Applying after getting denied (Brazil) - need help with ds160

[brasiltoUSA2020 0]

Hello everyone! 

 

I am a 32 years old single female and I live with my mother and her brother (each are widowed) since I separated a couple years ago because I don't want to live alone. I also help with the cost of living there, but the house registered under my mother's name. It's in our culture to live with family if we are single, especially for women. I have legally my own car. I have no kids. 

I have a masters degree and I work for the municipal government since 2017. I am a team coordinator. Here in Brazil, I am known as a government employee with job security. My salary is good for one person in Brazil. 

 

I applied in 2018 for a B2 and was denied because of lack of ties to my home country. My interview was pretty bad because I was very nervous and I didn't know how to fill the DS-160 form correctly. My answers were too vague etc. From there until today, I traveled to Europe for 2 weeks a couple months ago. I am now in the process of filing in my DS-160 again because my step brother and I (he already has a valid US visa) would like to go to Miami for 5 days to know the Miami area (South beach) and to do some shopping. 

 

1) Have you made specific travel plans?:

do I answer " yes"? I then write the arrival city : Miami and the departure city : Miami  and under Provide the locations you plan to visit in the US, I put Miami or more specific places in Miami? 

What do I write for the Address where you will stay in the US? We haven't reserved anything before me getting the visa. Do I put Hotel to be reserved ? 

 

2) Travel companions information:

Is it ok to write my half brother there or is it better to say no ? I don't want the officer to think I'm using my brother to get a visa because he already as one. I'm afraid it might be suspicious for him even the plan is to go with my brother. 

 

3) Have you ever been refused a U.S. Visa?:

Yes and in the Explain field, I was thinking of writing this: I was refused a B2 Visa in 2018 - not enough ties to my home country. Do I need to add anything else? It looks like they want us to explain why we think we didn't get it. 

 

4) Have you ever lost a passport or had one stolen?: 

So, before I applied the last time, I had lost my passport (and dont have the number) but got a new one after going to the Federal police (the organ that emits passports). With my identification number, they invalided the old one and emitted me a new one). So, when I applied for the visa the last time, I already had my new passport and said no to the question. Now, I am not sure how I should answer this. If I say yes, I don't want them to think I was lying the other time, I just didn't think it was important because I had no issued visa in it....I know it's stupid....what do you guys suggest?

 

5) U.S. Point of contact info:

I don't know anybody in the USA. What do I put there: Do not know for both contact person/organization name? 

 

6) Spouse information:

I was in a relationship with a man, we were in a civil union but we were not married. Do I need to declare him as former spouse ?

 

7) Present work 

Primary occupation: government

Present employer or School name: So, this is a little confusing because I have a nominated act as a federal government employee, but I am "loaned" by the federal government to work for the municipal government since 2017. In the municipal government, I work in a foundation that is within the municipal government structure. On my tax report, it displays the foundation name. Of course, saying I work for the federal government has more "weight" than saying I work for a "foundation" especially to someone who might not understand all the government structures in Brazil. What do you suggest me to do. I don't want to start explaining and like making things way more complex than they are knowing the consular officer will read my ds160 in 1 minute. 

Briefly describe your duties:  I am a postgraduaded nutricionnist and work as a team coordinator in the foundation X within the municipal government of Y.       Is it a good description? 

 

Also, what kind of questions do they ask when you reapply after getting denied before?

 

What has changed in your situation since the last time?

Answer: I have been given more responsibilities at work and I am settled on growing professionally. I also traveled to Europe for two weeks last year. 

I am not sure what to answer there. I mean, my situation hasn't much changed but I think my having a permanent job and having traveled to Europe shows that my intention is not living illegally in the US.

 

thank you very much for your help. 

 

 

 

[Just Paul 4,595]

13 minutes ago, brasiltoUSA2020 said:

5) U.S. Point of contact info:

Where are you going to stay.

14 minutes ago, brasiltoUSA2020 said:

6) Spouse information:

If it wasn't legalized then N/A - your are single

14 minutes ago, brasiltoUSA2020 said:

1) Have you made specific travel plans?:

You can book a hotel that you can cancel.   Same with some airlines.  You don't need a day-by-day itinerary but a few solid plans.

[Boiler 45,912]

You have travel plans, 5 days in Miami, you do not need to book anything.

[JulianaSteve 25]

Sorry but "..It's in our culture to live with family if we are single, especially for women.." isn't  such a thing.  

 

I'm from Brazil too. Maybe this is something normal in your family because in my isn't. 

 

"2) Travel companions information:

Is it ok to write my half brother there or is it better to say no ? I don't want the officer to think I'm using my brother to get a visa because he already as one. I'm afraid it might be suspicious for him even the plan is to go with my brother. "

 

Tell the truth is always the best option. 

 

Having a job with the government is not different than have a normal job. Is not like a guarantee, haven't "weight" for the US Government, sorry.

 

Like you said you've been working there since 2017 and your visa was denied in 2018. You are a "funcionaria publica" (Government employee) at that moment and was not enough to show ties with Brazil.

 

You said you salary is good for a person in Brazil but in the same time you are living with your mother and want to go to Miami to visit and shopping. 

 

What's really changed in your life situation after the visa was denied? Are you studying? Buying a house? Something that shows NOW you have more ties?

 

Because this is the thing they really want to know.

 

I hope you can find more ties and get your visa soon to be able to travel.

 

Good luck

[brasiltoUSA2020 0]

1 hour ago, JulianaSteve said:

Sorry but "..It's in our culture to live with family if we are single, especially for women.." isn't  such a thing.  

 

I'm from Brazil too. Maybe this is something normal in your family because in my isn't. 

 

"2) Travel companions information:

Is it ok to write my half brother there or is it better to say no ? I don't want the officer to think I'm using my brother to get a visa because he already as one. I'm afraid it might be suspicious for him even the plan is to go with my brother. "

 

Tell the truth is always the best option. 

 

Having a job with the government is not different than have a normal job. Is not like a guarantee, haven't "weight" for the US Government, sorry.

 

Like you said you've been working there since 2017 and your visa was denied in 2018. You are a "funcionaria publica" (Government employee) at that moment and was not enough to show ties with Brazil.

 

You said you salary is good for a person in Brazil but in the same time you are living with your mother and want to go to Miami to visit and shopping. 

 

What's really changed in your life situation after the visa was denied? Are you studying? Buying a house? Something that shows NOW you have more ties?

 

Because this is the thing they really want to know.

 

I hope you can find more ties and get your visa soon to be able to travel.

 

Good luck

Thank you for your answer. To do some clarifications:

I just prefer to live with them than living on my own right now. I don't like to live by myself, I feel lonely and I don't want to be in a relationship with someone. So I need to be living alone to prove my ties to my own country? It doesn't have anything to do with my salary. I paid for a trip to Europe (which is more expensive than the US because of the Euro and all the touristic places than 5 days in Miami). 

I already have a masters degree. I am done with studying. Do they assume that you need to be studying all your life? It's normal to just have a job and work and not studying. 

What I mean by having a government job is that it's a secure job. I won't be losing my job and try to immigrate illegally to the US anytime soon. I love what I do and I love my job. 

Buying a house doesn't mean anything. I could be selling it after. All materials things aren't really big ties. That's why they don't even ask them in the DS160! Now, leaving a good permanent job, having done a masters degree to go live illegally in the USA...who wants that? I surely don't. 

 

Edited February 16, 2020 by brasiltoUSA2020

[Boiler 45,912]

Why would anybody be interested in changing their lifestyle for a 5 day shopping trip?

 

The questions are simple just answer them truthfully, pay your $160 and find out.

[brasiltoUSA2020 0]

3 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Why would anybody be interested in changing their lifestyle for a 5 day shopping trip?

 

The questions are simple just answer them truthfully, pay your $160 and find out.

hello, I don't understand " why would anybody be interested in changing their lifestyle for a 5 day shopping trip? "

I am not only going shopping. I am visiting Miami, taking time off and I will also make use of cheaper prices in the US to buy some clothes. That's it. Nothing extraordinary. 

[Boiler 45,912]

Exactly, a 5 day trip is no big deal, your situation is what it is.

[DeParaquedasBrasi 228]

Im going to be brutally honest, because my wife went the thru same exact thing in Brazil.

1st: The Embassy/Consulate doesn't care not one 1% how you feel nor your emotions. Put your feelings aside and realize they see you like a potential immigrant. Yes you may have a good job, but so did the thousands of people that were granted visas and came to overstay....they simply knew how to lie better than those you got refused. Ive stood outside of the consulate and seen impresarios (business men) walk out denied because their case simply didn't convince them.

2nd: If your situation hasn't changed much since the last interview then save your money. Once you've been denied it only gets harder and harder everytime you go back...they want to see what has changed in your life. That advice came directly from a consular officer.

3rd: Don't listen to any other Brazilian who swears to know how to get a visa (I.E youtubers/ friends). The more you listen to their "tricks" the more you'll be denied faster. Consular officers do this all day everyday and see thousands of people stand there swearing how they don't want to live in America and how they love Brazil and how they'll never leave their mom behind blah blah blah. The sooner you see it from this point of view, the sooner youll understand how consular officer see you.

It sounds like you were a Funcionaria Publica for a year before you applied, correct? Well that's not enough. For them you didn't invest much into that job to convince them that you actually "love" your job.

Theres no such thing as tricks to get a visa....simply say the truth and if it's not good for them, well unfortunately it might never be.....and they wouldn't  care any less. Sorry but its the hard truth. 

Once again, if nothing has changed since your last interview then your just wasting your time and money. You're young, single, no kids, no husband, nada.....youre a high risk to them. The more you try frequently, the more you make it harder to get a visa........even if someone on youtube says they tried the very next week after being denied and then got approved.

[Downloader 199]

On 2/16/2020 at 3:41 PM, DeParaquedasBrasi said:

Im going to be brutally honest, because my wife went the thru same exact thing in Brazil.

1st: The Embassy/Consulate doesn't care not one 1% how you feel nor your emotions. Put your feelings aside and realize they see you like a potential immigrant. Yes you may have a good job, but so did the thousands of people that were granted visas and came to overstay....they simply knew how to lie better than those you got refused. Ive stood outside of the consulate and seen impresarios (business men) walk out denied because their case simply didn't convince them.

2nd: If your situation hasn't changed much since the last interview then save your money. Once you've been denied it only gets harder and harder everytime you go back...they want to see what has changed in your life. That advice came directly from a consular officer.

3rd: Don't listen to any other Brazilian who swears to know how to get a visa (I.E youtubers/ friends). The more you listen to their "tricks" the more you'll be denied faster. Consular officers do this all day everyday and see thousands of people stand there swearing how they don't want to live in America and how they love Brazil and how they'll never leave their mom behind blah blah blah. The sooner you see it from this point of view, the sooner youll understand how consular officer see you.

It sounds like you were a Funcionaria Publica for a year before you applied, correct? Well that's not enough. For them you didn't invest much into that job to convince them that you actually "love" your job.

Theres no such thing as tricks to get a visa....simply say the truth and if it's not good for them, well unfortunately it might never be.....and they wouldn't  care any less. Sorry but its the hard truth. 

Once again, if nothing has changed since your last interview then your just wasting your time and money. You're young, single, no kids, no husband, nada.....youre a high risk to them. The more you try frequently, the more you make it harder to get a visa........even if someone on youtube says they tried the very next week after being denied and then got approved.

Can’t agree more. Naked truth.