Getting unemployment benefits before interview

[dhouse89 4]

@Crazy Cat @Redro @mam521 @JeanneAdil @pushbrk @SalishSea @GP1977

 

Thank you for all the replies. It took me a while to reply to this thread because I got extremely busy.

 

We are located in Japan.

 

As for finance. Like I said before, we are stable. We have about 700k - one million USD to show the officer. However, most of our money is in Japan. Japan Yen is weak at the moment.

 

I was more worried about the Unemployment benefits that we were getting because I have no clue if the Officer will ask if we taking unemployment or not. As of now, I'm currently looking for a job in the US.

 

[pushbrk 12,801]

2 minutes ago, dhouse89 said:

@Crazy Cat @Redro @mam521 @JeanneAdil @pushbrk @SalishSea @GP1977

 

Thank you for all the replies. It took me a while to reply to this thread because I got extremely busy.

 

We are located in Japan.

 

As for finance. Like I said before, we are stable. We have about 700k - one million USD to show the officer. However, most of our money is in Japan. Japan Yen is weak at the moment.

 

I was more worried about the Unemployment benefits that we were getting because I have no clue if the Officer will ask if we taking unemployment or not. As of now, I'm currently looking for a job in the US.

 

Since you are qualifying based on liquid assets, I would not expect, the officer to ask about unemployment.  If they do, tell the truth.  It won't make a difference.  If the assets are liquid, and properly documented, there should be no problem.  Since you'll need to be using those assets in the USA, I would advise making sure a significant amount is transferred to the USA before submitting the affidavit of support.  

[Redro 4,611]

@dhouse89 I don't think the CO will care if you're on unemployment inside Japan.And they won't care at all about your Japanese partner being on unemployment.

They will be more concerned about your employment plans in the US and your plans to return to the US. 

I am not sure if petitioners are allowed inside the CO with their spouses but if your spouse is alone they'll ask them about when they last saw you; what you are doing right now; and your plans for the future. They don't have to explain your entire situation in Japan. They can just state you are living in Japan with them and have recently quit your job in Japan and currently looking for a job in the US (take evidence of proof of job search if this is a potential answer). 

If you are there they will ask you about your plans for the future in the US. 

As the majority of your assets are in Japan - make sure to take updated evidence of how much you have in assets with the current amount in US $ to the interview. 

If you can send about +$10K- $20K more than 125% poverty limit to the US to a US bank account that's a step you won't have to convert the yen to dollar and can just show that amount. 

Dealing with a terrible exchange rate is one of the hidden costs of immigration. But, if you can indicate you're able to withdraw that money in a year after arrival I would keep the money in Japan. Some members have successfully used assets in the beneficiary's home country without transferring it to the US. 

[dhouse89 4]

 @Redro @pushbrk 

 

Thank you.