Unemployed

[PortlandAngel 0]

Ok, so my company announced today the businesses that will be sold to pay off the money that was burrowed from the FEDs. So I am about 85% sure that I will be laid off. Currently we are still waiting on NVC to send the packet to the embassy in Jamaica. So I am thinking we probably have an interview in late December of early January. With the current economy its no gurantee I will have another job by then. I was talking to my friend who is an attorney asking if I was unemployed if we would get approved, he said if I had a sponsor then yes. I know my mother wouldn't mind sponsoring us, but she lives in Texas, would I need to move there? I have being working for the past 4 years since I graduated from college, so I do have previous income tax return, however, I just will not have a letter from my employer or any recent pay stubs.

At first I was thinking If I was unemployed I would pack up my apartment and go spend a good month with him, but I think I may need to stay put and look for a job.

[sus 70]

Wow, Portland, that SUCKS, sorry to hear - From my understanding, you have to prove that your income, etc... is above the poverty level - so, look at the guides and figure it out - even with getting laid off, you should be able to collect unemployment - look at your yearly income - are you above it with getting laid off so late in the year? You might want to have two affidavits prepared - one by yourself, and one with your Mom as a co-sponsor - You don't have to live with the person who is your co-sponsor - they are swearing that they will be financially responsible, not that you live with them.

[*JG* 2]

I agree. The guidelines do ask if you above the poverty level for the year. If so, then you will be fine. Give them your last tax returns, your paycheck stubs, bank info--if that helps, etc. If you haven't been laid off yet, I would even go ask for a letter now stating how much you currently make for the year.

You need the sponsor if you don't think any of the above helps you. They do not need to live in the same household or the same state as you.

Sorry. I wish you lots of luck. This process is hard enough without being unemployed.

[Mononoke28 135]

I agree, I think you will be fine since they mainly ask for tax returns for the past year. I would also start collecting pay stubs so you can have them handy and ask for a letter of employment before they let you go (if that ever were to happen). That way, you'll have everything in hand.

Diana

[john_and_marlene 162]

I've notice a common question that seems to always be asked at the visa interview. "What does your fiance/fiancee/husband/wife do for a living."

Current income is the primary concern. Evidence of that income can be your past earnings or a letter from your employer if you still have the same job.

How do you answer the question?

If you honestly answer the question that they are currently unemployed, you probably won't get the visa until you can show new employment or get help with sponsorship.

If you answer that they are still employed at the same place and/or present an employment letter that is no longer valid, you are guilty of material misrepresentation. Material misrepresentation carries a lifetime ban and is not waiverable. If at any point it is discovered that the visa was obtained by means of material misrepresentation, all subsequent benefits are removed--up to and even including revocation of citizenship.

Advising someone to submit an employment letter that is no longer valid is a violation of the TOS

Edited October 3, 2008 by john_and_marlene

[sus 70]

But current income is proven by what she has been making - you don't have to prove that you have a future income for fiance visa, just the current one - and in that short of a time until interview, she should be collecting unemployment and over the poverty level (unless you have 20 dependents or so)

[*JG* 2]

I have to agree with Sus.

If they ask what your fiance currently does, then, yes, using any of the job stuff is lying. In our case, they never asked that question, even though I did have 2 jobs at the time.

Otherwise, they are looking at if you make over the poverty level for the year.

[Gooden 0]

I asked for a letter from my employer months prior to the interview. I also gave my S.O. everything while he was working on his last packet, ( Letter from employer, affidavit of support, check stubs, 3 years worth of taxes,) wich was months prior to his actual intervew. They didn't ask any questions in regards to my income at the interview. I think it will be fine as long as you gather everything now. Also, I suspect a co-signer never hurts.

[john_and_marlene 162]

But current income is proven by what she has been making

What she has been making is past income

What she may eventually get from unemployment or new employment is future income

Current income is what she is making right now--either unemployment or $0.

[sus 70]

But current income is proven by what she has been making

What she has been making is past income

What she may eventually get from unemployment or new employment is future income

Current income is what she is making right now--either unemployment or $0.

She is not laid off - she is contemplating the What if, if you read her post. So it is her current income - and her current income is shown by what she has been making and what she is actually making at the time of the interview - which maybe what she makes right now, maybe unemployment, maybe a severance packet,.....

She's looking for some reassurance here -

[*JG* 2]

That's what I was saying. She isn't laid off yet. She is fearing she will be laid off.

They just passed the bail out. Hopefully, this whole conversation is moot.

And, she's got NOA2. So they may squeek by before she is laid off, if she is.

[PortlandAngel 0]

I asked for a letter from my employer months prior to the interview. I also gave my S.O. everything while he was working on his last packet, ( Letter from employer, affidavit of support, check stubs, 3 years worth of taxes,) wich was months prior to his actual intervew. They didn't ask any questions in regards to my income at the interview. I think it will be fine as long as you gather everything now. Also, I suspect a co-signer never hurts.

What if you just say your profession, "ex. HR profession, attorney, nurse" unless they directly ask you if you are employed.

I fall above the poverty level, and I can produce atleast 4 years income tax that can prove that and w2 and so forth that i have been retaining.

Thanks all for your advise, I really do appreciate it...

[*JG* 2]

Knowing the JA K-1 workings, I would be preparing all this stuff right now anyhow. The K-1 will move fairly rapidly through the JA embassy. You might have an interview in the next couple of months.

You are filling it out as to the circumstances of the time you are completing the document. If we all lived with "what if's" we'd be in a lot of trouble right now.

[PortlandAngel 0]

Knowing the JA K-1 workings, I would be preparing all this stuff right now anyhow. The K-1 will move fairly rapidly through the JA embassy. You might have an interview in the next couple of months.

You are filling it out as to the circumstances of the time you are completing the document. If we all lived with "what if's" we'd be in a lot of trouble right now.

Yeah, that's what I will do, get everything in order, and just go from there.

Thanks everyone!

[sus 70]

I think that's the best you can do - just prepare everything possible that you can and hope for the best. Hopefully with the bail out you won't get laid off -

Where in NY are you? I'm in CT and my SO is in Portland too -