Financial Requirements

[brooks1380 0]

My fiancée and I are trying to prepare everything to apply for visa.Even though we are a lil confused if we should apply for fiancée visa or marry then apply for the k3.My main concern is the financial support part.I don't make enough to satisfy this.But he does work full time himself in Malaysia,where he is also a student.I do have a family friend that has offered to help sponsor him.Can this be done and can anyone suggest some advice to help.I just returned from Malaysia visiting him and my heart hurts so bad from missing him so much.He had applied for a visitors visa in January to visit but was denied because they said he didn't have substantial ties outside the US but none of our documentation was reviewed and the interview was less than 10 minutes.While there i visited the embassy to inquire but was turned away the first time and i rescheduled my flight and paid a penalty charge of $200 doing so to return to the embassy on the next business day.Only to be told after i was seen that for my inquires I could only be contacted by email and no one would even talk to me.Just to write my questions and concerns by email and a response would be sent.So i did this as well but was only told that we can try to apply for the k1.This is frustrating and painful to go thru and we haven't even gotten started yet.His home country is Cameroon.Any suggestions or words of wisdom...please help.Thank you.brooks1380

[Haarp425 26]

Visa denials: What Constitutes "Strong Ties"?

http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/denials/denials_1361.html

It's difficult to get visitors visa. The alien has to show strong ties back to the alien's home country.

I've read some posts that some VJ users here suggest IR-1/CR-1 instead.

[Que Saudade 284]

If I am not mistaken, the income he makes there does not count because he will be leaving to come here to the US (someone please confirm or deny this statement as I hate to mislead anyone). Some consulates, such as the one in the Philippines, does not allow co-sponsors for the K1. You are doing the right thing by investigating now before you file. However, if they do allow co-sponsors, that would help with the affidavit of support.

In addition, I have read that the K3 is no longer valid and it is a different visa you apply for now. Check that out also.

I want to say again though, you are doing the right thing by getting all the facts instead of jumping the gun.

Good Luck on your journey

[max+patricia 24]

His income in Malaysia cannot be listed on either I-134 or I-864 - only your income, or the income of a sponsor (who must also be a US citizen or legal permanent resident) will be accepted. You can include assets, if you have them, to supplement low income - but they have to equal at least 3x the amount missing in your income.

I don't know the requirements of co-sponsoring in Malaysia, or Cameroon for that matter, but any co-sponsor will be required to show individual financial support, plus support for their own dependents, plus the person they are intending to sponsor. If they don't make enough to satisfy the requirement covering everyone mentioned, they will also be denied.

The K-3 is no more - IR-1/CR-1 has taken its place. If you choose to go this route you'll be looking at 6-9 months waiting. The K-1 can take nearly the same, depending on which service center your petition goes to and how your backgrounds are.

[omo9ja 1]

I suggest you file for K1 visa cos am a Nigerian in Malaysia as a student and my USC fiancee is filling for me as am currently awaiting Biographic Information from her to fill.

Good luck.

[brooks1380 0]

I suggest you file for K1 visa cos am a Nigerian in Malaysia as a student and my USC fiancee is filling for me as am currently awaiting Biographic Information from her to fill.

Good luck.

How did your process go?I just returned from there and we are just trying to get everything sorted out b4 we apply.What financial requirements did your fiancée have to meet?This is my main concern.Are you going to transfer school?Sorry to ask so much I just want to learn all I can to make this a lil less painless.thank you.....

[brooks1380 0]

His income in Malaysia cannot be listed on either I-134 or I-864 - only your income, or the income of a sponsor (who must also be a US citizen or legal permanent resident) will be accepted. You can include assets, if you have them, to supplement low income - but they have to equal at least 3x the amount missing in your income.

I don't know the requirements of co-sponsoring in Malaysia, or Cameroon for that matter, but any co-sponsor will be required to show individual financial support, plus support for their own dependents, plus the person they are intending to sponsor. If they don't make enough to satisfy the requirement covering everyone mentioned, they will also be denied.

The K-3 is no more - IR-1/CR-1 has taken its place. If you choose to go this route you'll be looking at 6-9 months waiting. The K-1 can take nearly the same, depending on which service center your petition goes to and how your backgrounds are.

The family friend should be able to cover the financial part it is just her and her husband.Her children are grown and live on their own.As in assets do you mean by owning my home.I do own my home and half my property both valued at @least $24000 or maybe a lil more.My mother owns the other half of the property.And I own my truck...so does that all count in the assets category?If this is so i can cover the financial requirements myself.As for backgrounds we both have clean backgrounds.Would I stand a better chance by marrying him first?Im just so scared of a denial.Thank you for any advice.

[brooks1380 0]

If I am not mistaken, the income he makes there does not count because he will be leaving to come here to the US (someone please confirm or deny this statement as I hate to mislead anyone). Some consulates, such as the one in the Philippines, does not allow co-sponsors for the K1. You are doing the right thing by investigating now before you file. However, if they do allow co-sponsors, that would help with the affidavit of support.

In addition, I have read that the K3 is no longer valid and it is a different visa you apply for now. Check that out also.

I want to say again though, you are doing the right thing by getting all the facts instead of jumping the gun.

Good Luck on your journey

[brooks1380 0]

Thank you for your advice I will be sure to check into all this.One last question would you suggest doing this ourselves or going thru a company that specializes in this?I know it will cost more but I cant handle a denial.Its too hard now being without him.

[max+patricia 24]

The family friend should be able to cover the financial part it is just her and her husband.Her children are grown and live on their own.As in assets do you mean by owning my home.I do own my home and half my property both valued at @least $24000 or maybe a lil more.My mother owns the other half of the property.And I own my truck...so does that all count in the assets category?If this is so i can cover the financial requirements myself.As for backgrounds we both have clean backgrounds.Would I stand a better chance by marrying him first?Im just so scared of a denial.Thank you for any advice.

Are her kids under 21?

Your home and property can be listed as assets but they won't matter if you have a co-sponsor who has sufficient income. Your truck can't count as an asset unless it's not your primary vehicle.

I would use a co-sponsor if possible. If you choose to use your assets, they must equal 3x the amount lacking in income - so if you have no income and it's just the 2 of you in your household, you'll need at least 3x $18,000.

[max+patricia 24]

Thank you for your advice I will be sure to check into all this.One last question would you suggest doing this ourselves or going thru a company that specializes in this?I know it will cost more but I cant handle a denial.Its too hard now being without him.

I wouldn't suggest it unless you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself. A lawyer isn't going to make it any faster - we all have to wait the same amount of time regardless of who submits the petition.