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What is the Purpose of the L-1 Interview?
The interview process is a way for the consular officer to assess your eligibility and qualifications as well as to determine whether you intend to use your visa for its intended purpose. Moreover, the consular officer will look into your intended job duties in the U.S. and whether they align with the L-1 visa category, ensuring that there is an actual need for the intracompany transfer and it is not simply a way to obtain a U.S. visa for a different intention.
Commonly Asked L-1 Visa Interview Questions
During the L-1 interview, the consular officer will assess your eligibility and the bona fide nature of your company’s relationship to ensure your application’s legitimacy. To help you prepare, we have compiled a list of commonly asked L-1 visa interview questions and provided insights on tackling them. By familiarizing yourself with these typical questions and creating well-structured responses, you can confidently navigate the L-1 visa interview questions and process, increasing your chances of securing the L-1 visa and avoiding denial.
Describe your role and responsibilities at the company.
Tip: Be concise and straight to the point, focusing on your executive/managerial abilities or specialized skills and their impact on the company.
What is the nature of your relationship with the U.S. company?
Tip: Explain your role and the relationship between the foreign company and the U.S. entity. Provide details about both companies’ ownership, control, and structure to illustrate a genuine and qualifying relationship between them clearly.
How long have you been working for a foreign company?
Tip: Remember that you must be employed for at least a year during the last three years preceding your application to qualify. Demonstrate this by providing a clear timeline of your employment history with the foreign company and mentioning any career milestones or highlights, such as promotions or notable achievements.
What is the purpose of your transfer to the U.S.?
Tip: You must clearly articulate the purpose of your transfer to the U.S. entity, such as to share your specialized knowledge, improve operations, or handle the opening of a new branch.
Can you describe your job duties in the U.S.?
Tip: When describing your job duties, ensure you align your responsibilities with your L-1 visa category (L1-A or L1-B). I.e., highlight your executive or managerial tasks for L-1A or the unique expertise or specialized knowledge you possess that is essential to the U.S. operations for the L-1B category.
How will you benefit the U.S. company?
Tip: Showcase your ability to contribute to the growth and success of the company’s U.S. operations. For instance, highlight how your contributions can lead to market expansion, increased productivity, operations optimization, or technology transfer, among others.
What are your long-term career goals within the company?
Tip: You must communicate your commitment to the company and your career aspirations, i.e., how your transfer to the U.S. will facilitate your growth and further contribute to the company’s success.
Do you have employees working underneath you or reporting to you?
Tip: Provide a clear and accurate account of the number of employees directly reporting to you, including their specific roles and duties and how you oversee their responsibilities. If you manage many people, an organizational chart will be useful to represent the reporting structure visually.
What is your intended length of stay in the U.S.?
Tip: Provide a realistic timeframe for your stay and ensure it aligns with the purpose of your transfer to the U.S. entity.
Did you go through a training program?
Tip: Provide an overview of the training programs you have received, highlighting how they have enhanced your expertise. Ensure you emphasize the relevance of this training to your role and how it will benefit the U.S. company during your transfer.
How much will your salary be in the U.S.?
Tip: Provide specific details of your U.S. salary, including benefits and allowances, if applicable.
If your employment is terminated in the U.S., what is your plan?
Tip: Demonstrate that your primary objective is to contribute to the U.S. entity’s success and that if unforeseen challenges arise, you intend to explore alternative opportunities.
Why can’t a U.S. citizen perform this work?
Tip: Avoid downplaying U.S. citizens’ capabilities. Rather, focus on your unique skills and qualities that align with the job requirements, emphasizing how your qualifications make you the most suitable candidate for the job. I.e., having very specific specialized knowledge of the company’s operations or offerings that are not easy to transfer.
Document Checklist Before L-1 Visa Interview Questions
Ensure you have the following documents ready before the L-1 visa interview questions begin:
Passport
L-1 visa petition approval notice (Form I-797)
L-1 supporting documents, such as your employer’s letter describing your responsibilities, role, and eligibility for the L-1 visa
Employer’s financial documents demonstrating the company’s ability to support your stay in the U.S.
Educational and professional qualifications, such as your degrees, diplomas, certifications, etc., that validate your expertise
Proof of your work experience, such as pay stubs, tax documents, and employment letters
Essential business documents, such as organizational charts, business plans, and other documents detailing the U.S. and foreign companies’ relationship
Ready to start your L-1 visa journey?
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