k1 Visa Financial Question

[Josh bkk 0]

Well, here it goes. I've already filled out all the petition files for k1, they're waiting to be sent. But I am still at unease whether or not I should send it.

I'm an American full time student in Bangkok, but I'm pretty sure my income doesn't count for the federal poverty line. I get monthly checks from veteran's affairs of around $950usd, (have $4xxx in my account and would grow till noa2 arrives)

I'm not in the army, i receive the benefits because my father is 100% disabled from the army and I receive Survivors and Dependents educational benefits from that.

But other than that, my Mother and possibly my father(and other family members) will co-sponsor for me and also for my gf too? Would they need to fill out two I-134's for both me and her? And if we plan to live with my mother, would that count as 3 people(me, my mother, and gf) on the federal poverty line? Because my mother meets that poverty line for 2, but not 3 in the household.

If you think I'm pretty my S.O.L, could you give me any alternative ideas for bringing me and my gf to the states? Thanks, I'm just hoping for the best.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

You only count in your own affidavit of support (ie you+ fiancee). When someone else fills in as co-sponsor, they do not count you as you are a US citizen, unless they claim you as a dependant on taxes. So your mom, if divorced from dad and no other dependents (minor kids etc), would have a household size of (mom and beneficiary fiancee). However, they like co-sponsors to be well above the poverty line so if she just about makes enough for 2, they may not accept her. Also, some US embassies, especially in Asia, do not normally accept co-sponsors for the K1. I am not sure about Thailand, hopefully someone with local experience will chime in, but if so, you might consider getting legally married and file for a CR-1 instead.

[Josh bkk 0]

And how does the process differ with cr-1? Do they still ask for the same federal poverty lines as well?

[Hank_ 9,174]

You started the same post three times.... no if only there were a moderator around to delete or merge them! Hmm?

I think a co-sponsor would be needed to meet the guidelines of 125%.

[Josh bkk 0]

You started the same post three times.... no if only there were a moderator around to delete or merge them! Hmm?

I think a co-sponsor would be needed to meet the guidelines of 125%.

And I stated that on my first topic. My cpu lagged up and triple posted on accident. And I've been trying to find out how to delete them.

If my co-sponsor would reach the 125% but not exceed it by a lot. So adding more co-sponsors would be more assuring?

[baron555 934]

And I stated that on my first topic. My cpu lagged up and triple posted on accident. And I've been trying to find out how to delete them.

If my co-sponsor would reach the 125% but not exceed it by a lot. So adding more co-sponsors would be more assuring?

Also check in the regional forums to be sure the Embassy accepts cosponsors for K-1s?

[Ning 619]

Well, here it goes. I've already filled out all the petition files for k1, they're waiting to be sent. But I am still at unease whether or not I should send it.

I'm an American full time student in Bangkok, but I'm pretty sure my income doesn't count for the federal poverty line. I get monthly checks from veteran's affairs of around $950usd, (have $4xxx in my account and would grow till noa2 arrives)

I'm not in the army, i receive the benefits because my father is 100% disabled from the army and I receive Survivors and Dependents educational benefits from that.

But other than that, my Mother and possibly my father(and other family members) will co-sponsor for me and also for my gf too? Would they need to fill out two I-134's for both me and her? And if we plan to live with my mother, would that count as 3 people(me, my mother, and gf) on the federal poverty line? Because my mother meets that poverty line for 2, but not 3 in the household.

If you think I'm pretty my S.O.L, could you give me any alternative ideas for bringing me and my gf to the states? Thanks, I'm just hoping for the best.

Before you send it carefully think over what Penguin said & the following.

In general BKK doesnt accept co sponsors for K 1s. However in 3 cases I know of they did because like you they were students but they were in the USA. If you decide to attempt using a co sponsor I will help you with a letter to submit at the right time. You of course would take a chance they would accept the explanation & allow the use of the co sponsor. In the other cases they did not have any income so your monthly income would make a difference. You are only about 7,000 dollars short of the poverty line now.

The problem with doing the above is you will pay the fees & not know until the interview if they will allow the co sponsors. Really it will be after the interview because you wont be allowed inside to help. This is the reason for the letter.

It would be safer to marry in Thailand to allow you to file for a CR 1. If you are a 6 month legal resident you could file in BKK as a DCF which savews time. The C R 1 is better for several reasons including the use of co sponsors. The C R 1 gives her a green card which allows her to work ect.

[Ning 619]

And how does the process differ with cr-1? Do they still ask for the same federal poverty lines as well?

A K 1 is used to bring her to the US for marriage. If she marrys you can file for the AOS ( adjustment of status ) which results in a green card about 6 to 8 months later. There are fees involved.

The C R 1 doesnt require the AOS;she gets a green card quickly.

Fed poverty lines are exactly the same.

[pushbrk 12,898]

Well, here it goes. I've already filled out all the petition files for k1, they're waiting to be sent. But I am still at unease whether or not I should send it.

I'm an American full time student in Bangkok, but I'm pretty sure my income doesn't count for the federal poverty line. I get monthly checks from veteran's affairs of around $950usd, (have $4xxx in my account and would grow till noa2 arrives)

I'm not in the army, i receive the benefits because my father is 100% disabled from the army and I receive Survivors and Dependents educational benefits from that.

But other than that, my Mother and possibly my father(and other family members) will co-sponsor for me and also for my gf too? Would they need to fill out two I-134's for both me and her? And if we plan to live with my mother, would that count as 3 people(me, my mother, and gf) on the federal poverty line? Because my mother meets that poverty line for 2, but not 3 in the household.

If you think I'm pretty my S.O.L, could you give me any alternative ideas for bringing me and my gf to the states? Thanks, I'm just hoping for the best.

K1 is a fiancee visa, not a girlfriend visa. Bangkok almost never accepts a cosponsor for a K1 visa. The reason another poster suggested marriage and a CR1 visa process, is that Consulates have no choice but to accept a joint sponsor in a CR1 case.

Like many other events in an adult life, you'll find that there are practical aspects. The affidavit of support is a part of any immigration process in order to assure that those who have NOT dealt with the practical aspect of how to support their relative, do not cause those relatives to become a burden on the US taxpayer.

[Josh bkk 0]

@Ning,

Thank you so much for the info, I'm going to call the embassy about the co-sponsoring as well, and I have also emailed them too. I think I will decide to start from scratch and do the CR-1 if they will not take co-sponsors for the k1, but I will message you if I need that letter. And also, yes, I have been here for over 2 years, but I had read I can not file as a DCF to the embassy in Bangkok because I am under a Student Visa. Again thank you, I really appreciate your help.

@Pushbrk,

I know it's a fiance visa... I just didn't know about the assurance of it compared to a CR-1. I would just like to go back home with the person I've been dating for 3 years. My family wants that as well and are willing to fill the co-sponsorship.

[pushbrk 12,898]

@Ning,

Thank you so much for the info, I'm going to call the embassy about the co-sponsoring as well, and I have also emailed them too. I think I will decide to start from scratch and do the CR-1 if they will not take co-sponsors for the k1, but I will message you if I need that letter. And also, yes, I have been here for over 2 years, but I had read I can not file as a DCF to the embassy in Bangkok because I am under a Student Visa. Again thank you, I really appreciate your help.

@Pushbrk,

I know it's a fiance visa... I just didn't know about the assurance of it compared to a CR-1. I would just like to go back home with the person I've been dating for 3 years. My family wants that as well and are willing to fill the co-sponsorship.

Again, both the K1 and CR1 visas are for living together in the USA as husband and wife. If you are emotionally ready for marriage, then I suggest that when you are also ready in a practical sense, you select the immigration process that best fits your circumstances. Neither visa is for "the person I've been dating for 3 years".

The only difference in "assurance" related to the two visa categories is the acceptance of a joint sponsor. That doesn't say anything about the rest of the process or even whether the "accepted" joint sponsor's affidavit will be considered sufficient to overcome the public charge issue. A joint sponsor with an income between 18 and 23k is still a low income sponsor. Meeting the minimum is no assurance of satisfying the public charge concern.

Edited December 12, 2011 by pushbrk

[Josh bkk 0]

Okay, then let me just say, I love my fiancee, I engaged to her on 11/11/11 on 11:11 at a local park in Nakhon Sri Thammarat, so you can understand it. I just didn't think it was necessary nor comfortable for you to know the information of my girlfr- I mean Fiancee lol. But on a serious note, I am aware of the outcomes of bringing a loved one to my home country and I am entirely serious of our relationship. I've been in a lot of previous relationships to know and was not the question I was originally asking for my named "k1 visa financial question"

I am aware of the questions that they would ask her about during the interview and we've prepped on that quite a bit. I just needed my financial question answered and an alternative opinion if I didn't meet the criteria.

[Josh bkk 0]

Also, if I were to say maybe 2-3 Co-Sponsors with salaries ranging 22k-30k, would that meet "satisfying the public charge concern"? Or would it not matter how many co-sponsorships we had if they we're in that low of a salary?

[pushbrk 12,898]

Also, if I were to say maybe 2-3 Co-Sponsors with salaries ranging 22k-30k, would that meet "satisfying the public charge concern"? Or would it not matter how many co-sponsorships we had if they we're in that low of a salary?

No, it would not. First, forget "cosponsors" for a K1 visa through Bangkok. Chances are, you would simply be wasting your time or money. For a CR1 visa, the only way you can have more than one joint sponsor is if you are combining income of family members living in the same household. You'll answer a lot of your own questions by reading the instructions for the I-864.

Edited December 12, 2011 by pushbrk

[Josh bkk 0]

No, it would not. First, forget "cosponsors" for a K1 visa through Bangkok. Chances are, you would simply be wasting your time or money. For a CR1 visa, the only way you can have more than one joint sponsor is if you are combining income of family members living in the same household. You'll answer a lot of your own questions by reading the instructions for the I-864.

Ok, so they have to be of the same household, thanks for the info. I was reading the I-864, it's just a little blurry for me this late at night to understand this 11 page monster.

So now I have to look into this. Would it be better for me to go back to the states, to the intended resident and pick up a job there along with my 1 sponsor/ or possibly him/her picking up 2 jobs and increasing the total salary of the household to +40k? I'd just hate to have to leave her for her visa interview.

Edited December 12, 2011 by Josh bkk