Getting unemployment benefits before interview

[dhouse89 4]

My spouse and I are both unemployed and getting unemployment benefits after our job ended a couple of months ago. We are not getting the benefits from the US, but in the country that we are residing in. We have a CR1 interview within a month. We prepared everything and it seems like everything we have to get the visa is great. However, we have been getting unemployment for a couple of months after our job end. Like any country that gives people unemployment, we have to find a job in the current country that we reside in to get the benefits. So my question is will getting unemployment benefits be an issue when my spouse does the interview? We are willing to get out of the unemployment benefits once my spouse gets the visa. Also, financially, we are stable and have more than the requirements for the poverty guidelines. 

[Crazy Cat 41,811]

It might be beneficial for you to have a joint sponsor ready in case the CO asks for it.

[Redro 4,611]

1 hour ago, dhouse89 said:

My spouse and I are both unemployed and getting unemployment benefits after our job ended a couple of months ago. We are not getting the benefits from the US, but in the country that we are residing in. We have a CR1 interview within a month. We prepared everything and it seems like everything we have to get the visa is great. However, we have been getting unemployment for a couple of months after our job end. Like any country that gives people unemployment, we have to find a job in the current country that we reside in to get the benefits. So my question is will getting unemployment benefits be an issue when my spouse does the interview? We are willing to get out of the unemployment benefits once my spouse gets the visa. Also, financially, we are stable and have more than the requirements for the poverty guidelines. 

It really depends on the country you're interviewing in. 

You will probably be fine. But, as you are the USC living overseas what plans have you made to go back to the US? 

As being on unemployment in the country means you should be looking for a job which contradicts your intention of moving to the US.... 

Your spouse on unemployment doesn't matter. It is about you and your ability to support them. 

[dhouse89 4]

3 hours ago, Redro said:

You will probably be fine. But, as you are the USC living overseas what plans have you made to go back to the US? 

As being on unemployment in the country means you should be looking for a job which contradicts your intention of moving to the US.... 

 

When it comes to how I'm going to show proof that I will move back to the US. I will show bank statements, credit card, flight ticket, etc. I've been following what other people posted in this website and it went well in my NVC stage.

 

My concern is my unemployment benefits end about a week after the interview. I'm not sure if I should delay the interview or not because I'm afraid the Interview Officer might ask if I'm taking unemployment benefits or not. Also, I'm afraid the he/she denies my spouse her US visa.

 

Does anyone know if the Interview Officer ever ask the question if we are taking unemployment benefits or not while being unemployed?

 

While searching in this website, the people who were taking unemployment benefits where doing it in the US.

 

Thank you and I appreciate any suggestions/feedback. 

[Redro 4,611]

1 minute ago, dhouse89 said:

 

When it comes to how I'm going to show proof that I will move back to the US. I will show bank statements, credit card, flight ticket, etc. I've been following what other people posted in this website and it went well in my NVC stage.

 

My concern is my unemployment benefits end about a week after the interview. I'm not sure if I should delay the interview or not because I'm afraid the Interview Officer might ask if I'm taking unemployment benefits or not. Also, I'm afraid the he/she denies my spouse her US visa.

 

Does anyone know if the Interview Officer ever ask the question if we are taking unemployment benefits or not while being unemployed?

 

While searching in this website, the people who were taking unemployment benefits where doing it in the US.

 

Thank you and I appreciate any suggestions/feedback. 

My husband’s employment ended a week after my visa interview. You should be fine. But, you should identify the consulate you are interviewing at because different consulates ask different questions. And what is true for one consulate is not always true for others.  

[Crazy Cat 41,811]

1 hour ago, dhouse89 said:

Thank you and I appreciate any suggestions/feedback. 

In what country do you currently reside?

[mam521 2,058]

Considering you are currently unemployed, I would head to the US and get a job.  You need to prove you have sufficient income to support your spouse in the US and unemployment benefits from a foreign country aren't going to be sufficient.  By also being in the US, you've established domicile so there won't be a grey area.  

 

Be prepared, as @Crazy Cat has said, to present a joint sponsor.  Having the best intentions doesn't typically work for immigration.  Sponsorship requirements are put into place for a reason and demonstrating you meet them is key. 

[JeanneAdil 6,489]

its not just meeting poverty guidelines

its the following 

• The net value of assets must be at least five times the difference between the sponsor's income and 125 percent of the poverty guideline for the household size.
• The visa applicant needs to file a Form I-864A to have his or her assets included in the minimum income level calculation

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/i-864-affidavit-faqs.html#aos14

 

Immigration doesn't care about your foreign income or unemloyment benefits

they care about US income and filing US tax returns

[pushbrk 12,870]

6 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

its not just meeting poverty guidelines

its the following 

• The net value of assets must be at least five times the difference between the sponsor's income and 125 percent of the poverty guideline for the household size.
• The visa applicant needs to file a Form I-864A to have his or her assets included in the minimum income level calculation

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/i-864-affidavit-faqs.html#aos14

 

Immigration doesn't care about your foreign income or unemloyment benefits

they care about US income and filing US tax returns

The above is wrong on two counts.  

 

1.  For the spouse of a US Citizen, the requirement is three times, not five times.

 

2.  When the visa applicant is the spouse of a US Citizen, their assets can be included without an I-864.

 

3. is correct, in that Consular Officers will not care about the RECEIPT of foreign benefits, IF the petitioner and/or both  otherwise qualify financially.

 

[Redro 4,611]

5 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

its not just meeting poverty guidelines

its the following 

• The net value of assets must be at least five times the difference between the sponsor's income and 125 percent of the poverty guideline for the household size.
• The visa applicant needs to file a Form I-864A to have his or her assets included in the minimum income level calculation

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/i-864-affidavit-faqs.html#aos14

 

Immigration doesn't care about your foreign income or unemloyment benefits

they care about US income and filing US tax returns

It is 3 times the difference if the beneficiary is the spouse of a USC. 

If OP is qualifying with savings and has over $70K (and there are only 2 people in the family) that should be sufficient. 

[pushbrk 12,870]

6 hours ago, dhouse89 said:

 

When it comes to how I'm going to show proof that I will move back to the US. I will show bank statements, credit card, flight ticket, etc. I've been following what other people posted in this website and it went well in my NVC stage.

 

My concern is my unemployment benefits end about a week after the interview. I'm not sure if I should delay the interview or not because I'm afraid the Interview Officer might ask if I'm taking unemployment benefits or not. Also, I'm afraid the he/she denies my spouse her US visa.

 

Does anyone know if the Interview Officer ever ask the question if we are taking unemployment benefits or not while being unemployed?

 

While searching in this website, the people who were taking unemployment benefits where doing it in the US.

 

Thank you and I appreciate any suggestions/feedback. 

In and of itself, your foreign benefits are not an issue.  Just how is it you are qualifying to sponsor your spouse?  Do you have a joint sponsor, or are you using liquid assets?  Are the liquid assets well over three times the income requirement.

 

Note, that the liquid assets (as defined in the instructions) must be three times the income shortfall, as a minimum.  Your income is zero, in this context, so three times the income requirement.  Requirement and you shortfall are equal numbers.

 

[pushbrk 12,870]

1 minute ago, Redro said:

It is 3 times the difference if the beneficiary is the spouse of a USC. 

If OP is qualifying with savings and has over $70K (and there are only 2 people in the family) that should be sufficient. 

Maybe.  Meeting the minimum is no assurance of success.  Clearly exceeding it, can be.  The standard is about supporting the couple for three years.  A lot of 70k is likely to be gone by the time the couple arrives in the USA.  Consular Officers know this and consider the "totality of circumstances" when making their judgment call on the public charge issue.

 

[JeanneAdil 6,489]

14 hours ago, pushbrk said:

In and of itself, your foreign benefits are not an issue.  Just how is it you are qualifying to sponsor your spouse?  Do you have a joint sponsor, or are you using liquid assets?  Are the liquid assets well over three times the income requirement.

 

Note, that the liquid assets (as defined in the instructions) must be three times the income shortfall, as a minimum.  Your income is zero, in this context, so three times the income requirement.  Requirement and you shortfall are equal numbers.

 

According to the Department it says 5 times

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/i-864-affidavit-faqs.html#:~:text=The net value of assets,guideline for the household size.

How can a sponsor use assets to meet the minimum Federal Poverty Guidelines?

If a sponsor's income does not meet the minimum Federal Poverty Guidelines, he or she can submit the value of assets to make up the difference unless the sponsor is submitting a Form I-864EZ. When looking at income levels, the consular officer will look at the sponsor's employment income first. Personal assets and/or the income and assets of household members who have signed an I-864A are totaled next. If the sponsor is using assets to meet the minimum Federal Poverty Guidelines, they must upload a scanned copy of documentation of those assets into CEAC.

What cash value of assets is needed?

The total net value of assets, less liens and liabilities against them, must equal five times the difference between the sponsor's income and 125% of the poverty level for the household size.

[pushbrk 12,870]

9 hours ago, JeanneAdil said:

According to the Department it says 5 times

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/i-864-affidavit-faqs.html#:~:text=The net value of assets,guideline for the household size.

How can a sponsor use assets to meet the minimum Federal Poverty Guidelines?

If a sponsor's income does not meet the minimum Federal Poverty Guidelines, he or she can submit the value of assets to make up the difference unless the sponsor is submitting a Form I-864EZ. When looking at income levels, the consular officer will look at the sponsor's employment income first. Personal assets and/or the income and assets of household members who have signed an I-864A are totaled next. If the sponsor is using assets to meet the minimum Federal Poverty Guidelines, they must upload a scanned copy of documentation of those assets into CEAC.

What cash value of assets is needed?

The total net value of assets, less liens and liabilities against them, must equal five times the difference between the sponsor's income and 125% of the poverty level for the household size.

Read further to see that I provided the correct information.  My advice is always to read each and every instruction.  Don't stop, when you think you have your answer. 😉

[Ontarkie 14,217]

~~Bickering posts have been removed for derailing the OP's thread. Stay on topic and keep to the OP's question(s)~~