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The questions the visa officer asked
One of my clients — a senior professional transferring to the US — was asked only five or six questions in total. The interview was short, but every question was purposeful. The officer wanted to understand the scope of his role and his employer history. Here is what came up:
The first substantive question was about his client portfolio. The officer asked whether he would be supporting a specific client or a portfolio of clients. His answer was that he would be managing a portfolio across multiple industries — manufacturing, pharma, and financial services. That answer demonstrated the breadth and seniority of his role, which matters a great deal for L1A qualification.
The second line of questioning was about his company history. The officer asked whether he was currently working at a different company. He explained that he was at Deloitte at the time of the interview, and that prior to that he had spent seven years at PwC, from 2014 to 2021. The officer did not probe further — those two data points were enough.
Which documents the officer actually took
This is the part most applicants do not know until they are standing at the window. The officer took only three documents:
1. The I-539 (dependent application, since his family was applying as well)
2. The I-797 approval notice — but only the first-period 797, not all of them
3. Two sets of those two documents
That is it. They did not ask for supporting employment letters, financial records, or anything else at the window. The preparation my client had done was thorough, but what the officer physically took was minimal. Keep your full document packet organised and ready, but do not be alarmed if the officer only picks up one or two items.
How the approval was confirmed
After reviewing the documents, the officer stamped the passport and said directly: 'I am approving your visa.' One copy of the 797 was returned after stamping. That verbal confirmation at the window — followed by the stamp — is how you know you are approved on the spot. My client was genuinely relieved, and rightly so. If you hear those words, your interview is over and your visa is granted.
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