Tips for Jakarta Embassy K1?

[AlinaB 43]

Hi everyone,

I probably won't get a reply here as Indonesia seems rather dead at the moment on the forum. But maybe anyone with past experience will see this.

I am a phd student so don't make enough money for the I-134 ($7,000). But, I have a rental home that brings in $13,200 every year. So that puts me a little bit over.

I also have a decent amount of money in my bank account as well as a home that is valued at much more than the mortgage. I have heard though that sometimes they won't accept assets. And I am worried that they will view my rental home income as income only necessary to pay it's own mortgage. Any experience with any of this stuff?

Also, is it possible to email the embassy and ask them questions? If so, how specific can I get without causing problems?

Thanks in advance

[Expat1 971]

Hi everyone,

I probably won't get a reply here as Indonesia seems rather dead at the moment on the forum. But maybe anyone with past experience will see this.

I am a phd student so don't make enough money for the I-134 ($7,000). But, I have a rental home that brings in $13,200 every year. So that puts me a little bit over.

I also have a decent amount of money in my bank account as well as a home that is valued at much more than the mortgage. I have heard though that sometimes they won't accept assets. And I am worried that they will view my rental home income as income only necessary to pay it's own mortgage. Any experience with any of this stuff?

Also, is it possible to email the embassy and ask them questions? If so, how specific can I get without causing problems?

Thanks in advance

On the issue of income Jakarta wanted bank statements, paystubs, and employer letter along with matching tax returns. In your case i suggest bamk statements, paystubs, rental contract, employment letter, and tax returns. The tax returns hopefully show rental income. Your bank statement deposits should match up with your income sources or you might want to include a short note of explanation.

I am not experienced with assets for K1 but I did use no income, 100% assets for IR1. If your rental property is not your primary residence submit an appraisal, mortgage balance statement, and definitely declare your cash as an asset. Again, it's counted for immigrant visa, i do not know if you can use it for non-immigrant, which a K1 or K3 technically is.

I emailed Jakarta back and forth about our case. I found them to be very responsive and helpful and the best approach is to fully explain your situation and ask them what is the best thing to do. Based on what you are saying, you would qualify for a CR1 if you got married and followed that route anyway.

Good luck

PS Indonesia is the best group. We're never dead LOL

Edited December 26, 2015 by Expat1

[AlinaB 43]

Thank you so much for this information!

I think one of my biggest concerns is how weird my situation is. For all of the 2014 tax year I had a TA position, for most of the 2015 tax year I was on a fellowship, and this coming tax year I only secured a TA position for the first semester. (You don't find out about fall semester fellowships and TA lines until April). I won't file my 2015 taxes until late January/early Feb, so my 2014 taxes will look really weird compared to this year's income (and next years projected income). Although the rental income is noted on my taxes and has been for the last 5 years. I was thinking of creating an excel spreadsheet that details out my income and assets as they stand, but I also really like your idea of writing out an explanation. I will start drafting that today.

I have all the documents you suggested printed already, except I was only going to give my fiance only the last few months of bank statements. How many months do you suggest he bring? One more oddness to add to the pile, I opened a checking account specifically for my research grants and expenditures. It is almost at 0 now, because my research is over and all this money has been spent. But you do see large amounts of money going from my main bank account into this research account of the course of the last year. Do I need to give my fiance these statements as well? I was awarded very large grants to support my dissertation project here in Indonesia, although this money was never "income" and will not be reflected in any taxes.

I guess I should also email the consulate and ask them. =) It is good to know they are ok to help with all this stuff. I am hoping that my fiance has his interview before I leave the country in a few weeks. We are getting down to the wire, but they emailed me before Christmas for my fiance's info, so it may be possible.