Co-sponsors for K1 Visa

[trecs 0]

Hi All,

I think me and my Fiance may have hit a bump in the road. We've received our NOA1, NOA2, NVC letter and the UK embassy has now contacted my Fiance and she needs to go for her medical.

We have been told that the Petitioner must earn $15,730.00, which on his own he doesn't earn, and therefore we will need a co-sponsor.

The Petitioner lives on his own, he's father has died, and his mother wouldn't be an appropriate co-sponsor either. There isn't anyone else who would be able to do this.

And so, does this mean we'll be denied? What should we do?

[Lainie B 465]

Do either of you have assets?

[trecs 0]

We both have a small amount of savings, and each own a vehicle (in the UK and the US)

But both US and UK properties are rented.

Other than that, that's it. We rely on our job's. both of us together would be well over the poverty line, but I don't think we can use the Beneficiaries funds.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

Actually, you need 125% of the poverty line, so about $20'000.

Cast your net wider looking for a co-sponsor? Ask friends, wider family, co-workers, church family..... The co-sponsor need not be related to you or even live in the same state.

[trecs 0]

That's just it though, we don't have those sorts of people in our lives that could be suitable co-sponsors.

The Beneficiary's folks would be perfect sponsors, but obviously they do not live in the US and so they could not be used.

Would both of our savings be taken in to account at all or will it just be the Petitioners?

[baron555 934]

That's just it though, we don't have those sorts of people in our lives that could be suitable co-sponsors.

The Beneficiary's folks would be perfect sponsors, but obviously they do not live in the US and so they could not be used.

Would both of our savings be taken in to account at all or will it just be the Petitioners?

How would two people live off of the small income the petitioner has?

Reach out to strangers or delay the process until more income can be had.

[trecs 0]

a. because the beneficiary would get a job once arriving so we wouldn't be relying on the petitioners income.

b. they would have enough to keep going for a few months

c. if they beneficiary did need additional support her family would assist. but you can't use them as an official sponsor living in the UK.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

a. because the beneficiary would get a job once arriving so we wouldn't be relying on the petitioners income.

b. they would have enough to keep going for a few months

c. if they beneficiary did need additional support her family would assist. but you can't use them as an official sponsor living in the UK.

A K1 visa holder will not be eligible to work for many months. She is allowed 90 days in the US in which to marry. That's all she is given on her entry documentation. 90 days entry. She has to apply for a greencard and work authorization and wait for approval. That requires an even stricter affidavit of support than the one for London.

You need to budget for the costs associated with her immigration. Your savings may dwindle.

K1 London route = $1705 + £290

$340 (USCIS) I-129F petition

£45 (ACPO) Police certificate just before petition approval

£245 (Knightsbridge Doctors) medical exam. Pay at exam.

$265 (Embassy) Visa fee prior to interview. Online pay.

$30 Courier fee if home delivery, $0 to pick up at a depot. Online.

$1070 (USCIS) Adjustment of Status/Work Authorization/Advance Parole

Transportation to London twice

Airfare to the US

Shipping her belongings unless everything fits in one suitcase and a carry on bag.

There is actually a formula for the support. If you say what the actual petitioner income is, then how much savings you will need can be calculated for you.

Edited January 13, 2015 by Nich-Nick

[trecs 0]

A K1 visa holder will not be eligible to work for many months. She is allowed 90 days in the US in which to marry. That's all she is given on her entry documentation. 90 days entry. She has to apply for a greencard and work authorization and wait for approval. That requires an even stricter affidavit of support than the one for London.

You need to budget for the costs associated with her immigration. Your savings may dwindle.

K1 London route = $1705 + £290

$340 (USCIS) I-129F petition

£45 (ACPO) Police certificate just before petition approval

£245 (Knightsbridge Doctors) medical exam. Pay at exam.

$265 (Embassy) Visa fee prior to interview. Online pay.

$30 Courier fee if home delivery, $0 to pick up at a depot. Online.

$1070 (USCIS) Adjustment of Status/Work Authorization/Advance Parole

Transportation to London twice

Airfare to the US

Shipping her belongings unless everything fits in one suitcase and a carry on bag.

There is actually a formula for the support. If you say what the actual petitioner income is, then how much savings you will need can be calculated for you.

HI Nich-nick,

Your response was helpful, we weren't clear on the working situation.

In regards to the other expenses you have mentioned, we have taken them in to account and our separate from our savings, so we can pay them as and when needed.

plans B & C are still viable though, but that won't mean much when it comes to the interview, so unless we find a co-sponsor i guess we won't have much hope at all. which pretty much answers my question.

And the Petitioners earnings are just under the $14000 mark. so for 2 people at 100 percent, would be a grand a half more. but 125% we're looking at needing 6000.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

And the Petitioners earnings are just under the $14000 mark. so for 2 people at 100 percent, would be a grand a half more. but 125% we're looking at needing 6000.

London *might* allow 100%, as well as the beneficiary's assets. It is up to the officer.

So income of $14,000 and $15,730 poverty guideline.

The shortfall is $1,730.

3 x $1,730 = $5,190 is what you need in cash assets.

For the adjustment of status application (and permission to work and live in the US)

Income of $14,000 and $19,662 poverty guideline.

The shortfall is $5,662.

3 x $5,662 = $16,986 is what you need in assets.

As a married couple, your assets can be combined as jointly owned money.

For a joint sponsor who does not have enough income, the multiplier is 5 x the shortfall. A fiancé or spouse uses the multiplier of 3 for assets needed.

It would be kind of futile to squeak by London only to fail on getting her legal residence in the US.

Edited January 13, 2015 by Nich-Nick

[trecs 0]

London *might* allow 100%, as well as the beneficiary's assets. It is up to the officer.

So income of $14,000 and $15,730 poverty guideline.

The shortfall is $1,730.

3 x $1,730 = $5,190 is what you need in cash assets.

For the adjustment of status application (and permission to work and live in the US)

Income of $14,000 and $19,662 poverty guideline.

The shortfall is $5,662.

3 x $5,662 = $16,986 is what you need in assets.

As a married couple, your assets can be combined as jointly owned money.

For a joint sponsor who does not have enough income, the multiplier is 5 x the shortfall. A fiancé or spouse uses the multiplier of 3 for assets needed.

It would be kind of futile to squeak by London only to fail on getting her legal residence in the US.

If the visa is somehow approved by the embassy though on those grounds, am i correct in saying the beneficiary has 6 months in which to travel to the US?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

If the visa is somehow approved by the embassy though on those grounds, am i correct in saying the beneficiary has 6 months in which to travel to the US?

Six months from the medical date, not six months from visa issue date.

[Boiler 45,486]

London allows you to self sponsor at seemingly a much lower figure, enough for 90 days.

[trecs 0]

Oh? How so?

London allows you to self sponsor at seemingly a much lower figure, enough for 90 days.

[Boiler 45,486]

Because Consulates have discretion.