'Does SSDI present an income requirement obstacle ?' Immigration

• EXPAT LUNCH: Sunday, May 27, 2012
  Not a week missed in 6-1/2 years!
• Now in Asuncion, Paraguay too!
• EXPAT DINNER: Thursday, May 24, 2012

Does SSDI present an income requirement obstacle ?

Hopefully, somebody will have some knowledge or experience about the following:

My own experience has me confused. The immigration office person handling my long awaited cita (appointment)has thrown a curveball at me (or so it feels like). This was after a different official had earlier seemed okay with all by documents being in order. My Spanish isn't so good and the translator I brought with me was young, with her English skills weak, and possibly wasn't astute to the detailed differences that wording technicalities can sometimes present. She (the official) appeared to want clarification of my income. I'm guessing from my translator is that there is confusion about my disability income as being a type of pension. Maybe she wants to know the nature of my disability, or maybe just the nature of my SS income. Is this normal procedure ? My SSDI checks come monthly from the SSA. [b]This income I have had documented, translated, and locally notarized by an escribano.[/b] I noticed that from the data she input to her computer, the resulting printout which I was required to sign as true and accurate. One item in particular showed she input me as I was a “pensionado”. Whether or not this is true, the process is now on hold until future evidence I can bring them. I think I have to present another escribano letter indicating whatever it is they want to see. I have no idea how easy or difficult this will be. I thought about seeing if maybe I could get a different official to view my documents and maybe have the power to say that they are acceptable as they currently are.

I'm guessing that I probably will need to pay extra to seek legal advice. If some of you have input about this, I'd love to hear something.

Near the end they said the document was perfect but the escribana forgot the word "monthly". They the lady at immigration penciled in what was needed. Just that one word. When I returned the next day with the correct document, my file had been sent to storage and I had to return in a week.

A week later I was told that document was completely unacceptable!

The key is to find out what EXACTLY is wrong. The amount? The classification of income? You'll need to have the escribiana make a new document.

There is an immigration consultant here who could go to immigration with you and find out what's needed. Click on main menu / experts. She charges by the hour, so in an hour or two depending on the wait, you should be able to come up with what the problem is, the solution and then decide how to move forward.

But, do not feel that you are getting the run around or that anything different / special is happening to you.

Expert Page: Quick Tips for Getting Settled in Uruguay

I agree with Glen. Immigration is a weak department where every officers have a different opinion at each time. Don't expect to win the first time unless you have used a good and expensive immigration lawyer. I have never seen this kind of unfair decision in my entire life from an officer to another one. But the administration of this country reflects this issue. Patience is the magic word :)

I think a big part of the issue is that we see as a process that could be completed within a week or so. And, why not?

There in lies, a big question. If you simply account for ineffectiveness or inefficiency then maybe it would be a 3 three month process. Start to finish.

But, that would be very fast to change someone from being a tourist to a permanent, legal resident. So if you built in a "run-around" feature and combined that with ineffectiveness and inefficiency then you could extend the process to at least a year, if not two or three.

That, in my mind, would be a more realistic time for someone to go from tourist to permanent, legal resident. In some other countries, like Costa Rica it is much longer, because you have to get a funky, unless, restrictive temporary residency and have that for at least 3 years, before you can think about applying for permanent legal residence.

But, whatever the reason, as Tolsa said, Patience and a good translator is the key.

Expert Page: Quick Tips for Getting Settled in Uruguay

Can I get the link or some info on this immigration consultant you speak of. For some reason, I don't navigate very smoothly through this website/forum.

Also, maybe somebody will know:

What are my obligations or restraints for remaining in the country if I have other things to do outside of Uruguay ? Since I don't really know exactly where I stand or what's required of me at this stage of the process, could I do something "wrong" that might adversely affect the process I've just begun ?

"What are my obligations or restraints for remaining in the country if I have other things to do outside of Uruguay ?"

That is another point that has become unclear. Before you could come and go when you wanted. Now, they is some implied requirement that you live in the country, some are asked to show rental contracts or property titles. It is silly, I think, because Immigration knows exactly how much time you are in the country or not.

"could I do something 'wrong' that might adversely affect the process I've just begun ?"

I don't think that concept exists. If you did something "wrong" then you just re-doit.

Though I would not suggest doing silly stuff like overstaying your 90 day entry visa.

Expert Page: Quick Tips for Getting Settled in Uruguay

I'd agree with Glen's comments.

Once you have submitted your application for legal residency, you cease to be a tourist.

I don't know what if any time limitations immigration may have applied recently but during the period after your application has been accepted and before your certificado de llegada is granted/you obtain a cedula, you will need to get a paper from immigration for each foreign trip you make. AFAIR they aren't expensive.

Someone I know made an application earlier this year and left the country the next day. He has been told his application will be ready this year.

Another person I know who has been in the country for sometime, owns various properties, had immigration go to his house to verify he was living there.

One of the requirements is apparently an "intent to live in Uruguay". That is apparently in some cases getting some attention.

Remember to keep things in context, few Americans compared to other nationalities apply for residency. Apparently one group was trying to use the importation of household goods to get merchandise to sell in the country tax exempt. ie: have a lot of people apply for residency, ship containers and never live there.

Expert Page: Quick Tips for Getting Settled in Uruguay

We encourage everyone to share their opinions, comments, thoughts and information, please consider sharing...

Please register or login in to reply to this post:

• Login
  (Register)

• Residency (Immigration)
• Exactly Normal! (Immigration)
• Attorney for processing residency (Immigration)
• Recommending an Immigration Consultant or Lawyer (Immigration)
• More related posts for Does SSDI present an income requirement obstacle ?

Related posts on other sites:

• Post: Best Of Luck, Frank! (Panama Forum)
• Permanent Residency in Retirement (World Forum)

Related eBooks:

• Total Uruguay Expat eBook eBook: Glen Roberts, Lee