Newbie with some questions

[Redheadguy03 505]

So,I recently signed up. I've been reading on the site for a while, but I have some situation specific questions.

My fiance is in the Philippines, where I am currently as well. I am currently unemployed.(I stayed here longer and quit my job)

Could I apply for my fiance visa now then go back to the states in a month or so and get a job to meet the income requirements?

Or would getting married and using a cosponsor be a better option? I've heard cosponsors for fiance visas aren't allowed in Manila.

Thanks for your time and help everyone!

[Cheezees 1,514]

So,I recently signed up. I've been reading on the site for a while, but I have some situation specific questions.

My fiance is in the Philippines, where I am currently as well. I am currently unemployed.(I stayed here longer and quit my job)

Could I apply for my fiance visa now then go back to the states in a month or so and get a job to meet the income requirements? No. The income has to be current.

Or would getting married and using a cosponsor be a better option? Yes. I've heard cosponsors for fiance visas aren't allowed in Manila. Where did you read this?

Thanks for your time and help everyone!

[Redheadguy03 505]

So I need to move and get the job first. As to the cosponsor just Google Manila fiance visa cosponsors. They seem to be a lot more strict with accepting cosponsors than other embassys.

[Stevephoto 230]

I've heard cosponsors for fiance visas aren't allowed in Manila. Where did you read this?

Manila is notoriously tough on co-sponsors for K1, but it is not impossible. It usually needs to be an immediate family member. However, if the OP gets married, then the embassy has to accept co-sponsors. OP---find any recent post from _Hank or Greenbaum...they both have outstanding resources for the K1 journey through Manila. Moderators--would it be possible or appropriate to move this thread to the Philippines subforum? I am sure the OP would get a lot of country specific advice. Salamat!

[TBoneTX 45,469]

*** Country-specific thread is moved from the K-1 Process forum to the Philippines regional subforum. ***

[Greenbaum 12,259]

So,I recently signed up. I've been reading on the site for a while, but I have some situation specific questions.

My fiance is in the Philippines, where I am currently as well. I am currently unemployed.(I stayed here longer and quit my job)

Could I apply for my fiance visa now then go back to the states in a month or so and get a job to meet the income requirements?

Or would getting married and using a cosponsor be a better option? I've heard cosponsors for fiance visas aren't allowed in Manila.

Thanks for your time and help everyone!

Since you have been in the Philippines for sometime you could do a DCF (marriage then DCF) and use a good cosponsor. That would be your fastest route. Excellent post here http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/527064-filed-dcf-i-130-for-ir-1-at-us-embassy-manila-aar/ concerning how to go about the DCF. Also, do a search here within VJ and the subject will pop up and you can read more as I am not well versed in this process.

For a K-1 visa @stevephoto has address that with an excellent narrative of the reality of co-sponsors.

[Stevephoto 230]

Since you have been in the Philippines for sometime you could do a DCF (marriage then DCF) and use a good cosponsor. That would be your fastest route. Excellent post here http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/527064-filed-dcf-i-130-for-ir-1-at-us-embassy-manila-aar/ concerning how to go about the DCF. Also, do a search here within VJ and the subject will pop up and you can read more as I am not well versed in this process.

For a K-1 visa @stevephoto has address that with an excellent narrative of the reality of co-sponsors.

Salamat Greenbaum!

[jannapalmer 10]

Yup definitely do DCF if you've lived in the Philippines for at least 6 months. Get married and file a petition. It doesn't matter how long you've been married, what matters is how long you were in the Philippines. My husband filed the petition less than a month after our wedding. Our visa was approved and we were able to fly to the US in 2 months. Barring unnecessary circumstances, DCF is almost always the fastest route. My husband was also unemployed that time, just receiving military pensions. So yeah, get a really good co-sponsor (our co-sponsor was earning like $110k annually). The embassy don't have any issues with that.

Edited August 23, 2016 by jannapalmer

[Redheadguy03 505]

Thanks everyone for the help. I'll be in the Philippines 6 months in December, so it may be an option. Although, I have an acr-i card it's a tourist one is that okay? I've read although people definitely had differing opinions, that you need to be a "permanent resident." That term can obviously be up for a little bit of interpretation.

[jannapalmer 10]

Yeah. My husband at that time also has an ACR card that says tourist. He didn't become a permanent resident. And they allowed it for the filing of petition.

[Redheadguy03 505]

Awesome thanks a lot! Just what I needed to know! I'll keep everyone updated on what we decide to do and if I need further help. (I'm sure I will lol)

Thanks again everyone!

[Redheadguy03 505]

So I talked to some people who are willing to cosponsor for me. A quick question, how do you verify the income. Obviously they want to see a tax return, but in my situation the person didn't make above the poverty level last year. However, she's gotten a significant raise since then and makes more now. Would a pay stub suffice as proper evidence as well as the tax return? Or is it problematic?

[Greenbaum 12,259]

So I talked to some people who are willing to cosponsor for me. A quick question, how do you verify the income. Obviously they want to see a tax return, but in my situation the person didn't make above the poverty level last year. However, she's gotten a significant raise since then and makes more now. Would a pay stub suffice as proper evidence as well as the tax return? Or is it problematic?

Here are the instructions for the form that you and they will be completing. Most of your questions will be answered there. https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-864instr.pdf

A Joint Sponsor must meet all these requirements;

1. Be over age 18; AND

2. Be either a USC or LPR; AND

3. Be domiciled in the US; AND

4. Meets or exceed the 125% poverty level with income and/or assets for his/her household size

[jannapalmer 10]

Greenbaum is right, he has to meet the requirements. Plus, they really look at the income tax. Actually, that's all they look at. Everything else is just supplemental documents. When I went for the interview, I brought my co-sponsors' pay stubs, W2s, employment stuff for recent past 3 years but the consul only looked and cared for the recent 1040.

[Redheadguy03 505]

Ok that's a little odd to be honest. If someone has a job makes over the amount then leaves that job they don't make that anymore, but according to you the government only really cares about the tax return? I suppose it is the government I should expect some confusion.