K1 Sponsors and Obamacare

[Treasures 0]

Hello,

My fiance from Australia and I are about to embark on the K1 visa journey soon, of sending in the initial paperwork. The reason we have yet to do this, is because I still don't have a decent paying job, and I don't have a co-sponsor for my fiance (and I don't know anyone that could help us). That being said, I live in California, and work at Disney, making under $10.00 an hour, part-time. I am looking constantly for a new job full-time (I have been a while) and can barely make rent each month.

Now I find out I need to sign up for Obamacare! That is great and all that healthcare options are out there, but with the already difficult and confusing sponsor situation, how will getting myself Obamacare now, (since I will meet low-income criteria and it will likely be subsidized somehow) affect the potential sponsorship process? I am too poor to hire an immigration attorney at this point. If I qualify for government paid healthcare, won't this cause me lots of troubles with our future sponsorship application? (Assuming I get a job that will set me above the minimum poverty 125%, soon).

Thanks for any help.

[aleful 1,905]

hi,

it has nothing to do, sponsoring your fiancé has to do with annual income, with how much taxes you declare to Uncle Sam

[Avery Cates 1,141]

ObamaCare is a bit of a scam. It's not government sponsored healthcare. It's the government forcing you to purchase private health care, or else face a tax penalty. The government will however subsidize the cost for certain people.

When it comes to the Affidavit of Support and the K-1, far as I remember health insurance costs don't factor into it. They look at gross income. So, I think if you're getting some subsidies, you'll be fine. Don't worry about spending money on a lawyer over this, there's no need. The process is straight forward and you have all the information you need on here.

Now, what you really need to consider is, if you're making peanuts part time, is it right to start the process? It seems like you do know the answer to that, which is good. Another person to support is far more expensive than most realize, I think.

[Treasures 0]

ObamaCare is a bit of a scam. It's not government sponsored healthcare. It's the government forcing you to purchase private health care, or else face a tax penalty. The government will however subsidize the cost for certain people.

When it comes to the Affidavit of Support and the K-1, far as I remember health insurance costs don't factor into it. They look at gross income. So, I think if you're getting some subsidies, you'll be fine. Don't worry about spending money on a lawyer over this, there's no need. The process is straight forward and you have all the information you need on here.

Now, what you really need to consider is, if you're making peanuts part time, is it right to start the process? It seems like you do know the answer to that, which is good. Another person to support is far more expensive than most realize, I think.

Yes, I realize that it isn't socialized medicine, as most of the Commonwealth and other first world countries have. But since I don't make a lot of money, I will likely be forced to use California's Medicaid (it keeps directing me to go that direction on the website I am on to sign up for health care) which as far as I know, is a public charge. This is my main concern, since that might block us during the sponsorship process (assuming I get a better job soon).

I am afraid to start the K1 process until I secure a better job, and all of this seems so daunting and awful when you don't have a decent job on the horizon yet. To be honest, it is actually causing me pretty intense depression, and the inability to sleep well, as I worry about starting this process.

[Avery Cates 1,141]

Yes, I realize that it isn't socialized medicine, as most of the Commonwealth and other first world countries have. But since I don't make a lot of money, I will likely be forced to use California's Medicaid (it keeps directing me to go that direction on the website I am on to sign up for health care) which as far as I know, is a public charge. This is my main concern, since that might block us during the sponsorship process (assuming I get a better job soon).

I am afraid to start the K1 process until I secure a better job, and all of this seems so daunting and awful when you don't have a decent job on the horizon yet. To be honest, it is actually causing me pretty intense depression, and the inability to sleep well, as I worry about starting this process.

The beneficiary cannot become a public charge, or else you can be sued by the government for what they've paid to the beneficiary, but you as the USC can make use of the services provided by the government. It shouldn't have much bearing on your case. They look at your gross income and, depending on the embassy, past tax filings.

When I first got together with my fiancee I was unemployed. Then for about 2 1/2 years I was underemployed. It's in the last couple years that I've finally had a good enough job that we felt comfortable with going ahead with the process. Looking over my bank account, we spent $4,300 just in the first month she was here, so waiting was the right choice. Don't get depressed, put your energy into improving your situation and networking, and work on your relationship. The good news is you can visit and be together in the meanwhile, and there should be no problems making that time count.

[aleful 1,905]

hi,,

not becoming a public charge is for the beneficiary, not for the USC, You are entitled to government aid being a USC

but you have to make enough income over the 125% poverty guideline to petition for someone. if you don't then you need assets or a joint sponsor

[Treasures 0]

The beneficiary cannot become a public charge, or else you can be sued by the government for what they've paid to the beneficiary, but you as the USC can make use of the services provided by the government. It shouldn't have much bearing on your case. They look at your gross income and, depending on the embassy, past tax filings.

When I first got together with my fiancee I was unemployed. Then for about 2 1/2 years I was underemployed. It's in the last couple years that I've finally had a good enough job that we felt comfortable with going ahead with the process. Looking over my bank account, we spent $4,300 just in the first month she was here, so waiting was the right choice. Don't get depressed, put your energy into improving your situation and networking, and work on your relationship. The good news is you can visit and be together in the meanwhile, and there should be no problems making that time count.

Ok, that is a bit confusing. So they don't really take into account if the USC is currently using government services, when filing for sponsorship?

I see that people in my situation that have gotten better jobs, (looks like some) file right away as soon as they get a better job, or some tend to wait a while. This seems pretty all over the board from post to post on VJ, with peoples different experiences. We would really like to file as soon as possible (as soon as I get a better job) so he can potentially be out here by next Christmas, 2014. So, if I get a better paying job relatively soon, how soon can I actually file to start the K1 process? I don't have the option of a co-sponsor, as i don't know anyone who would be willing to do that, and my mother is on a low, fixed income. My fiance has some savings in Australia, and will have more savings by the next years end, but I know that doesn't matter in this particular process.

hi,,

not becoming a public charge is for the beneficiary, not for the USC, You are entitled to government aid being a USC

but you have to make enough income over the 125% poverty guideline to petition for someone. if you don't then you need assets or a joint sponsor

As a USC I can use any government aid, as long as i make the 125%?

[EndlessStory 53]

I doubt you could use stuff like food stamp which is also part of gov aid

[Treasures 0]

I doubt you could use stuff like food stamp which is also part of gov aid

True indeed, I am mainly concerned with the healthcare laws and low wages part of things.