K-1, co-support no longer accepted?

[payxibka 10,045]

Not only that but there is no US Embassy in Washington DC... That would indicate we have a diplomatic mission to ourself....

[lotuspearls 0]

Yes, sorry, it was the state department in Washington. They were able to pull my file, bue ssistance beyond that. All I am getting is I must deal direct with BKK embassy.

Thanks so much again

[trailmix 77]

Yes, sorry, it was the state department in Washington. They were able to pull my file, bue ssistance beyond that. All I am getting is I must deal direct with BKK embassy.

Thanks so much again

Just curious - your joint sponsors income - the tax return is his personal return, not a return for a company he owns perhaps?

(d) Sponsor Requirements.

An individual (a sponsor cannot be a corporation, organization, or other entity);

[RUKTHUR 0]

I heard lately that many Thai women went to interview and they have not got visa yet.

Becasue from thier fiance's income are not enough.

The Embassy is not accept a co- sponsor.

But the Embassy give opportunity for them that they can have other assets to show, like stock etc

If don't have, have to wait until get new tax return and have income enough

But co-sponsor can use for CR1 and IR1 Visa

[Pamme 0]

I emailed the embassy asking if I can use a co-sponsor. This is what they said:

"The law does not change. The I-134 is different from the I-864 Affidavit of Support for immigrant visa applicants that the I-864 is legally binding. Since it is legally binding, you can have a joint sponsor for I-864. However, the I-134 Affidavit of Support is not legally binding as you and the visa beneficiary have not yet been married. So, you cannot have a joint sponsor for this form."

First of all, I did not ask about i-186. So it seems like they try to dodge the question. Secondly, if the legally binding issue is really the reason, why is it that they have accepted in the past and just change the rule now? Why is it that the rest of the world (except in Manila) accepts co-sponsor while US embassy in BKK doesn't?

Please keep us updated regarding your contact with the embassy.

Thanks

[Devkpaik 1]

I emailed the embassy asking if I can use a co-sponsor. This is what they said:

"The law does not change. The I-134 is different from the I-864 Affidavit of Support for immigrant visa applicants that the I-864 is legally binding. Since it is legally binding, you can have a joint sponsor for I-864. However, the I-134 Affidavit of Support is not legally binding as you and the visa beneficiary have not yet been married. So, you cannot have a joint sponsor for this form."

First of all, I did not ask about i-186. So it seems like they try to dodge the question. Secondly, if the legally binding issue is really the reason, why is it that they have accepted in the past and just change the rule now? Why is it that the rest of the world (except in Manila) accepts co-sponsor while US embassy in BKK doesn't?

Please keep us updated regarding your contact with the embassy.

Thanks

Not sure if you guys have read my last couple responses to this, but I covered the part already about emailing the embassy and asking about the co-sponsor and whether or not it's allowed.

I will go over it again. My fiance had her interview for a K1 visa on JULY 7TH. I am only a student and have no income whatsoever. I USED A CO-SPONSOR (my mother) AND SHE RECEIVED THE VISA WITH NO problems.

However, before her interview, I emailed the embassy and was told that co-sponsors are not accepted for the I-134 affidavit.

I DO NOT THINK that the embassy can make such a drastic change in about a month. I just don't see it happening. Especially with no warning.

Also, Pamme, i dont know what the i-186 is, but the i-864 is for when you file for AOS I believe. The embassy was telling you that when you file for AOS, you can use a co-sponsor for that form, however they don't accept co-sponsors for the I-134.

Once again, they told me this as well BEFORE my fiance's interview and before we used a co-sponsor, and everything was fine. I asked my lawyer and they told me that the embassy does accept co-sponsors, although technically it;s up to the Co's discretion.

I don't think that there is a "rogue employee" in the US embassy in BKK and that he's trying to sabotage people's visas.

I don't know how we can prove or disprove that the embassy doesn't allow co-sponsors. My fiance successfully got her K1 a month ago, while rukthur is on here claiming that many people are being denied as of late. I don't know where they got that information. I can ask my lawyer about all the cases they process this month and whether or not they are being denied due to the abolishment of the co-sponsor.

[Devkpaik 1]

I heard lately that many Thai women went to interview and they have not got visa yet.

Becasue from thier fiance's income are not enough.

The Embassy is not accept a co- sponsor.

But the Embassy give opportunity for them that they can have other assets to show, like stock etc

If don't have, have to wait until get new tax return and have income enough

But co-sponsor can use for CR1 and IR1 Visa

rukthur,

Where are you getting your information? I am not questioning your credibility, but rather just wondering where you are hearing that many thai women are being denied due to the co-sponsor not being allowed anymore.

Guys, I think that making STATEMENTS such as "THE EMBASSY DOES NOT ACCEPT CO-SPONSORS" is unnecessary right now, especially when you don't know FOR SURE.

This is how incorrect information gets spread around on this website. I think that until we know FOR SURE whether or not the co-sponsor has been completely disallowed we shouldn't make assumptions into facts.

Right now there are probably a lot of people panicking about whether or not the co-sponsor is allowed, and we don't want to make them panic when we don't know for sure.

Lotuspearl, please keep us updated. I will email my lawyer right now and let you guys know what she says.

[daboyz 36]

I heard lately that many Thai women went to interview and they have not got visa yet.

Becasue from thier fiance's income are not enough.

The Embassy is not accept a co- sponsor.

But the Embassy give opportunity for them that they can have other assets to show, like stock etc

If don't have, have to wait until get new tax return and have income enough

But co-sponsor can use for CR1 and IR1 Visa

rukthur,

Where are you getting your information? I am not questioning your credibility, but rather just wondering where you are hearing that many thai women are being denied due to the co-sponsor not being allowed anymore.

Guys, I think that making STATEMENTS such as "THE EMBASSY DOES NOT ACCEPT CO-SPONSORS" is unnecessary right now, especially when you don't know FOR SURE.

This is how incorrect information gets spread around on this website. I think that until we know FOR SURE whether or not the co-sponsor has been completely disallowed we shouldn't make assumptions into facts.

Right now there are probably a lot of people panicking about whether or not the co-sponsor is allowed, and we don't want to make them panic when we don't know for sure.

Lotuspearl, please keep us updated. I will email my lawyer right now and let you guys know what she says.

Thank you for checking into this. I am really curious to see what your lawyer says.

[Alexandra_v 0]

My Fiance just messaged me saying the embassy just changed the rules, and no longer accepts co-support. Our final interview is in BKK is tomorrow.

Any truth to this, or is it a future rule to implemented?

My goddddd, scaring me.

Thanks

[Pamme 0]

I heard lately that many Thai women went to interview and they have not got visa yet.

Becasue from thier fiance's income are not enough.

The Embassy is not accept a co- sponsor.

But the Embassy give opportunity for them that they can have other assets to show, like stock etc

If don't have, have to wait until get new tax return and have income enough

But co-sponsor can use for CR1 and IR1 Visa

rukthur,

Where are you getting your information? I am not questioning your credibility, but rather just wondering where you are hearing that many thai women are being denied due to the co-sponsor not being allowed anymore.

Guys, I think that making STATEMENTS such as "THE EMBASSY DOES NOT ACCEPT CO-SPONSORS" is unnecessary right now, especially when you don't know FOR SURE.

This is how incorrect information gets spread around on this website. I think that until we know FOR SURE whether or not the co-sponsor has been completely disallowed we shouldn't make assumptions into facts.

Right now there are probably a lot of people panicking about whether or not the co-sponsor is allowed, and we don't want to make them panic when we don't know for sure.

Lotuspearl, please keep us updated. I will email my lawyer right now and let you guys know what she says.

I read in usvisa4thai.com and I can account for at least 3 people who were told directly by the interviewer that US embassy there no longer accepts co-sponsors. My guess is your situation is not the same as those 3 people? It could be that since you are a student, it is understandable that you don't have solid financial support yet. Therefore it is acceptable to have your mom jointly sponsor your fiance. I'm wondering if there is a criteria to judge whether co-sponsers are allowed for each case?

About i-186, I meant I-864. I'm familiar with it since I'm also getting a visa for my mom .

[Devkpaik 1]

I heard lately that many Thai women went to interview and they have not got visa yet.

Becasue from thier fiance's income are not enough.

The Embassy is not accept a co- sponsor.

But the Embassy give opportunity for them that they can have other assets to show, like stock etc

If don't have, have to wait until get new tax return and have income enough

But co-sponsor can use for CR1 and IR1 Visa

rukthur,

Where are you getting your information? I am not questioning your credibility, but rather just wondering where you are hearing that many thai women are being denied due to the co-sponsor not being allowed anymore.

Guys, I think that making STATEMENTS such as "THE EMBASSY DOES NOT ACCEPT CO-SPONSORS" is unnecessary right now, especially when you don't know FOR SURE.

This is how incorrect information gets spread around on this website. I think that until we know FOR SURE whether or not the co-sponsor has been completely disallowed we shouldn't make assumptions into facts.

Right now there are probably a lot of people panicking about whether or not the co-sponsor is allowed, and we don't want to make them panic when we don't know for sure.

Lotuspearl, please keep us updated. I will email my lawyer right now and let you guys know what she says.

I read in usvisa4thai.com and I can account for at least 3 people who were told directly by the interviewer that US embassy there no longer accepts co-sponsors. My guess is your situation is not the same as those 3 people? It could be that since you are a student, it is understandable that you don't have solid financial support yet. Therefore it is acceptable to have your mom jointly sponsor your fiance. I'm wondering if there is a criteria to judge whether co-sponsers are allowed for each case?

About i-186, I meant I-864. I'm familiar with it since I'm also getting a visa for my mom .

Are you sure that the people who got denied really were denied because they didn't allow a co-sponsor, or because their co-sponsor was insufficient? Because lotuspearl FIRST thought that they denied him because they didn't allow a co-sponsor anymore, but then he realized that it wasn't that they didn't allow co-sponsors but rather they didn't allow HIS co-sponsor.

I am awaiting reply from my lawyer and once I get a reply, which will be sometime tonight then I will post immediately and let you guys know.

In terms of me being a student and them understanding my situation, that just wouldn't happen. They don't bend the rules and make exceptions for an individual because he's a student. That's why I'm so perplexed by this situation. It just doesn't make sense to me that the embassy would suddenly change their rule in a month without notifying anyone of the impending changes.

[Pamme 0]

From what I read, the interviewer did not even look at the co-sponsors' I-134. Thus, I believe that in those particular cases, co-sponsors are disallowed. The petitioners are in the similar situation: working men and lower income (did not meet the poverty level). I did some more reading in VJ and this is what I found. The US embassy has the discretion to determine if co-sponsors are allowed. The law does not state that you can have co-sponsor or you can't. US embassy in Hanoi and Manila will tell you that co-sponsors are not allowed. However, they do accept it under special circumstances. And this is not new. Some of the posts were in 2006. Well, this is what the embassy replied to someone here in VJ. So, I think it's credible. And it makes sense because littleasianman7 was told in the email from the US embassy that they don't accept co-sponsor. Nevertheless, they do during the interview. Therefore, I believe littleasianman7's case is one of special circumstances.

My fiance will have his interview on Aug 20th. I'm also a student and I'm relying on my co-sponsor to get the visa approved. Unlike littleasianman7, my co-sponsor is a family friend. So I think this will very much diminish my chances of having them accept the co-sponsor. I will definitely let you know if my theory is correct.

Also, I can't find the post about co-sponsor in Hanoi and Manila. I post it when I find it.

Edited August 15, 2008 by Pamme

[daboyz 36]

From what I read, the interviewer did not even look at the co-sponsors' I-134. Thus, I believe that in those particular cases, co-sponsors are disallowed. The petitioners are in the similar situation: working men and lower income (did not meet the poverty level). I did some more reading in VJ and this is what I found. The US embassy has the discretion to determine if co-sponsors are allowed. The law does not state that you can have co-sponsor or you can't. US embassy in Hanoi and Manila will tell you that co-sponsors are not allowed. However, they do accept it under special circumstances. And this is not new. Some of the posts were in 2006. Well, this is what the embassy replied to someone here in VJ. So, I think it's credible. And it makes sense because littleasianman7 was told in the email from the US embassy that they don't accept co-sponsor. Nevertheless, they do during the interview. Therefore, I believe littleasianman7's case is one of special circumstances.

My fiance will have his interview on Aug 20th. I'm also a student and I'm relying on my co-sponsor to get the visa approved. Unlike littleasianman7, my co-sponsor is a family friend. So I think this will very much diminish my chances of having them accept the co-sponsor. I will definitely let you know if my theory is correct.

Also, I can't find the post about co-sponsor in Hanoi and Manila. I post it when I find it.

Thank you. Please keep us posted.

[Devkpaik 1]

From what I read, the interviewer did not even look at the co-sponsors' I-134. Thus, I believe that in those particular cases, co-sponsors are disallowed. The petitioners are in the similar situation: working men and lower income (did not meet the poverty level). I did some more reading in VJ and this is what I found. The US embassy has the discretion to determine if co-sponsors are allowed. The law does not state that you can have co-sponsor or you can't. US embassy in Hanoi and Manila will tell you that co-sponsors are not allowed. However, they do accept it under special circumstances. And this is not new. Some of the posts were in 2006. Well, this is what the embassy replied to someone here in VJ. So, I think it's credible. And it makes sense because littleasianman7 was told in the email from the US embassy that they don't accept co-sponsor. Nevertheless, they do during the interview. Therefore, I believe littleasianman7's case is one of special circumstances.

My fiance will have his interview on Aug 20th. I'm also a student and I'm relying on my co-sponsor to get the visa approved. Unlike littleasianman7, my co-sponsor is a family friend. So I think this will very much diminish my chances of having them accept the co-sponsor. I will definitely let you know if my theory is correct.

Also, I can't find the post about co-sponsor in Hanoi and Manila. I post it when I find it.

Pamme,

Here's the thing about "special cases". Before I started the process, I asked my lawyer about whether or not co-sponsors were accepted in Thailand, and they told me "yes". They also told me that, of course, the co-sponsors needs to be 125% above the poverty line, etc., but that in general they are accepted.

When I emailed the embassy before my fiance's interview asking them about whether or not they accept co-sponsors, they responded by telling me they DO NOT accept co-sponsors. I called my lawyer and asked them about this and they said "don't worry, they accept co-sponsors. Technically they don't but as long as your co-sponsor is sufficient, then it's fine", which they were right.

I just asked my lawyers about co-sponsors again on Friday and they told me that the embassy views all primary sponsors the same, meaning whether you are a 40 year old mcdonalds employee or a 23 year old student, they will judge you on the same criteria as the other.

It's up to the CO's discretion as to whether or not he PERSONALLY BELIEVES your fiance will become a public charge. I think my fiance was granted her visa more because of my co-sponsor who is WELL above the poverty line. Also, she filed taxes with my dad and together their income is WAY MORE than sufficient.

Also, the lawyers said they haven't had a single case this month be denied due to a co-sponsor not being allowed.

[Pamme 0]

From what I read, the interviewer did not even look at the co-sponsors' I-134. Thus, I believe that in those particular cases, co-sponsors are disallowed. The petitioners are in the similar situation: working men and lower income (did not meet the poverty level). I did some more reading in VJ and this is what I found. The US embassy has the discretion to determine if co-sponsors are allowed. The law does not state that you can have co-sponsor or you can't. US embassy in Hanoi and Manila will tell you that co-sponsors are not allowed. However, they do accept it under special circumstances. And this is not new. Some of the posts were in 2006. Well, this is what the embassy replied to someone here in VJ. So, I think it's credible. And it makes sense because littleasianman7 was told in the email from the US embassy that they don't accept co-sponsor. Nevertheless, they do during the interview. Therefore, I believe littleasianman7's case is one of special circumstances.

My fiance will have his interview on Aug 20th. I'm also a student and I'm relying on my co-sponsor to get the visa approved. Unlike littleasianman7, my co-sponsor is a family friend. So I think this will very much diminish my chances of having them accept the co-sponsor. I will definitely let you know if my theory is correct.

Also, I can't find the post about co-sponsor in Hanoi and Manila. I post it when I find it.

Pamme,

Here's the thing about "special cases". Before I started the process, I asked my lawyer about whether or not co-sponsors were accepted in Thailand, and they told me "yes". They also told me that, of course, the co-sponsors needs to be 125% above the poverty line, etc., but that in general they are accepted.

When I emailed the embassy before my fiance's interview asking them about whether or not they accept co-sponsors, they responded by telling me they DO NOT accept co-sponsors. I called my lawyer and asked them about this and they said "don't worry, they accept co-sponsors. Technically they don't but as long as your co-sponsor is sufficient, then it's fine", which they were right.

I just asked my lawyers about co-sponsors again on Friday and they told me that the embassy views all primary sponsors the same, meaning whether you are a 40 year old mcdonalds employee or a 23 year old student, they will judge you on the same criteria as the other.

It's up to the CO's discretion as to whether or not he PERSONALLY BELIEVES your fiance will become a public charge. I think my fiance was granted her visa more because of my co-sponsor who is WELL above the poverty line. Also, she filed taxes with my dad and together their income is WAY MORE than sufficient.

Also, the lawyers said they haven't had a single case this month be denied due to a co-sponsor not being allowed.

Thank you for the time you put into finding this out. But I'm still skeptical about these facts:

1) Why is it that the embassy replied to you and me that they do not accept co-sponsors? If they do, what is the purpose of telling us that they don't?

2) From what I read in usvisa4thai.com, the CO said to the beneficiaries that co-sponsors are disallowed. And the their cases will be opened for one year for the petitioner to resubmit I-134 as the sole sponsor. If it was just 1 case, I would probably doubt it. But three people are saying the same thing. Why would they lie? If the reason was really that their co-sponsors are not good enough, all they need to do is just find another co-sponsor that's more qualified. No need to be so frustrated. Apparently, one of the girls is now filing for CR1.

Edited August 17, 2008 by Pamme