USEFUL TIPS TO SUCCESSFULLY GO THROUGH THE L-1 VISA INTERVIEW

Introduction

The L-1 visa is super popular among big companies that do business with the United States. If you are thinking about sending your team abroad, the L-1 visa is a solid choice. It is no wonder it is a favorite among those who meet the requirements, thanks to all the perks it offers. But, a lot of employers forget that if you are not already in the US, you still need to go through the L-1 visa interview. You won’t miss this if you work with a Texas immigration lawyer.

If you are applying for an L-1 visa, you have to tackle the L-1 visa interview. This applies whether you are following the regular process or your company has a Blanket L. What the immigration officer will ask you depends on your situation and whether you are applying as an L-1A or L-1B. If you are not ready for the L-1 visa interview, don’t have the right documents, or can’t answer the questions, you might end up waiting longer for your visa.

This is because the immigration officer might need more info or could even decide not to approve you. To help you nail this important part of your visa application, we have put together a list of some of the most common L-1 visa interview questions.

In this post, you will find answers to the questions you need to know about going through the L-1 visa interview.

Overview of the L-1 visa

The L-1 visa is a short-term visa for people coming to the US to work temporarily in management or executive jobs. To get it, you need to be a full-time employee at the company you are going to be working for. This company could be your main company or one of its smaller branches or offices.

You could get a 7-year visa if you meet the requirements. Both you and your boss have to fill out some forms and provide proof that you qualify. Get to know if you are eligible by contacting a Texas immigration lawyer.

This visa is for folks who work for companies that have a branch, a subsidiary, an office, or another kind of office in the US. It lets you move to the US to work for that company. You need to be a high-level employee, like an executive (for L-1A) or a manager with special skills (for L-1B). Plus, you have to have worked at your current company for at least a year within the 3 years leading up to when you file your visa request.

If you are an executive, you have to be the kind of person who makes big decisions for the company on your own. If you are a manager, you have to run your team’s day-to-day tasks since the knowledge you bring is key not just for your team but for the whole company.

But, good news! You don’t need to be the best at what you do or have a certain degree to be eligible. However, there are some rules you have to follow. Learn more about these rules by speaking with a Texas immigration lawyer.

You can only work for the company that brought you here. You can stay in the US from a few months to 5 years with an L-1B visa and then another 2 years with an L-1A visa, but you can’t stay longer than that. Your boss has to apply for the visa on your behalf with the USCIS and show that you are qualified to get it. This process is quite tricky, but a Texas immigration lawyer can simplify everything.

Who can attend the L-1 visa interview?

Before we move on to the L-1 visa interview questions and answers, here are some situations wherein you are able to make it to the L-1 visa interview:

1. Currently employed in your home country but planning to move to the parent company or subsidiary in the US; or
2. You plan to transfer to your current company’s headquarters in the US.

An organization can transfer a group of employees on an L-1 visa blanket agreement. This means that an organization does not have to get each employee’s approval for the L-1 visa application.

To qualify for an L-1 visa blanket approval, an organization must:

• Be based in the US.
• Employ more than 1000 employees.
• Have annual sales of over $25 million dollars.
• Have had at least 10 employees approved for L-1 visas in the past year.

The fact that the L-1 visa has more relaxed rules and a basic education requirement compared to other work visas makes it a really good option. Take benefit of this option with the help of a Texas immigration lawyer.

Key points on the L-1 visa interview

You have an L-1 visa interview coming up, and you are not sure what to expect. That is totally normal, so keep reading. You should show up 15 minutes early for your L-1 visa interview to get your spot in line before it starts. Once you are checked in, you will hang out in the waiting area until it is your turn. Sometimes, consulates are a bit behind schedule with their interviews.

Your name will be called, and you will head into the immigration officer’s office. The officer will ask you questions about your company and what your role is there. It is key to remember that the officers haven’t made up their minds to deny your application. They just want to make sure you meet all the requirements, and your story checks out. If the officer is happy with what you have told them, then you are good to go with your work visa.

A lot of companies that use this visa give their employees mock interviews to help them get ready for the real thing. If that is you, make sure you take full advantage of this chance. A Texas immigration lawyer can also be very helpful in preparing for this interview.

Possible questions to expect

If you think of working in the US with an L-1 visa, then you need to ace the L-1 visa interview. If one is not getting their acts together, then they are not about going to make it through the interview. To increase your chances of making it past the interview, you need to invest some time in digging into the most common questions they will ask. A Texas immigration lawyer can help you prepare.

The L-1 visa interview questions revolve around you, what you bring with you, your current employment, and your future employer in the US. Let us see some of the questions you might be facing to get you ready for the L-1 visa interview.

• Basic questions

Right out of the gate, you will be asked a plethora of general questions about yourself, your life, your travel history, and your intentions to relocate to the US. Some of the following questions you may face include:

• Your name and contact information.
• Is your passport still valid?
• Proof of payment for the visa fee and the forms required.
• Have you travelled to the US before? If yes, where and for what purpose? You will have to tell them the dates for the trip.
• Have you worked out of the country?
• Have you worked in the US or been employed there?

Get more of these basic questions by consulting a Texas immigration lawyer.

• Job-related questions

The second part of the interview encompasses questions about your present occupation. You will be asked:

• Where are you working currently?
• What is your experience in this field?
• What are your principal duties, and what do you do in those positions?
• What were you doing prior to coming here?
• L-1A visa questions

The types of L-1 visas that exist are L-1A for managers and executives and L-1B for those with special skills. If you plan on getting an L-1A visa, they will be asking you a host of questions related to your managerial profile. They will check if you can handle the challenge and if you have the authority to decide on issues. Some of the questions you may find are:

• Can you handle the budget?
• Do you have the power to hire or fire?
• How many staff will report to you?
• Are you going to interfere with company rules?

• Questions about L-1B visas

L-1B visas are for people with special skills. To get one, you need to know a lot about your field. Usually, someone who knows a lot about your area will ask you questions during the L-1 visa interview.

In this part, you will be asked about what you know best, what skills you think are important for the job, if the job needs specific knowledge, why it is special, and how long you have been working in that field.

A Texas immigration lawyer can give you a more detailed run down on the questions to expect that meet your unique situation.

Useful tips to nail the L-1 visa interview

Looking for advice on how to get ready for your L-1 visa interview? Gehi and Associates can help! The L-1 visa interview is super important. What you say and how you say it can really make a difference in whether you get approved.

First off, make sure you are there on time. Being on time shows you are reliable. Stay calm. Watch the interviewer and listen closely. Be chill and take your time answering their questions.

Talk in a quiet voice, but don’t sound too nervous. Greet the interviewer to kick things off and say thank you at the end. Dress nicely and feel comfortable. Keep a friendly smile throughout.

The interviewer might not be as familiar with your field, so it is key to avoid using too many acronyms and explain things in simple terms that anyone can understand. Using too many technical words won’t help you. The best way to do well in the L-1 visa interview is to explain things clearly.

Don’t leave anything out. Be honest. If you don’t know something, don’t pretend you do. Being creative in your answers can help you stand out. Be ready to back up your answers with more details if they ask for it.

Get help!

If you are looking to get an L1 visa, it is a real chance to land your dream job in the US. But, remember, not everyone makes it through the tough background check. So, make sure you nail your interview by being your best self. Sticking to the truth, speaking clearly, and showing confidence will really help you out.

If you are struggling with the L-1 visa interview, check out Gehi and Associates. We have savvy Texas immigration lawyers ready to help you prep for your interview. Hit us up today!