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Last Updated On: January 16, 2024 | Published On: July 4, 2022
For multinational companies that have business ties to the U.S., there is no better visa to get your employees overseas than the L-1 visa. With a host of advantages, it’s no wonder why the L-1 is one of the first choices for those who qualify. However, many people overlook the fact that they will need to go through an interview if they are not already in the U.S. On this page, you will learn all about L-1 visa interview questions, the process, and the specifics of L-1A and L-1B interview questions.
The L-1 visa is reserved for the employees of multinational companies that have a branch, subsidiary, office, or affiliate in the U.S. This visa allows certain employees to be transferred to the U.S. branch in order to work. The qualified employees are:
Eligible employees must have been working for the company for at least one full year in the three years prior to the date of filing the petition.
Fortunately, these are the only main requirements. You do not need to have extraordinary achievements or possess a certain amount of education in order to qualify. However, there are some strict limitations to the L-1 visa.
To get an L-1 visa, you need to have your employer file an I-129 petition on your behalf with the USCIS along with the evidence required to prove that you are eligible for the visa. If your petition is approved and you are already inside the U.S., then your status will automatically change to L-1 status. However, there are many situations in which visa beneficiaries are not in the U.S. before petitioning.
If you are currently in your home country or otherwise outside the U.S., you will need to go through consular processing in order to obtain your L-1 visa. This involves the following:
As with most interviews, many people want to know what to expect at their L-1 visa interview. Keep reading to find out what kind of experience you can account for, questions you may be asked, and documents that you will be required to bring.
You will need to arrive at least 15 minutes early to your interview so that you are able to make it through the line before your L-1 visa interview begins. Once you have checked in, you can expect to wait in the waiting room before your interview as consulates are often behind on their scheduled interviews.
When your name is called, you will enter the office of an immigration officer and be interviewed based on your knowledge of your company and your role in its inner workings. Remember, the officer’s goal is not to disqualify you, but rather to make sure that you meet all the requirements and that your story checks out.
If the officer is pleased with the results of your L-1 visa interview, then you will be approved for your L-1 visa to work in the U.S.
Some companies that use this visa often offer mock L-1 visa interviews in order to help their employees excel in the real interview. If this is the case for your company, be sure that you take full advantage of this.
When you travel to the U.S. consulate or embassy for your L-1 visa interview, be sure to bring the following documents so that your trip isn’t wasted:
The L-1 visa interview questions will primarily be about you, your qualifications, your experience, as well as your current employer and the organization where you will work in the United States. To help you know what to expect at the interview, we will break the questions into different categories:
Here are some samples of L-1 visa interview questions categorized based on the subject matter:
Broad Questions:
Questions About Your Current Job:
The questions here will focus on your current employment, the role you currently occupy, as well as your past work experience for previous employers. Examples of these questions are:
Questions About Your Proposed Work in the U.S.
The main focus of your L-1 visa application will be on the role you want to perform in the United States. The consular officer will want to know if you possess the required qualifications and experience to assume that role in the United States. They will also want to know if the role could be just as easily filled by a U.S. worker. The onus is on you to prove that it is in the best interest of the organization if the position is occupied by you rather than a U.S. citizen or green card holder. So, you can expect questions such as:
For an L-1A visa applicant, the questions will be majorly based on your managerial skills. The interviewer will want to establish that you have the expertise and the authority to perform the proposed role in your application. The questions can be as follows:
The L-1B visa is for professionals who possess specialized knowledge. The interviewer will expect you to prove you have in-depth knowledge of your specific specialization in the field. In many cases, your interviewer will also be someone with extensive domain knowledge of your area of specialization. So, you will need to be very thorough and convincing when answering the questions. You can expect questions such as:
Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of questions that will be asked. If you would like to have a better idea of what someone in your position will be asked at the L-1 visa interview, be sure to consult with your immigration attorney.
When preparing for L-1 visa interview questions, you should be aware that the entire process, from start to finish, matters. From the moment you arrive to finishing the interview, you are being assessed. Here are some general tips for you to prepare for your interview.
First impressions matter – you need to make sure that you arrive to your interview early. Nothing makes a first impression worse than someone who arrives half an hour late! Remember that interviewer will only see you once. This means dressing appropriately, answering politely, and generally trying to make a good impression. Don’t interrupt the interviewer at any given point. If you want to ask a question or clarification, wait for them to finish talking and then ask your question. Don’t forget to thank the immigration officer for their time once the interview is over.
Be honest – one of the biggest red flags that any applicant can give an immigration officer is a hint of dishonesty or misrepresented answers. Not only will lying result in a negative impression, but it could also have serious consequences for your immigration journey. Make sure to answer questions honestly, and if you don’t know an answer, it is always better to say so instead of lying your way out.
Focus on details – the more detail you provide in your answers, the more trustworthy and reliable you will seem. Some questions will be quite simple and not require any significant explanation. Others, however, will be reliant on you answering with specifics and as much detail as possible.
Below you can find some more useful tips on how to answer your L-1 visa interview questions and how to prepare for the interview.
When you’re going through a legal process as complex as immigration, it can be easy to make a mistake that will cost you time, money, and maybe even visa approval. To be sure that you are making all the right decisions, it is important that you hire an immigration attorney.
VisaNation Law Group lawyers are experts in all kinds of work visas. With the L-1 as one of their specialties, you can be sure that your case is in good hands if you retain our services. Our promise is to go above and beyond to help you through each step of your visa process, including your L-1 visa interview.
To contact us, schedule your consultation as soon as possible.
Tags: L-1 Visa