Supporting my Spouse...

[P&R 1]

Howdy VJ!

I've been looking around the site, trying to find answers to my question, but haven't noticed one. If it has already been answer, I apologize for asking again. Ok....here goes...

I understand from going through this process that as the "Sponsor" we are required to show the ability to support our spouses for at least around 10 years. What I'm wondering is, if during that time my husband makes enough money to support us, above the poverty guideline standards, am I allowed to stop working? Or being the supporter, do I have to constantly show a source of income and employment?

I'm currently self-employed and my husband helps out with my business, but we would like to make some changes, if its economical for us.

Thanks in advance and I hope this makes sense.

Rochelle

[Kathryn41 3,205]

The Affidavit of Support sponsorship is a contract between you and USCIS stating that you are financially able to support your husband, but if for any reason he applies for and receives means-tested benefits (ie welfare) while the contract is in place, you may be required to pay back the amount of money given to him. It does not mean that you agree to support him at a certain dollar amount whether he works or not - it is a requirement to show your husband will not become a burden on the US taxpayer until such times as he has invested enough contributions into the system. The sponsorship isn't for 10 years either - it is until one of the following situations happens: he earns 40 quarters of employment with SSN contributions (10 years); he becomes a US citizen; he leaves the country and gives up his permanent residency; he dies, or you die. So, as long as your husband doesn't claim any means-tested benefits while the contract is in place, there is no concern from USCIS how you are supporting him - or he is supporting you. Hope that helps.

[P&R 1]

The Affidavit of Support sponsorship is a contract between you and USCIS stating that you are financially able to support your husband, but if for any reason he applies for and receives means-tested benefits (ie welfare) while the contract is in place, you may be required to pay back the amount of money given to him. It does not mean that you agree to support him at a certain dollar amount whether he works or not - it is a requirement to show your husband will not become a burden on the US taxpayer until such times as he has invested enough contributions into the system. The sponsorship isn't for 10 years either - it is until one of the following situations happens: he earns 40 quarters of employment with SSN contributions (10 years); he becomes a US citizen; he leaves the country and gives up his permanent residency; he dies, or you die. So, as long as your husband doesn't claim any means-tested benefits while the contract is in place, there is no concern from USCIS how you are supporting him - or he is supporting you. Hope that helps.

Thank you very much. This does help a LOT. I had a feeling I possibly misunderstood some of that or wasn't computing it correctly. I really appreciate the help.

[P&R 1]

Didnt know where to ask this or if it was worth a seperate topic , so thought we'd ask here.

Now im a permanent resident and starting to look for that 1st illusive job here in the Usa , was wondering do my Uk qualifications count for anything over here??

Remember reading a while back here at VJ that Uk qualifications dont count for squat & basically unless you have *exceptional results* in particular fields then all that is open to you is college to gain USA results.Even working for walmart & the like isnt an option.

Just a regular UK person with average results in GCSE's grades C to D across the board, aquiring work experience in rather normal boring jobs. As in nothing special or worthwhile.

I could of been mistaken but just want to make sure so i can be forwarned or suck it up & look at colleges to see what courses i could do.

Thankyou in advance