B2 visa rejected under 214(b), suggestion/advice

[dev5643 0]

Hello guys, I recently got rejected for a B2 visa recently under section 214(b)
However, I want to try to reapply at the end of this year.
I hope to get some advice/suggestion on what I should do to obtain a US B2 visa in the future.

These are my details and experience at the American embassy in Tokyo, Japan.
I am a Malaysian residing and working in Japan.
I'm single, 21 years old, female, asian, no family in Japan.
I've been residing in Japan and studying there since April 2009 and worked since March 2012.

Old passport has history of traveling to various asian countries and once to Hong Kong during my student years in Japan.( I never traveled to any western country before)

I also returns to my home country every once a year.
I want to visit my American friend and attend an anime convention around mid april 2014 for a week.

The documents I provided to the counter who checked my documents (not the councillor) were :
-My mother's Malaysian bank statement in AUD. (I handed my original bank book too but it was returned??? Maybe she thought my mother's bank statement was the copy of my bank book?)
-My copy of ID (resident card)
-Passport & Old passports of the past 10 years

I prepared the other documents (pay slips, apartment rent contract, invitation letter from friend, employment letter etc...) but I was very nervous and unsure if I should pass it to the counter girl during then.)

The interview was held in English. (I heard that some people got it in Japanese. I haven't been speaking in English for a while thus I had a hard time.) My answers were embarrassing too, and I wasn't fully prepared for it since I expected them to ask for my finance status.

These are the questions & answers I remember being asked/said in no order :

-I've reviewed all your documents and application.

-Why are you in Japan?
I like anime and manga and it was my dream to work in Japan.

-Which school did you graduate from?
*stated my school name*

-Is it a University?
I said college.

-Have you been to the US before?
No.

-What's your purpose in US?
To visit a convention with my friend

-Where are you going in US?
*stated*

-Who's paying for your trip?
Myself but my parents will pay for me for in case of emergency.

-What emergency? (He frowned and seemed suspecious with my answer)
For in case anything bad happen to me, they'll be aiding me.

-How long have you been in Japan?
(I couldn't remember at that point and I used my fingers to count...) I was 17 when I came so around 4 years?

-What year did you come to Japan?
2009

-How long have you worked?
around one and four months. (I wanted to say one year and four months but screwed up my wording.)

-That's really short isn't it?
Yes...

-Taking a break already?
No, I just want to visit my friend and go to the anime convention.

-What ’s your status in Japan?
Working visa.

-(He flipped through my old passport and looked at my history of my Japan visas.) But this is expired.
No, that was my old visa. My new one is in my residence card.

-What's your job position? (being asked twice)
CG designer, for games.

After a few long questions and answers I was asked to wait as he went away from the counter.

After a minute of waiting, he returned with a 214(b) sheet and my passport saying something like "I'm sorry but we cannot grant you a visa as you did not fit our requirements of 214(b) section. You may reapply anytime but you will have to submit a new application and pay a new payment."

I came up with a few conclusions of why I was rejected:
-I didn't work & stay long enough in Japan.
-I didn't answer the interview correctly and did not convince the councillor that I will return to Japan.
-I didn't provide sufficient documents. (My payslip, bank slips etc)

For my next application, I plan to reapply with a more prepared mind and providing more documents and my bank status. I'm not going to show my mother's bank statement anymore as I thought showing my mother's bank account was odd indeed after thinking for some time. She has nothing to do with my trip either.
Also I will have nearly 2 years of work experience and 5 years stay in Japan. I will also use the reason of going to the anime convention and to learn the western view on anime culture so it can be a used for my work in Japan.

I'm sorry for the long post and thank you for your time reading.
I'll be glad if someone can give me some advice and suggestions on what I should do to prove a stronger tie, or if these changes will grant me a higher chance in getting a B2 visa.

Edited June 15, 2013 by dev5643

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

You could add a letter from your employer stating your position and that you are allowed X amount of vacation . You could get married and leave your spouse behind ( ok that does help but I am sure you aren't planning that ) you could buy property there. be enrolled in a class that starts after your trip and prepay for it. ( the more expensive the better )

[dev5643 0]

You could add a letter from your employer stating your position and that you are allowed X amount of vacation . You could get married and leave your spouse behind ( ok that does help but I am sure you aren't planning that ) you could buy property there. be enrolled in a class that starts after your trip and prepay for it. ( the more expensive the better )

Thank you for your suggestion.

I thought of the first one too, yes asking my company to write a letter of my leave.

I blame myself for being silly and not pass more documents for the lady who checked it. Hopefully the lady will allow me to pass it in for the counciller to read.

For getting married, unfortuntely I'm single and not in a relationship. As for classes, I'll think about it.

Thanks once again!

[amykathleen2005 441]

If you don't do well with English request the interview in Japanese.

[milimelo 4,500]

Why apply for a visa now when you want to travel in April 2014? I know you can apply months in advance, but it would make more sense to apply around December/January when you can show schedule of the conference.

Who is this friend in the US? Male or female?

[CC90 90]

Applying in a 3rd country has a higher burden of proof under 214(b). I don't think you did anything wrong in the interview, but I think your other conclusions are accurate. People that are seen as nomadic are almost certainly denied. You need to have more of a life in Japan. You're young, not married, haven't been working for long, and don't have family in Japan. Until these things change, it's unlikely you'll be granted a visa no matter how rich you are or how many documents you have.

Edited June 15, 2013 by CC90

[dev5643 0]

If you don't do well with English request the interview in Japanese.

My English is understandable and I wanted to respect the councillor. I will try to request it in Japanese for my next interview. Thank you.

Why apply for a visa now when you want to travel in April 2014? I know you can apply months in advance, but it would make more sense to apply around December/January when you can show schedule of the conference.

Who is this friend in the US? Male or female?

My friend and I wanted to make plans early. I am going there to cosplay too, and tailoring will take months to be complete. The schedule for the convention is out too, which I brought it along with me but I did not show it and the councillor did not ask. December/ January is my last chance to apply for this trip!!! My friend is a female.

Edited June 15, 2013 by dev5643

[dev5643 0]

Applying in a 3rd country has a higher burden of proof under 214(b). I don't think you did anything wrong in the interview, but I think your other conclusions are accurate. People that are seen as nomadic are almost certainly denied. You need to have more of a life in Japan. You're young, not married, haven't been working for long, and don't have family in Japan. Until these things change, it's unlikely you'll be granted a visa no matter how rich you are or how many documents you have.

I know my chances of touring US is low. I tried hard to research any chances of getting accepted for applying from a 3rd country. Fortunately, there are cases where Malaysian are approved even with their student visa status, while Chinese from China is nearly impossible unless they've stayed in Japan for more than 10 years.

My next try will be the last, until maybe years later if I ever change my mind and I'm in a more stable. situation. I'm giving it one last chance for the sake of my long best friend as we really want to meet each other too.