USC Moving Abroad While Waiting for CR-1

[SBVeryBlessed3k 17]

I know its bold, but I am plans to stay a prolonged time in my wife's country Nigeria as we wait in the DQ line. I have heard several people who stayed a few months in their spouses country, and I am interested in thoughts and advice to make the stay fruitful. I am discussing remote work options with my employer and I teach online, so I am not worried for income.

 

The consideration that this could be prolonged ie 1year+ is a possibility, but microtrips are costlier in the long run, and I am fine being a digital nomad in the meantime.

 

Thanks for all comments!

[JeanneAdil 6,606]

Please do a itmeline

 

Many have lived outside the US while waiting

and it does help to show the strong relationship especially in this high fraud country

 

you do not have a timeline so  just guessing here

but if she interviews after 4/15/22 you are going to need the 2021 taxes done and a IRS transcript (or copy of 1040 with all W2's, 1099, and 1099R attached)

this is probably biggest issue as they will not mail IRS copies to another country 

i believe they can be printed out online so others will chime in

if interviewing before 4/15/22 make sure u have the 2020 IRS transcripts in Nigeria for her to take 

 

Be sure she is your spouse on the forms (W7 form with supporting evidence) MFJ or MFS (doesn't matter)

[Redro 4,611]

6 hours ago, SBVeryBlessed3k said:

I know its bold, but I am plans to stay a prolonged time in my wife's country Nigeria as we wait in the DQ line. I have heard several people who stayed a few months in their spouses country, and I am interested in thoughts and advice to make the stay fruitful. I am discussing remote work options with my employer and I teach online, so I am not worried for income.

 

The consideration that this could be prolonged ie 1year+ is a possibility, but microtrips are costlier in the long run, and I am fine being a digital nomad in the meantime.

 

Thanks for all comments!

No issues with the USC moving to Nigeria to wait with the beneficiary. 

You'll just need to check the requirements of moving to Nigeria: visa, housing, etc. 

Also, check to see if the internet in the city/home you're moving to is robust enough for online teaching and your digital nomad lifestyle. 

 

WRT taxes: you can get your tax transcript mailed to Nigeria but it does take some time ( we waited 6+ weeks for our transcripts when we ordered them earlier this year). 

JeanneAdil gives good advice consider setting up an online IRS account before you leave. I also suggest filing your 2021 taxes as soon as you can when the time comes. 

You might have to mail in your taxes from Nigeria if your current tax software doesn't allow your to file MFS when a partner has no ITIN or SSN. 

When interview time comes your wife will need to show a.) proof your income will continue in the States (and is sufficient), and b.) you've maintained ties to and intend to return to the States with her. 

[randy32 165]

15 hours ago, SBVeryBlessed3k said:

I know its bold, but I am plans to stay a prolonged time in my wife's country Nigeria as we wait in the DQ line. I have heard several people who stayed a few months in their spouses country, and I am interested in thoughts and advice to make the stay fruitful. I am discussing remote work options with my employer and I teach online, so I am not worried for income.

 

The consideration that this could be prolonged ie 1year+ is a possibility, but microtrips are costlier in the long run, and I am fine being a digital nomad in the meantime.

 

Thanks for all comments!

I would not if you plan to work remotely. If you do plan very well for it.

I had a bad experience. I had 2 projects that required large files downloaded and could not get them done due to slow internet and power disruptions.

Internet is over the air so unless you have a battery powered hotspot, you will lose connectivity.

 

Taxes can be filed online and transcripts can be retrieved from the IRS website.

I can't say much to what regular mail is in Nigeria. I only use DHL, UPS or FedEx when I send mail there. Even those get delayed.

 

Besides the work aspect, you will be able to figure out the rest of things.

 

Edited November 23, 2021 by randy32

[Sarah&Facundo 599]

I  (USC) pretty much did this when my now-husband and I were waiting for the K1. I worked online too, but I did travel back and forth to the US a few times to see my family. My husband wasn't in Nigeria so my experience will be different, but when we went to the embassy for our interview, they did look at my tax documents closely to make sure I was earning US income (I was) and I don't even remember mentioning it was online. Since I was also present at the interview, I could answer any questions on the spot. As long as they saw the number they needed to see, that's what mattered in my experience. In my personal experience, they interviewed me more than they interviewed my beneficiary husband.

[SBVeryBlessed3k 17]

On 11/22/2021 at 12:46 PM, JeanneAdil said:

Please do a itmeline

 

Many have lived outside the US while waiting

and it does help to show the strong relationship especially in this high fraud country

 

you do not have a timeline so  just guessing here

but if she interviews after 4/15/22 you are going to need the 2021 taxes done and a IRS transcript (or copy of 1040 with all W2's, 1099, and 1099R attached)

this is probably biggest issue as they will not mail IRS copies to another country 

i believe they can be printed out online so others will chime in

if interviewing before 4/15/22 make sure u have the 2020 IRS transcripts in Nigeria for her to take 

 

Be sure she is your spouse on the forms (W7 form with supporting evidence) MFJ or MFS (doesn't matter)

Thank you, I have done taxes online. I will cover documents for sure.

 

Nigeria is tough.

 

I will look into the timelines.

[SBVeryBlessed3k 17]

20 hours ago, Kor2USA said:

No issues with the USC moving to Nigeria to wait with the beneficiary. 

You'll just need to check the requirements of moving to Nigeria: visa, housing, etc. 

Also, check to see if the internet in the city/home you're moving to is robust enough for online teaching and your digital nomad lifestyle. 

 

WRT taxes: you can get your tax transcript mailed to Nigeria but it does take some time ( we waited 6+ weeks for our transcripts when we ordered them earlier this year). 

JeanneAdil gives good advice consider setting up an online IRS account before you leave. I also suggest filing your 2021 taxes as soon as you can when the time comes. 

You might have to mail in your taxes from Nigeria if your current tax software doesn't allow your to file MFS when a partner has no ITIN or SSN. 

When interview time comes your wife will need to show a.) proof your income will continue in the States (and is sufficient), and b.) you've maintained ties to and intend to return to the States with her. 

Thanks for comment. I have lots of the background done. Surely my 1st thought. Internet is key. We talk everyday, so should be generally ok.

 

I will use online taxes as I have done last few years.