Affidavit of Support

[brika 0]

Hi! Doing my first post here, so I'll start it off with a question that's been bugging me for the last six months. My wife and I are planning to move back to the U.S. in about 1 1/2 years' time (she's Japanese, and I'm American). I'm just wondering about the timing of the whole immigration process. Should I have a job/job offer in the U.S. before going to the embassy to file the I_130? And is there any time requirement as to how long I should have worked in the U.S. before my wife files the AOS with her immigrant visa application?

Really looking to plan out when I should quit my job and move back, and when to go to Tokyo to start the whole process. Thanks for any advice/experiences you could share!

[YuAndDan 153]

Nope no employment requirement when filing the I-130 (DCF) however there WILL be a US Domicile requirement at the time of visa interview.

Many on DCF simply have US Citizen return to the USA shortly after filing I-130 and re-establish US domicile, and if they do not have a job in the USA lined up that pays enough to support, they get a joint sponsor.

Also note: Even though you may not have to pay US tax on foreign income, you are still required to file a 1040 every year reporting income. The IRS returns will come into play when providing an affidavit of support.

Moving this to DCF forum...

Edited January 5, 2011 by YuAndDan

[brika 0]

Nope no employment requirement when filing the I-130 (DCF) however there WILL be a US Domicile requirement at the time of visa interview.

Many on DCF simply have US Citizen return to the USA shortly after filing I-130 and re-establish US domicile, and if they do not have a job in the USA lined up that pays enough to support, they get a joint sponsor.

Also note: Even though you may not have to pay US tax on foreign income, you are still required to file a 1040 every year reporting income. The IRS returns will come into play when providing an affidavit of support.

Moving this to DCF forum...

Thanks!! Right now, we're planning to move back to California for the job opportunities. But, my folks live in Hawaii. Do you think it would be better to move back to Hawaii instead, just in case we need a joint sponsor? Would we have to live near or even together with the joint sponsor?

[YuAndDan 153]

Thanks!! Right now, we're planning to move back to California for the job opportunities. But, my folks live in Hawaii. Do you think it would be better to move back to Hawaii instead, just in case we need a joint sponsor? Would we have to live near or even together with the joint sponsor?

Joint sponsor does not need to live in same community as you, you joint sponsor can live in Maine and you live in Hawaii, for all they care.