Expedite Request Financial Hardship

[rosajo 1]

I see there are several people on the forum who have had an expedite request approved (and those who have one denied) so I though I'd explain my situation and see what you all think our chances are of having one approved.

My husband (USC) lived with me in Sweden for 18 months and was unable to find work, so he went back to the US this February and started working a month later. We finally saved up enough money to file the I-130 petition May 22. I'm currently living on student aid, which will last me through this summer. Starting September I will have no Swedish income and will have to rely on my husband's income alone. My chances of getting a job here is slim as I have been a stay-at-home mom for 10 years, and have no professional degree (just high school diploma). If I did manage to find work it would be low paid work and not during hours when public childcare (subsidised based on income) is available (ends at 5pm). I also live in a small town and do not have a driver's license. I'm new to this town so I don't know anyone who could care for my kids while working, my family lives 4 hours away.

Cost of living in Sweden is pretty high, a lot higher than the US, plus the dollar is weak. To maintain a basic standard here to cover rent, bills and food (we don't spend extra on anything besides this) I would need 2000 dollars. He makes 2500 after taxes. If we all lived in the same household, this would be sufficient, but not when we're supporting two different households at the same time. He currently rents a room for $225 per month, has car insurance, plus pays for his food and gas of course. And he's already working 57 hours per week.

I noticed someone mentioned here http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/360327-k-3-visa-severe-financial-hardship-expedite/ that requesting an expedite on financial hardship is a lose lose situation when it comes to proving that the USC will not become a public charge, but to my mind, meeting the 125% poverty line is much a lot different than supporting two separate households.

Thanks for any input.

[Alaska2012 462]

I doubt that it will work to claim financial hardship when you live in sweden.After all, if you do what you can to support yourself and still don't make it, you will get help from the government.

[rosajo 1]

That's funny isn't it. I'm sure the only way we'd qualify for welfare is if my husband returned to Sweden to face joblessness. Ugh, no thanks...

[rosajo 1]

By the way, I noticed your timeline--did it really take almost 7 months to get your I-130 approved? Back in 1998, it took me less than 2 months from filing to arriving in the US! Isn't going to happen this time...

How did you get the NVC process moving so quickly?

Edited June 19, 2012 by rosajo

[Alaska2012 462]

Yup 7 looooong months of just waiting! When we filed everyone was waiting forever, thr back log was huge! We got really lucky at the NVC stage, plus we used a lawyer who was on top of things, always one step ahead.

[Xanax 349]

You can always try, the worst they can do is say no. It will not cost you anything to request an expedite so it can only be positive for you if you do get it or you are in the same position if you don't.