Indian Citizen, UK Permanent Resident, need US Business VISA

[cocoanud 0]

Hi VJ forums,

So this is my situation

- I am an Indian Passport holder, been living in the U.K. since 2005.

- I own a property here, married and have a daughter

- Currently hold an Indefinite Leave to Remain in the U.K., going on to British Citizenship anytime/sometime in 2013

Why do I need that US B1 visa ?

- Switched jobs recently and the employer have a head office in the U.S. and they want me to travel to the U.S. for a couple of weeks asap for training and understanding the work that is currently being done and also to plan on a totally new thing which they plan to work on and that's why they are building a team here in the U.K. . I will remain an employee here in the U.K., the travel and hotel costs will be reimbursed by the employer. (I will be paying for dinner out of my own pocket though :-) )

Why am I asking the question here :-)

- I filled the DS-160 form

- I do have relatives (not immediate) in the U.S. and I do plan on visiting them if possible as well and I have mentioned that in the DS-160 and thats why I have selected both B1 and B2 categories on the DS-160

- I called up the embassy to schedule an appointment

- During the call, I wasn't expecting a mini interview but that's what it sounded like. I wasn't able to catch the gentleman's accent quite clearly and what I believe he asked "will you also be working when in the U.S." or something like that, I asked him to repeat that a couple of times, which he graciously did, but I still didn't quite understand and I answered that "well since I will be going there, there will be work involved as well" .

- After which he asked me to send an email to an email address which a predefined subject line (some sort of unique id number) and said it could take around 10 days for a response

I am curious as to where this is heading ? Did I say the wrong thing when I said "there will be work involved" ?

I am also slightly worried since the return air ticket is booked and is one of those "cheap" fares which cannot be cancelled/modified without loosing money (not my personal expense but still ... could possibly turn out to be an unnecessary waste)

Has anybody been in this situation before and what has the experience/outcome been like ?

Any suggestions as to what to expect ?

Best regards,

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[Nich-Nick 3,354]

The accent may be Scottish since the call center is in Scotland. Why don't you start over...call and schedule an appointment like it's your first call and see how it goes? Do not use the word work. You are training, observing, learning a process for your UK company.

When you go for the interview be well prepared with a detailed letter from your employer as to why your training is essential for their business. Tell them not to use the word work. Have them state they (the UK company) will be paying for your flight, hotel, and normal salary while you are in the US learning a business process (or training). Add that no US funds will be paid to you.

Also go prepared with all the ways you can show strong ties to the UK---lease/mortgage, utility bills, bank account, your ILR and immediate family. Document things, even as far as taking the birth certificate to prove the daughter, etc. that you intend to return to. Downplay the visit to the relatives so it doesn't appear there is somebody that will take you in and support you as an illegal alien. Make sure they understand it is a casual visit you would like to make to visit their home or tourist in their area for a short time.

The reports of visas denied in London have often been because the B1/B2 applicant did not bring sufficient documentation to show they have a life in the UK (strong ties) that they would return to.

[Boiler 45,656]

The Call Center is in Scotland as was has been mentioned. I just thought it was funny in the circumstances.

You need explain nothing to them, you just need to make an appointment for a B1/2 Visa.

[cocoanud 0]

I am wondering on this as well. Were they even supposed to ask any questions ? I was also assuming that the call involves paying the fee and getting an appointment.

They didn't even make me pay the MRV fee.

Best regards,

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[cocoanud 0]

Any thoughts on this at all please ?

Should I call up again ?

Regards

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[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Any thoughts on this at all please ?

Should I call up again ?

Regards

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For what it's worth, if I don't get the answer I like with customer service lines, I always try again and get another person. That has been when I wanted a free phone, better cable deal, late charge taken off my bill, if I thought the computer help wasn't actually comprehending the problem, or even if I just couldn't understand their accent. You could try again and ask more questions this time or give clearer answers.

There are certain things you can do on a B1 so maybe you made the first person think you might need a different visa. You can also write the email saying you wanted an appointment, but were instead given an email address. Then explain your need and emphasizing all the B1 points so they are clear on your purpose. Be sure they know it is to benefit your employers UK business and they will be paying for your flight, hotel, and normal UK salary. If they think you don't fit the B1, then they will tell you because they are an actual consulate official and not a call center.

[cocoanud 0]

Hi Nick,

Thanks for the opinion

Is it worth or even possible involving an immigration lawyer / consultant to take on all this headache ? Going through the relevant (.gov) websites related to US embassies or immigration it seems the US immigration "like" to talk to the travelling person directly.

Most of the times I have travelled earlier between UK and India, some third party was able to provide some kind of services related to Visa and I have never attended a single visa related interview till date. That is a part of the problem as it seems that travelling to US is a thing of it's own kind.

Regards,

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[cocoanud 0]

Also, it seems this phone and then sending of the email using a generated subject token is the process for Immigrant Visas.

Regards,

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[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Also, it seems this phone and then sending of the email using a generated subject token is the process for Immigrant Visas.

Regards,

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Yes, US visas have precise rules and interviews. Lawyer can't do it for you. They can help you fill out the form.

As I see it you need an appointment to interview in London in person. The appointment giver thought you intended to WORK in the US so a B1 would be denied. He gave you the code so your email to the actual embassy would be read. You don't get to talk to a Tier 2 person on the phone in London. If you need more help than the call center in Scotland can provide, you get a special code to email the embassy. Anybody that emails without the code gets an automated reply saying their email will be deleted.

So if you want better answers, use the code and tell your story to the embassy, not a contractor who makes no decisions. Explain your story as you did in this post.--You aren't eligible for VWP, your UK status, the need of your employer for you to learn a process to implement at the UK business, the length of your business time in the US, no Us funds will be paid to you. Then ask for an appointment.

I explained in Post #2 the kinds of documents to take to the interview so they have documentation to review that you are employed, what your employer needs, and that you have personal strong ties to the UK that you won't abandon. They need more at the interview than you just telling your story. They need documentation that you aren't looking for a way to immigrate to the US and making up the employer story.

Edited January 2, 2013 by Nich-Nick

[cocoanud 0]

Hi Nick,

Thanks a lot for your input, I will keep that in mind. For the moment all that can be done is wait for them to respond.

Regards,

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