Watch this guide as a video
The first question: Where are you going in the US?
One of my clients told me exactly how his L1A interview opened. He greeted the officer — a lady at the counter — and her very first question was: 'Where are you going in the US?' Simple enough, right? But nerves got to him. He ended up giving two addresses: his destination city and his client site location. It was more information than she needed, and he could feel himself over-answering. Stay calm, and give one clear, direct answer. If you are going to a specific city or state, say that. If your client site is the relevant detail, lead with that. Do not list multiple addresses unless the officer specifically asks for more.
The follow-up: Which state are you going to?
Because he had mentioned two locations, the officer followed up immediately: 'In which state are you going?' He answered confidently — Pennsylvania — and even included the zip code. That level of specificity is good. It shows you genuinely know where you are headed and that your assignment is real. Before your interview, make sure you have memorised the state, city, and zip code of your work location. Do not leave that detail vague.
The salary question: Answer in US dollars only
The next question the officer asked was: 'What will be your salary?' This is where many L1 applicants trip up. If you are mentally converting between your Indian salary and your US salary mid-answer, you will either hesitate or give the wrong figure. Know your US salary in US dollars before you walk into that interview, and answer with that number directly. Do not mention your Indian CTC, do not convert on the spot, and do not confuse the two. The officer wants to hear your US compensation — give it to them immediately and confidently.
Need help with your visa preparation?
Have questions after reading this guide? I’m happy to help.
Chat with Shachi on WhatsAppNext steps
Continue your preparation with these resources.
Related Guides
What questions are being asked in L1A and L1B visa interviews in 2023?
L1 visa interviews in India have shifted significantly in 2023 — the questions officers are asking, and the way they are asking them, have changed in ways that can catch even well-prepared applicants off guard. Here are the three trends I have been tracking, and exactly how to handle each one.
What questions are asked in an L1A visa interview?
If you are preparing for your L1A visa interview, knowing what the officer actually asked a real applicant — and which documents they took — can make the difference between walking out approved and walking out uncertain. Here is a first-hand account from an L1A approval I helped prepare.
How do I pay the L1 visa fraud detection fee in India?
The L1 fraud detection fee catches a surprising number of applicants off guard on interview day — not because they forgot to pay it, but because they got the demand draft details wrong. Here is exactly how to prepare it so there are no hold-ups at the window.