Couple - B2 Rejected, trying for B1 - Please Suggest

[Din]

Our (myself and wife) B2 visa application was rejected at US Consulate Chennai on Nov 14th and we are planning to re-appear after few months. Will be great if you give some valuable suggestions based on our case

Personal Details

Age-29, wife 23, married last year, no kids, didn't make any travel abroad so far. Have a partnership firm (own), working partners - as web developers (internet programming). Small office, only 4 people right now. Clients from Eurpoe, USA and Canada. Trip was planed as self-sponsored and we mentioned our job as freelancers.

Previous interview details

Made lot of mistakes. Intention was visiting tourist places and visiting my friends for 3 weeks. VO asked a lot of questions, like when we got married, how many kids, what are we doing, what are all facilities in our office,why we are going etc. We didn't give much importance to our clients abroad and I think that was a mistake. As we applied together for B2, our profession is web programming, small office etc might have made VO think we may not come back. So VO said we do not qualify for a US visa and put 241 B.

Planning for next interview

We are planning to re-apply and appear for interview in March 2007 or so. This time we are planning for B1. Anyway we have clients over there and can ask them to send invitation letter if needed. I know we need to make sure some status change is there (personal/professional) between the interviews and if there is no change, the chances are slim again. So what I am thinking is

1.Anyway I will be expanding my business (not for US visa but as I have more clients abroad), my small office may become lil big, like 10 or 12 employees. And planning for some registration (like STPI). Will this make any difference ?

2.As we were planning a tourist trip in Dec and US visa was rejected, we are planning to go to Singapore instead. Not business trip, but tourism. This will be of any help ? As we can show atleast one trip abroad.

3.Planning to apply for visa seperately and travelling seperate(depends on visa!) and may be like meet in USA. Like 2 invitation letters or something like that. Will make any difference ?

4.Gap between 2 interviews, 3-4 months is enough ?

5.Last time it was B2 and all docs were personal doc, now it will be B1, so what are all additional docs we need to prepare / need from clients abroad ?

6.Can we state like all expenses in USA will be covered by clients and airfare by ourself / our firm ? Usually it is done like that isn't it ? If the client sponsor the airfare too, what are all docs needed and which is better ?

Thanks in advance

.

[peace]

Hi. I remember I advised you before your interview.
Advice:
1. Yes, it will definitely have a positive effect.
2. Singapore trip will have a positive effect. Better if it is a short business trip for the person applying for the US visa.
3. Your strategy of applying separately and meeting there is not a good one. Whoever applies second will be asked about the spouse and if you say he/she is in US, it will create suspicions. In view of your denial on 214b , I advise you to play completely safe . Only one person should apply and travel. The second person should wait a couple of months after the first one returns.

4.It s enough provided your case is strong.

5. US embassy website describes what documents are needed for a B1.
Generally, they are; A brochure of your firm decribing no of employees, nature of business, turnover etc. Balance sheets and ITR(s) of your firm here. Your personal ITR, evidence of all assets in INdia.
Info about your contact in US.(brochure etc). An invitation letter from him decribing the nature of assignment in US. Day to day schedule of your
business stay in US.
6.Self sponsoring is always better.

Our (myself and wife) B2 visa application was rejected at US Consulate Chennai on Nov 14th and we are planning to re-appear after few months. Will be great if you give some valuable suggestions based on our case

Personal Details

Age-29, wife 23, married last year, no kids, didn't make any travel abroad so far. Have a partnership firm (own), working partners - as web developers (internet programming). Small office, only 4 people right now. Clients from Eurpoe, USA and Canada. Trip was planed as self-sponsored and we mentioned our job as freelancers.

Previous interview details

Made lot of mistakes. Intention was visiting tourist places and visiting my friends for 3 weeks. VO asked a lot of questions, like when we got married, how many kids, what are we doing, what are all facilities in our office,why we are going etc. We didn't give much importance to our clients abroad and I think that was a mistake. As we applied together for B2, our profession is web programming, small office etc might have made VO think we may not come back. So VO said we do not qualify for a US visa and put 241 B.

Planning for next interview

We are planning to re-apply and appear for interview in March 2007 or so. This time we are planning for B1. Anyway we have clients over there and can ask them to send invitation letter if needed. I know we need to make sure some status change is there (personal/professional) between the interviews and if there is no change, the chances are slim again. So what I am thinking is

1.Anyway I will be expanding my business (not for US visa but as I have more clients abroad), my small office may become lil big, like 10 or 12 employees. And planning for some registration (like STPI). Will this make any difference ?

2.As we were planning a tourist trip in Dec and US visa was rejected, we are planning to go to Singapore instead. Not business trip, but tourism. This will be of any help ? As we can show atleast one trip abroad.

3.Planning to apply for visa seperately and travelling seperate(depends on visa!) and may be like meet in USA. Like 2 invitation letters or something like that. Will make any difference ?

4.Gap between 2 interviews, 3-4 months is enough ?

5.Last time it was B2 and all docs were personal doc, now it will be B1, so what are all additional docs we need to prepare / need from clients abroad ?

6.Can we state like all expenses in USA will be covered by clients and airfare by ourself / our firm ? Usually it is done like that isn't it ? If the client sponsor the airfare too, what are all docs needed and which is better ?

Thanks in advance

.

[skn]

You rather take different dates for your interviews, and when one appears for the interview the other should be present in India, and after the other one gets the visa both of you can go to gather or separately, what ever you like. when asked abt the spouse, each should say that other he/she is traveling alone and mention a good reason for him/her for not accompanying.
I feel while applying again it will be best not to change your purpose of travel.You may add that, having gone there you may take that opportunity to do some business related work too.

[Din]

Thank you Peace and skn

Thanks a lot Peace and skn

Peace, I remeber you advised me and suggested some ideas. Whetever you said was 100% correct. The VO asked the same questions that you said 'VO may ask these'. I regret now as I ignored some of your valuable suggestions (not deliberately but had to). And you are still helping me, that is really nice of you. I really appreciate it. I am also sending you a PM, nothing confidential, but something in detail. Please have a look when you get time.