proof of unemployment for I-134??

[grayrhino 0]

My fiancee was talking to the embassy in Japan the other day. I'm living in Japan and therefore not working in America. I'm having a family member be an I-134 cosponsor with me. Anyway, the embassy told her that she would need to submit proof of my unemployment from the IRS at her interview.

Any guesses what that means?? Is that just my income tax return from 2005? It didn't make any sense to me. Why would I have to prove that I'm NOT working in the U.S. It's not like it helps my case.

Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated, and it will save me another $15 call to the embassy.

[YuAndDan 153]

In a round about way the Visa officer is asking were you employed and working, even though not in the United States. The rule is that even if an American is employed in a job not in the U.S.A. they still need to file a Tax Return with the IRS even though they may be exempt from paying tax.

If you were not required to file a Federal income tax return under U.S. tax law because your income was too low, attach a written explanation. If you were not required under U.S. tax law for any other reason, attach a written explanation including evidence of the exemption and how you are subject to it. Residence outside the United States dose not exempt U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents from filing a U.S. Federal income tax return.

More about this can be found here: http://www.irs.gov/faqs/faq13.html

Edited October 13, 2006 by YuAndDan

[grayrhino 0]

Thanks YuandDan

Yes, I was working here in Japan, and luckily I did file my taxes this year even though I didn't owe anything. I was just worried that they required something in addition to my tax return. But it doesn't look like they do.

[Chris and Mariana 0]

I lived with my wife during the K3 process and did not work in the U.S. either. I also used a family member as a cosponsor, but also submitted an I-134 for myself along with 3 years tax returns and a letter with a detailed explanation of the situation. They had no problem with that.

[meauxna 15]

hi,

Did you investigate getting married and filing via DCF in Tokyo?