Who can be a co-sponsor if you don't meet the minimum income requirements for a K1 visa?

[Daya 0]

We haven't started this process yet but are trying to get a good idea of what we'll need and when. Through my employer I am enrolled in a teacher retirement fund. Can this be included as an asset? Without that I do not meet the minimum income requirement so we'd need to find a co-sponsor. Who can be a co-sponsor? Does it have to be one of my family members? Can it be a friend? My lawyer?

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

Technically, anyone who is a US citizen or LPR can be a co-sponsor, but some embassies will only accept close family members.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Technically, anyone who is a US citizen or LPR can be a co-sponsor, but some embassies will only accept close family members.

This is correct. I'd go even further and say that some consulates will not accept co-sponsors for K visas at all.

There are no strict rules with the I-134 affidavit of support, but many consulates apply the same standards as the I-864 (which you'll be submitting after you're married with the green card application). The I-864 standards for assets is that you have to be able to convert the asset into cash within 1 year without "considerable hardship or financial loss". Assuming you could cash out within a year without paying heavy penalties (which is probably not the case), the consulate still might not accept it if they believe that liquidating your retirement account would cause a hardship on you.

[Daya 0]

Technically, anyone who is a US citizen or LPR can be a co-sponsor, but some embassies will only accept close family members.

Thank you! I don't suppose there is any way to find out for sure? My fiance lives in England......Any pointers? I feel completely dumb asking all these questions, I apologize.

I can't imagine being denied over being working class. It also strikes me as odd they don't take into account the other party's finances. Ah well......

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Technically, anyone who is a US citizen or LPR can be a co-sponsor, but some embassies will only accept close family members.

Thank you! I don't suppose there is any way to find out for sure? My fiance lives in England......Any pointers? I feel completely dumb asking all these questions, I apologize.

I can't imagine being denied over being working class. It also strikes me as odd they don't take into account the other party's finances. Ah well......

The US Embassy in London does accept co-sponsors. Whenever you have a doubt about a consulate specific question, you can always send an email to the consulate and get a definitive answer.

If you were denied, it wouldn't be because you're "working class". It would be because there is a risk your fiance will need to be supported by the taxpayers of the US. We already have plenty of poor in the US who need government assistance. The government's view is that we don't need to be importing more of them, and most taxpayers would agree. The standard they set is not unreasonable, when you think about it. $18,213 per year is a full time job at $8.76 per hour. In my town, you can earn more than this at McDonald's.

If you were already married then you'd be filing an I-864 affidavit of support, instead of an I-134. In that event, you could use your husband's (not fiance's) income and assets to help you qualify, with some restrictions.

[Daya 0]

Technically, anyone who is a US citizen or LPR can be a co-sponsor, but some embassies will only accept close family members.

Thank you! I don't suppose there is any way to find out for sure? My fiance lives in England......Any pointers? I feel completely dumb asking all these questions, I apologize.

I can't imagine being denied over being working class. It also strikes me as odd they don't take into account the other party's finances. Ah well......

The US Embassy in London does accept co-sponsors. Whenever you have a doubt about a consulate specific question, you can always send an email to the consulate and get a definitive answer.

If you were denied, it wouldn't be because you're "working class". It would be because there is a risk your fiance will need to be supported by the taxpayers of the US. We already have plenty of poor in the US who need government assistance. The government's view is that we don't need to be importing more of them, and most taxpayers would agree. The standard they set is not unreasonable, when you think about it. $18,213 per year is a full time job at $8.76 per hour. In my town, you can earn more than this at McDonald's.

If you were already married then you'd be filing an I-864 affidavit of support, instead of an I-134. In that event, you could use your husband's (not fiance's) income and assets to help you qualify, with some restrictions.

I suppose I should have mentioned I have 3 children, thus upping the minimum income requirements (I'm a police dispatcher). I guess I'm confused over the assumption he will come here empty handed without a penny to his name. He has plenty of savings.

Anyway, thank you for your time and help!