I own a business in the Philippines

[snowcat 58]

I am the fiancee of a USC planning to have my K-1 visa interview in ~2 months. I heard they ask about what I do for a living during the interview. I currently am a co-owner of a small meat snacks business here in the Philippines. We started conceptualizing early this year and formally incorporated just this October 2016. I have told my business partner from the beginning that I will be moving to the US once my K-1 is complete, so we are now in the process of finding someone to take my place as a manager so that it can continue running while I'm gone. I will still own shares, however.

It's a local business earning in Philippine Pesos. I was just wondering if this will cause any problems in my K-1 visa application? Will I have to let go of my business and shares, even before my interview? I can just transfer my shares in my parents' name, if ever... Is there any possibility of me being denied the K-1 visa because of it?

Aside from the business I also do some part-time consulting for marketing and freelance graphic design for additional income.

Edited November 15, 2016 by snowcat

[javadown2 308]

I don't see why it even matters...your getting married to US citizen, and have to go to the US to get married with this Visa...you could own or operate any business (legally of course) and it wouldn't matter. The only thing I can think of is if maybe it is a hazardous job that may have compromised the beneficiary's health, or some sort of conflict of interest with US?

I've thought of something that may come up...I wonder what will happen when you do taxes in the US and some of your income is from the Philippines...this might get a little interesting with the IRS...hmm

Edited November 15, 2016 by javadown2

[snowcat 58]

The business actually isn't making money yet (we've had a few sales but not enough to even get close to breaking even). It is so new... less than a month old, officially. I'm considering just saying I'm a freelance graphic designer and marketing consultant, if they do ask what I do for a living (since both are true), and if bringing up the business will be more complicated? Would that lead to problems? I feel like they would be more interested in knowing what my USC fiance is doing for employment rather than what I'm doing since he will be the one to support me while I'm there?

[MarkPerry 488]

It will make no difference at all. I doubt the CO will ask you anything about your work or business.

[Penguin_ie 5,992]

No problem for the visa; if anything, it shows you are not just marrying for money as you have a business abroad

Not sure on the tax situation if and when the business makes money, but you can discuss that with a tax expert in the USA when the time comes.

[Limey 551]

It's a local business earning in Philippine Pesos. I was just wondering if this will cause any problems in my K-1 visa application? Will I have to let go of my business and shares, even before my interview? I can just transfer my shares in my parents' name, if ever... Is there any possibility of me being denied the K-1 visa because of it?

For a k1 visa the USCIS has no interest in your financial situation, or business.

I continue to part-own and run a UK based business, even though I've moved to the USA. If you continue to own it and have access to its bank accounts then you'll need to declare that on your tax return. Also because the US governments rules and penalties are so complex many foreign banks won't want to deal with you once you are a US resident as its just too much risk for them.

I'm not sure if your country has its own rules prohibiting overseas shareholders, etc - but from the US side there is no issues, so long as everything is declared to the US government for tax return etc.

[Tahoma 2,291]

It will make no difference at all. I doubt the CO will ask you anything about your work or business.

^^^This^^^

[Pitaya 2,577]

Likely a non-issue.

[snowcat 58]

For a k1 visa the USCIS has no interest in your financial situation, or business.

I continue to part-own and run a UK based business, even though I've moved to the USA. If you continue to own it and have access to its bank accounts then you'll need to declare that on your tax return. Also because the US governments rules and penalties are so complex many foreign banks won't want to deal with you once you are a US resident as its just too much risk for them.

I'm not sure if your country has its own rules prohibiting overseas shareholders, etc - but from the US side there is no issues, so long as everything is declared to the US government for tax return etc.

Interesting... will need to take this into consideration. Thanks for your helpful response!

And thank you to everyone else who responded and keeping me from going crazy, over-thinking every single detail throughout this process!