L1, L2, F1 Visa Experiences - June, July, August and September 2021

Slot Booking: June 19th 10 pm (shout out to @keshavkabra for posting it here). Didn’t see the slot in first go, used an another account to see it on the left side bar. Tried again with original account. Did see the ofc and vi both this time. Didn’t book due to some personal reason. Slot lost. It again became available after 15 mins. Booked this time.

Appointment: June 21st 8 am ofc 10:30 am vi. Stayed at The Park since it’s walkable from both the places.

Standard affair at ofc.

Went for VI at around 10:15 pm. Was made to stand at back. Then called forward since other were walk ins. Let in around the same time. Don’t bring anything extra, I had sanitizer pouch and was made to walk all the way back to throw it. Cash/card is fine obviously.

Completed security. Then let in where a person gave a sheet to arrange the documents as printed there. Exactly as per the website (page count as well)

Waited in another hall, then made to stand for around 15 mins outside the main building entrance (prepare for heat and sunshine). Was let in and then made to stand in another line near the VI counters. Was shuffled around a lot before let in to make the fraud payment fees. Normal Visa Card works.

Sent to the actual VI counter, seemingly nice person, interview started with asking the petitioner. But then the VO asked if my ofc was done today, and hence the application wasn’t in the system. Asked to go to X counter and come back.

Again shuffled around by the helping staff before reaching the counter. Gave the passport and after 5 mins I was done here. No questions asked.

Was sent to the dreaded VO queue. Although she had approved some visas before me, I had seen her asking a lot more questions. She even interviewed the dependents including kids thoroughly.

Actual Visa Interview :

VO: Interchange of greetings and standard documents.
VO: L1A or L1B? Petitioner?
VO: First time L1? H Visa?
VO: Date of travel?
VO: Do I have NIE?
Me: No
VO: Would you want me to raise one or You will get it separately? Added that I gotta travel within 30 days as NIE would expire.
Me: Yes and I can travel within 30 days.
VO: City and State in US?
VO: Role in US?
VO: Salary?
VO: What’s your specialisation?
Me: I replied something very specific and technical, probably too fast (was anxious lol😅).
VO: Looking at me glaringly and then chuckled and said if I could simplify it for her as she needs to type it in.
Me: Paraphrased the same thing in a simpler way by giving examples. Lot more anxious.
VO: Is it something very specific and proprietary to your company? ( this question was probably for her to understand and not from VI perspective)
Me: Explained
VO: Why not someone in US in the hiring team is capable of this?
VO: Why do you need to be in US? Is there some permissions, software, or hardware that can’t be made available to you in India?
Me: Answered
VO: Why at this time?
VO: Right hand fingerprint.
VO: Typed something and then started writing on I129s. Put some stamp, then said ohh wait.
Me: Trying desperately to see what’s written/stamped, probably sweating at this point.
VO: Came back with another stamp. Apparently first one wasn’t working fine 😅

Some more stamping and I can see approved stamp. Then she proceeded to tell me what to do with the I129s copies, and then was like ohh take this (green) slip which has details on how to collect passport. You’ll get it when NIE is approved in around 5 days. Wished me something something which I barely listened to and thanked her.

This VO actually asked dependents questions on there work, education and other stuff. And kids about when they would turn 21? What about education? University? Birth country?

Experience 2 : F1 Visa – Mumbai

Approved F1 visa 24th June Mumbai consulate (on behalf of my wife)

VO: Good morning. Please pass me your documents.
Applicant: Good morning. Passed the docs.

VO: why are you going to the US?
A: Answered – to pursue MS in BA

VO: what have you studied before?
A: answered – b tech degree info

VO: how is it related to masters
A: answered

VO: have you taken a loan
A – no. My husband will be sponsoring me.

VO: will he travel with you.
A: no. He works in US on H1b visa

VO: your visa is approved. Carry your I20 when you travel.
A: thank you!

Experience 3 : L2 Visa Dropbox Delhi

Appointment – June 21, 2021 @ 3pm
Reached – 02:40pm
No que, went straight in. Wait time 5-7 minutes. Only 4 counters were open.
Agent asked for following documents:

Appointment Confirmation
Passport
DS-160
Asked for I797 – handed over copy of my husbands approved I797
My husband’s last visa copy
Husband’s employment verification letter
NIE letter – I had letter from my husband’s employer stating his job roles, also included a cover letter stating family separation.
No questions asked, took the documents and said will get an update in next 7-10 days.

June 22, 2021 – application status changed to received.
June 23, 2021 – received email form embassy stating visa and NIE has been approved – there was no change in the online status. Showed administrative processing.
June 24, 2021 – online status changed to Issued
June 25, 2021 – Passport ready for pick up

Picked up on Monday June 28, 2021. Flying out Thursday July 1, 2021.

Hope this helps!

Experience 4: L1A Visa at Chennai

Bio metric: June 30th went well ..more crowd due to all F1 guys ..still enjoyed…

July 1st visa interview

More crowd waited for more than 1hr and shuffled many time and then finally sent to VO (I was only person with L1A )
More than 30 + where for F1 visa…

Me: Good morning MaM
VO: No reply
VO: Can I have your passport please
Me :Handed over the same
VO: which visa are you applying for
Me :L1A individual
VO:which company are you working for and how long
Me:replied
VO: what is your designation
Me:replied
VO:which department or category
Me:Delivery
VO:No which sector(she looking for one within 16 infrastructure mentioned in exception)
Me:Replied
VO:what is your salary in US
Me:replied
VO:Adress where you will be working from.
Me :replied
VO:Does your client have office there
Me :replied yes but I keep travelling 30% to other client locations
VO:Do you intend to travel within 30days
Me:yes
VO:ok your Visa is approved and you have to travel within 30days if not you have to apply for just NIE again online and you will get it in 4-6 weeks
Me :thanks you mam have nice day
Vo:reply,Gave me the green slip

She was really good and polite and first I thought she didn’t even greet me back…one thing I will tell you all I was there for more than hour and I never see anyone with other than Green slip or sad face so pls be bold and talk exactly what you know you will get it.

No need forNIE letter,if you have it well and good,they decide if you are eligible and 99% every one who has personal interviews are getting NIE now days.

Experience 5: J1 (Pharmaceutical Science) Visa at Hyderabad

Hi, I would like to share my experience regarding my J1 (pharmaceutical science) approval first time interview, EA booked on June 15 th, at Hyderabad,

Only four questions
VO: what is your programme, answered,
VO: what is your highest qualification, answered,
VO: what is your salary, answered
VO: what’s your specialization, answered
VO: give me your finger prints and taken my passport and issued 221g white slip

June 16 case reported
June 17 admin processing
June 18 issued with NIE annotation on VISA
June 19 picked up

Ticket booked for Dallas via doha Qatar Airways on June 1st

Only problem I faced is doha is asking RTPCR report 48 hr before, because of facility at airport it was narrow escape, but they charged 6000 rs for report with in one hr, god knows

Experience 6: L1A with Dropbox and NIE at New Delhi

Sent email to Chennai and New Delhi, requesting EA without regular appointment slot.
Got rejected twice
Got regular dropbox slot for 10th Sep and raised EA, again rejected.
Rescheduled IW slot for 15th June at New Delhi, with the help of the dropbox group.
Submitted all the documents along with NIE and Employer letter.
NIE on IT infra
Till 23rd June, status was “No Status “. Realised that the case was not moved from Chennai(home consulate) to New Delhi.
Sent an email to new Delhi embassy on 23rd june.
Status changed to Application recieved on 24th june
Till 1st July no change in the status.
Sent email to embassy asking for status.
Got a response stating that case remains refused for mandatory administrative procedures on 2nd July.
On 6th July got NIE approval email.
Awaiting for passport delivery.

In the NIE letter I indicated what my role is, importance of my presence, and my certifications which is relevant to my job role.

Experience 7: L1A at Mumbai

I appeared for the interview today at Mumbai Consulate. The entire interview was extremely brief and was only around if I qualify for NIE.

Interviewer: hand me over your passport, your i979. Do you have a passport size photo? When was it taken?
Me: Yes sir. ( handed over the photo ), last week.
Interviewer: sit down there, I will call you back.

After 3 interviews he called me back.

Interviewer: What position will you be working in?
Me: Senior Director, Department

Interviewer: How long have you been with this company?
Me: 6.5 years and more…(interrupted)

Interviewer: What product do you work on?
Me: Product X

Interviewer: What is Product X?
Me: It provides insights into customer data which…(interrupted)

The interviewer pulled out a physical form and while filling it said “You must be aware that there’s presidential proclamation in effect and based on your answers you do not qualify for the Nation Interest Exception…(I interrupted)”
Me: Sir
Interviewer: Go ahead
Me: Sir, I have the launch of Product X on 10th August and it is critical that…
Interviewer: Containing coronavirus is critical. Because of the presidential proclamation your application has been put on hold. It is not rejected it is not refused it is put on hold. We do not know what process you will have to follow. You must contact your organization ( pointed at the i979 ) and they will know the latest on how to proceed ahead. Thank you and have a great day.

A lady who appeared before me received the exact same response.

Also, while I was waiting for the interviewer to call me back I witnessed an H4 or L2 interview. The lady handed over her wedding photos to the interviewer where the couple was standing wearing garlands.

Interviewer: where are you from? Which community do you belong to ?
Lady: brahmin.
Interviewer: there must have been other rituals like Mangal Sutra. Where are the photos of that? If you printed these photos why did you not print the other photos? Can you explain why?
Lady: I have marriage certificate and something about an album ( she wasn’t answering the question the interviewer asked )
Interviewer: did I ask you about that? I am specifically asking why did you not print the rituals photos.

He said she will need to submit the ritual photos along with the marriage certificate and handed out a slip.

Experience 8: F1 Visa at Mumbai

Date: 9th July 2021
Consulate: Mumbai
Appointment: Regular
Status: Approved ✅
Interview Duration: 20 seconds
Slot Time: 7.50 am
In Time: 7.40 am
Out Time: 7.50 am
Counter no.33

University: UIC

Me: Good Morning officer.

VO: Pass me your passport, i20
Me: ( Passed )

VO : What’s your name?
Me : Told

VO : What does your father do? Whats his income?
Me: Told

VO : congratulations your visa is approved
20 second interview

Experience 9: F1 Visa at Hyderabad

Interview date: 7th July
Status on 7th : Refused
Status on 8th : Administrative Processing
Status on 9th : Issued

Timeline:

7th July, 2021
Source:self
Status: 221(g) White slip, Approved on 9th July
Hyd consulate
Counter no.16
Suny buffalo – Data Science
9:15am slot
Very few students, almost no wait time barring the security checks.
VO: GM, pls put your i20 and passport up against the glass.
VO: suny buffalo nice, engg?
Me: it actually is DS.
VO: oh that’s why I asked, so what is your background in DS.
Me: told (interrupted)
VO: funding?
Me: father is the sole sponsor, told savings and annual income.
VO: great, have you ever been to Canada?
Me: NO
VO: have you ever been rejected a Canadian visa?
Me: NO
VO: Have you ever been rejected a US visa.
Me: no I actually have a B1/B2 US visa.
VO: Oh you do, great just a moment and keeps looking for something on his computer screen. He apologizes twice for the delay and then hands me a 221(g) white slip saying they need more time on my application and asked me to drop the passport in the box.
Me: Is there a problem sir? Do I need to drop off any documents?
VO: no don’t worry about it, it should take 2-3 days for them to get back to you.
Thanked him and left.

Those who have a similar scenario just wait for 2-3 business days for the issue to be resolved.

Experience 10: L1A + L2 Visa at Kolkata

Regular Appointment (had a request letter from my company for NIE) – July12

VO: Greeted us
VO: Asked for passports, DS160, i797
VO: Asked to take biometrics..
VO: He then took about 2 mins to retrieve my application – apologized since it was taking too long..
VO: XXX – is that your company?
Me: Yes – Indian subsidiary is XXX and US name is XXY
VO: What does your company do..
ME: Answered
VO: what brands is the company working with?
Me: Gave few examples…
VO: What is your role in the company?
Me: Answered..
VO: How many people would work under you?
Me: xxx. a direct, b indirect
VO: Are they onshore or offshore?
Me: They are split between onshore and offshore locations.
VO: What is your salary?
Me: Are you asking about the Indian company salary or for the US position?
VO: (Corrects himself). What will be your salary?
ME: It will be xxx $
VO: xxx $ per month? (laughs)
ME: per annum sir..
VO: You studied from ABCD college?
Me: Yes.
VO: (Asks wife) When did you get married?
Wife: Answers
VO: Can you share the marriage certificate and photos?
Wife: Passes the documents – he looks over the certificate and photos
VO: He hands over a white paper – which had something written out related to NIE..
Me: (Got nervous) I said – My company has shared a NIE letter for you..
VO: That’s good – please pass it over to me… VO starts reading the letter
Me: I then read the white paper he had passed – It said “In addition to your visa approval.. you were also granted a NIE….” (He had already approved the visa with NIE before I shared the letter)
Me: Sir, this paper says that I need to travel within 30 days? (I knew that they have updated the 30 day limit to 12 months)
VO: Takes the white letter back and says “thank you for observing that”..and then passes me a similar paper which had 12 month validity written instead of 1 month.
VO: Your visa is approved with NIE..Safe travels…
Me: Thank you sir. Do you need the original i797?
VO: No.

Note – that I had initially filled the DS160 for Chennai. I got the appointment in Kolkata. Before I went for the VAC in Kolkata- I filled a new DS160 with Kolkata consulate. At the VAC I handed over both the Kolkata and Chennai DS-160 and asked them to not use the Chennai one. They simply used the latest DS-160.

If you are going to Kolkata for the interview. I would highly recommend to stay at Harrington Residency – diagonally opposite to the consulate. Staying very close to the consulate helps to keep you calm and not waste time standing in lines and worry about your belongings.

Experience 11: J1 Visa with Dropbox at New Delhi

New Delhi dropbox experience
12th july: submitted
13th july: received
14th july: admin process
15th july: issued
17th july: received
Submitted ds 2019, photo, nie letter from university, ds 160 confirmation, appointment confirmation

Experience 12: L1A at Chennai

Type: Regular appointment, booked the slot in March 2021 for July 15th

OFC: Chennai consulate. Took around 30 min to complete the process.
Had a correction for DS 160, so I created a new DS 160 and got it replaced with the earlier DS 160 during OFC

Interview: Had to stand in the queue of Chennai consulate for almost 2 hours. Most of the candidates are for F1 visa. Submitted passport, DS 160 doc to the interviewer.

Question: Salary, work sector, visiting city

Based on the answers, councelor identified that I qualify for NIE, so she gave the NIE for me. No other doc asked including the NIE letter

Question to spouse: Passport, are you planning to work?

Total interview time: 2 minutes

Status: Approved with NIE attestation.

Experience 13: F1 + F2 with Dropbox at Chennai

IW Dropbox experience:

Visa type: F1 renewal+F2(new)
After series of email exchange with ChennaiCIU@state.gov, we were approved for expedited processing. All this in the past week (July 15th onwards).

We went for the walk-in documents drop off at Bangalore VAC yesterday on 21st July.

We had all docs(valid visa photocopies, passport bio pages, ds-160 confirmation, MRV number, print out of email communication, F1’s new i-20, F2’s i-20. What we did not have was SPOUSE’S I-20 photocopy

If digital then they have print services which one can avail.

Two trainee officers were accepting the docs. One of them didn’t know that they need F-2 I-20 as well. Upon probing, they called senior and it was resolved.

Told will take 3 weeks but can come earlier. Will update.

Experience 14: L1B (Blanket) + L2 at Chennai

Finally visa status changed to Issued. At some point, I lost all hope but eventually it happened.

Class: L1B [blanket] + L2

May 3rd: Received 221g during interview [was EA after 27th April regular appointment was cancelled by consulate due to 2nd wave] in Chennai
May – June: Sent a lot of emails to chennaiCIU@state.gov but got generic replies.
June 21st: I sent an email to chennaiNIE@state.gov and explained my business emergency with NIE
June 23rd: Received email to drop-off passports with NIE justification
June 25th: Dropped-off passports at Chennai VAC
July 23rd: Received another email from the chennai consulate with my application number. It asked me to submit my documents at the VAC. Turned out on 23rd July, they reached out to all L/H applicants who got 221g in first week of May because of PP. For my case it was a miscommunication because the passports were already with the consulate.
July 26th: Status changed to AP
July 28th: Status changed to Issued

Quite a timeline there, but I know there are people who have been waiting for 4-5 months. All the best everyone. I know you guys will get the visa eventually. Just hang in there

Experience 15: F1 Visa at Hyderabad

VI Date : 3rd August
Time : 10.30AM
Hyderabad Consulate.
University: University of Rochester
Duration : 50 seconds

I was composed throughout the process, but when I reached the counter, the candidate infront of me was being asked many technical questions, that made me a bit nervous.

VO : Hi, please place your passport this way.
Me : good morning officer (placed my passport for scanning)

VO : I see a masters in computational science, what if your background in it?
Me : I have done my bachelors from Indian Institute of Information Technology, its a Bachelor of tech in… (interrupted)

VO : How are you funding?
Me : My parents are sponsoring me, they both are salaried, their combined annual income is XX.

VO : what does you mother do?
Me : She’s a Lawyer

Vo : What does your father do?
Me : He’s a Doctor.

VO: Are you taking a loan?
Me: yes

VO : How much ?
Me : XX from canara bank, its a collateral loan.

Vo : alright I’m approving your visa.

Me : Thank you officer!(Walks out containing happiness and playing pedda puli in mind.)

The interview was damn short, they just want short, quick and to the point answers.

Experience 16: F1 Visa at Mumbai

My Visa interview experience:
Status: Approved✅
Embassy: Mumbai
Date: 4th August 2021
Slot Timing: 8.30 am
Interview time: 1 min
University of Cincinnati, Ohio
Program- Master of Public Health
Slot type: Regular
1st Attempt

Me: Good morning sir
VO: Good morning. How are you?
Me: I am good.
VO: Pass me your passport and i20.
Me: Sure sir, here it is.
VO: What is your purpose to visit United States of America?
Me: Sir, I am going to visit United States to pursue my master of public health’s degree.
VO: Okay. Which university are you going?
Me: Sir, I am going to University of Cincinnati.
VO: Okay. How many universities did you apply?
Me: Sir, I applied in 9 universities out of which I got 6 admits.
VO: Okay. Who’s going to sponsor you?
Me: Sir, my parents are going to sponsor me. They have current Rs. * in their savings account and their assets including properties worth Rs. * and additionally we have taken education loan from * bank worth Rs. *
VO: Place your right hand 4 fingers on scanner.
Me: Placed.
VO: I am approving your visa
Me: Thank you so much sir.

My slot time was 8.30 but I reached at 7.45, went inside for security screening by 8.00 and was in the embassy waiting by 8.30. My turn came around 9 and I was out by 9.30-9.45
So its not that tough, just have confidence and faith guys. It’s pretty chilled out.
All the best to all for your interviews.

Experience 17: K1 at New Delhi

Hey Guys
Category : K1 Visa
I wanted to inform you guys that I reached New York on the 9th August at 9:00 pm. I booked my flights with Delta Airlines which is working with Virgin Atlantic and I had a layover of 2:30 minutes at London(Heathrow) Airport.
It was all smooth at the customs too all they asked were two questions :

When are you getting married ?
I hope you are aware about the rule with this visa ?
(After he returned my passport) How much money are you carrying ?

The passenger locator form and the negative RTPCR report was only checked at the Delhi Airport and no proof of vaccination was required.

Experience 18: L1B Blanket + L2 at Chennai

Sharing my interview experience. Hope this will be helpful.

Consulate – Chennai
Visa category: L1B blanket and L2 for dependent’s
Appointment Category: Regular (EA request declined)
Booked slot on 29th April 2021
Status: Approved

Biometric: 6th Aug 2021
DS160, passport, photo if you are carrying kids documents

Interview: 9th Aug 2021 12:00 PM

Need to pay $500(INR38000) fraud prevention fee if it’s an L1 blanket petition, so carry cash or DD to avoid the last-minute rush as sometimes credit card will not work due to network issue ( I struggled a lot as the credit card was not working and no cash at ATM)

Questions:

VO: Who is your petitioner?
VO: How long you are working with the petitioner?
VO: What is the base salary?
VO: Petitioner company products and services
VO: work city and state in the US?
VO: What’s your roles and responsibilities
VO: What’s your specialization?
VO: why not someone in the US team is capable of doing your work?
VO: Role in the US?
VO: let me make some notes, he typed something
VO: why do you need to be onsite?
Me: My transfer to the United States will allow a company to address its need to respond to customer requests as quickly and as locally.

Without transfer to the US, Interaction between teams will be impaired, making it difficult to improve services and applications based on the direct interactive cooperation that is only possible when all involved parties operate in the same location and timezone

VO: there are a lot of tools like zoom that will be available for collaboration, is there any other reason you need to be onsite and can’t work from here?
Me: explained about the criticality of project and data

VO: Travel date?
VO: I am approving your VISA
Me: Thanks, I have NIE supporting documents if required.
VO: Not required, I will recommend for NIE
VO: Madam left-hand fingerprint (For L2 dependent)
VO: Sir, your right-hand fingerprints
VO: he handed me I129s copies with approved stamping and green slip which has details on how to collect passport

Experience 19: F1 at Hyderabad

Interview Date: 13th Aug 2021
Time: 9:45 am
No of attempts: First attempt
Outcome: Approved

I want to share my experience with you guys as I was also in your position before today.

First things first, no amount of reading others experiences will help you. The story is yours and you need to be able to say it clearly (they understand that all the applicants are nervous).

There are a lot of applicants today and you can literally see tension on everybody’s face. But don’t be tensed at all.

Today there were a lot of rejects infront of me and I was scared like hell. In hyd consulate, we were able to listen to answers of at least 3-4 guys who are infront of us. When I listened to their answers, I realized their answers lacked clarity of thought. If it occurred to me, I am pretty sure it the VO might have felt the same.

One guys infront of me got asked – why are you going for Masters in computer science when you graduated in electronics? (He is a fresher without any prior experience). His reply was – I wanted to do computer science in bachelors but I was not able to do. So thats why I am doing masters in comp science now. I doubt who believes this answer. I felt bad for him, but he could have said something better.

Anyway, my experience is below:

VO: drop your passport in the box and place your fingers on the scanner
Me: did as asked

VO: Show me your i20
Me: Placed i20 on the glass infront of me for him to see clearly

VO: Read the univ name and course name loud

VO: Do you have any experience in the field
Me: yes sir, I have around 5 years of experience as a software dev engineer

VO: How are you going to fund your ed
Me: while working i managed to save around xxx $ and my family has savings around xxx $. Also, I managed to secure a loan of xxx $.

VO: So you have loan?
Me: yes sir, I do.

VO: What does your father do?
Me: He is a cloth merchant

VO: your visa is approved sir. Have a good day.
Me: thank you officer

Experience 20: L2 at New Delhi

Hi All sharing the stamping exp for my dependents in L2:
Got the initial in person appointment in Delhi for Feb 1st and 2 nd 2022. Requested for EA via portal with NIE received from company and damily seperation and kids schooling as reason. Got the approval in one and half week and was able to advance the booking for Aug second week.
OFC was smooth and took photos and finger prints and they recommendednot to bring kids under 14 for PA
Next day attended PA and it was very quick. Asked my wife to show my i797 and marriage certificate. They verified the same and said your Visa is approved. The very next day got the NIE approval mail and in next few days received the pp with NiE.
My kids are not USC and only l2 stamping as I am in US.

Experience 21: L1A Banket (1+2) with NIE at Chennai

VAC in Mumbai

Travelled from Bangalore. Fully Vaccinated folks just need the vaccination certificate. If you are travelling with Kid, RTPCR negative report is required for kids.

Biometric process was smooth. No crowd. It was a 10 mins process. Surprisingly, they took pic for my 5 years old daughter even when I took her pic based on the exact specification.

VI in Chennai

No RTPCR required for anyone travelling from Mumbai. Vaccination certificate is required and TN ePass. No one checked the ePass though.

Interview was scheduled at 1 PM but I reached the Consulate at 12 PM and was out at 12:55 PM.

There was no crowd and majority of the interviews were still F1s. Many were getting rejected as well.

I paid the Fraud Detection fees via DD and then proceeded to Counter 25 (Indian Guy). He was in a great mood and joked with my daughter about her face masks and cartoon characters.
He then spoke to my wife and below were the questions to her.

Highest qualification
Ever been to US
Which industry she used to work for
USC kid or not

Then he took her left hand fingerprint and asked my wife and kid to go back and take a seat. He then turned his focus on me and below were the questions:

US salary
How any Direct repotees
Criticality of being to US
NIE letter (But didn’t see. I had NIE letter with me)
As my company is a product company dealing with Data, he dug deeper into what data and clients
How many years of management experience and overall total experience

This went for 5 mins and then he started typing in his system. After couple of minutes, he gave me the Green Slip and told that Visa is approved with NIE and asked me to wait for another couple of minutes till he finishes filling up the rest of the data.
Finally, he stamped my documents and gave them back to me again stating that NIE is also approved.

Overall, it went smooth.

Experience 22: L1B + L2 at Chennai

Sharing my interview experience. Hope this will be helpful.

Consulate – Chennai
Visa category: L1B blanket and L2 for dependent’s
Appointment Category: Regular (EA request declined)
Booked slot on 29th April 2021
Status: Approved

Biometric: 6th Aug 2021
DS160, passport, photo if you are carrying kids documents

Interview: 9th Aug 2021 12:00 PM

Questions:

Received my passport back within 3 days by courier

Experience 23: L2 (Wife+3 Kids) at New Delhi

L2 Individual (Wife + 3 Kids = 4 Slots) Visa Stamping Experience while Primary L1A holder in USA & No USC Kids – APPROVED

30-Jun-21: Regular Appointment received:
VAC on 16-Jan-22 (Mumbai) Consular on 20-Jan-22 (Mumbai)

7-Jul-21: Applied EA on Family Separation basis through portal but got denial in one hour without any reason. EA request by default goes to the consulate you selected for your regular appointment. In our case it was Mumbai. Called Mumbai consulate as well as ustraveldocs customer service for the rejection reason but did not entertained saying not authorized to share the EA rejection reason.

21-Jul-21: Sent email EA request on Humanitarian grounds of Family Separation Critical Situation through support@ustraveldocs.com but rejected this EA request without any reason

23-Jul-21: Sent email EA request on Humanitarian grounds of Family Separation Critical Situation through Chennai, CIU ChennaiCIU@state.gov but rejected this EA request without any reason

Kept checking rescheduling appointment on daily basis but no luck. It was a nightmare to find 4 slots. Wanted to save 2nd and last EA request option until Student Visa rush gets over.

20-Aug-21: Got notification in one of the Telegram groups that Delhi has opened many slots so tried my luck around 10:30 AM IST and found many open slots at Delhi. Successfully able to reschedule 4 slots
VAC on 31-Aug-21 (Delhi) at 2:30 PM IST
Consular on 1-Sep-21 (Delhi) 11:30 AM IST

All 3 kids are below 14 years old so only my wife appeared for Biometric & Consular appointments by carrying 3 kids’ application and mandatory documents.

Booked Delhi hotel in between Biometric center and US Embassy at Delhi – Shangri-La Eros. Amazing experience.

Booked flights – Pune to Delhi early morning 31-Aug-21 and Delhi to Pune evening 1-Sep-21 RT-PCR test conducted on 30-Aug-21 because it’s a mandate to enter Maharashtra but not in Delhi

VAC/OFC/Biometric Appointment Documents:

Appointment Confirmation Letter
DS-160 Confirmation Letter of all applicants
Applicant’s original valid passports + all old expired original passports
Primary I797 approval notice/petition copy
2 US specific photographs with white background of 3 kids

Consular Appointment Documents:

Appointment Confirmation Letter
DS-160 Confirmation Letter of all applicants
Applicant’s original valid passports + all old expired original passports
2 US specific photographs with white background of 3 kids
Primary I797 approval notice/petition copy
Primary I-129 copy
Primary last 3 months Pay slips
Primary US Bank latest Statements
Primary W2 latest form
NIE letter signed by primary employer
Primary Client Letter
School letter confirming student enrollment & school commencement date for in-person
schooling and no virtual option
Pending routine vaccination letter from US pediatrician
Pending routine dentist appointment letter from US dentist
Primary valid Passport copy
Primary expired visa copy
Primary expired I-94 copy
Primary Travel History copy
Latest I-94 and travel history copies of all applicants
Original birth certificates of all kids
Original Marriage Certificate
4-5 Marriage photograph print outs
Primary all prior L1 approval notice/petitions
Primary Employee Verification letter

VAC/OFC/Biometric Appointment on 31-Aug-21 at 11:30 AM IST (Overall 30 min)

Reached Biometric office at 11:15 AM IST
Switched off mobile phone allowed inside office
Allowed to enter office and asked for Appointment confirmation, DS-160 confirmation, Passport & I797 for verification and validation
Fingerprints taken
Captured wife’s photograph
Did not asked for Kids photographs
Exited office

Consular Appointment on 1-Sep-21 at 2:30 PM IST (Overall 20 min – actual interview 7-8 min)
Reached office 5 min late at 2:35 PM IST because of heavy water on roads and heavy traffic around US embassy
Asked to keep mobile phone inside locker – Rs 50 rent
Asked for Passport of all applicants & Primary I797 approval notice/petition

Asked to stand in line at Window 20

• VO: Good Morning. How are you doing today? Ans: Greeted
• VO: Can I see passport of all applicants and I797 Ans: Sure! Passed on requested documents
• VO: Where is your husband?
Ans: He is in USA at XXXX city in XX state
• VO: Which US company is he working for in USA? Ans: Answered
• VO: Is this company also in India? Ans: Answered
• VO: How many years is he working for this company? Ans: Answered
• VO taken fingerprints
• VO: Where are your 3 kids?
Ans: Answered in India XXXX city
• VO: Do you have their Visa photographs?
Ans: Answered yes and passed on their Visa photographs
• VO: What are their ages?
Ans: Answered
• VO: Are they US Citizen?
Ans: No, all are born in India
• VO: Were all of you in USA before?
Ans: Yes
• VO: When did you come to India?
Ans: Answered and additionally explained the reason for India trip due to mother’s critical health condition at that time and now 7 plus month we are separated, US schools are already started & kids are missing schools. Also, their vaccinations are long due in US so need to travel US as soon as possible
• VO: Understand. It’s very hard time for you & the kids being separated from their father
• VO: When did your husband travelled to USA?
Ans: 2017
• VO: Oh, that’s long time back. It’s difficult for him all alone there. Do you remember his travel
date by any chance?
Ans: Yes, answered
• VO: Your visa is approved and thank you
Ans: Thank you very much

Note: VO didn’t ask for any other documents except I797. Hopefully stamped visa will have NIE exception annotation for US travel. Fingers crossed.

Passport Delivery: Opted premium delivery and awaiting delivery so that accordingly will plan family travel

Experience 24: L2 at New Delhi

Final result – Visa approved with NIE
Note: Primary applicant in India had L1 visa stamped early 2021(valid until 2024) and His NIE was Approved by Chennai consulate under NIE category- Financial Services(IT)

Aug 31: Biometrics at 1PM
Location : Delhi
Sept 3: Consulate Interview at 9:30AM
Location : Delhi

For Biometrics, below Docs carried:

Ds160
Appointment confirmation
Passport
We stayed at Aloft hotel in Aerocity which is 20 minutes distance to Shivaji stadium via metro. Biometrics were super smooth, had an appointment at 1PM on Aug 31, reached there by 12:15PM and was allowed inside at 12:30 pm. In and out within 10 mins.

On Sept 3, today – Reached consulate at 8:15 am for 9.30 appointment.
Handed over my phone and bag to my spouse (waiting outisde embassy) – only documents in transparent folder was taken in. Security check was done in 10 minutes and i was in front of VO in notime.

VO – (Good looking guy)good morning how’re you?
Me – Good Morning sir
VO : Hand me your passport
Me : Passed
VO : SPOUSE visa copy
Me : passed
VO : SPOUSE I-797
Me : passed
VO : Marriage certificate
Me : passed
VO : How long have you been married?
Me : informed
VO : Where is your Spouse currently?
Me : He is in India , Infact He came here with me waiting outside ..And I have the document of his NIE approval from chennai consulate . would you like to take a look ?
VO : Yes ! definitely – (Passed him the NIE Approval). The VO took 2 minutes to check and Said congratulations your visa is approved with NIE
Me: Thankyou
VO: When are you planning to travel to US?
Me: We shall plan in a week as soon my passport is received.
VO: Have a safe journey.
Me: Thanks again !

Documents that I carried for consular :
Passport
Appointment confirmation
Ds160 barcode page
I797 for primary applicant
Nie approval letter from Chennai consulate (for primary applicant)
I-129 copy for primary applicant
Marriage photos (10 Nos)
Marriage certificate
Her graduation certificates
2 Photos (in case if they ask)

Experience 25: L1A Blanket at Chennai

I rescheduled my appointment thrice thanks to the ’18th minute rule’! Here’s my experience:-

Aug 29, 2021 : OFC – Mumbai at 3.30pm
Let me enter at 3pm. Docs – passport, DS-160 confirmation and appointment confirmation. Pls note petition docs are NOT required for OFC. I didn’t have them with me. OFC was done in 10mins, just fingerprints and photo.

September 8, 2021: Visa interview – Chennai at 8am
Was asked to reach by 7.30. Stayed at Ibis Chennai Central. They have free drop service to US consulate and service is good.

Docs required – 2 copies of I-129S and first page of I-797, 1 copy of DS-160, passport. Paid $500 fee in cash, as it was smooth process.

I was asked to wait as I was alone and families with kids were prioritised as the kids were creating a ruckus and disturbing everyone. Interview was for 10mins. Questions asked –

[ ] L1A/ L1B
[ ] How many years with {my Company name}
[ ] How many years of managerial experience
[ ] Current role
[ ] US salary
[ ] Do you work on data that cannot be accessed outside US?
[ ] Are you an accountant?
Visa approved with NIE!!! (Didn’t ask for NIE letter although I had one)

Then asked the following questions:-
[ ] Number of direct reports?
[ ] What is an experienced associate? How many years of experience does an experienced associate have?
[ ] Then asked how many years of experience an associate has?
[ ] Number of indirect reports
[ ] Do I have hire/fire authority
[ ] When do you plan to travel

Visa status at ceac:
Sep 8 – Administrative processing
Sep 9 – Issued
Sep 11 – passport delivered at home through premium delivery

Key takeaways :
Learn from experiences posted on this group. Prepare well for interview. Have concise and precise answers for common questions yet be ready for surprise! All the best!

L1, L2, F1 Visa Experiences – June, July, August and September 2021

Experience 1 : Blanket L1 Visa Stamping – NIE