DS-160 - About work history, education, and timing

[mirrortraveler 1]

Hello all,

So it's here already. Late last week, my letter arrived from the US Consulate in Frankfurt telling me to fill out my DS-160 online.

I have to admit the reason I haven't filled it out yet is because I'm a bit scared and intimidated. It's all happening so quickly, now.

I'm sure most of you felt the same way after waiting for months and months for something to happen.

I hope I haven't waited too long now. Does anyone here know how long one can or should wait with filling out that form after receiving the letter from the local consulate? The date on the letter is September 30th.

Now, my concern about the content of the online form. For those applying for a K-1 visa, how important is the whole work history part?

The reason I'm asking is this (and I apologize if this is a bit of a long story):

I was at the end of my first semester of my BA studies in London when, in December 2011/January 2012 I suffered from what I guess is known as a severe burnout syndrome. My body was suddenly unable to handle the stress and my immune system completely collapsed. I have for the most part recovered, since, but back then, I felt so sick both mentally and physically that I had to quit University. I still have my degree from the US college I went to earlier, but I guess I'd just have to list what I did at the University in England as random University courses, if at all?

My bigger concern, however, is my problematic, difficult-to-list work history: When I last lived in the US, I was a full-time F-1 visa student, therefore constantly busy and there were barely any jobs available to me that I could have legally accepted. For my optional work year, I had a relatively high post in my college's film department, but it was more like intern work as they were unable to actually pay me. When I moved to the UK, I did a few translations for a London-based online company while studying. But I was only paid per project and the projects were so few and far in between, that they were still below tax level. I then did the same work for a large US company using the online outsourcing portal Elance, which to the best of my knowledge is perfectly legal, but the work itself was also so few and far in between that I didn't have to list it on any tax forms.

I never received any hiring or firing papers from any of the two companies, so I have no proof for having worked there. I only have a former co-worker in London who can vouch for me. In 2013, I officially moved back to Germany to be with my family and try to get my health back. For over a year, I only did freelance English tutoring work, which also didn't give me enough money to declare taxes. It was more on the income level of weekly babysitting.

This past Summer was the first time I've had a consistent, paying job since 2006. I did newspaper delivery, which was still below minimum wage.
Then, a few months ago, I was offered my first paying above-minimum-wage, tax-and-health-insurance mandatory job when I worked as a receptionist at a local hotel and even ran the place for two weeks while my boss was on vacation. After he returned, I wanted to quit as I had been subjected to sexual harassment, but was fired within the same conversation.

I am currently in the middle of filing for unemployment but I have no idea if this is useful or even relevant given the fact that I plan on emigrating so soon.

Does anyone here know if any of the above information can be held against me and maybe give me some advice about how to fill out this form?

Thanks a million in advance!

[chiggins82 88]

I don't know about for you, but I only was required to complete my current job on the DS-160. I was never asked for a history of employment... although maybe they do if you say you're unemployed? I think for the beneficiary, it won't be scrutinized too much. I mean, you need to leave your job anyways to move to the US... I think you can just put unemployed for your current occupation. If it asked for previous work before that, I would just put down what you had in terms of taxed work.... i.e. if the government is aware you were working (you filled in a tax form to start work... even if you didn't make enough to be taxed) you should count it.

I don't think they will care as much if you were fired, laid off, quit etc....

Anything you put on these forms can be questioned in the interview. Hopefully Germany is easy going. Check with others from your country or reviews on the consulate. Keep that in mind though if there is work you don't include.

[mirrortraveler 1]

Thank you, chiggins82! I really hope so too. I'm not even sure how work history is relevant in the first place when it comes to fiancee visas. At least for the beneficiary, but I'd love to hear some more opinions from a few Germans who have been through this.

So, to be clear, they will not be asking me for any further documents to prove previous jobs, such as signed job contracts, etc. ?

If I end up having to list previous jobs, can I list the ones that aren't physically documented too, or do they need to see additional papers to prove that I've worked somewhere?

[Marco&Bettina 502]

I just saw your post today, so sorry for a late respond. I hope i still can help you. At the DS-160 Form you don't have to upload any working contracts or so. As chiggings82 already said you only have to tell what's your current job. so no worries about beig unemployed for several times.

About your burnout...could be a bit difficult at the medical cause they'll ask you random stuff about your health. You better don't talk about if not asked

If you have any other questions, just text me. I'm the german part as well