Confusion on proving we meet income guidelines (W2 only shows half year salary)

[R+R 0]

Hello, sorry if this is in the wrong section. Me and my fiancé were going to apply for a K-1 visa, but now we aren't sure which is better for us, fiance or marriage visa.

(sponsor speaking now): I make about 19,000 per year and I can sponsor him, but my W-2 only shows 12,000 because I've only worked there since July of last year and it doesn't have an entire year's worth of salary on it. This is my first 'job' job and this is my first and only W-2 form. I do live alone and pay my own bills and I can support us both.

We don't want to wait an entire year just to get another one to prove I will be making over 19,000USD this year. What do we do? Should we still apply for K-1? Is there some way for me to explain this situation of only having 12K on the tax forms? (actually, we can't wait, because he will be serving mandatory military service in his country if we don't get approved for visa before next year).

[dmck 80]

I think you should plan on finding a co-sponsor. The financial obligation is necessary to show by the time he reaches the interview at the embassy, not when you file (unless you want to front load it). At $19,000/year, that is just under the minimum required income for 2 (assuming you have no other dependents). The other option is to pick up a part-time job to supplement your income and get you to something like $22k/year. Your filed taxes last year, plus current pay stubs is how you will prove you are meeting the minimum financial obligations.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Employer letter stating annual income, copies of your pay stubs ...

[R+R 0]

Sponsor: Thanks. Actually since the federal minimum wage raise (10.00/hr) I make $19,650 and the %125 income guidelines are $19,910. I work overtime at least twice a month which gave me 2,000 extra income in the past 7 months which puts me above the 125.

Would we be able to use my overtime to let me qualify as the only sponsor? Or do they not care about overtime?

If I got a fulltime second job, how long would I have to wait to use that job as proof of stable income?

I have no family or friends that can qualify as a sponsor because they all make less than I do, but thanks for the suggestion. I need to do this alone.

[Hardin 0]

Very few people will TOUCH being co sponsor, cause they could be on the hook for about 10k per year, for 10 years. . More if there's medical problems. Depending upon where the embassy is, they may not even bother you about the income, or so I"ve heard. Dunno why they would care, since we just LET a million illegals into the US every year.

[aleful 1,905]

hi

the affidavit of support is only submitted at the interview stage, if you haven't even applied, your fiancé might have the interview next year, so you will have the income from this year

[baron555 934]

Hello, sorry if this is in the wrong section. Me and my fiancé were going to apply for a K-1 visa, but now we aren't sure which is better for us, fiance or marriage visa.

(sponsor speaking now): I make about 19,000 per year and I can sponsor him, but my W-2 only shows 12,000 because I've only worked there since July of last year and it doesn't have an entire year's worth of salary on it. This is my first 'job' job and this is my first and only W-2 form. I do live alone and pay my own bills and I can support us both.

Current income is key. Former students of those first working have the same issue and it is not a problem.

We don't want to wait an entire year just to get another one to prove I will be making over 19,000USD this year. What do we do?

No need to wait, file now.

Should we still apply for K-1? Is there some way for me to explain this situation of only having 12K on the tax forms? (actually, we can't wait, because he will be serving mandatory military service in his country if we don't get approved for visa before next year).

You can add an explanation letter, but again, there is no "must have been working for this amount of time" requirement.

[Hardin 0]

when the beneficiary is called into the embassy for interview, all will be asked/explained at that point. The issue may well not come up until you are married and applying for their green card to be permanent resident.

[AMZJ 61]

My fiance is $3000 short on his, we are a 4 person family. He does earn enough but he got a promotion half way though the year. A letter from work stating his wage, position, perminant/tempoary, fulltime/part time etc, is fine.

[R+R 0]

Thanks! We appreciate the advice! I'm going to apply anyway and try to find a second job.