Can I live in my husband's Country while we wait for his Visa?

[Alex&Jen 20]

I see that the wait time for spousal visa's is 10-12 months. I am a teacher and have the opportunity to take a family leave of absence for a year, and still have my same job when I come back. My husband and I want to be together now while we wait for his visa, and I was wondering I am able to live outside the United States and with him in his country while we are waiting. I would get a teaching job in Honduras as one of the English speaking schools for a year, then return to my job in the United States when he has his Visa and he can return with me. Any ideas or thoughts on this?

 

Thank you!

[Cyberfx1024 7,978]

11 minutes ago, Alex&Jen said:

I see that the wait time for spousal visa's is 10-12 months. I am a teacher and have the opportunity to take a family leave of absence for a year, and still have my same job when I come back. My husband and I want to be together now while we wait for his visa, and I was wondering I am able to live outside the United States and with him in his country while we are waiting. I would get a teaching job in Honduras as one of the English speaking schools for a year, then return to my job in the United States when he has his Visa and he can return with me. Any ideas or thoughts on this?

 

Thank you!

Yes, there is no issue with you living there during this process. 

[geowrian 22,335]

Only issue would be if you don't return before NVC processing, you will need to use either a joint sponsor or assets for the I-864. Your foreign employment won't count, and you have no income from your US-based job while abroad.

[Crazy Cat 39,206]

10 to 12 months is conservative.  The average time for a spousal visa from submission to interview per other VJ members is 14 months....You case could take less time or more time.....There is a significant possibility that he will not have a CR-1 visa in hand in a year........your returning to the US before his visa is completed could be a positive aspect as explained above regarding the need to submit a valid I-864 with documented current income......good luck.

Edited January 8, 2019 by missileman

[shumway1756 304]

I lived in my wife's country while we waited for the CR1 visa. I was lucky to have a US-based job that allowed me to work remotely, so I had no issues with sponsoring her on the Affidavit of Support. I just had to prove my domicile was still the US, which wasn't too hard. I showed the property I owned, bills I was still paying, active bank accounts, etc.

 

So as has been mentioned, the only big thing for you to consider is the Affidavit of Support part. If you take leave I assume you're not paid, so you'd be looking for a joint sponsor.

[carmel34 3,529]

It should work okay if you maintain an address in the US to show domicile, and if you take a leave of absence from your teaching job, you should be able to get a letter from your school stating your salary when you return to the US.  As others have said, average CR1 times from filing to interview abroad are 14 months on average right now, but could be less or more than that.  At least living abroad with your husband for a year would make the wait so much better, even if you had to return after a year away and be apart for the final few months waiting for him to join you.  Good luck!

[aaron2020 11,651]

You can go live with your husband.

 

The two issues that you will need to address are; 1) US domicile for the I-864 and 2) a Joint Sponsor for the I-864.

Edited January 8, 2019 by aaron2020

[Nitas_man 3,100]

3 hours ago, Alex&Jen said:

I see that the wait time for spousal visa's is 10-12 months. I am a teacher and have the opportunity to take a family leave of absence for a year, and still have my same job when I come back. My husband and I want to be together now while we wait for his visa, and I was wondering I am able to live outside the United States and with him in his country while we are waiting. I would get a teaching job in Honduras as one of the English speaking schools for a year, then return to my job in the United States when he has his Visa and he can return with me. Any ideas or thoughts on this?

 

Thank you!

The affidavit of support requirement that applied to us was continuing income from existing employer, which meant we had to file and qualify on assets alone.  You will be in a situation where the only ongoing income that you can demonstrate is your foreign income and they may or may not allow you to use your present job, while you are not showing earnings from it, as income.   

The support issue will be the main hurdle that you should expect to overcome.  I would not advise you to risk this unless you have a definite backup co-sponsor.

[Nitas_man 3,100]

26 minutes ago, aaron2020 said:

You can go live with your husband.

 

The two issues that you will need to address are; 1) US domicile for the I-864 and 2) a Joint Sponsor for the I-864.

Intent to re-establish US domicile is the only requirement to live with and sponsor your spouse overseas.  The I-864 I agree with.  Either have enough banked away to do it on assets alone or have a co-sponsor lined up.

Edited January 8, 2019 by Nitas_man

[AnneA 72]

Aside from the US perspective (which I don't know much about but learning)I would guess you'd need whatever visa/workpermit necessary in his country 😉 

[Sarah&Facundo 576]

I kind of have a crazy suggestion for you, only because I did this. I work online teaching, totally remotely. I teach English mostly. It is all paid into my US bank account and I am issued US documents, where I file based on my US income. I also lived with my now-husband during the process (although we filed the K1) and I still travel with him (I'm in Argentina with him now while he is on Advanced Parole). There are so many ways to do this online and live with your husband as you wait out the process. Plus, it will be an added bonus to your resume (online ESL). There are a ton of companies that do this now.

[Alex&Jen 20]

16 minutes ago, Sarah&Facundo said:

I kind of have a crazy suggestion for you, only because I did this. I work online teaching, totally remotely. I teach English mostly. It is all paid into my US bank account and I am issued US documents, where I file based on my US income. I also lived with my now-husband during the process (although we filed the K1) and I still travel with him (I'm in Argentina with him now while he is on Advanced Parole). There are so many ways to do this online and live with your husband as you wait out the process. Plus, it will be an added bonus to your resume (online ESL). There are a ton of companies that do this now.

Sarah&Facundo, 

I was thinking of the same thing!! I need to find a school or company that I can get a job through to teach online.  Thank you for your response. Is there a way we could connect via e-mail in case I have questions or if you have ideas of schools or companies that I could apply for to work online? I want to start planning to live in Honduras, just in case we don't get his Visa by the end of the summer. Thank you again!! Jen&Alex

[Sarah&Facundo 576]

Sure! I still work totally remotely. I am in Argentina teaching English online right now! Haha PM me with any questions you have! Happy to help :)