Guide Through The L-1 Visa Interview

The L-1 visa is one of the most sought-after visas for multinational companies with business ties to the United States. If you want to bring your employees overseas, you can’t go wrong with the L-1 visa. It is no surprise that it is one of the top-choice visas for those who qualify, given its numerous benefits.

However, many employers overlook that L-1 visa applicants must go through the L-1 visa interview process if they are not already in the United States. If you are applying for an L-1 visa, you will need to go through the L-1 visa interview. This is regardless of whether you are under the standard process or your organization has a Blanket L.

The questions the immigration officer will ask you largely depend on your situation and whether you are an L-1A or L-1B applicant. If you don’t prepare for the L-1 visa interview, don’t have the right L1 visa documents, or don’t know or can’t answer the questions, you could face a processing delay.

This is because the immigration officer will ask for more information or, in some cases, may decide against you. To help you prepare for this crucial stage of your visa application, we have compiled a list of some of the most commonly asked questions about L1 visas.

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

What is the L-1 visa?

The United States L-1 visa is a short-term non-immigrant visa. It is designed to facilitate the transfer of foreign workers in managerial or executive roles within an organization. Applicants must be permanent employees of the parent company or its subsidiary.

The L1 visa lasts between 3 months and 5 years. On subsequent applications, the visa can be extended to 7 years. Both the employee and the employer must meet several requirements. First, the company has an international presence, with offices in the US and abroad. Second, the foreign worker must have at least one consecutive year of experience within the organization.

The L-1 visa process

The L-1 visa is intended for employees of foreign companies with branches, subsidiaries, offices, or affiliates in the United States. This visa permits certain employees to move to the United States to work. Eligible employees are executives (L-1A visa) and managers with specialized knowledge (L-1B visas).

Eligible employees must have worked for the company for at least one year during the three years preceding the date the petition is filed. As an executive, it is important that you can make significant decisions for your company without significant supervision.

As the manager, it is essential that you are in charge of the day-to-day operations of a team of employees. This is because the knowledge you possess is essential not only for your field but also for the functioning of your company. Fortunately, those are the only primary criteria.

You don’t need to have exceptional accomplishments or a certain level of education to be eligible. However, the L-1 visa does have some stringent restrictions. You are only eligible to work for the employer who sponsored you while you were in the country. Your stay can be up to 5 years under the L-1B visa and up to 7 years under the L-1A visa.

There is no way to extend your stay beyond those maximums. Your employer must file an I-129 petition with the USCIS on your behalf, along with the necessary documentation to prove your eligibility for the visa.

Eligibility for the L-1 visa interview

Before moving on to L-1 visa interview questions and answers, here are the following situations where you will be eligible to attend the L1 visa interview:

1. If you are working in your home country and want to join the parent company/subsidiary in the US.
2. You are joining your current headquarters.
3. An organization can transfer many employees under an L-1 visa blanket agreement, which removes the requirement of individual approval for an L-1 visa application.

For an organization to qualify for blanket approval under L-1 visas, it must:

1. Be based in the US.
2. Have a total of more than 1000 employees.
3. Have $25 million in annual sales.
4. Have at least 10 employees approved under L-1 visas in the last 12 months.

Having flexible eligibility criteria and a minimum educational qualification compared to other work visa options makes the L-1 visas a great choice.

What happens at the L-1 visa interview?

You have been invited for the L-1 visa interview and do not know what to expect. This is quite normal. That is why you should read on. You will need to arrive 15 minutes before your L-1 visa interview to ensure you are in line before your interview starts.

Once you check-in, you will be seated in the waiting area before your interview. Consulates are often late with their interviews. Your name will be called, and you will walk into the office of the immigration officer. The officer will interview you based on your company knowledge and your company’s role in the company’s operations.

It is important to note that the officer doesn’t want to reject you; they just want to ensure you meet all the requirements and that your story fits. If the officer is satisfied with the interview results, you are approved for your work visa.

Many companies who use this visa offer mock interviews to their employees to help them prepare for the interview. If that is the case for you, take advantage of this opportunity.

The L-1 visa interview questions

If you want to apply for an L-1 visa in the United States, you first need to pass the L-1 visa interview. The interview process is not easy, and you won’t stand a chance if you don’t prepare well. To improve your chances of passing the interview, you will need to spend some time researching the most frequently asked questions during the interview.

The interview questions for L-1 visas will primarily ask about you, your skills and experience, your current employer, and your employer’s organization in the US. Let’s look at some questions to help you prepare for the L-1 visa interview.

1. General questions.

First, you will be asked a series of general questions about yourself, your situation, travel history, and why you are applying for an L1 visa. These questions may include:

• Your name and contact information.
• Your current, valid passport.
• Your visa fee receipt and I-797/I-128/DS-160 forms.
• Have you ever traveled to the United States? If so, where and for what purpose? You will have to provide the dates of your travel.
• Have you worked overseas?
• Have you worked in the United States or been employed there?

2. Work-related questions.

This part of the L-1 visa interview focuses on your current duties. You will be asked questions such as:

• Where are you working right now?
• What is your overall professional experience?
• What are your current roles and responsibilities in your current role?
• What did you do before joining your current employer?

3. L-1A visa specific questions.

There are two kinds of L-1 visas: L-1A and L-1B. L-1A visas are for managers and executives. L-1B visas are for professionals with specialized knowledge. If you are applying for L-1A, you will be asked a series of questions typically related to managerial positions.

These questions aim to determine your managerial abilities and the authority you will have in your proposed role. Some of the most common questions are:

• Do you have budget authority?
• Do you have the authority to hire and/or fire staff?
• How many people will report directly to you?
• Do you plan to have a say in the company’s policies?

4. L-1B visa specific questions.

L-1B visas are issued to professionals with specific skills. You need thorough domain knowledge to be approved for an L-1B visa. An expert in your domain of expertise typically conducts the L-1B visa interview. In this section, you will be asked about your specific knowledge and professional abilities, including your practical knowledge and level of experience:

• What is your specialty?
• What professional abilities do you think would be most suitable for this role?
• Are you applying for a role that requires specific knowledge?
• Why do you think this role is unique?
• How many years have you worked in your specific field?

Tips to pass the L-1 visa interview

Are you seeking professional guidance and better preparation tips for your L-1 visa interview? If so, Gehi and Associates can guide you! The L-1 visa interview is one of the most important interviews in the world. What you say and how you say it can make or break your approval chances. The first thing to do is show up on time.

Being punctual makes a good first impression. Don’t panic. Keep an eye on the interviewer and listen intently. Be calm and collected. Listen carefully to the interviewer’s questions and take your time to respond. Speak in a low voice but don’t overdo it. Greet the interviewer to start the conversation and thank them at the end.

Dress appropriately and feel at ease. Maintain a gentle smile during the interview. The interviewer might not be familiar with your area of expertise. That is why avoiding acronyms and using terms a layman can understand is important. Too many technical terms won’t impress the interviewer.

The best way to ace the L-1 visa interview is to explain it in a straightforward manner. Don’t be vague. Be honest. If you don’t know something, don’t hide it. Being creative in answering questions can help you get selected. Be prepared to explain your answer and provide more details if asked.

Get help!

If you are applying for an L1 visa, it can be a great opportunity to get your dream job in the United States. However, it is important to note that not all applicants can pass the stringent screening process. Therefore, it is essential to prepare for the interview in the best way possible and put in your best effort.

Confidence, honesty, and articulation will help you pass the interview process. If you need help to ace the L-1 visa interview, Gehi and Associates can guide you. We have experienced immigration lawyers who can prepare you for your interview. Get in touch with us today!