I’m a U.S. citizen planning to start the marriage-based green card process for my spouse, who currently lives outside the U.S. We haven’t filed the I-130 yet. My spouse is currently unemployed and is concerned that this might negatively impact our visa application or chances of approval. I will be the petitioner and am currently employed in the U.S., but we’re unsure if her employment status will be an issue during the process, especially during consular processing or the interview.
The employment status of the immigrant beneficiary does not impact their eligibility for a spousal visa. The Department of State primarily considers whether the petitioning spouse meets the minimum income requirements to sponsor their partner. Since the process can be complex, it may be beneficial to hire an attorney on a flat fee basis to manage the case from start to finish. Some attorneys offer affordable flat-rate services for this process.
Generally it is not a requirement that your beneficiary has to have work experience in her home country; what you should be ensuring is that your annual income per year meets the required poverty guideline for your household. I strongly recommend you seek assistance from a licensed immigration attorney to assist with your petition.
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