Applied for B1/B2
Overview:
I'm aged 35-40 from Malaysia wishing to visit USA. Back in 2018, I got started in cryptocurrency and seeked out a programmer, then a stranger to write mining software and we did exceedingly well as a team. He's lives in a suburban county, not a major city, but not hillbilly either. We have a mining operation now running nearby in a facility (though nothing official on paper -- this can change if necessary)
I have been interviewed twice, and rejected twice -- 214b. Please help review my situation and tell me which parts needs improvement.
Purpose:
Multiple reasons.
Family:
I have 2 kids, needless to say, a wife. Being a single child, we live together with my folks. (Living together is typical in suburbian regions in Asia)
Job:
I'm self employed and I do servers, networking, build computers. Less on building computers these days. When it comes to software / web development, I outsource them. I typically do a few deals a year as I have other sources of income.
My company's been around since 2015. I wouldn't call my company very successful. I serve/support almost entirely friends company. Prior to this, I ran an Internet cafe -- family business, but nothing official under my name. I've never worked for anyone else before.
Financials:
Completed 12th grade; quit uni studies.
Past travels [as seen on passport]:
Thailand, China, Singapore
USA stay:
I'll be staying at my friends place. I mentioned wishing to go to multiple states as well.
Interview 1 [mid nov]:
I brought nothing. Went totally unprepared. A travel agent friend told me to lie and say I'd go for just 3 weeks and would be staying in hotels/airbnb. Was told to never say I have a friend there. I didn't listen and I don't like dishonesty. So I told em my story as above minus anything related to cryptocurrency. I explained my purpose is to witness winter, experience american lifestyle, nothing concrete. On the form, I set it at 1 month but mentioned I'd like to stay up to 3 months. I dare say my interview was shakey. I was stammering my speech at times. Never been good at interviews / public speaking vocally.
Asked while I'm away who'd take care of business? Said my in-law would and I can take care of things remotely. (BAD THING TO SAY PERHAPS)
Interview 2 [1 week later]:
I was a bit rude to the consular officer. Something to do with greetings. He appeared annoyed. I brought with me all sorts of documents -- none of which he bothered to even look at. I had financial statements, company invoices, marriage cert, family pics. I explained in similar fashion, perhaps slightly more detailed this time. I said I met my friend via gaming. I didn't get the chance to explain my multiple sources of income, as questions relating to finance was on: job.
Summary:
In both interviews, I said everything as above except I didn't mention any other sources of income than "Job". I also omitted everything that had to do with cryptocurrencies.
So how do I go about from here?
My friend told me to not mention cryptocurrency as it is rather scorned upon generally.
I feel my purpose isn't clear enough.
Not very clear timeline.
Job situation don't look great.
Do I have a chance at all? What can I change / fix? I'm considering suggesting to go for 3 weeks (and then exit to Canada for a week before re-entering USA)
I understand there are many red flags in the way i've answered, as well as my situation isnt exactly the sort they'd love either.
Questions asked, i can't remember all questions but ill try:
Why do you want to go to USA?
A: For leisure.
Why do you plan to travel at this time?
A: To experience an american lifestyle, to experience winter, experience christmas in usa (which are true anyway)
Who are you going with to the USA?
A: Alone
Which places are you planning to visit?
A: NY, OH, MO
How long do you plan to stay in the USA?
A: 1 month, but i hope to be able to stay up to 3 months
What do you do for a living?
A: I'm self employed in the computing industry. I used to build computers more in the past, but recently -- more on servers, networking, backup solutions, more on the enterprise side.
What did you do before that?
A: I ran an internet cafe for my family.
Where do you get your customers?
A: My customer base is usually from word of mouth, friends.
Do you have an office?
A: Officially no, its rented out.
Where will you stay in USA?
A: For OH, a friend's place, as for other states it'll be airbnb
What does your friend do for a living?
A: A coder
How did you meet him?
A: Gaming (not true, but we play games together occasionally. Truth is above)
Overview:
I'm aged 35-40 from Malaysia wishing to visit USA. Back in 2018, I got started in cryptocurrency and seeked out a programmer, then a stranger to write mining software and we did exceedingly well as a team. He's lives in a suburban county, not a major city, but not hillbilly either. We have a mining operation now running nearby in a facility (though nothing official on paper -- this can change if necessary)
I have been interviewed twice, and rejected twice -- 214b. Please help review my situation and tell me which parts needs improvement.
Purpose:
Multiple reasons.
- I intend to go over to improve the operation, as the hosting company may have internal issues. So I'd have to go over to do some discussions.
- I'd like to spend time with my friend, as it's a special unlikely relationship. We'd probably simply play games together.
- I do want to experience the American lifestyle, food. I'm not really into shopping or visiting historic monuments.
Family:
I have 2 kids, needless to say, a wife. Being a single child, we live together with my folks. (Living together is typical in suburbian regions in Asia)
Job:
I'm self employed and I do servers, networking, build computers. Less on building computers these days. When it comes to software / web development, I outsource them. I typically do a few deals a year as I have other sources of income.
My company's been around since 2015. I wouldn't call my company very successful. I serve/support almost entirely friends company. Prior to this, I ran an Internet cafe -- family business, but nothing official under my name. I've never worked for anyone else before.
Financials:
- I do have around 50K USD in my bank account.
- I do have business property under my name [joint] between family members that's being rented out
- My family has investments in stock, property, land, rent mostly under parents name.
- I have a lot more going in cryptocurrencies.
Completed 12th grade; quit uni studies.
Past travels [as seen on passport]:
Thailand, China, Singapore
USA stay:
I'll be staying at my friends place. I mentioned wishing to go to multiple states as well.
Interview 1 [mid nov]:
I brought nothing. Went totally unprepared. A travel agent friend told me to lie and say I'd go for just 3 weeks and would be staying in hotels/airbnb. Was told to never say I have a friend there. I didn't listen and I don't like dishonesty. So I told em my story as above minus anything related to cryptocurrency. I explained my purpose is to witness winter, experience american lifestyle, nothing concrete. On the form, I set it at 1 month but mentioned I'd like to stay up to 3 months. I dare say my interview was shakey. I was stammering my speech at times. Never been good at interviews / public speaking vocally.
Asked while I'm away who'd take care of business? Said my in-law would and I can take care of things remotely. (BAD THING TO SAY PERHAPS)
Interview 2 [1 week later]:
I was a bit rude to the consular officer. Something to do with greetings. He appeared annoyed. I brought with me all sorts of documents -- none of which he bothered to even look at. I had financial statements, company invoices, marriage cert, family pics. I explained in similar fashion, perhaps slightly more detailed this time. I said I met my friend via gaming. I didn't get the chance to explain my multiple sources of income, as questions relating to finance was on: job.
Summary:
In both interviews, I said everything as above except I didn't mention any other sources of income than "Job". I also omitted everything that had to do with cryptocurrencies.
So how do I go about from here?
My friend told me to not mention cryptocurrency as it is rather scorned upon generally.
I feel my purpose isn't clear enough.
Not very clear timeline.
Job situation don't look great.
Do I have a chance at all? What can I change / fix? I'm considering suggesting to go for 3 weeks (and then exit to Canada for a week before re-entering USA)
I understand there are many red flags in the way i've answered, as well as my situation isnt exactly the sort they'd love either.
Questions asked, i can't remember all questions but ill try:
Why do you want to go to USA?
A: For leisure.
Why do you plan to travel at this time?
A: To experience an american lifestyle, to experience winter, experience christmas in usa (which are true anyway)
Who are you going with to the USA?
A: Alone
Which places are you planning to visit?
A: NY, OH, MO
How long do you plan to stay in the USA?
A: 1 month, but i hope to be able to stay up to 3 months
What do you do for a living?
A: I'm self employed in the computing industry. I used to build computers more in the past, but recently -- more on servers, networking, backup solutions, more on the enterprise side.
What did you do before that?
A: I ran an internet cafe for my family.
Where do you get your customers?
A: My customer base is usually from word of mouth, friends.
Do you have an office?
A: Officially no, its rented out.
Where will you stay in USA?
A: For OH, a friend's place, as for other states it'll be airbnb
What does your friend do for a living?
A: A coder
How did you meet him?
A: Gaming (not true, but we play games together occasionally. Truth is above)