubs, income tax returns,passport xerox
3) Employer name and client name
4) father employement(retired) and when did he retired.
5) saw income tax returns and asked that your son income is low and my mother told that they are 2yrs previous and told current year salary.
6) how many kids and what does your son -in -law do in India? what kind of job of your son in law

Hi
Just wanted to share my parents experience at kolkata US consulate..
They selected hindi as intv language but intv happenend in english as there was no interpreter..
intv was scheduled at 9:15 and they let them enter the hall at 9:00-9:15..
They said photo is not correct as there is little reflection of light on their specs..Hence they asked them to go outside and take new photo immediately..Luckily there were lot of photo studios outside which charges heavily but gives photo immediately.
Everything was very quick..They asked my father that they dont have any interpreter now and if they can take intv in english...He said he knows english but not fluent..Then she asked 4-5 questions and didnt see any document at all..They took their fingerprint twice and matched them..i guess bcos they went outside for photo in between..
Questions:-
Does ur daughter lives there?...No SON
Where does he work?....abc company name
Why do u want to go to US?...to visit places and meet son
How long u want to go? ... 2 months
who is staying here in india?...my elder son, mother, daughter in law, etc etc
u can collect ur passport tommorow from VFS center....thank u very much
They came out by 10:30

The next day the they got 10 yr multiple entry B1/B2 visa..
I am on H1 and I am sponsoring them and they didnt have any property document.I just transferred some balance to their account in case if they check that(even though its not self sponsered)....My parents and 60-65 yrs old retired..
Our conclusion was that they just see face and if u look genuine they will ask simple question and u shud answer confidently....rest all is ur LUCK...

Thanks immihelp for ur help and guidance...I hope this helps other people in similar situation...GUD LUCK

hi i m here to mention the visitor visa experience of my parents. My parents appeared for the interview in mumbai consulate. Interview timing was 9 am. we reached there by 7 am. and they were out just in an hr. only following questions were asked. 1) Whom are you going to visit in USA? 2) how many kids u have and what do they do? 3) what is your job description? 4) How many days you want to be there?
visa was granted immidiately. it took just 2-3 mins.
I will soon be collecting the passport from the vfs
office. God is great

Hi I would like to share my mom visitor visa experience at mumbai consulate...i Sponsored my mom and my status is cap-gap extension..

Also i would like to mention that my lawyer told me to wait till oct when my h1b starts so that i am on h1b status and not cap-gap

my mom had interview last week VO asked 3-4 question

VO:why you want to go to usa
when was the last time i was in india
what your son -in-law do
do you have property in india

then VO said your visa is approved..my mom got her passport back with 10 years visa

I went to the USA in 2007 and I stayed there for 2 months and I returned back.after 2 months I applied for a student visa and I got a denial.than I applied 2 times for a tourist visa and I got rejected as well.I decided to forget about going to the USA and I decided to go to Frnce and I got my visa.Now I have nostalgia to visit the USA some day I want to ask for a visa again but I am scared to get a denail.could you please advise me? I am married, I am a teacher I have five young children, I have a house, my husband works as well........Thank you.

The only mantra to get through the VISA is that “BE HONEST” . Other factors need to be considered is to be confident all the time . Smartness would pay but over smartness may spoil the case.
Few of the questions which are relevant for the Tourist visa are follows :
1. Why do you want to go to the US ?
2. What’s your position in your company?
3. Since how long you are with this company ?
4. What does your company do ?
5. What’s your role in your company ?
6. Who shall sponsor your trip.
7. What’s your salary ?
8. Who all are there in your family ?
9. Do you have any property in your name ?
10. When do plan to go ?
11. How long you wish to stay there ?
12. What’s your schedule / itinerary ?
13. Which all places you wish to visit ?
14. Have you been to any other country ?
15. Why have you chosen the US as first country to visit.
16. What would you do when you come back.
17. Do you have any relative ?
18. Why are you planning for the trip alone , why not with family.
Documents which I took along with me .
1. Visa fee receipt – Original
2. Passport
3. Confirmation of the upload of Visa form ds 160
4. VISA interview Appointment Letter
5. Photos ( if not loaded at the time of upload of DS 160 )
Documents which I took along with me to support ( but none was asked ) . I recommend to take papers , it would keep your confidence high.
• Salary certificate of the last year from the employer
• Salary slip – last 6 months ( current )
• Income tax returns of last 3 years.
• NOC from employer about the Visa application or Visit to the US.
• Visiting Cards
• Family photograph
• School Report cards of Children
• Net worth certificate from CA.
• Property papers ( Xerox )
• Bank statements
• Bank Deposits statements from bank.

My Parents attended Telugu Interview on August 3rd 2012 and got visa for 10 years.

Visa Officer is an American guy who spoke in Telugu. It was a quick interview. I have been asking them questions everyday to get them prepared. That helped them a lot.

Thanks to everyone for posting your experiences. It helped us a lot.

Questions:

To DAD:

-> Who are in USA?

-> Who do you do?

-> What does your son-in-law do?

-> Show me your son-in-laws pay slips

-> While looking at pay slips, in which department do you work?
(May dad is a government officer)

-> My dad while answering showed him NOC(No Objection) letter

-> Well, how many months do you want to stay in USA?

Finally to MOM:

-> how many months are you planning to stay in USA?

YOUR VISA IS APPROVED. YOU WILL GET THE PASSPORT IN A WEEK.

The interview happened on Friday and they got passport on Wednesday(My parents live in Vijayawada.)

Thanks again :)