L1-A interview in London -anyone done one recently who could share experience please?
 

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if someone who has recently had their interview could share their experience? I know there are a few posts already, but they are all quite old, so unsure how relevant they still are (i.e., it may have changed!)

I basically want to know:

What sort of questions asked / Is it an actual 'interview', or a formality to confirm what has been said in the petition, and to cross check that I'm not lying :)

Is it likely I could be denied a visa based on the interview? (Not sure I want to know the answer to this ;) )

Do people bring their kids? We will struggle to get childcare, so would be easier if they could come, but I'm sure can work something out if not. (They are 4&6 and will be getting the L2 along with my husband)

Am I right in thinking that phones and tablets can now be brought into the embassy?

Anything else I should be aware of?

I am unexpectedly bricking it now and I want to go in fully prepared!

Thank you all in advance :teeth_smile:

Re: L1-A interview in London -anyone done one recently who could share experience ple
 

Hello, I did my L1 visa interview in Aug last year, its a piece of cake really!

They will ask you who you work for?
What you do? (checking if it matches the Petition)

Of course you can be denied a visa but its unlikely especially since your petition will of already been approved. The meeting is just confirming that every ties up.

They may ask to see your husband and children. They may even ask your husband some info about your job.

Be ready to pay the fee, I just put it on my works mastercard :)

You can take phones and tablets into the embassy now. You have to leave any large bags etc in a chemist down the road.


All will be fine :)

Thanks

Nick

Re: L1-A interview in London -anyone done one recently who could share experience ple
 

You are in luck. I had my L1-a appointment at the London Embassy yesterday!

Okay let me start out by saying I was apply solo so had no kids or other dependents and I my L1-a was under the Blanket approval for my company (not sure your situation).

I would have thought that any dependent (child or adult) would need to be in attendance for the appointment, someone else or the instructions may give clear guidelines.

Right so advise from me:

- Book an 8am appointment and be in the queue out front waiting for opening (opens at 07:30) by about 0700-0715. I know it is early but by 9am they are about 2h behind schedule...I know shocking.

- When you arrive have you DS-160, passports and appointment letter out ready for checking with the attendants.

- Once they have confimed you have an appointment and can enter, you will go through security. You can take phones in but no laptops (cannot comment on tablets). They will ask you to remove watches, belts and any loose items (like an airport).

- once you walk around the building and in the entrance you will receive a ticket number from reception.

- you enter the waiting area, find a seat, face forward and wait for your number and the window you need to go to.

- when at the first window you will hand over all the paper work as they ask for it, do not hand them any folders just the paper work. Once they have confirmed everything is okay the will ask you to go to another window and pay the processing and security checks fee (mine was $500) -note: they accept all major debit and credit cards or cash.

- Once you have paid any fees you need to (not sure if you can pay in advance or not) you go back to the window you were originally served at (as they will retain your passports and paperwork) they will confirm you have paid with the receipt you hand over. they press a few more keys and then hand you your passports and forms back in a plastic wallet.

- you will then need to go and with 1) wait in another line around the corner or 2) sit in the waiting area again (situation depends on how long the queue is, you will be told to talk to the person at the end off the window isle before you turn down to where you paid the fees)

- after waiting and queuing you will then see a "interviewer" this is a standing interview at a window counter. For me they asked the following questions:
1. Have you ever had an American Visa or Blanket Visa before?
2. What will you be doing in the United States?
3. Where will your main working locations be?
4. Will you be working in a managerial or specialist position?

- After answering all the above questions the lady smiled and said "Your Visa has been approved, it will be added to your passport and will be ready within 5-7days".

- after that I left and went back to the office.

I cannot stress enough about getting an early appointment, in total I was there from 0715-0845 and my girlfriend who has been through the same process who had a 0900 appointment was there from 0830-1345. shocking difference for 1h later.

Caveats I will attach to the above are; I was applying under a L1 blanket visa approval from my company, all my paperwork and package was prepared by immigration lawyers (Fragomans) and i was applying solo with no dependents.

I hope this helps, if you have any specific questions please let me know and I'll try to ask. Also feel free to PM me if you wish.

Regards

Malagos

Re: L1-A interview in London -anyone done one recently who could share experience ple
 

Thank you so much both for your replies. You have definitely put me at ease!! I was imagining being interrogated and me forgetting what I do for a living, and where I'm moving too :D

Did you see people being denied visas around you? (Again, not sure I actually want to know the answer to this!!) I am worrying this will put me off!!

Re: L1-A interview in London -anyone done one recently who could share experience ple
 

This was my L1B interview (under a L1B blanket) in 2007:

*approaches counter*

Embassy Staff takes "book" of paper work and looks through it for a few minutes, then:

"What do you do for Cisco?"

Me, slightly startled : "I hack router code."

Staff member: "ok, your visa has been approved".

Seriously... There was a lot waiting around for round 2, and I think I went back for some 2nd appointment.

The most painful part was when I was reading a broadsheet newspaper while waiting and opened it up to a 2-page spread on Cuba/Castro. Ooops! Not the right place to be reading about that!

Good luck!

Re: L1-A interview in London -anyone done one recently who could share experience ple
 

:goodpost:

I had a similar experience

*walking to counter*

So you work for *Big European company* Why should I give you a visa when there *Big American Company* rivals?

*My brain is quickly thinking of a diplomatic answer*

*Big European Company* is also now an American company, creating jobs in the USA.

Then he said Visa approved go and pay your fees :eek:

Re: L1-A interview in London -anyone done one recently who could share experience ple
 

No rejections that I noticed while I was there

Re: L1-A interview in London -anyone done one recently who could share experience ple
 

Great, thank you so much everyone :) Feeling much more at ease!

Now just need to sort out a hotel... if anyone has any recommendations of a cheap and cheerful hotel maybe halfway between paddington and the embassy I'd appreciate it :)

Thanks again everyone - this site has been no end of help!!

Re: L1-A interview in London -anyone done one recently who could share experience ple
 

It's an expensive area of London but there is a nice Doubletree at Marble Arch otherwise there is a Holiday Inn in Mayfair area (just east of Embassy) but I've not stayed there before.

Doubletree is a Hilton is will likely have Family room (1 double and 2 singles in one room).

Regards

Malagos