Working abroad

[JenniferJarin 0]

I have an estimated processing date of Aug. 25 for my NOA2. I am currently in the US, with plans to return to my fiance's home country of Thailand asap, once I get some things taken care of here. I was recently offered a legitimate job on my fiance's island that would start in early September, and which would also provide me with a work visa for Thailand.

I am self-employed as a freelance writer/editor, so can work via my laptop from the US or abroad. My income isn't sufficient for the I-134 affadavit of support, however, so my sister is signing on as a co-sponsor. My freelance computer work enables me to work from anywhere, so I'd rather spend the waiting time with my fiance in Thailand rather than sitting alone in front of my computer in my apartment in the US. In order to stay in Thailand for the months it will take before the visa is hopefully approved, without going on visa runs, I'll need a work visa, which I was already offered.

SO my basic question is this: Will getting a work visa and working abroad in Thailand for the 4-5 more months it may take to process his visa hurt my chances in any way of having a successful interview in Bangkok/getting the visa approval? Should I mention this work, if I take it, at the visa interview, which I plan on going to with him? I will still be on the lease & writing rent checks for my apartment of 13 years in LA. I will also still be working jobs via computer, but I would also be making an income for the next few months from a Thai job as well.

[SqdnGuns 21]

In my opinion, I don't see how you working there during the process will have any adverse effect on your K-1.

Chok Dee

[Jason-Sasha 1]

I too once entertained the idea of going to Russia and staying for a few months during the last stage of our visa process. I could have gotten alot of writing finished this way. But I decided to stay here and continue working because it would certainly look better for my income, though I'm already well over the poverty guidelines for this year. I was just too worried that it might appear irresponsible. Besides, I can make more here. Since you have a cosponsor I guess you should have nothing to worry about. And if I may give you an opinion without offending... being a writer and editor, I would imagine you could find a much better paying job to earn the minimum required by the I-134. What id this job offer you spoke about in Thailand? Can't be freelance writing. You mentioned it was a Thai job. I'm only asking out of curiosity because I find it adventurous to do such things. Anyway, good luck!

[JenniferJarin 0]

I too once entertained the idea of going to Russia and staying for a few months during the last stage of our visa process. I could have gotten alot of writing finished this way. But I decided to stay here and continue working because it would certainly look better for my income, though I'm already well over the poverty guidelines for this year. I was just too worried that it might appear irresponsible. Besides, I can make more here. Since you have a cosponsor I guess you should have nothing to worry about. And if I may give you an opinion without offending... being a writer and editor, I would imagine you could find a much better paying job to earn the minimum required by the I-134. What id this job offer you spoke about in Thailand? Can't be freelance writing. You mentioned it was a Thai job. I'm only asking out of curiosity because I find it adventurous to do such things. Anyway, good luck!

Thanks for responding. You asked about the job offer -- teaching english! But this would be at a school for wealthy expats' kids, so the pay is higher than most -- at least for thai standards. I really hope being in thailand is not a problem because the main reason I'll be going back is to be with him. You see, I already stayed there for 6 months -- 4 of them with him. My freelance writing income brings in enough for me to stay cheaply in thailand. So I figure, why stay here when I can just as easily be with him during this process, working from my laptop while keeping my US apartment? The extra teaching gig was primarily so I'd have a work visa and could make additional money, and without having to do the visa runs I'd have to do on a tourist visa. We just really don't want to be apart if we can help it. We plan to start a business when we get to the US -- this was even noted in the visa application.

If anyone else has any experience with working abroad while awaiting the visa, I'd really appreciate hearing from you.