Considering Grad School during K-1 visa process

[jon and linda 0]

My name is Jonathan, and I am a US citizen engaged to a wonderful woman from Colombia. I recently submitted form I-129F and received the receipt of this (NOA1 I believe it's called) at the beginning of October. I was in a graduate program in 2010 and 2011 and did not make enough those years to be a sponsor, but this year I made above the minimum income requirement. I also have a friend who has had sufficient income during the previous three years who is willing to sponsor my fiancée during the Adjustment of Status process. Based on the typical K-1 visa timelines I have seen, this would likely be around May-August 2013.

The problem is that I may be moving from my current state to Puerto Rico to pursue further graduate studies in August 2013. The program is a dream of mine and for various reasons I would not be able to do it at a later date, but I am also nervous about it because I want to make sure that it does not hurt my chances to be with my fiancée. I am concerned on two fronts: Firstly, I want to make sure it doesn’t prevent my fiancée from obtaining the K-1 visa (though we aren’t planning on mentioning grad school during the fiancée visa process, since it is not yet a sure thing) or, especially, successfully going through the Adjustment of Status. Although I will possibly not make enough money during the program, is there any chance this would become an issue? I also don’t want things to look fraudulent if my fiancée doesn’t mention Puerto Rico in the interview stage and then after getting the K-1 visa we up and move before/during the Adjustment of Status. These are my immediate concerns.

Secondly, I am also concerned about how this would affect her status longer-term, as I know we will have to go through a second Adjustment of Status at the end of two years in order for my fiancée to obtain permanent residence. Would my limited income for two years prevent her from obtaining this? Or would this not be a problem due to my friend’s providing an Affidavit of Support during the first Adjustment of Status?

Thank you so much for taking the time to read all of this and for any insight you can provide into these matters.

[Mufmer 24]

My name is Jonathan, and I am a US citizen engaged to a wonderful woman from Colombia. I recently submitted form I-129F and received the receipt of this (NOA1 I believe it's called) at the beginning of October. I was in a graduate program in 2010 and 2011 and did not make enough those years to be a sponsor, but this year I made above the minimum income requirement. I also have a friend who has had sufficient income during the previous three years who is willing to sponsor my fiancée during the Adjustment of Status process. Based on the typical K-1 visa timelines I have seen, this would likely be around May-August 2013.

The problem is that I may be moving from my current state to Puerto Rico to pursue further graduate studies in August 2013. The program is a dream of mine and for various reasons I would not be able to do it at a later date, but I am also nervous about it because I want to make sure that it does not hurt my chances to be with my fiancée. I am concerned on two fronts: Firstly, I want to make sure it doesn’t prevent my fiancée from obtaining the K-1 visa (though we aren’t planning on mentioning grad school during the fiancée visa process, since it is not yet a sure thing) or, especially, successfully going through the Adjustment of Status. Although I will possibly not make enough money during the program, is there any chance this would become an issue? I also don’t want things to look fraudulent if my fiancée doesn’t mention Puerto Rico in the interview stage and then after getting the K-1 visa we up and move before/during the Adjustment of Status. These are my immediate concerns.

Secondly, I am also concerned about how this would affect her status longer-term, as I know we will have to go through a second Adjustment of Status at the end of two years in order for my fiancée to obtain permanent residence. Would my limited income for two years prevent her from obtaining this? Or would this not be a problem due to my friend’s providing an Affidavit of Support during the first Adjustment of Status?

Thank you so much for taking the time to read all of this and for any insight you can provide into these matters.

Dear its no where i guess that, ur any of friend can co-sponser for any visa, only first blood relative can give u co-sponser i mean immediate family memebers, even in some country now immediate family members does not count like i guess "Philipines" so find out the some rules n regulations on ur fiancee country portal.

[jon and linda 0]

Hi everyone. I am new to the site and first posted this last night with a slightly different title. I wanted to simply change the title but could not find an edit button, so I've decided to repost this with the title. If anyone knows a way to delete the original posting, I will certainly do so.

My name is Jonathan, and I am a US citizen engaged to a wonderful woman from Colombia. I recently submitted form I-129F and received the receipt of this (NOA1 I believe it's called) at the beginning of October. I was in a graduate program in 2010 and 2011 and did not make enough those years to be a sponsor, but this year I made above the minimum income requirement. I also have a friend who has had sufficient income during the previous three years who is willing to sponsor my fiancée during the Adjustment of Status process. Based on the typical K-1 visa timelines I have seen, this would likely be around May-August 2013.

The problem is that I may be moving from my current state to Puerto Rico to pursue further graduate studies in August 2013. The program is a dream of mine and for various reasons I would not be able to do it at a later date, but I am also nervous about it because I want to make sure that it does not hurt my chances to be with my fiancée. I am concerned on two fronts: Firstly, I want to make sure it doesn’t prevent my fiancée from obtaining the K-1 visa (though we aren’t planning on mentioning grad school during the fiancée visa process, since it is not yet a sure thing) or, especially, successfully going through the Adjustment of Status. Although I will possibly not make enough money during the program, is there any chance this would become an issue? I also don’t want things to look fraudulent if my fiancée doesn’t mention Puerto Rico in the interview stage and then after getting the K-1 visa we up and move before/during the Adjustment of Status. These are my immediate concerns.

Secondly, I am also concerned about how this would affect her status longer-term, as I know we will have to go through a second Adjustment of Status at the end of two years in order for my fiancée to obtain permanent residence. Would my limited income for two years prevent her from obtaining this? Or would this not be a problem due to my friend’s providing an Affidavit of Support during the first Adjustment of Status?

Thank you so much for taking the time to read all of this and for any insight you can provide into these matters.

[canadian_wife 1,829]

I'm sorry, maybe I am confused, why is it an issue for you to attend graduate school or move to PR? You are a US citizen, why shouldn't your fiance mention it?

The issue will be financials, if you cannot prove you make above the requirements then you'll need a cosponsor.

Secondly, the second adjustment of status is not an adjustement of status. It is a removal of conditions and read up on that process

Could you provide me with more details about how you believe you the USC moving to PR to attend graduate school (aside from $$$) will be an issue?

good luck

[aws&ndd 103]

First of all, no matter what you decide to do you will be OK as long as you can provide proof of continued financial support. This can come from you, or from a co sponsor. She doesn't need to mention that you might be in Puerto Rico, unless the consulate officer specifically asks her. They will look at your financial information (the I-134, and supporting documentation) and more than likely will not question anything more than that. They will also more than likely base their decision off of your CURRENT income. So as far as being approved for the visa, this will not be an issue.

[aws&ndd 103]

Dear its no where i guess that, ur any of friend can co-sponser for any visa, only first blood relative can give u co-sponser i mean immediate family memebers, even in some country now immediate family members does not count like i guess "Philipines" so find out the some rules n regulations on ur fiancee country portal.

Any US citizen or Permanent resident can be a co sponsor.

[Ban Hammer 13,590]

duplicate topics merged

[jon and linda 0]

I'm sorry, maybe I am confused, why is it an issue for you to attend graduate school or move to PR? You are a US citizen, why shouldn't your fiance mention it?

The issue will be financials, if you cannot prove you make above the requirements then you'll need a cosponsor.

Secondly, the second adjustment of status is not an adjustement of status. It is a removal of conditions and read up on that process

Could you provide me with more details about how you believe you the USC moving to PR to attend graduate school (aside from $$$) will be an issue?

good luck

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my post! That is very kind of you!

To clarify a bit, my only real concern with moving to Puerto Rico is the way my financial situation might impact the immigration process for my fiancée. As far as mentioning this during the interview, I thought it might be best not to bring this up (unless asked, of course) since we are planning on showing my finances in order to get the K-1 visa and then a co-sponsor for the initial adjustment of status. Additionally, while Puerto Rico is a pretty sure thing, I will need to wait until receiving financial aid before being able to commit to the move. In any case, it sounds like as long as I have a co-sponsor then things should be okay on this end.

One quick follow-up. You mention that the second adjustment of status is actually a removal of conditions. In your opinion, would likely making below the minimum requirement for two years during a grad program affect my fiancée's ability to receive permanent residence?

Thanks again!

[jon and linda 0]

First of all, no matter what you decide to do you will be OK as long as you can provide proof of continued financial support. This can come from you, or from a co sponsor. She doesn't need to mention that you might be in Puerto Rico, unless the consulate officer specifically asks her. They will look at your financial information (the I-134, and supporting documentation) and more than likely will not question anything more than that. They will also more than likely base their decision off of your CURRENT income. So as far as being approved for the visa, this will not be an issue.

Thank you very much for taking the time to reply. This information is very helpful.

I was planning on just using my income from 2012 and the first half of 2013 for the interview and then showing the Affidavit of Support from my friend for the adjustment of status. In my case, do you think that should be okay? Due to the timing, I am almost more concerned about the adjustment of status than I am about the interview, but it sounds like as long as I have a co-sponsor then everything should be okay, even if I were to be making below the required amount in Puerto Rico.

Also, on an unrelated not, I noticed on your timeline that your third visit was on the day before your fiancée had her interview. Did you accompany her to the interview or did you just come for moral support and/or to have a little extra evidence?

Thanks again for all your help!

[aws&ndd 103]

You can submit an affidavit of support from your friend for the AOS stage but I believe you will have to submit one yourself as the primary sponsor.

Yes, I attended my fiancee's interview. I brought a ton of extra evidence and they never asked for any of it.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Thank you very much for taking the time to reply. This information is very helpful.

I was planning on just using my income from 2012 and the first half of 2013 for the interview and then showing the Affidavit of Support from my friend for the adjustment of status. In my case, do you think that should be okay? Due to the timing, I am almost more concerned about the adjustment of status than I am about the interview, but it sounds like as long as I have a co-sponsor then everything should be okay, even if I were to be making below the required amount in Puerto Rico.

Also, on an unrelated not, I noticed on your timeline that your third visit was on the day before your fiancée had her interview. Did you accompany her to the interview or did you just come for moral support and/or to have a little extra evidence?

Thanks again for all your help!

There are two times you need to provide an affidavit of support. The first is for the K-1 fiance visa and the second is for the adjustment of status. Removal of Conditions does not ask for an affidavit of support.

If you are not currently employed, you cannot be the sole sponsor. Whatever time line you have, that's all you need. Your fiance will be ineligible for any government assistance, so I hope your program pays you a stipend that can support both you and her. Good luck.