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

[yuna628 9,676]

OP: See how many years we waited? It took a long time...a lot of difficulties along the way. We did use a co-sponsor, but we didn't want that co-sponsor to feel that such a responsibility would be a heavy burden. That's why we saved a great deal for years. I can tell you it's not easy living in the states. Healthcare is expensive. It costs over $400 a month for both of us with an extremely high deductible, that's without dental coverage btw... so those costs come out of pocket too.

The I-134 is not legally binding, but the I-864 is legally binding. However I think you will find that there are no instances of the government expressly coming after someone for medical bills. You are the patient in a hospital. If you have no health insurance, the cost of those bills falls to you to pay. Means tested benefits are off limits to you. Personally I am more concerned about the financial health of a co-sponsor that needs to get their taxes settled up. That's something you and your fiancé don't need weighing on your backs.

The US fiancé you say doesn't make enough. Is there a way they can work on that situation? The number you have quoted is very low, and I don't feel you could get by on that amount with savings alone. Things would be made very difficult indeed. I would personally not stand working a job for so low a wage. But that's just me..

On the flip side I know how difficult things are in the UK atm with immigrant financial rules, and you have said you don't make enough to get through that either. Is there a way you can work on that situation? And yes I mean any possibility you can think of.

If being together is what means the most to you... then it doesn't ultimately matter which country you reside, so long as you can do so successfully.

As it stands now the options seem to be that neither one of you are financially ready for this yet. You will either have to find a new co-sponsor, and one or both of you will need to seek out some sort of better employment.

Yes, you could marry on the VWP, go home, save up/change your situation and file for a marriage visa. But you're still going to need financial sponsorship. That's what it comes down to. Without that, you won't be going anywhere. If you two love each other enough, you're going to have to figure something pretty big out, and it may not be the things both of you want to hear.

Waiting and separation is hard. It's painful and trying but not something that can't be overcome. You simply are not ready, and it is better you discover this now, then when things could get a lot more complicated.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

http://jobsthathirefelons.org/

[cj21 12]

Hi Rob and Jen, I understand you are desperate for the visa application to work, however, no matter how good the intention and the means to secure financial viability, the Consular Officer would not look on your capacity to provide and not be a public charge, but your partner's capacity as a US Citizen. It is going to be tough and hard, but that is the rule they need to follow. Please look for a co sponsor, it may be challenging but this is the best solution at hand. Goodluck and all the best.

[Rob&Jen 14]

http://jobsthathirefelons.org/

She's not a felon but I am very familiar with that website.

[Cathi 5,748]

don't count on finding a job as soon as you get your EAD, it took my husband 10 months to find any job at all(in Walmart) and 14 months to find a job in his filed(computer engineering). Even at that, the job in his field was an internship, he took it to get his foot in the door. No one was willing to hire him without US experience. I will add that we live in the Boston suburbs where high tech jobs are plentiful. Nothing is guaranteed, and the consulate will want proof of where the lump sum cash came from and that it has been there for a long time.

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

I think the bottom line to all of this discussion is right now Rob does not qualify to immigrate to the US for lack of finances. They have rules for a reason. The UK has rules for the other way around. They want to exclude masses of people who will over-burden the welfare system even more. Jen needs to get a better job and you need to save a mountain of cash. When that happens, you can immigrate. Trying to cheat the system is a slippery slope.

Love and $7000 a year won't give you a happy life in America. Do it the proper way or delay your plans.

Love and 30k a year will be tight too. A CSR salary (if you can even get it) and 7k a year are not going to be any happy dream time for you in America. It is going to be a struggle.

She had a run-in with the law about 7 years back. Makes it difficult to get a job anywhere. She should be able to expunge next year though.

I feel sorry for you guys because you really do have everything against you. I wonder if at some point you ever thought these hurtles are too large to overcome?

don't count on finding a job as soon as you get your EAD, it took my husband 10 months to find any job at all(in Walmart) and 14 months to find a job in his filed(computer engineering). Even at that, the job in his field was an internship, he took it to get his foot in the door. No one was willing to hire him without US experience. I will add that we live in the Boston suburbs where high tech jobs are plentiful. Nothing is guaranteed, and the consulate will want proof of where the lump sum cash came from and that it has been there for a long time.

My husband got a job within days of arriving, but life is expensive in America and there is no social safety net like in England. I would be really concerned about how this whole situation is going to be feasible.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

In the interest of putting correct information out there--

London doesn't ask a lot of questions about the I-134 if any. Mostly they glance at it and if it looks believeable they don't even discuss it at all.

They do not require a year's worth of bank statements . A K1 self-sponsoring brings their latest financial statement to show they have funds. No I-134 needed. They are not overly suspicious of everyone who walks in there going over every detail. But I suppose if the person and their job doesn't fit someone who could save $30k, they could ask. Usually they aren't bothered.

I still think borrowing to fake financial security is stupid, but wanted to share London information.

[JFH 12,190]

I wonder which bank is going to provide a loan of £30,000 or more to someone making £14,500 a year. That's minimum wage. In many parts of the country you would struggle to survive on that wage unless you live with your parents. I earn significantly more than that in the UK and I don't think I would qualify for a loan of that amount. When you take out a loan, you must also truthfully state the purpose of the loan. If you were to truthfully say "to chase the dream of living in America" you would stand even less chance of getting it. What were you planning to say the purpose of the loan was for?

[Boiler 45,486]

I wonder which bank is going to provide a loan of £30,000 or more to someone making £14,500 a year. That's minimum wage. In many parts of the country you would struggle to survive on that wage unless you live with your parents. I earn significantly more than that in the UK and I don't think I would qualify for a loan of that amount. When you take out a loan, you must also truthfully state the purpose of the loan. If you were to truthfully say "to chase the dream of living in America" you would stand even less chance of getting it. What were you planning to say the purpose of the loan was for?

He would need security. I was also wondering who would lend that sort of sum.

Did anybody point out that the amount London require is a lot less to self sponsor than he seems to assume.

I used to work in Insurance, very different in the US.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

His loan idea was to have enough to meet I-864 requirements after marriage.

[yuna628 9,676]

Question I'd want to know is, how is he going to pay off such a loan while in the US? And.. would any UK financial institution loan to someone whom they knew A) would be leaving the country permanently and B) not be able to have a job for a considerable amount of time.

I think the loan idea (however bad I personally believe it to be) would be more of a benefit to be used to bring the US spouse to the UK (combining income and assets, though they would need to hold such assets for six months).

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I am sure the idea is that he wouldn't use the money, just let it sit in the bank for show and then give it back.

[Rob&Jen 14]

I am sure the idea is that he wouldn't use the money, just let it sit in the bank for show and then give it back.

This is correct. And as I have already stated I won't be pursuing this idea any further. That's why I put the question forth on this forum. To learn any pitfalls to my plan. And I'm grateful for everyone's input. Jen and I will be looking into finding another sponsor.

[Rc123rc 528]

We're kind of going around and around on this one. I-134 and the I-864 are filed by the sponsor. (US Citizen) If they can't meet the requirements then they need a co-sponsor. Yes, the OP has to be able to support themselves at some point but the US government wants to make sure that OP will not be a burden of the state. It doesn't look like the sponsor even meets the requirements for the I-134. Can this even realistically be done or are we just whistling in the wind and hoping that everyone turns a blind eye to the situation? Based on the original post, what the OP is asking about is a no-go. I asked my sister who is in loan banking about this and she said no bank in their right mind would give out such a loan given the circumstances. Even if they did, it goes back to the ability of the sponsor to support the beneficiary.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

We're kind of going around and around on this one. I-134 and the I-864 are filed by the sponsor. (US Citizen) If they can't meet the requirements then they need a co-sponsor. Yes, the OP has to be able to support themselves at some point but the US government wants to make sure that OP will not be a burden of the state. It doesn't look like the sponsor even meets the requirements for the I-134. Can this even realistically be done or are we just whistling in the wind and hoping that everyone turns a blind eye to the situation? Based on the original post, what the OP is asking about is a no-go. I asked my sister who is in loan banking about this and she said no bank in their right mind would give out such a loan given the circumstances. Even if they did, it goes back to the ability of the sponsor to support the beneficiary.

We have established that if the beneficiary had enough cash, he would need nothing from the USC for a K1 visa in London. (self-sponsor). His same cash could be counted toward household income on the I-864. But he has no cash assets and has decided not to try to get a loan for "show". He's moved on.