Unemployed for 10 months

[malone76 0]

Newbie here. Before I start the process of applying I want to get the opinion of those on this board. I was employed full time in the USA through the end of 2016. I moved to Thailand in January of 2017 after resigning from my job in December to write a novel. I have money saved up to live off of, so I have had no income for 10 months. I may not publish my novel until next year. I made enough money in my previous employment to qualify, well above the poverty line. Will this be a problem? I have some 401-k money saved up (a little over 100k) and I own a home (with a mortgage) in the USA. I can show my tax returns through 2016. Thanks in advance!

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

Yes it will be a problem, as your previous job doesn't count for income purposes- income needs to be current and ongoing.

It sounds like you have enough in savings  to qualify on assets though.  Is the US home rented out?  That would count as income as well ....

 

[malone76 0]

15 hours ago, Penguin_ie said:

Yes it will be a problem, as your previous job doesn't count for income purposes- income needs to be current and ongoing.

It sounds like you have enough in savings  to qualify on assets though.  Is the US home rented out?  That would count as income as well ....

 

Do you know what the amount I need to have in savings is? I’m trying to rent my house right now. Hopefully soon.

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

At least threee times the amount of income necessary- so it if it just the two of you (no kids or other dependants), around $60'000.  Fives times is better, which would be around $100'000.  The money must be easily liquidated without undue hardship to the sponsor, so a primary home often doesn't count, but a rental home does. 

[Murph4865 597]

On 10/19/2017 at 5:42 AM, malone76 said:

Newbie here. Before I start the process of applying I want to get the opinion of those on this board. I was employed full time in the USA through the end of 2016. I moved to Thailand in January of 2017 after resigning from my job in December to write a novel. I have money saved up to live off of, so I have had no income for 10 months. I may not publish my novel until next year. I made enough money in my previous employment to qualify, well above the poverty line. Will this be a problem? I have some 401-k money saved up (a little over 100k) and I own a home (with a mortgage) in the USA. I can show my tax returns through 2016. Thanks in advance!

Here is the poverty guidelines for 2017

https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines

you need 100% of the money for 2 people per say which is 16,240 and then at AOS FILING you need 125% the amount of money your assets alone should do it but you need tax returns and pay stubs with you depending on embassy cause they may ask you for proof of all and letter and print out from bank for past year.