New Job - notify USCIS?

[messi 0]

Hi there -

I (the petitioner) was out of work when we filed in April. I had chosen to take some time off so that I could pursue some other opportunities, so I was not technically 'unemployed,' I was not collecting benefits or anything - I was simply not working at the time. We made sure we had our financial bases covered before filing so we weren't worried about support / poverty line issues.

Anyway, I just got a new job (but I don't start until September). We are still waiting for our NOA2. Should I call to give them my new employment info? Will this help at all? Or will it hurt us, but sort of putting us back at square 1?

Thanks!

[mandyu1 5]

Hi there -

I (the petitioner) was out of work when we filed in April. I had chosen to take some time off so that I could pursue some other opportunities, so I was not technically 'unemployed,' I was not collecting benefits or anything - I was simply not working at the time. We made sure we had our financial bases covered before filing so we weren't worried about support / poverty line issues.

Anyway, I just got a new job (but I don't start until September). We are still waiting for our NOA2. Should I call to give them my new employment info? Will this help at all? Or will it hurt us, but sort of putting us back at square 1?

Thanks!

well if you weren't working you were unemployed, regardless if you were collecting benefits or not. You could always write USCIS a letter with your new employment information but there are no guarantees that it will make it into your file. After you receive your NOA2 and your fiance receives the packet from the embassy, you will need to return the I-134 affidavit of support, and that is when they will really look at your income and care that you are now working. USCIS really doesn't care if you're working or not.

[ryna 132]

Hi there -

I (the petitioner) was out of work when we filed in April. I had chosen to take some time off so that I could pursue some other opportunities, so I was not technically 'unemployed,' I was not collecting benefits or anything - I was simply not working at the time. We made sure we had our financial bases covered before filing so we weren't worried about support / poverty line issues.

Anyway, I just got a new job (but I don't start until September). We are still waiting for our NOA2. Should I call to give them my new employment info? Will this help at all? Or will it hurt us, but sort of putting us back at square 1?

Thanks!

Congrats on the new job. I think you should be fine as long as you meet the income requirements with the new job and have a history of doing so to back it up. And, I would just wait until the I-134 is presented at the interview. Given the amount of time it takes between submitting the petition and the interview, I'm sure a lot of people arrive at the embassy with a different work situation than when they filed. Remember, assets count too, and can be used to meet a part or all of the requirements.

Also, being in a somewhat similar situation where my last contract ended just days before we filed, I've lined up a co-sponsor (and a backup co-sponsor) just in case the embassy doesn't like that any new job I get will most likely be a 6-mo (or 12-mo) contract-to-hire position (or simply another 6-12 month contract.) If a co-sponsor is a possibility for you, it couldn't hurt to have one ready just in case.

Good luck with everything!

[Dodi 69]

Technically, the USCIS doesn't care about your income. The only thing the USCIS has to determine is that you've met the requirements for meeting in person in the past two years, and that you're both free to marry.

It is the Embassy/Consulate that looks at your ability to support your future spouse. If you front-loaded an I-134 that has since been made inaccurate, your fiance will submit a new, original I-134 at the interview anyway, so there's no need for worry. Simply fill in the new I-134, get letters from your employer and copy ALL of your pay stubs from now until the time of the interview. (If you don't want to mail a lot of papers to save money, just scan and email the backup documents and mail only the original signed form.) The more you can document the better. I had just started a new job in March due to a lay off in February, so when we filed I sent a front-loaded I-134 (or rather my attorney did) and I had my employer letter from the day I started this job. In the interview packet I sent to my fiance, I included a revised/updated I-134 (I'd also not included my child support initially, not knowing I could), and a copy of the original letter as well as an updated letter stating that I had completed my first 90 days of employment and was still in good standing.

Good luck!

Edited July 30, 2010 by Dodi

[Ashley y Diego 3]

Congrats.. I agree that the USCIS doesn't really care. You will have the opportunity to show evidence of support when your fiance submits your documents to the embassy, that's where it really matters. You will show evidence again when you marry and file for adjustment of status.. plenty of chances later, don't worry now

[messi 0]

ok, thanks everyone, sounds like i should just wait and include the new info with the i-134.

mandyu1, all i meant by not being technically unemployed is that when the government comes out with it's monthly unemployment stats, it does not count people who are not looking for a job. so i'm not part of that 10% number we always hear on the news, ya know?

ashley & diego - i was kind of relieved to see that you had no touches until approval - i've been really stressed that it's been over 3 months and no touches, but i guess approval still could be just around the corner!