New to VJ- applying for K1 Visa for Fiance in Guayaquil

[redvelvetjake 0]

Hello everyone!

My name is Jake and I am 25 years old. I currently live in Denver, CO. My fiance, Andrea, is 21 and lives in Guayaquil, Ecuador. We met two years ago when I spent 8 months in Ecuador volunteering and teaching English. We fell in love and I asked her to marry me on August 15, 2012. I am currently pursuing a Master's degree at the University of Denver, so I had to return to finish my studies. We have maintained a healthy, although at times stressful, long distance relationship. Thank God for Skype and WhatsApp! I visited Andrea again for three months in 2013 during my summer break and brought my father along for a week to meet Andrea and her family.

In February of this year we began collecting the necessary documents and evidence for the K1 Visa. I worked with a local immigration paralegal to collect and prepare the documents and sent them in certified mail to the Dallas PO box on 4/21. I have been notified that the package has been received. I am now waiting on the receipt letter so I can track the application and we can prepare for the next steps.

I joined Visa Journey to access the wealth of experience and knowledge in the K1 visa application process. I have heard the Guayaquil Consulate can be tricky. Andrea and I have first hand experience with this, as during our first year together we applied for her tourist visa so she could visit the States and meet my family. We were denied. I believe it was because we are young, and Andrea lacks a bank account and significant funds. However, the K1 visa is a different story and we are ready to do whatever is necessary to get it done and get Andrea by my side in the States.

My main concern is my lack of income. Currently, as a graduate student, I am surviving on a $12/hr research job, student loans, and support from my parents. I will be graduating on June 6th of this year and HOPE to be gainfully employed. My father is willing to submit a co-sponsorship, although he is retired he had a very successful career as an engineer with Raytheon for 40 years.

Any help, tips, encouragements would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Jake

[Pitaya 2,577]

Welcome to the forum.

[redvelvetjake 0]

Welcome to the forum.

Thanks so much!

[fantonledzepp 159]

Welcome, if you haven't already read this thread, please do so. It will prepare you for your experience at the US Consulate in Guayaquil.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/110313-us-consulate-in-guayaquil-ecuador/page-24

[redvelvetjake 0]

Welcome, if you haven't already read this thread, please do so. It will prepare you for your experience at the US Consulate in Guayaquil.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/110313-us-consulate-in-guayaquil-ecuador/page-24

Thanks for the link! I know we have an uphill battle ahead but we are staying positive and proactive! Andrea's totally worth the stress and fight

[TBoneTX 45,313]

Welcome to VJ, and good thing that you posted. Guayaquil is not quite the hellhole that it has always been, but you need to read these threads in their entirety, in order to steel yourself:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/110313-us-consulate-in-guayaquil-ecuador/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/180306-guayaquil-consulate-administrative-process/

You absolutely must be on the premises when your fiancee is first interviewed.

Surprisingly, I've never heard that GYQ has made a big deal about finances. Still, you'd better get your dad or someone to cosponsor.

---

Edit: See my signature, if you have signatures enabled. Tomorrow is the 6-year anniversary of our first hosing by the ####### Guayaquil consulate. I'm still steamed beyond words.

Edited April 29, 2014 by TBoneTX

[redvelvetjake 0]

Welcome to VJ, and good thing that you posted. Guayaquil is not quite the hellhole that it has always been, but you need to read these threads in their entirety, in order to steel yourself:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/110313-us-consulate-in-guayaquil-ecuador/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/180306-guayaquil-consulate-administrative-process/

You absolutely must be on the premises when your fiancee is first interviewed.

Surprisingly, I've never heard that GYQ has made a big deal about finances. Still, you'd better get your dad or someone to cosponsor.

Thanks TBoneTX, good to see another Texan on the board!

In terms of a cosponsor, I currently have two options:

My father- upper middle income, but recently retired. He has assets: impressive investment portfolio, house, 2013 F150, 401K

My brother- 27 years old, solid well-paying job at Ft. Worth investment firm.

Which would you recommend as a cosponsor?

Also, I am hoping I will have a solid job by the time we have Andrea's interview. Would a contract with a salary from my job and 1-2 pay stubs suffice as proof of ability to support? As a poor college kid surviving on student loans and part-time jobs for the past 6 years I have been claimed as a dependent on my parents taxes and not had to file my own.

Thanks!

[Lenny&Sanna 114]

Welcome to the forum

[redvelvetjake 0]

Welcome to the forum

Thank you very much!

[pushbrk 12,898]

If your brother is "employed" rather than self employed, then either father or brother is fine. I think I would lean toward brother but $12 an hour full time is enough to qualify on your own. If you have a new career position by the time the affidavit of support is actually needed, you should also qualify on your own based on current income.

[redvelvetjake 0]

If your brother is "employed" rather than self employed, then either father or brother is fine. I think I would lean toward brother but $12 an hour full time is enough to qualify on your own. If you have a new career position by the time the affidavit of support is actually needed, you should also qualify on your own based on current income.

Thanks! My job is not full time and I earn under the poverty level as of now, but hopefully by the time we need our affidavit of support I will have a contract with a salary well above the poverty line.

I will talk with my brother and father and we'll figure out who is the best/most willing to provide co-sponsorship.

[bigdog 376]

Welcome to VJ.

[redvelvetjake 0]

Welcome to VJ.

Thanks!

[Novembro 1,763]

Welcome and good luck!

[redvelvetjake 0]

Welcome and good luck!

Thanks!