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How a previous rejection can work against you — if you let it
When this applicant first came to me, the first thing he said was that his earlier B1/B2 rejection was giving him 'too much negative vibes.' That is completely understandable. A rejection stays with you. But here is the thing he realised, and that I want you to hear clearly: his B1/B2 was rejected because of a wrong understanding — he was simply not prepared. The rejection was not about who he was or what his intentions were. It was about going in blind.
What changed the second time around
This time, he did not want to take any chances. He came to me for preparation sessions before his L1A new office interview, and his reflection afterwards was straightforward: it is a far better way to walk into that room knowing what questions could be asked, rather than guessing on the day. His words were that it is 'a great way of achieving rather than going blindly.' Preparation gave him something a rejection had taken away — confidence.
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Book a Mock InterviewThe moment that changed everything in the interview room
During the interview, the consular officer asked him about the new office and his role. He told her clearly: he would be running a new office and, as a director and founder, he would be hiring new employees. The officer asked, 'Is this your company?' He confirmed it was another company of his. He told me afterwards that he believes the word 'founder' was a game changer in that exchange. It signals ownership, decision-making authority, and genuine ties to the business — exactly what an L1A new office case needs to convey. The officer took his DS-160 form, stepped away, came back, and said: 'Okay, your visa is approved.'
What you can take from this
If you have a prior rejection on your record, do not let it convince you that approval is out of reach. What matters is understanding why it happened and fixing it before you sit down at that window again. In this case, the gap was preparation — and closing that gap made all the difference. Go in knowing your story, knowing your role, and knowing the words that communicate your case most clearly. For an L1A, that means being able to speak as a founder and decision-maker with total confidence, because that is exactly what the officer is listening for.
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