Leaving the country

[doron]

I'm still waiting for my first meeting with the lawyer.

I might have an opportunity for work in another country. I feel I have no future here. I lie awake sick at night thinking about it.

I found one thread here about immigrating to New Zealand but it was short. Does anyone have any experience with this?

The question is twofold, I guess. Is there any problem leaving the United States? Do I have to be in the country for the BK proceedings?

And is there any problem immigrating to New Zealand or Australia. Or rather, getting work there, not necessarily applying immediately for citizenship, though of course if I like it I might want to stay. I'm afraid to ask the work agency that would be arranging this.

I mean before the BK is done, and after.

[keepmine]

You can leave the country anytime you like. Bk has no affect on yur travel.
However, the 341 meeting is a command preformance. You have to be there.

[doron]

OK, so I can't take a job in another country till BK is over.

[HHM]

OK, so I can't take a job in another country till BK is over.

Well, that would certainly be advisable. That way you can deal with anything that may come up, and as was already mentioned, you MUST appear for the 341 meeting of creditors (trustee meeting) which is usually held about 30 days after you case if filed.

Other than that, the BK, itself, won't affect you ability to live or work overseas.

[ben1381]

No until after the 341 meeting is over about 3 weeks after you file. I filed on 5/18/10 and the 341 was on 6/10/10. The bankruptcy has to be open for at least another 60 days but I don't think you need to be here.

[doron]

Thanks for these replies.

Does anyone have personal experience with immigration after bankruptcy? Know anyone who's done this? I'm thinking about New Zealand and Australia. I don't see anything in their documents but who knows...

I would be applying for some type of work visa. I'd just hate to ruin this option since I've more or less given up on employed work here in the US.

[RuthCB]

New Zealand has strict standards for immigration. You usually have to have a skill that they need. There is a wealth of information via the web. Google: New Zealand immigration

[doron]

Thanks, I realize that.

I didn't know till recently that companies (at least some of them) won't hire you if you're bankrupt. I'm trying to avoid surprises and find out stuff that isn't in the official records.

[JackBondLove]

Do you have some type of support network there in the Land of the Kiwi?

As for myself, I will be doing something similar, teaching English in Eastern Europe, but there are a lot of jobs there for that.

[doron]

It's arranged through an agency, so there's some built in support. It's all hypothetical at the moment. They don't pay enough to cover paying back my debts. If I can get rid of these debts, it becomes an option.