Just became unemployed about to start K-1 process...Please help!

[FrankieP 1]

First off, I truly appreciate the wealth of info that this site has provided so far. I really need some advice here!

I recently got engaged to my Ukrainian girlfriend of 1 year. We met each other 2+ years ago while she was in the U.S. on a J-1 visa. I have since gone to visit her 6 times in the past year. We were about to start the K-1 process when I just became unemployed last month. I made $100k/per year the last 3yrs and have 100K+ in savings. I am now starting the employment search process, but not sure how long it will take before I find another job. I am confidant I can find a financial sponsor thru my parents or brother.

My questions:

1. With my employment situation, can I still go ahead and start the process for the K-1?
2. With my employment situation, is it better if I return to Ukraine and get married and apply for the K3 when I return?

3. Should I use an attorney?

All responses are HIGHLY appreciated as I am worried about the application getting approved. THANK YOU guys!!!!

[lost_at_sea 995]

1. Yes, you can start the process.

2. No, not necessarily. You'll still have to prove the financial aspects with the CR-1/K3 path.

3. No.

Sounds like you need a joint sponsor, just incase you don't find a job in time for your fiancé's interview (you don't need to prove financials until after petition approval, which will be a few months away). A joint-sponsor can be anyone who is a USC or LPR, living in the USA and over 18. They will need to agree to complete the I-134 and make the required amount for themselves, plus their household, plus the sponsored immigrant.

Also, your savings may be sufficient to go it alone, depending on the embassy. Try searching for "sponsorship with assets or savings".

If your parents or siblings are already up for helping, then you're probably good to go and just get started.

[Loving_girl 38]

Completely agree with the previous comment, and short comment from my part regarding wedding in Ukraine: any way you will need to do some paperwork to be able to marry over there, depending from the city/town/village/region she is you will need to wait to get married thru local authority (i am from Kiev, so here if you do not have special sircumstances etc.) you need to provide wedding application and wait for about a month while they put you in the list to get married, in other towns, cities smaller.......i guess it's a bit easier and faster to legally marry her. So i recommend first to see how much time will paperwork take (for getting married in Ukraine) and see how much time will spouse visa take after marriage. (My situation: my fiance and I were also considering of getting married in Kiev, but after reading about time frames for K-1 and K-3 visas, it seemed that K-3 will take a bit longer time, so we decided to apply for K-1.).

[SparklePony 238]

Lost_at_sea said everything that was important. I would say as well that you can go ahead and start the process.

[FrankieP 1]

Thanks for the replies guys! I appreciate....about to start this journey! Wish me luck!