Confused As To What To Do From Here

[AntiqueNut 0]

I just recently married a Filipino this past March 11th after being in and around the Philippines for several years. My intention was to file a K-1 visa at first but I have an issue with my stated income (get to that later). I was told by an attorney on visa's that I'm better off going back to the Phils and marrying this girl and then bringing her through the K-3 process (once again, due to the issue of my stated income). I was originally told that it's possible under the K-3 system for someone else to supply and Affidavit Of Support for my wife and in the process skipping the fact of my stated income.

Here is the issue with my stated income. I am an antique dealer by trade and have been for many years. With this process I have paid minimal and very little stated income and taxes into the system. From what I know (or can barely guess) that of course I fall under the poverty level of income. I am in the process at the moment of acquiring a job with a descent company and getting things in order here in the U.S. for me as I've spent almost 6 crazy years in the Phils and my life here in the U.S. has turned to a bit of a mess.

First off I have no time to go through all the process of this mess, but i do have a sponsor who makes alot of money and has no issues with signing for my wife (he has done so for 3 other Pinoy girls to come to U.S.). I guess my question here is what do I have to show in income (if any) and what mess am I facing with the crazy gang at the immigration offices here?

Also I'm already lost into which forms to file to get this started but I'm also looking for a good immigration lawyer or helper that can help me and my wife who lives in Mati/Davao City Philippines. Any thoughts, help or some kind of truth in the matter of what I need to have, what i need to supply and what i need to just plain out think might or might not happen here?

[keysjangle 145]

K-3 is a redundant Visa being phased out, go with CR-1.

You would have to show your income via paperwork, and your co-sponsor would have to as well.

Good place to start is here: http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/How_to_bring_your_foreign_spouse_to_live_in_the_US

Here is the table which shows the income you would need, based on state and household size: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864p.pdf

You really don't need to hire a lawyer to do this, especially since they're really good at messing things up - there are volumes of stories of lawyers giving wrong/bad/retarded advice, sending away incomplete forms, etc. Many users here would recommend you put the time into your application so you know what's going on, and it's in your control. And of course you save the money.

Unfortunately, this process takes a long time, and there is no easier way (including paying someone to deal with it.) Mine started in July, and only now am I seeing the finish line. Make sure your relationship can withstand it as well. This forum is chock full of intelligent people who have dealt with everything imaginable, every form, every department... utilize this place, and save yourself the hassle, trust me.

Good luck.

[AntiqueNut 0]

if they ask me for my tax papers for the last 3 years (if I am correct with that) what verification do i need to go along with that as I file my own tax papers and basically 'cma' probably way to far for them to accept what they are stated as.

[AntiqueNut 0]

let me rephrase this question to better fit my mentality of it all..................what if someone hasn't paid into the system in a long time, what might or might not happen? as there is no way to show any type of income other then a recent job that shows a pay stub?

is there anyone out there that has ever run into this type of issue?

can the sponser in entity show the income to support the immigrant wife in full?

[keysjangle 145]

I'll start this with a disclaimer that I'm not 100% on this info, but I'll provide the I-864 instructions for you to take a look at. Plenty of others can help you with this issue, but I can start you off.

I know that if you haven't filed in the last three years, you either do it, or you can provide a very convincing explanation. Provide as much proof of current income as possible on top of whatever option you go with. You can use any other assets you may have as well to beef up your Affidavit of Support.

And if you're asking if your co-sponsor can use their income for the entirety of the AOS, I don't think so, as the document is meant to bind the petitioner (and any co-sponsor) to the beneficiary, not just a co-sponsor and the beneficiary. Again, someone else can certainly clarify, negate or correct me. The whole point of the form is to show that you as a petitioner can financially support your applicant and that they will not become dependent on the state. Think about it that way, and come up with whatever you can, find a creative way to assemble it and go from there - see what you need, don't have, don't need or cannot use.

Here are the I-864 instructions: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864instr.pdf

You could also post in the CR-1 forum - much more activity there.

Edited March 20, 2012 by Gervl

[AntiqueNut 0]

many thanks for the help, what you've said has lead me into at least looking in the right direction. I have someone here in Pennsylvania that can help me with a few problems but right now I'm just looking and hoping to start filing in the next two months and just preparing myself on a nerve racking roller coaster ride......."T"

[pushbrk 12,898]

I just recently married a Filipino this past March 11th after being in and around the Philippines for several years. My intention was to file a K-1 visa at first but I have an issue with my stated income (get to that later). I was told by an attorney on visa's that I'm better off going back to the Phils and marrying this girl and then bringing her through the K-3 process (once again, due to the issue of my stated income). I was originally told that it's possible under the K-3 system for someone else to supply and Affidavit Of Support for my wife and in the process skipping the fact of my stated income.

Here is the issue with my stated income. I am an antique dealer by trade and have been for many years. With this process I have paid minimal and very little stated income and taxes into the system. From what I know (or can barely guess) that of course I fall under the poverty level of income. I am in the process at the moment of acquiring a job with a descent company and getting things in order here in the U.S. for me as I've spent almost 6 crazy years in the Phils and my life here in the U.S. has turned to a bit of a mess.

First off I have no time to go through all the process of this mess, but i do have a sponsor who makes alot of money and has no issues with signing for my wife (he has done so for 3 other Pinoy girls to come to U.S.). I guess my question here is what do I have to show in income (if any) and what mess am I facing with the crazy gang at the immigration offices here?

Also I'm already lost into which forms to file to get this started but I'm also looking for a good immigration lawyer or helper that can help me and my wife who lives in Mati/Davao City Philippines. Any thoughts, help or some kind of truth in the matter of what I need to have, what i need to supply and what i need to just plain out think might or might not happen here?

First, K3 is extinct. Start by studying the CR1 guide. Local immigration offices can't help you.