Minimum income requirements if in college?

[Juliet and Steve 93]

It's very early in the process, so early that I haven't proposed (Valentine's Day is coming up), but still...

Reading on the K-1 requirements I see "minimum income" required at 125% of my state's poverty level, whatever that is for the state of NH--I haven't a clue.

I'm an RN and until mid-September I was a clinical supervisor for a major corporation so income was no issue.

The company I worked for closed my unit recently (forever) and now I'm unemployed. This is a perfect time for me to return to college on my career path so I have begun that process. Unless I find a good job (unlikely) in my area, I'm scheduled to return to college next January to become a Nurse Practitioner planning to graduate in Jan 2014. It is a two years Master's degree course and which will give me one of the top sale-able degrees in the country. I have no doubt that I'll have several offers before I graduate in 2014.

I have plenty of savings and about $26k income from an apartment house--but that's gross income, not net so I don't know if that would count. I'll be attending college at no tuition cost (under a grant available for my nursing sub-specialty) and may be receiving a small monthly stipend for some teaching duties.

Between now and then I'll receive unemployment compensation which will end when I start college. At that time I'll live on savings for the duration of the two years of college. Due to the sub-specialty nature of my nursing skills (occupational health) it is unlikely that I will find a job in my area since manufacturing has been totally trashed.

Now I am beginning to wonder if I must put off college and take an inappropriate (for my skill level) job simply to meet the income requirements until the K-1 process no longer requires that I earn a minimum amount.

In the next two months (assuming she says yes) I'll be engaged and during that time I must commit to this college degree--or not.

Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.

She's from Thailand if that makes a difference and has no salary history as she works for her family.

[payxibka 10,045]

It's very early in the process, so early that I haven't proposed (Valentine's Day is coming up), but still...

Reading on the K-1 requirements I see "minimum income" required at 125% of my state's poverty level, whatever that is for the state of NH--I haven't a clue.

I'm an RN and until mid-September I was a clinical supervisor for a major corporation so income was no issue.

The company I worked for closed my unit recently (forever) and now I'm unemployed. This is a perfect time for me to return to college on my career path so I have begun that process. Unless I find a good job (unlikely) in my area, I'm scheduled to return to college next January to become a Nurse Practitioner planning to graduate in Jan 2014. It is a two years Master's degree course and which will give me one of the top sale-able degrees in the country. I have no doubt that I'll have several offers before I graduate in 2014.

I have plenty of savings and about $26k income from an apartment house--but that's gross income, not net so I don't know if that would count. I'll be attending college at no tuition cost (under a grant available for my nursing sub-specialty) and may be receiving a small monthly stipend for some teaching duties.

Between now and then I'll receive unemployment compensation which will end when I start college. At that time I'll live on savings for the duration of the two years of college. Due to the sub-specialty nature of my nursing skills (occupational health) it is unlikely that I will find a job in my area since manufacturing has been totally trashed.

Now I am beginning to wonder if I must put off college and take an inappropriate (for my skill level) job simply to meet the income requirements until the K-1 process no longer requires that I earn a minimum amount.

In the next two months (assuming she says yes) I'll be engaged and during that time I must commit to this college degree--or not.

Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.

She's from Thailand if that makes a difference and has no salary history as she works for her family.

The USC's requirement for a minimum income requirement is not based on where the fiance(e) is from. What will make a difference for you is that the Consulate in BKK will NOT allow anyone else to sponsor her other than you. If you are not eligible, no visa.

As for you apartment building income... it is NET after expenses... basically look to the amount on line 22 of the 1040 and how it would be calculated

[Juliet and Steve 93]

The USC's requirement for a minimum income requirement is not based on where the fiance(e) is from. What will make a difference for you is that the Consulate in BKK will NOT allow anyone else to sponsor her other than you. If you are not eligible, no visa.

As for you apartment building income... it is NET after expenses... basically look to the amount on line 22 of the 1040 and how it would be calculated

Thank you.

So even if returning to college is the best, and most rational decision, and even if I own my house with no mortgage and have plenty of savings/assets it sounds like a "no-go."

If this is the case, is the "other way" (remember I am truly new to all this) getting married in Thailand an option that will allow me to do the college route? Or must I wait a year on college, and take a job (which I can get but which is out of my career path) to meet the income requirements.

My 2011 filing in April for 2010 will show a net income of over $50k, but 2011's income will, most likely show only unemployment benefits which I assume is not usable.

Let's use this as a scenario: Let's say that in September of this year I take a contract position that earns $60k/year (outside of my residential area) so immediately I'm back in the "financial capable" ballpark, but now...how long must I be in that job to meet the requirements.

note: If this sort of scenario is covered elsewhere I'll be happy to take a hint as to where to find it... again, thank you.

[MensahLuv 4]

Savings and assets can be used. If you dont make the require income with assets/savings you can get a cosponsor. Check this link: http://www.visajourney.com/content/support

[payxibka 10,045]

Savings and assets can be used. If you dont make the require income with assets/savings you can get a cosponsor. Check this link: http://www.visajourney.com/content/support

BKK does NOT allow cosponsors

[payxibka 10,045]

Thank you.

So even if returning to college is the best, and most rational decision, and even if I own my house with no mortgage and have plenty of savings/assets it sounds like a "no-go."

If this is the case, is the "other way" (remember I am truly new to all this) getting married in Thailand an option that will allow me to do the college route? Or must I wait a year on college, and take a job (which I can get but which is out of my career path) to meet the income requirements.

My 2011 filing in April for 2010 will show a net income of over $50k, but 2011's income will, most likely show only unemployment benefits which I assume is not usable.

Let's use this as a scenario: Let's say that in September of this year I take a contract position that earns $60k/year (outside of my residential area) so immediately I'm back in the "financial capable" ballpark, but now...how long must I be in that job to meet the requirements.

note: If this sort of scenario is covered elsewhere I'll be happy to take a hint as to where to find it... again, thank you.

The financial requirement is there whether it is a fiance(e) visa or a spousal one... the one difference is a co sponsor... in a spousal visa the idea of a co sponsor might be a way to workaround BKK's normal refusal of such as NVC does accept co sponsors

[rsn 135]

BKK does NOT allow cosponsors

Correction: BKK does not usually allow cosponsors for K1s. If you plan on using a cosponsor, you should strongly consider getting married and going the CR-1 route instead. BKK accepts cosponsors for CR1s.

Edited January 18, 2011 by rsn

[Juliet and Steve 93]

Thanks Ghanaluv. Since my primary residence has no mortgage and is worth over $100k, this asset alone, after reading your link would suffice (if I'm reading that correctly) since if my income is $0, and assuming a $20k minimum annual income x 5 years the $100k value of the house should cover requirements and then I don't have to worry about income or any sort of a co-sponsor. And that alone ignores the net value or income of my apartment house and ignores savings and investments (stock).

When looking at assets does the UCIS consider items like student debt? I do owe significant student loan debt of ~30k though my monthly payment is only $107/month due to an exceptionally low fixed interest rate.

Does the UCIS have the ability (most government agencies don't seem to) to look at things in a rational light? After all, an RN who finds himself unemployed, returning for an advanced degree on full NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Health & Safety) scholarship says quite a lot about future income prospects...

[MensahLuv 4]

BKK does NOT allow cosponsors

Oh well, thats too bad.Whats is BKK and why? Dont the follow the same guidelines for all k1 visas?

[Juliet and Steve 93]

For some reason I was not allowed to edit the above, thus I'll add this here:

I really have no interest in finding a co-sponsor, just my age alone makes that seem rather silly... I suppose I could have a sister co-sponsor but frankly I don't like the idea. I'll just adjust my plans--as an RN, if I am willing to leave my rural location and travel to another state I can find employment but would prefer not to since then I'll be paying for my house (property tax, maintenance, minimum heat, etc. and I'd be unable to manage my apartment house (note: selling either or both really is a terrible proposition at this stage of the economy)) AND paying for a rental at another location.

[MensahLuv 4]

Based ion my readings your debt is not look at.

[Juliet and Steve 93]

Sorry about the multitude of posts, but I read an answer, and then try to modify the prior post with an edit, and I am not allowed to edit it so....

I hope one part of my question doesn't get lost...

If I, for instance, take a contract job later in the year--a legitimate, open-ended, full time >$60k/annual nursing job, how long must I stay at that job before I can quit and then do the planned college route?

I'm wondering just how this period of unemployment compensation affects things. From a banking point-of-view, being unemployed for more than 3 months is the "kiss of death." As far as banking credit, or credit card credit, I could care less but if the negative effect is as marked in this arena I'm wondering if I might have to work for a year or more steadily before the K-1 will be approved.

Dynamite answers! What a great forum.

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

Debt isn't considered unless there is an IRS Tax lien against you.

It sounds like between your property and savings you probably won't have any issue exceeding the Sponsorship requirements on assets.

[daboyz 36]

What was your 2010 income?

[Juliet and Steve 93]

What was your 2010 income?

In 2010 I filed married jointly (divorced January 2010 and no, not a "rush back in," we split up in 1998 but delayed divorce until we could sort out the apartment house such that I became the sole owner) but my income attributable to the filing for 2010 and for 2009 was pretty much the same for my RN salary, about $54k each year. I've been at the same job for almost three years.