No sponsor. Any suggestions?

[KellyandNino 0]

First off, I just want to say thanks a lot for being such an active board.

I've posted in forums before, but I've never experienced so much participation before. It is much appreciated.

Some of you may remember my situation. At present, I have been laid off from my job. I always told myself that if I was ever laid off, I would take that opportunity to travel. With the current state of our economy, it seems like a good time.

The plan is to be gone from early Feb to late June.

The problem is that I am in the process of applying for a K-1 visa. I was planning to get a sponsor, but it looks like that won't be happening at this moment...nor in the foreseeable future. So I will have to do this on my own.

Here is the area which I would welcome suggestions.

I am planning to submit the K1 Visa packet before I leave on Feb 4th. The plan is to return by June 24th. When I come back, I'm sure I can get some sort of job within a month or so.

How would you all time it so that you have enough time to secure a job before needing to submit the I-134 sponsorship form?

Here are some options I came up with:

1. Send the packet as planned because current wait times dictate approx 6 months. That would mean if the packet is approved, I wouldn't need to submit the form till around August.

2. Send the packet off and if it is approved earlier than expected, then have my girlfriend wait to schedule the interview until I have a job. (not sure how soon she is required to interview after being approved)

3. Have a family member send the packet off later than early Feb. This would allow more time for me to secure a job by the time I get back in June.

Any thoughts on those ideas? Any other ideas?

Thanks a bunch,

Nino

[KellyandNino 0]

Sorry if my post was so long. I'm thinking maybe that's why I didn't get any replies.

Here is a shortened version...

My plan is to have the K1 visa ready to submit in early Feb. I will be leaving the country at that time for approx 5 months. If I don't have a job and no option of getting a co-sponsor. What would be the best plan to ensure I have enough time to get a job when my trip is over before the I-134 is needed? I estimate approx 30-45 days needed to secure a job. Here are some of the ideas I had below:

1. Send the packet as planned because current wait times dictate approx 6 months. That would mean if the packet is approved, I wouldn't need to submit the form till around August.

2. Send the packet off and if it is approved earlier than expected, then have my girlfriend wait to schedule the interview until I have a job. (not sure how soon she is required to interview after being approved)

3. Have a family member send the packet off later than early Feb. This would allow more time for me to secure a job by the time I get back in June.

Thanks in advance.

Nino

Edited January 14, 2009 by KellyandNino

[Chica Yeyé 41]

If you do not have the necessary income and have no joint sponsor; your visa will be denied. So whichever option of the 3 you propose is contingent on this.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Or, you could forgo your trip abroad, and concentrate on finding a job now, to meet the requirements.

A little suffering now for a lot of joy later....

[Hell0W0rld 10]

You should concentrate on finding a job rather them "traveling" because you will get burned in the end. Right now the economy is bad as you stated, so you might not have enough time to find a job to prove that you have enough income, the time you spend on traveling could be used in finding and securing a job. and you can put your travel money in a saving's account so that you can prove more income....

[Zee Bee 61]

Even if you get a job right before her interview you can still be asked for a cosponsor depending on your work history.

Since you do not have a cosponsor I would recommend that you focus your energies on finding the job rather than traveling.

[Hell0W0rld 10]

the k-1 process might sound simple, but if you are not prepared then you are just wasting your time and money, you should get your priorities straight before filing.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Even if you get a job right before her interview you can still be asked for a cosponsor depending on your work history.

Since you do not have a cosponsor I would recommend that you focus your energies on finding the job rather than traveling.

Exactly Zee Bee!!!!

[KellyandNino 0]

Thanks everyone.

My girlfriend and I agreed that this trip is something I need to do. I promised myself that if I was ever laid off, I would take an extended trip. Because you only live once and there aren't many other opportunities to travel for an extended period of time. This trip is something I have been hoping to do for many years.

It looks like I need to find a co-sponsor then.

Maybe you all can answer me this. I read on the I-134 that the sponsor is liable if the fiance becomes a public charge for up to 3 years. My brother was willing to do it, but he brought up a good point. How far does the term "public charge" really go?

Lets say she got into a car accident and didn't have insurance (which she would never do, but for the sake of argument...lets say it happened). Could an insurance company go after him, because he's her sponsor?

If it is mainly directed at her collecting government funding (food stamps, unemployment, etc.). Then I'm not so worried about him signing. But I just don't want to involve a family member if their assets could be seized for whatever reason.

Thanks,

Nino

[Hell0W0rld 10]

anything that requires government assistant will be considered public charge....

[Chica Yeyé 41]

n/m

Edited January 14, 2009 by *Len*

[KellyandNino 0]

the k-1 process might sound simple, but if you are not prepared then you are just wasting your time and money, you should get your priorities straight before filing.

My priorities are straight. I'm going to take this trip. That's why I'm asking for help on how to make it all work.

I've been reading about the K-1 visa for over 3 months now. I definitely don't think it is a simple process by any means.

I love my girlfriend and we will be together no matter what. Even if I have to live in South Africa. But I have an opportunity to accomplish a dream of mine and she fully supports that decision. That's why I won't let anything stand in our way, she is so great and I'm lucky to have her.

N

[Minya's wife 24]

n/m

my sentiments exactly....

[KellyandNino 0]

n/m

my sentiments exactly....

Where is this elitist attitude coming from? I thought this was a forum to help...not judge. Just because I have a wonderful person that supports me in a dream I have had for almost 10 years now. Doesn't mean you need to post and pass judgment.

If you don't have any assistance to give...then post elsewhere. Not sure I understand the reason to post, "n/m" or "my sentiments exactly...".

[Zee Bee 61]

anything that requires government assistant will be considered public charge....

I thought it was only means-tested benefits.