The Travel Thread

[North]

Any opinions on what to say and what to not say, for my US visa appointment?

 

I've heard its complete luck from coworkers at work who got rejected. i think a fair amount of you have an active visa so please gyaan dedo 

[AtheK]

20 minutes ago, North said:

Any opinions on what to say and what to not say, for my US visa appointment?

 

I've heard its complete luck from coworkers at work who got rejected. i think a fair amount of you have an active visa so please gyaan dedo 

Bas itna bol de "Aayega to Modi Hi"

 

On a serious note, what visa is it?

Edited February 24, 2024 by AtheK

[Houndini]

40 minutes ago, North said:

Any opinions on what to say and what to not say, for my US visa appointment?

 

I've heard its complete luck from coworkers at work who got rejected. i think a fair amount of you have an active visa so please gyaan dedo 

 

Give clear to the point answers to whatever they ask. Don't try to "explain in detail". If its a business visa, just ensure correct documentation - the times are long (due to sheer number of people applying, massive queues) but the actual "interview" for me was just 4-5 mins. Applied via Hyderabad since Delhi was packed beyond my travel date. Was a 2 day process - one day for collection of documents, verification etc. 2nd day for the interview. This was back in 2017/2018, so not sure if things have improved now. 

[TheMonark]

55 minutes ago, North said:

Any opinions on what to say and what to not say, for my US visa appointment?

 

I've heard its complete luck from coworkers at work who got rejected. i think a fair amount of you have an active visa so please gyaan dedo 

 

I appeared for my B2 interview yesterday. Questions asked were: 1) Purpose of visit to US? 2) Whom will I be meeting? 3) One specific question related to my travel history 4) My highest education qualification 5) Number of days I will be staying.

 

Some people were asked about their salary, their work experience, and the reason why their company chose them for the trip. The questions might vary depending on your profile and the interviewer.

 

No documents were checked or verified. But still keep your documents handy.

 

Just another information to calm you down. I appeared for interview with my coworker. By chance, we both ended up being interviewed by the same person. The interviewer even realized that we both were from the same company and for the same purpose. But still our visas were approved.

Edited February 24, 2024 by TheMonark

[North]

On 2/24/2024 at 2:40 PM, AtheK said:

On a serious note, what visa is it?

 

Going for a work assigned, but have opted B1/B2 - the option was there and I wanted to avail since US tourist visa also opens up avenues for holidays to other countries and I don't want to spend double time/money on this. 

 

On 2/24/2024 at 3:06 PM, Bird Bird Bird said:

 

Give clear to the point answers to whatever they ask. Don't try to "explain in detail". If its a business visa, just ensure correct documentation - the times are long (due to sheer number of people applying, massive queues) but the actual "interview" for me was just 4-5 mins. Applied via Hyderabad since Delhi was packed beyond my travel date. Was a 2 day process - one day for collection of documents, verification etc. 2nd day for the interview. This was back in 2017/2018, so not sure if things have improved now. 

Yeah, I have biometric as VFS center in Shivaji Stadium, then interview at embassy couple days later. I got dates in a month because I paid a heavy fee to agents. Didn't want to miss the chance for a work-sponsored trip.  People say to carry ITR/bank statements, but 1. This is my first job, haven't filed ITR yet. 2. Bank statements for 3 months will be insane cuz UPI transactions for small items lmao. Hoping it gets approved man, v stressed. 

 

On 2/24/2024 at 3:16 PM, TheMonark said:

 

I appeared for my B2 interview yesterday. Questions asked were: 1) Purpose of visit to US? 2) Whom will I be meeting? 3) One specific question related to my travel history 4) My highest education qualification 5) Number of days I will be staying.

 

Some people were asked about their salary, their work experience, and the reason why their company chose them for the trip. The questions might vary depending on your profile and the interviewer.

 

No documents were checked or verified. But still keep your documents handy.

 

Just another information to calm you down. I appeared for interview with my coworker. By chance, we both ended up being interviewed by the same person. The interviewer even realized that we both were from the same company and for the same purpose. But still our visas were approved.

 

1. Business meetins for work 2. Client in Rhode Island 3. HK/Vietnam/Singapore 4. B/Tech 5. 4 days (will prob get extended once I reach but don't think needs to be mentioned)

I am very new to work, but will def try to justify it. 

 

Yeah, I have 2 other coworkers going. 1 already has the visa, the other got an appointment for the next day so there won't be a match. DO they tell you instantly its approved? Does it matter who takes your interview? also let me know the turnover time for your passport please, when are you expecting it? This was helpful. thank you. 

[Bauji]

25 minutes ago, North said:

DO they tell you instantly its approved? Does it matter who takes your interview? also let me know the turnover time for your passport please

Yes, you get to know instantly. They will keep your passport for stamping if its approved.

 

I dont think it matters "much" who is taking the interview. IMO Visa type and its relevant documentation is much more important. I remember during one of the interviews, there were back to back 6-7 rejections on the window I was supposed to go to(I know they were rejected because they were going back with passports in their hands), but when I reached there, the guy dint ask much at all and the interview was over within a minute. But be very careful while filling DS-160 form and check the documentations required. I was grilled for a good 15-20 mins for a small mistake in DS160, which I dint even realise while filling it.

 

You should receive your passport within a week or so after stamping.

All the best!!

[KunjanPSD]

1 hour ago, North said:

 

Going for a work assigned, but have opted B1/B2 - the option was there and I wanted to avail since US tourist visa also opens up avenues for holidays to other countries and I don't want to spend double time/money on this. 

 

Yeah, I have biometric as VFS center in Shivaji Stadium, then interview at embassy couple days later. I got dates in a month because I paid a heavy fee to agents. Didn't want to miss the chance for a work-sponsored trip.  People say to carry ITR/bank statements, but 1. This is my first job, haven't filed ITR yet. 2. Bank statements for 3 months will be insane cuz UPI transactions for small items lmao. Hoping it gets approved man, v stressed. 

 

 

1. Business meetins for work 2. Client in Rhode Island 3. HK/Vietnam/Singapore 4. B/Tech 5. 4 days (will prob get extended once I reach but don't think needs to be mentioned)

I am very new to work, but will def try to justify it. 

 

Yeah, I have 2 other coworkers going. 1 already has the visa, the other got an appointment for the next day so there won't be a match. DO they tell you instantly its approved? Does it matter who takes your interview? also let me know the turnover time for your passport please, when are you expecting it? This was helpful. thank you. 

1. Most of the times it doesn't matter what you choose, stamping is for B1/B2 only.

Even if you choose B2, stamp would most likely be B1/B2.

They are just looking if you have gone through the documentation to evaluate your visa type.

2. You need to carry your employee ID as well as a letter of invitation/intent from your employer.

3. They won't ask for many documents, you can carry bank statements etc but I would be surprised if it comes to that.

4. Agents don't do anything special, they just scrape the website on a periodic basis. You could have done it yourself by logging 1-2 times a day.

I hope you have changed your account login.

5. They will ask the following:

Purpose of the visit?

Your position and employer?

Where will you be going?

When will you come back?

Do you have any relatives/friends?

Will you meet them?

Your previous travel history?

What qualifies you as the person for this job? Basically, explain your skills and job.

 

6. You can give detailed answers, there won't be an issue.

Don't just say "for work". Explain the exact job.

I would recommend that instead of waiting for the officer to ask you when you will be back, just mention that once you are done with the work you have to be back by XX because of YY.

Although, if you are traveling for work and have the documents, it won't be an issue.

 

7. Your passport will be kept and be available for collection/delivery in 7-10 days.

Edited February 25, 2024 by KunjanPSD

[AtheK]

2 hours ago, North said:

 

Going for a work assigned, but have opted B1/B2 - the option was there and I wanted to avail since US tourist visa also opens up avenues for holidays to other countries and I don't want to spend double time/money on this.

What company you work for, depends a lot on that specially for B1 and B2, my interview lasted 30 seconds as I was working with capgemini then, if you work for a big brand,  business visa is easily approved 

[North]

3 hours ago, Bauji said:

Yes, you get to know instantly. They will keep your passport for stamping if its approved.

 

I dont think it matters "much" who is taking the interview. IMO Visa type and its relevant documentation is much more important. I remember during one of the interviews, there were back to back 6-7 rejections on the window I was supposed to go to(I know they were rejected because they were going back with passports in their hands), but when I reached there, the guy dint ask much at all and the interview was over within a minute. But be very careful while filling DS-160 form and check the documentations required. I was grilled for a good 15-20 mins for a small mistake in DS160, which I dint even realise while filling it.

 

You should receive your passport within a week or so after stamping.

All the best!!

 

Yeah got it. I did go through my DS160 multiple times before submitting, will just review it once again. I'm allowed to make another form and resubmit before the biometric if it comes to it, but think it shouldn't come to it. Hope I get it and gets processed quickly, timelines are super tight. 

 

2 hours ago, KunjanPSD said:

1. Most of the times it doesn't matter what you choose, stamping is for B1/B2 only.

Even if you choose B2, stamp would most likely be B1/B2.

They are just looking if you have gone through the documentation to evaluate your visa type.

2. You need to carry your employee ID as well as a letter of invitation/intent from your employer.

3. They won't ask for many documents, you can carry bank statements etc but I would be surprised if it comes to that.

4. Agents don't do anything special, they just scrape the website on a periodic basis. You could have done it yourself by logging 1-2 times a day.

I hope you have changed your account login.

5. They will ask the following:

Purpose of the visit?

Your position and employer?

Where will you be going?

When will you come back?

Do you have any relatives/friends?

Will you meet them?

Your previous travel history?

What qualifies you as the person for this job? Basically, explain your skills and job.

 

6. You can give detailed answers, there won't be an issue.

Don't just say "for work". Explain the exact job.

I would recommend that instead of waiting for the officer to ask you when you will be back, just mention that once you are done with the work you have to be back by XX because of YY.

Although, if you are traveling for work and have the documents, it won't be an issue.

 

7. Your passport will be kept and be available for collection/delivery in 7-10 days.

 

I know anything the agents do can be done ourselves, but I didn't want to risk it here since this is work trip and not a holiday. I had to get it in time for my trip. Thanks for the info, but I have just applied for B1/B2 even though this is purely a work trip. Good to know it won't really matter. 

I do have my ID card + invitation & supporting letters from my workplace. I have been provided the account login but I haven't changed it, so agent can also parallely access.

I do have relatives and friends in the US - but nobody I'm meeting so is that something I need to mention? If my flight goes through Boston and I have time I will meet my cousin but i doubt it. 

Its the qualification question i'm worried about - since this is my first gig and I'm 4 months into it. But I'll get something ready, thank you for the help as always. 

 

59 minutes ago, AtheK said:

What company you work for, depends a lot on that specially for B1 and B2, my interview lasted 30 seconds as I was working with capgemini then, if you work for a big brand,  business visa is easily approved 

I work for Sprinklr. Work here involves travel - so a lot of people do get visa for their client location, but I'm a bit nervous because two coworkers who've had interviews earlier this year have gotten rejected. also, I know a couple people here who previously worked at capgemini

[KunjanPSD]

31 minutes ago, North said:

I know anything the agents do can be done ourselves, but I didn't want to risk it here since this is work trip and not a holiday. I had to get it in time for my trip. Thanks for the info, but I have just applied for B1/B2 even though this is purely a work trip. Good to know it won't really matter. 

I do have my ID card + invitation & supporting letters from my workplace. I have been provided the account login but I haven't changed it, so agent can also parallely access.

I do have relatives and friends in the US - but nobody I'm meeting so is that something I need to mention? If my flight goes through Boston and I have time I will meet my cousin but i doubt it. 

Its the qualification question i'm worried about - since this is my first gig and I'm 4 months into it. But I'll get something ready, thank you for the help as always. 

Change the login if you already have the appointment and paid them, these people are sh*t, they can try to extort more money by withholding your account.

 

Mention about friends and family, tell them you don't plan on meeting them because you are going to different city and you have to be back by XX for YY.

 

Qualifications: You specialise in ZZ and you have put yourself in a position where your work is valued and demonstrated your skills which are crucial for this ABC project.

Don't overthink it, you will most probably not even have to go through all of this with the work documents.

[Houndini]

Business visa is relatively easy @North. Don't stress too much. Its not marriage. 

[North]

On 2/25/2024 at 11:53 PM, KunjanPSD said:

Change the login if you already have the appointment and paid them, these people are sh*t, they can try to extort more money by withholding your account.

 

Mention about friends and family, tell them you don't plan on meeting them because you are going to different city and you have to be back by XX for YY.

 

Qualifications: You specialise in ZZ and you have put yourself in a position where your work is valued and demonstrated your skills which are crucial for this ABC project.

Don't overthink it, you will most probably not even have to go through all of this with the work documents.

 

On 2/26/2024 at 9:16 AM, Bird Bird Bird said:

Business visa is relatively easy @North. Don't stress too much. Its not marriage. 

 

Yeah exactly, work visas shouldn't be a problem but two folks at my office recently got rejected which got me worried. 

anyway, I'll just mentally think of answers to potential questions and review my DS160 form. 

got my biometric done yesterday, hope the interview goes just as quick and smooth.

[TheMonark]

I am looking for travel insurance for my US visit. I have done some research on google and Reddit and this has confused me a lot. Many people are just promoters of these companies disguising themselves as normal users. Have read a lot about Hop, INF and Atlas America. Then there are Indian companies. Any suggestions on insurance which is preferably cashless and ease to use?

[North]

Luck is a*s right now. Had my biometric past friday, was hoping to reschedule my consulate appointment to a little earlier in the week (currently on this friday, 8th March). Got stuck with this technical error - and both the agent as well as customer care is completely useless. Posting the screenshot here in case any of you have a clue, but not very hopeful now. 

 

Trip has been 95% approved from work, manager has already reached out asking for visa info so HR can go ahead with bookings. Frankly, I'd be lucky to even have it on Monday morning after Friday's interview. 

 

 

[Houndini]

4 hours ago, North said:

Luck is a*s right now. Had my biometric past friday, was hoping to reschedule my consulate appointment to a little earlier in the week (currently on this friday, 8th March). Got stuck with this technical error - and both the agent as well as customer care is completely useless. Posting the screenshot here in case any of you have a clue, but not very hopeful now. 

 

Trip has been 95% approved from work, manager has already reached out asking for visa info so HR can go ahead with bookings. Frankly, I'd be lucky to even have it on Monday morning after Friday's interview. 

 

 

 

After their recent site upgrade, it has all gone to sh*t. My colleagues from Dubai, Australia etc too had lots of troubles getting an appointment and visa. One of them had their passport misplaced, took 4 weeks to track it, and of course missed the business trip. 

 

[North]

US Visa rejected. Woman asked me a couple of questions, then said its not approved. Don't think anything was particularly wrong with my answers. the other interviewers def looked a little more friendly, even before hand I was hoping for one of the other windows. Regardless, stuck with this now.

 

They don't really offer explanations, just handed me a letter saying I don't seem to possess signficant ties to my home country, and I need to intent to return. 

 

Cannot go on office trip. May have a chance again next month to go, but wondering if its too soon to re-apply. They can see data and may just reject again seeing its only been 1 month or so since last interview. 

 

I will have a strong possibility of travelling in November or something. Office may bear cost of visa fee again, will have to pay the agent for a date myself though (about 20K). I can try hunting for a date myself but idk if I'll have the same luck, things normally don't fall my way.

 

 

Note - Was denied under 214B. Common articles on the internet/quora advise to not apply in rapid sucession, sit on my a*s for a couple years. Develop relationship and buy a house and stuff. I'm totally screwed man. 

Edited March 9, 2024 by North

[KunjanPSD]

3 hours ago, North said:

US Visa rejected. Woman asked me a couple of questions, then said its not approved. Don't think anything was particularly wrong with my answers. the other interviewers def looked a little more friendly, even before hand I was hoping for one of the other windows. Regardless, stuck with this now.

 

They don't really offer explanations, just handed me a letter saying I don't seem to possess signficant ties to my home country, and I need to intent to return. 

 

Cannot go on office trip. May have a chance again next month to go, but wondering if its too soon to re-apply. They can see data and may just reject again seeing its only been 1 month or so since last interview. 

 

I will have a strong possibility of travelling in November or something. Office may bear cost of visa fee again, will have to pay the agent for a date myself though (about 20K). I can try hunting for a date myself but idk if I'll have the same luck, things normally don't fall my way.

 

 

Note - Was denied under 214B. Common articles on the internet/quora advise to not apply in rapid sucession, sit on my a*s for a couple years. Develop relationship and buy a house and stuff. I'm totally screwed man. 

Absolutely not.

My visa was rejected once because of XYZ reason, I wrote to consulate and applied the next day. Got the visa on the 2nd appointment in the same week.

Mind you, this was when I was in college with no job and B2 application. Was my first international trip. Hence, I had even weaker ties than you did.

 

It is true that the officer can make a difference but it is also true that one will always blame and regret about the officer they got.

 

I am really curious about the exact answers you gave and the exact timeline.

Also does your employer have a history of employees not returning back on time? Unlikely but just curious.

Edited March 9, 2024 by KunjanPSD

[dante77]

Answers don't matter. It is always on luck IMO

[KunjanPSD]

11 minutes ago, dante77 said:

Answers don't matter. It is always on luck IMO

Wrong.

I have seen plenty of cases to know that answers matter.

Luck is a factor but not 100%.

[Ne0]

6 hours ago, North said:

US Visa rejected. Woman asked me a couple of questions, then said its not approved. Don't think anything was particularly wrong with my answers. the other interviewers def looked a little more friendly, even before hand I was hoping for one of the other windows. Regardless, stuck with this now.

 

They don't really offer explanations, just handed me a letter saying I don't seem to possess signficant ties to my home country, and I need to intent to return. 

 

Cannot go on office trip. May have a chance again next month to go, but wondering if its too soon to re-apply. They can see data and may just reject again seeing its only been 1 month or so since last interview. 

 

I will have a strong possibility of travelling in November or something. Office may bear cost of visa fee again, will have to pay the agent for a date myself though (about 20K). I can try hunting for a date myself but idk if I'll have the same luck, things normally don't fall my way.

 

 

Note - Was denied under 214B. Common articles on the internet/quora advise to not apply in rapid sucession, sit on my a*s for a couple years. Develop relationship and buy a house and stuff. I'm totally screwed man. 

Why do you want to go to US so desperately? I could understand this fascination with on-site/US some 10-15 years before.   But now India itself offers so many opportunities.  At least in the tech field the salary you get in the Bigtech/MNC companies are really good relative to the cost of living in India.  I feel these days in US, the salary relative to the cost of living in cities like SF/Seattle/NY is just not worth all the hassle !

Edited March 9, 2024 by Ne0