First-time B1/B2 applicant from India — self-employed, own company. How do my chances look?
Hi all, I’d really appreciate an honest read on my profile before I put down the fee.
About me:
• Indian citizen, based in Bengaluru
• Self-employed. I own a private limited company (software consultancy) registered here
• ITR around ₹12L for the current year, filed consistently
• Own a property, registered in my name as co-applicant
• Never travelled to the US before
Travel history: Dubai (2022), Georgia, Azerbaijan, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia. All trips self-funded, always returned on time, no overstays. No Schengen or UK visa yet.
Purpose: Mainly tourism. I want to see the country, and I’d be funding the trip myself.
I do have a few paying clients based in the US — they show up in my company’s accounts as regular invoiced revenue — and I could meet a couple of them in person while I’m there. Nothing formal is planned yet.
Questions:
My travel is all visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations for an Indian passport. Does that count for much with a US officer, or do they mainly care about “hard” visas like Schengen and UK?
Given the US clients, should I apply as B1/B2 rather than pure B2? Or does mentioning client meetings just complicate a straightforward tourist application?
If I do mention meeting clients, what proof is expected — invoices and bank credits from my company account, or do I need letters from the clients themselves?
Chennai seems to have the shortest wait right now. Any downside to booking there instead of my “home” consulate?
How much bank balance I need to maintain?
Anyone with a similar profile — self-employed, running your own company, clients abroad — I’d love to hear how your interview went and what you were asked.
Thanks in advance.