DS-5540 public charge & "occupational skills"

[Ptitchou 117]

On the form I see a section asking if the applicant has a high school diploma and then following that is:

"Do you have any occupational skills?"

"Certification/License Type/Occupational Skill"

 

If I've graduated college and have been working in my field for x number of years, but do not have a license or certification that was required for my particular career, how would one answer this? Would college degrees go in this field? Do they even consider professional skills that don't have a specific certification? 

 

I know this is all new for all of us, but perhaps someone's done this part already. 

[Tesco 70]

13 minutes ago, Ptitchou said:

On the form I see a section asking if the applicant has a high school diploma and then following that is:

"Do you have any occupational skills?"

"Certification/License Type/Occupational Skill"

 

If I've graduated college and have been working in my field for x number of years, but do not have a license or certification that was required for my particular career, how would one answer this? Would college degrees go in this field? Do they even consider professional skills that don't have a specific certification? 

 

I know this is all new for all of us, but perhaps someone's done this part already. 

We listed ALL subjects passed into the 'High School' field. As for 'Occupational Skills'/'Certification', we put down ALL relevant skills and certifications. Remember part 8 is your friend here, use it wisely to capture items that won't fit. Now, we didn't list things like ballroom dancing classes, BUT you would if you're a professional or semi Pro. Our part 8 is fairly lengthy, as no one really knows the answers, as there are to my knowledge; no instructions. We decided to take a more structured approach and explain items that are open to interpretation, or where the question is unclear. We're a ways from this step, but just getting the ducks in a row for now.

[Ptitchou 117]

59 minutes ago, Tesco said:

We listed ALL subjects passed into the 'High School' field. As for 'Occupational Skills'/'Certification', we put down ALL relevant skills and certifications. Remember part 8 is your friend here, use it wisely to capture items that won't fit. Now, we didn't list things like ballroom dancing classes, BUT you would if you're a professional or semi Pro. Our part 8 is fairly lengthy, as no one really knows the answers, as there are to my knowledge; no instructions. We decided to take a more structured approach and explain items that are open to interpretation, or where the question is unclear. We're a ways from this step, but just getting the ducks in a row for now.

Oh, that's a very good point. I hadn't considered that Part 8 for Additional Information could be used for this. 

 

Does anyone know when this form would be used for consular filers? There doesn't seem to be any updated information on the USCIS site yet, and the guides have multiple broken links while I assume they're working on updating things at the last minute. 

 

[Tesco 70]

Effective Feb 24th, 2020.... But when it's required, who knows. I would complete the form and any additional part 8 information and take with you. You maybe asked, perhaps not. Having it with you though maybe the difference of being approved there and then, rather then uploading when you get home. From what I understand from the FAM, they don't require any evidence of assets at the time, although may ask later.

 

One thing I can't figure out is where the form asks 'location of assets', does that mean the country, bank, insurance company...