The issuance of an L-1 visa is determined by a consular officer at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate following an interview. The officer must first verify that the applicant meets the relevant requirements for the L-1 visa. You may attend the interview within 90 days prior to the employment start date indicated on your Form I-797.
Once approved, the L-1 visa is valid for up to two years.
I. Appointment:
In China, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates have established a Visa Information Service Center. Applicants requiring an interview must schedule one in advance. This center provides information regarding non-immigrant visas and schedules interview appointments for the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and the Consulates General in Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Shenyang.
II. Getting Started:
(1) Arrive approximately 15 to 30 minutes before your scheduled interview. There is no need to arrive too early. When there are multiple lines waiting for interviews, ensure you are standing in the correct one.
(2) Even if someone before you is denied a visa, it does not mean you will be denied as well. As long as your situation meets the relevant requirements, you have a good chance of obtaining the visa. Therefore, there is no need to panic.
(3) Ensure all documents are arranged in the correct order.
(4) Review all documents beforehand and understand their contents to avoid being unable to answer the consular officer's questions during the interview.
(5) Carry some cash with you in case you need to pay for additional photos, photocopies, or other items.
(6) Understand the structure of your current company and your U.S. team. Whether your company is in manufacturing or services does not affect the visa. Additionally, if your company offers a mock interview, be sure to participate and practice in advance.
III. Personal Presentation:
The general principle is to remain calm, relaxed, and confident. Greet the consular officer before starting the interview to show courtesy. Use natural body language, maintain eye contact when speaking with the officer, and avoid looking around at other windows during the process. Do not speak too quickly, as this may make you appear nervous. Smile, maintain a moderate speaking pace, and speak clearly at an appropriate volume. When answering questions, speak toward the microphone to ensure the officer can hear you clearly. Dress appropriately; while a suit or professional attire is not strictly required, avoid overly casual clothing such as jeans or jackets.
IV. Questions and Answers:
(1) Try to use simple and easy-to-understand language. Do not use excessive technical jargon, and do not expect that doing so will impress the consular officer. If your expertise is in technology, tools, or procedures, be prepared to explain them in plain language.
(2) Answers should be concise and to the point. There is no need for excessive embellishment. Answer honestly; sometimes, if you do not know an answer, simply stating so does not mean you will be denied.
(3) Do not rush to answer or speak too quickly; answer at your own pace. Even if you answer incorrectly, do not panic; you may apologize and start over. If you do not hear a question clearly, you may ask the interviewer to repeat it. However, ensure you listen carefully to every question.
(4) Answer logically so the consular officer understands your train of thought; there is no need to provide excessive details or irrelevant answers. If the officer asks several questions at once, answer them in order and do not get confused.