what are my options

[02brand 0]

Hello everyone, my name is Hezi and I am married to an American citizen....
Two years ago we started the process of a marriage based green card - ir1,
A few months ago the long-awaited interview arrived, I did it and the medical examination
Everything went smoothly
We flew to the USA about six months after that medical examination to do "initial entry", on February. I went in without any questions
I got a social security card to my wife's parents' house about a week after we got to the states, We left, her parents came to visit and brought with them my green card which arrived a few weeks after we left

We have a flight ticket for mid-July, which is also less than six months after our entry in February and we're not sure we'll make it

Since the medical examination, you can say, my wife is looking for a job but nothing happens
I started looking for a job 4 months ago and I can't find either
Her parents live in a relatively expensive and prestigious area (Somewhere in the Rhode Island area) and we have a baby and we are not interested in arriving without a job

We don't know what to do
the difficulty of finding work is simply discouraging
We are afraid that I will lose the green card, and then I will also have problems with the visa if we actually decide to give up
We heard about a re-entry option that gives a little more breathing room

Has anyone been in a similar situation?
should do and is the process lost?
What can we do so that the process does not go down the drain?

[Mike E 11,741]

The application for a re-entry permit must be made from inside the U.S. 

[appleblossom 2,816]

30 minutes ago, 02brand said:

Her parents live in a relatively expensive and prestigious area (Somewhere in the Rhode Island area) and we have a baby and we are not interested in arriving without a job

 

Most people have to arrive without a job, you're much more likely to get hired when you're actually in the US. Could you not move to a less expensive area though, at least to start with?

[SalishSea 17,980]

1 hour ago, 02brand said:

Hello everyone, my name is Hezi and I am married to an American citizen....
Two years ago we started the process of a marriage based green card - ir1,
A few months ago the long-awaited interview arrived, I did it and the medical examination
Everything went smoothly
We flew to the USA about six months after that medical examination to do "initial entry", on February. I went in without any questions
I got a social security card to my wife's parents' house about a week after we got to the states, We left, her parents came to visit and brought with them my green card which arrived a few weeks after we left

We have a flight ticket for mid-July, which is also less than six months after our entry in February and we're not sure we'll make it

Since the medical examination, you can say, my wife is looking for a job but nothing happens
I started looking for a job 4 months ago and I can't find either
Her parents live in a relatively expensive and prestigious area (Somewhere in the Rhode Island area) and we have a baby and we are not interested in arriving without a job

We don't know what to do
the difficulty of finding work is simply discouraging
We are afraid that I will lose the green card, and then I will also have problems with the visa if we actually decide to give up
We heard about a re-entry option that gives a little more breathing room

Has anyone been in a similar situation?
should do and is the process lost?
What can we do so that the process does not go down the drain?

Why are you both having such trouble finding jobs?  Jobs are plentiful, unemployment numbers are low.   Maybe you'd have better luck finding work in your home country?

[Dashinka 24,653]

A lot of folks are in similar situations especially couples or individuals that come to the US on diversity visas.  Our cousins were like that back in early 2019, no jobs, no place to live, etc.  We helped them out to get started, and they got a car fairly soon after arriving, started working in whatever job they could find (Walmart, Amazon, etc.), until they could find jobs in the fields they desired.  It takes time, but if ambitious, not as long as you may think.

 

My suggestion is if the in-laws are willing to put up with you for 6-12 months until you can get on your feet, take advantage of it, come back to the US and start working even in a menial job until you can get better employment.

 

Good Luck!

[Crazy Cat 41,985]

4 hours ago, 02brand said:

Her parents live in a relatively expensive and prestigious area (Somewhere in the Rhode Island area) and we have a baby and we are not interested in arriving without a job

You will find a job......you just have to come to the US and search.

[Redro 4,611]

4 hours ago, 02brand said:

Hello everyone, my name is Hezi and I am married to an American citizen....
Two years ago we started the process of a marriage based green card - ir1,
A few months ago the long-awaited interview arrived, I did it and the medical examination
Everything went smoothly
We flew to the USA about six months after that medical examination to do "initial entry", on February. I went in without any questions
I got a social security card to my wife's parents' house about a week after we got to the states, We left, her parents came to visit and brought with them my green card which arrived a few weeks after we left

We have a flight ticket for mid-July, which is also less than six months after our entry in February and we're not sure we'll make it

Since the medical examination, you can say, my wife is looking for a job but nothing happens
I started looking for a job 4 months ago and I can't find either
Her parents live in a relatively expensive and prestigious area (Somewhere in the Rhode Island area) and we have a baby and we are not interested in arriving without a job

We don't know what to do
the difficulty of finding work is simply discouraging
We are afraid that I will lose the green card, and then I will also have problems with the visa if we actually decide to give up
We heard about a re-entry option that gives a little more breathing room

Has anyone been in a similar situation?
should do and is the process lost?
What can we do so that the process does not go down the drain?

Some people are fortunate to move to the US with jobs. Others have to move to the US to find jobs.

If you are not having any luck finding a job while overseas you will need to move to the US and live off savings while you job search. 

Have you had any interviews or is it just radio silence? If it is latter, you,  might want to consider having someone "Americanize" your resume. 

[JeanneAdil 6,583]

you will have to rely on whoever provided the income requirements for the IR1 visa to help get u started

come back with the purchased flight tickets and look for work-lots of jobs here

u have the green card and u can come  now -don't wait to hear about a job while out of the US/most  employers will hire someone here

u can take any job -  any job at all while u look for the one u want

and everywhere i travel to there are signs "help wanted"

 

check out clerks

waitress

sales people

station attendants

factory workers 

 

[manyfudge 291]

Many don’t have jobs waiting for them when they are family sponsored.

 

The labor market for unskilled work (cashiers, etc) is very strong.  Especially in wealthier areas where the “help” cannot afford to live.  

 

Employers need to see you in the flesh before they hire.

 

 

[Soju 5]

With family and a baby and unemployment can add to uncertainly, but there are reasons why you decided to get your green card . 

With green card, you would definitely want to come here to the USA and live here. There are certain conditions that is required when you have a green card.   You spent so much work and effort in getting green card, don't lose it.  It can be hard to leave friend, family, and job to immigrate to the USA, but I am sure everything will be okay. Many of us here have done the same and are doing great.   You can establish your new life here and opportunities are great here.  I do not know any other place in the world that can offer many opportunities and freedom as here in the USA.  I say embrace your new home and wife's parents.  I am sure they be glad to help you until you can stand up on your own. 

 

 

[Chancy 6,243]

*** Moved from IR1/CR1 Process & Procedures to Moving to the US & Your New Life In America forum -- topic is about processes after US entry with immigrant visa ***

 

[Lemonslice 4,922]

Hi neighbours!

 

You can seek help here:

https://dlt.ri.gov/individuals/career-centers

 

Also, if you want to disclose in which geographical area, or professional sector, you're searching, other members might have great tips for you.

[Marieke H 2,520]

Finding a US job while you are outside of the US is hard. Employers may think that you need to be sponsored for a visa, or they want someone who is available to start working immediately. 

 

Just get back to the US. Hopefully your in-laws will let you stay with them until you're on your feet. It won't take long to find a job once you're there, as long as you're not picky and are willing to show up and work. You can be picky later, when you start thinking about a career. Finding that initial job to generate income and get settled really won't be as hard as you think.

[SteveInBostonI130 3,471]

17 hours ago, 02brand said:

Hello everyone, my name is Hezi and I am married to an American citizen....
Two years ago we started the process of a marriage based green card - ir1,
A few months ago the long-awaited interview arrived, I did it and the medical examination
Everything went smoothly
We flew to the USA about six months after that medical examination to do "initial entry", on February. I went in without any questions
I got a social security card to my wife's parents' house about a week after we got to the states, We left, her parents came to visit and brought with them my green card which arrived a few weeks after we left

We have a flight ticket for mid-July, which is also less than six months after our entry in February and we're not sure we'll make it

Since the medical examination, you can say, my wife is looking for a job but nothing happens
I started looking for a job 4 months ago and I can't find either
Her parents live in a relatively expensive and prestigious area (Somewhere in the Rhode Island area) and we have a baby and we are not interested in arriving without a job

We don't know what to do
the difficulty of finding work is simply discouraging
We are afraid that I will lose the green card, and then I will also have problems with the visa if we actually decide to give up
We heard about a re-entry option that gives a little more breathing room

Has anyone been in a similar situation?
should do and is the process lost?
What can we do so that the process does not go down the drain?

 

Many couch surf for jobs and wonder why employers aren't calling them or emailing them.  My wife was one of them.  She sees herself as less than she is:  her overseas education is not adequate, her english skills are low, etc.  When she took the plunge and went to physically apply, she was hired right away. 

 

She started in Kohls and other entry jobs and she quickly overcame her doubts and succeeded in whatever role she pursued.  Now she wants to do tax accounting after a season as a tax preparer.

 

New England is not lacking in jobs if you come here and look, especially if you knock on doors.  Don't sit in front of a screen and click "apply" and think people will flood your inbox and voicemail with dream offers.

[Adventine 3,201]

I agree with @SteveInBostonI130 - the best way to find jobs is to show up in person.

 

It opens so many more opportunities and allows you to grow your network.  Once people know your work ethic and qualifications, they can refer you to even better jobs.