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Interview in London Oct 28

C

CymruArgie

Registered Users (C)
Hi there. Just back from London, will post the whole interview soon after I manage to rest a bit. I just watned to post the wierd part and ask if anyody heard of this.

We did not get it today as they requested for more evidence.

All the papers were approved except the support part.

We had an official Job Offer in letterhead from our employer, but it did not state the precise salary as this is still under discussion.

The firt lady at the counter pointed to this and said it should have been stated.

However we went to the second stage, the actual interview witht he consular officer.

She simply told us that we need an affidavit of suport I-134 but not because of the salary not being clear in the job offer but because:

Once you get the visa approved you can go to the US but because the green card takes time to process during the first three months or so you are not allowed to work so the job offer does not mean much for this period and you need a sponsor or assets to make sure you can live on something during the time you are not allowed to work

I have never ever heard of anybody receiving an immigrant visa and not being allowed to work once they got to the USA. Anybody heard something like this? It does not make sense to me.

Thanks for any help.
JC
 
Dear CymruArgie,

Do not panic. No Problem. you have time to find a sponsor or get some assets to get the GC.


May I know to how much money you have access in your bank acount at the moment?
 
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CymruArgie said:
Hi there. Just back from London, will post the whole interview soon after I manage to rest a bit. I just watned to post the wierd part and ask if anyody heard of this.

We did not get it today as they requested for more evidence.

All the papers were approved except the support part.

We had an official Job Offer in letterhead from our employer, but it did not state the precise salary as this is still under discussion.

The firt lady at the counter pointed to this and said it should have been stated.

However we went to the second stage, the actual interview witht he consular officer.

She simply told us that we need an affidavit of suport I-134 but not because of the salary not being clear in the job offer but because:

Once you get the visa approved you can go to the US but because the green card takes time to process during the first three months or so you are not allowed to work so the job offer does not mean much for this period and you need a sponsor or assets to make sure you can live on something during the time you are not allowed to work

I have never ever heard of anybody receiving an immigrant visa and not being allowed to work once they got to the USA. Anybody heard something like this? It does not make sense to me.

Thanks for any help.
JC
Click to expand...

please, did you take your child(ren) with you. If yes, were they allowed in with you?
 
No we did not take our children and it was a good thing not too as they were not required to be there and we felt much more free.

About how much money in the bank I think this is not the point, the point is we have a job, confirmed, and waiting for us, but according to the consular officer we cannot work even though the visas be approved, until we have the green cards!

JC
 
I think money is an important point becuase you may not be able to earn money upon arriving in the US for any reason (e.g. change in the company's situation). then what gonna happen if you have n't enough money to support your family?
 
We do have some sponsors who will sign the I 134 actually so that won't be a problem. I did not get one signed in first place because a confirmed job is much better than an affidavit of support. Besides I thought that if I brought both an affidavit and a confirmed job offer it might look suspiciois: I mean why bring an affidavit of support if they have a job?

What I really don't get is this thing about not being allowed to work. So you go to interview, lets say you get approved and then you received the sealed envelope and you travel to the USA, they open the sealed envelope and give you a big welcome but from then on you have to sit and wait because you are not allowed to work until you actually have the green card?

Honestly, that souds crazy to me.

Thanks
JC
 
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CymruArgie said:
No we did not take our children and it was a good thing not too as they were not required to be there and we felt much more free.

About how much money in the bank I think this is not the point, the point is we have a job, confirmed, and waiting for us, but according to the consular officer we cannot work even though the visas be approved, until we have the green cards!

JC
Click to expand...

Hello CymruArgie,

I am sorry to hear about your interview and the affidavit of support. One thing is for sure, you can't work without your social security number but I thought that the question 33 in the DS-230 would take care of that. If you can, just fill in the I-134 and don't argue with the consular officer.

Good luck!
 
USHolic, I agree with you about unforeseeable circumstances like the companny changing or whatever once you arrive.

What does not make sense is what they told us today that once we arrive we are not allowed to work even if we have a job!

JC
 
i2009 said:
Hello CymruArgie,

I am sorry to hear about your interview and the affidavit of support. One thing is for sure, you can't work without your social security number but I thought that the question 33 in the DS-230 would take care of that. If you can, just fill in the I-134 and don't argue with the consular officer.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

You are right, I have learnt in many years of dealing with immigration not to argue, so I am getting the I-134s and will send them and hopefullly that will be it.

However, I am interested in knowing about this thing about not being allowed to work even after we have been approved!

JC
 
USAHolic said:
that's becuase you need to have SSN as i2009 said. You are not allowed to work till having a valid SSN.
Click to expand...

Right,

I DO have a SSN because I lived in the USA before. However, even if I did not, the SSN does not take more than a moment to do and you get it quite fast, not months.

However, it is obvious that in my case it was not the SSN the issue as I stated I have mine!

Thanks
JC
 
CymruArgie said:
You are right, I have learnt in many years of dealing with immigration not to argue, so I am getting the I-134s and will send them and hopefullly that will be it.

However, I am interested in knowing about this thing about not being allowed to work even after we have been approved!

JC
Click to expand...

I'm sorry I don't know about your situation but I do know that you can't work without a social security number.

I'm checking the Social Security web site to see if I find something. I am not sure if this could help but there is a link that says Social Security Numbers and Immigrant Visas. The link is http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnvisa/

It explains how to apply for a Social Security Number at the same time that the you apply for the immigrant visa.

I really thought that this was the whole purpose of the question 33 in the DS-230.

I hope the link could help you.
 
I didn't know you have been in US. before.

May I know if you have any property in the form of title deed or not? and Where in the US. you are planning to go?

Please don't forget to explain your experience in detail after the rest !

Many thanks.

Good Luck.
 
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CymruArgie said:
Right,

I DO have a SSN because I lived in the USA before. However, even if I did not, the SSN does not take more than a moment to do and you get it quite fast, not months.

However, it is obvious that in my case it was not the SSN the issue as I stated I have mine!

Thanks
JC
Click to expand...

Hello again, so yo do have a SSN, is it attached to a visa that has expired? I would suggest that you call the Social Security Office and ask them if they can activate the SSN based on your new status. Maybe the Company's HR department could help you as well. They deal with immigration issues all the time.
 
i2009 said:
Hello again, so yo do have a SSN, is it attached to a visa that has expired? I would suggest that you call the Social Security Office and ask them if they can activate the SSN based on your new status. Maybe the Company's HR department could help you as well. They deal with immigration issues all the time.
Click to expand...

No SSN are not attached to a visa, it is a card that has your name and number. It is linked to your status in the US but it does not expire, once you have a SSN you always have that one.

JC
 
CymruArgie said:
Right,

I DO have a SSN because I lived in the USA before. However, even if I did not, the SSN does not take more than a moment to do and you get it quite fast, not months.

However, it is obvious that in my case it was not the SSN the issue as I stated I have mine!

Thanks
JC
Click to expand...

1. Initial SS# requirement is 'employer dependent'. Most of the time you can start working but you wont get paid until you provide a SS#.

2. Activated i-551 stamp is as good as a green card for 1 year from the activation seal placed at the POE. http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/m-274.pdf

You did not provide them with a $$ number for them to juxtaposition yourself with the US poverty line!!, simple as that, 'cos they have to do that. (no bank balance, no $ figure in the job offer, no i-134 etc)
Some embassies just need a letter from a sponsor clearly stating what support they gonna provide for an immigrant to settle in US.

DO NOT assume anything. facts and figures are very important with US immigrations !!
 
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I just remember on more thing. In order to get a SSN you must provide proof of "authorization of emplyment" which comes from your visa.
 
CymruArgie said:
No SSN are not attached to a visa, it is a card that has your name and number. It is linked to your status in the US but it does not expire, once you have a SSN you always have that one.

JC
Click to expand...
I'm sorry, I didn't express myself right. I meant to ask if the SSN has any restriction (based on a previous visa). In that case you can't use it until the restriction is removed.

Good luck
 
i2009 said:
I'm sorry, I didn't express myself right. I meant to ask if the SSN has any restriction (based on a previous visa). In that case you can't use it until the restriction is removed.

Good luck
Click to expand...

Yes that's right. A restriction as I was first temprary resident allowed to work.

However, my contention and question is why the consular officer told us that we are not allowed to work if the stamp they put on the visa when you enter at POE clearly says "employment authorized".

The form I-9 recognizes as proof of employment the stamp on your visa when you entered even before you have the SSN.

JC
 
Does anybody here know if I can submit more than one affidavit of support I-134? I have like 3 or 4 friends who would sign, can I submit all?

Thanks
JC
 
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