K-1 Visa Co-Sponsor, Proof of Support

[Esy 0]

Hi all

I've been lurking around this amazing forum and website for years, but this is my first time posting.

I'm a US citizen (residing in the US) engaged to an Egyptian (residing in Egypt). I'd like to petition for a K-1 visa, but I have a couple of questions/problems with the Affidavit of Support thing.

I'm a young, graduate student - graduated from college and went on to graduate school a year later. I have not had a job, all my schooling has been paid for by my parents and through merit-based scholarships. I do not have a steady source of income, but my parents are willing to and fully capable of co-sponsoring him (and supporting us).

My fiance has money saved for graduate studies here. Our plan is for us to go to grad school, work while studying, and go from there. But of course, the immigration officers don't know all of this, so I fear they might think we're a tad delusional!

Now.. reading through the forums, I've noticed that different consulates look at co-sponsorship differently. (Am I right?) Does anyone know anything about how this goes in Cairo?

I'm planning on hiring a lawyer, but I wanted to hear from people who have been in similar situations. Is it totally crazy to apply soon, relying fully on my parents' co-sponsorship?

[Esy 0]

Also, I wonder if our ages will raise questions (will only be 24 and 25 when applying). Am I over-analyzing here?

[Nicole-N-Nattoy 24]

I have heard of one story where a young women applied who had not had a job ever, but her

Parents signed to support them fully. The were denied because of this. However, because

you are a student you might be ok. I have either worked or went to school or both my whole

life. I've saved money and wont be working at time of my fiance's interview because I'm

going to live with him for a few months before the interview. I'm also concerned that this

may be a problem for me. My mother has aggreed to co-sponsor us, and I plan to explain that

I'm waiting on Natoy(my fiance) to start my life. As I still live with my parents and

do not want to move out until I'm married. I will have past bosses sign something saying

that they would rehire me again. That way they see I wouldn't have a problem getting a job.

My mom is just there to give us support until we get on our feet. It will be easier for me

with Natoy because there will be two incomes and I will have a partner. I doubt my post

really helped you, but a least you know there are people out there with similar situations.

If enough replies say that one wouldn't get approved without a job I would give up my dreams

of being an island girl for a while and keep my current job. However if they go by 2009 tax

returns I will show income. The rules say you just must have an income with 125% over the

poverty line. It doesn't say you must have a job, but I dunno.

[Esy 0]

Yes, that's what I was thinking. Nowhere on the forms does it clearly state that I must be working, but I can see how the reviewing officers might have their doubts. The entire point of this is to make sure that neither one of us goes on welfare, and my parents' sponsorship can definitely guarantee that.

Like you, I'm also waiting on my fiance to start my life!

ETA: Would it help if I include proof of college enrollment when applying?

Edited July 7, 2010 by Esy

[And_Sam 44]

Hi all

I've been lurking around this amazing forum and website for years, but this is my first time posting.

I'm a US citizen (residing in the US) engaged to an Egyptian (residing in Egypt). I'd like to petition for a K-1 visa, but I have a couple of questions/problems with the Affidavit of Support thing.

I'm a young, graduate student - graduated from college and went on to graduate school a year later. I have not had a job, all my schooling has been paid for by my parents and through merit-based scholarships. I do not have a steady source of income, but my parents are willing to and fully capable of co-sponsoring him (and supporting us).

My fiance has money saved for graduate studies here. Our plan is for us to go to grad school, work while studying, and go from there. But of course, the immigration officers don't know all of this, so I fear they might think we're a tad delusional!

Now.. reading through the forums, I've noticed that different consulates look at co-sponsorship differently. (Am I right?) Does anyone know anything about how this goes in Cairo?

I'm planning on hiring a lawyer, but I wanted to hear from people who have been in similar situations. Is it totally crazy to apply soon, relying fully on my parents' co-sponsorship?

You don't have to be employed to have your fiance to come over to the US. There are plenty of people who are students or living at home with their parents or just plain not working or making enough money to be the sponsor. LOL! what a mouthfull!

Just as long you have someone who qualifys to be the co-sponsor, ie.. your parents, who make 125% over the poverty line.

Truthfully, there is enough information here that you don't really need to have a lawyer do the paperwork for you. Plus it'll save you a large chunk of money if you are able to do it yourself. It's really not that hard to do.

Good luck with whichever way you are planning on! And no, it's not totally crazy to apply soon!

Welcome to VJ!

[Leigh Ann 8]

Also, I wonder if our ages will raise questions (will only be 24 and 25 when applying). Am I over-analyzing here?

Yes. I'm filing for AOS with my husband now, and we're the same ages. Don't worry!

I just graduated from a graduate school as well, and so haven't had any real income since I've been in college/grad school since I was 18, although it will start soon (finally!). My parents signed on to co-sponsor us, and we haven't had any other problems with that. I think you have to fill out an I-134 instead of an I-864 (but I'm not 100% sure about this). Not sure if the requirements are the same, but for the I-864, we got a request for evidence for:

-all supporting documentation for the tax filings (we had sent in just the 1040 at first, and they wanted W-2s, 1099s)

-proof of my parents' status in the US (birth certificates, passports, etc.)

Hope everything goes okay! If your parents will help you out, the money thing shouldn't be too much of an issue.

Edited July 8, 2010 by Leigh Ann

[Esy 0]

@ And_Sam: Thanks for the warm welcome .. I *heard* that lawyers can facilitate things (perhaps by knowing which extras to include, etc.?). I, too, think the forms are pretty simple and self-explanatory, but I'm trying to avoid pitfalls as best as I can.

@ Leigh Ann: Because your situation is similar to mine, your post really put me at ease! I now feel a bit more optimistic about the whole co-sponsorship thing because I have a concrete example, thanks

Best of luck, everyone!

[Leigh Ann 8]

@ Leigh Ann: Because your situation is similar to mine, your post really put me at ease! I now feel a bit more optimistic about the whole co-sponsorship thing because I have a concrete example, thanks

No problem! I don't know as much about the K-1 process since we got married here, but if you have any other questions, I can do my best.

Good luck!

[Esy 0]

No problem! I don't know as much about the K-1 process since we got married here, but if you have any other questions, I can do my best.

Good luck!

Thanks so much!

[~ameriptian~ 54]

Welcome to VJ.

We were 21 and 26 when we started our K1 visa process. We were considering hiring a lawyer as well, but I am glad we did not. The process is easy if you do it yourself. You will understand it more, and will be ready for the next steps when your fiance arrives to the US, eg.: AOS, ROC, and Naturlization. In fact, hiring a lawyer could slow down the process. I can't count the number of times I read on VJ about couples who had very slow visa processes because of their lawyers.

We needed a cosponsor during the visa process and everything went fine. My husband (then fiance) has been self-employed all his life, so he really didn't have a long work history other than his job that he's been doing since he was 20.

Good luck with starting the visa process!

[Esy 0]

Ooo longer processing times with lawyers? That's scary! I'm still discussing the issue with my fiance, and I'll probably apply ~8 months from now, so plenty of time to decide

Thanks, and good luck to you too!