London K1 (I-134 & I-864): Taking out a loan to meet requirements?

[Rob&Jen 14]

I know this is a bit precarious before I even get into it but hear me out.

I'm at the stage where I need to book my interview in London but my co-sponsor has pulled his support for personal reasons. My fiance has nobody else to turn to and her income is only a litte over $7500 per annum.

I am looking at the possibility of taking out a loan from my bank for anything between £30,000 to £40,000 to meet the difference of income based on the 125% poverty level. A loan of £30,000 should (hopefully) convert into roughly $45,000 which is $6,000 more than the difference (3x $13,000). By this logic I'll be self-sponsoring myself with statements from my bank showing the money is available.

My plan, barring any mishaps, is to secure a loan with a 3-month grace before payments are due: long enough to pass both the I-134 and I-864. I will then pay the loan back in full (or as close to) and deal with the interest as a monthly bill. I can afford to support myself on existing savings and she can support me until I get a job, just not on paper.

My question then is whether or not I need to declare the source of the money? Does it matter that it comes from a loan? People take out loans to pay for weddings and other needs all the time. That's what loans are for. But will the embassy and the US government see it that way?

My fiance and I have been struggling to push our application through for the last 5 years now so this is literally our last hope, unless we can find another co-sponsor which is very unlikely at this stage.

Your thoughts and opinions are appreciated.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

I do not know what documentation London will want to see for you to self-sponsor for the K-1 visa.

I can tell you that it won't work later for AOS and the I-864. She will need to find a joint sponsor.

[A'n'L 735]

But, people don't live off loans. How will you support your life in the US long-term? That's what they want to see during AOS.

[Rob&Jen 14]

But, people don't live off loans. How will you support your life in the US long-term? That's what they want to see during AOS.

I have enough savings to support myself until I can get a job. I just don't have enough according to the poverty guidelines.

There's a difference between what people are assumed to live on and what you actually need.

The loan money would simply be there to show that I do have spendable money *if* the need arises.

[A'n'L 735]

I have enough savings to support myself until I can get a job. I just don't have enough according to the poverty guidelines.

There's a difference between what people are assumed to live on and what you actually need.

The loan money would simply be there to show that I do have spendable money *if* the need arises.

Sure, but the rules are there for a reason. You need to convince them without a doubt that you won't become a public charge. What happens in the long-term if you for some reason don't find a job or worse, get ill/injured and unable to work? That's why they need to see that your fiancé or a US co-sponsor are able to cover for you.

[Rob&Jen 14]

Sure, but the rules are there for a reason. You need to convince them without a doubt that you won't become a public charge. What happens in the long-term if you for some reason don't find a job or worse, get ill/injured and unable to work? That's why they need to see that your fiancé or a US co-sponsor are able to cover for you.

I'm well aware of that, but I am caught between a rock and a hard place. I need to look at other options otherwise she and I may never get this to work.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

They will want to see the money has been in your account for a long time . At least 6 months if not a year. With a recent lump sum deposit they are apt to deny you ( else everyone would use loans to get approved and in immigrating they could walk from the loan )

[A'n'L 735]

I'm well aware of that, but I am caught between a rock and a hard place. I need to look at other options otherwise she and I may never get this to work.

Well, I'm not gonna be the one to say your plan will work. I can of course not stop you from trying.

Your fiancé should in either case get to work on finding a better paying job or a new co-sponsor for AOS. It will certainly be needed at that time.

[Rob&Jen 14]

Well, I'm not gonna be the one to say your plan will work. I can of course not stop you from trying.

Your fiancé should in either case get to work on finding a better paying job or a new co-sponsor for AOS. It will certainly be needed at that time.

I hear you. I'm mostly airing my ideas to get a feel for the pros and cons so I can decide if the risk is worth it. Seems not.

Although something occurs to me: my former sponsor's main concern was the 10-year obligation but would that become null and void if I provide my own financial evidence when it comes time for the ROC?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Although something occurs to me: my former sponsor's main concern was the 10-year obligation but would that become null and void if I provide my own financial evidence when it comes time for the ROC?

ROC does not have an affidavit of support. A sponsor is on the hook until one of the conditions listed on the form occurs---you work 10 years, die, leave, or become a US citizen.

[templeton 120]

Can't say for certain, but I assume when self-sponsoring USCIS will want to see that any savings you claim to have are "seasoned", meaning you'll need to provide account history showing where they came from and that you've had them for a while.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

London is the most liberal US embassy when it comes to affadavit of support. If you have a current job in the UK, that may even be enough to qualify, without a loan, despite the job ending when you immigrate. So yes I think your plan could work there. However, AOS will be in the USA, so for the I-864 the loan will not work.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

If you don't have a suitable sponsor for AOS, then it is foolish to come here because you won't be able to work until you get one. If your sponsor got scared, maybe try to explain things better? You could be a USC in 3 years and the sponsorship would end. Also, the sponsor is not required to give you money or anything.

[Rob&Jen 14]

If you don't have a suitable sponsor for AOS, then it is foolish to come here because you won't be able to work until you get one. If your sponsor got scared, maybe try to explain things better? You could be a USC in 3 years and the sponsorship would end. Also, the sponsor is not required to give you money or anything.

Foolish? Yes. But I'm desperate.

I'm looking for any way to make this work, at least for the visa.

At worst I want to try to get married over there and then file for CR1 later. That will give us time for her to either get a better job (which is very difficult) or find another sponsor / wait for previous sponsor to straighten out. I'd really rather not try the VWP to CR1 process either.

[kris&me 572]

Missing something here / money for assests has to be in her savings / checking account / not yours / your income is not counted