What are my chances with my girlfriend?

[ozzongan 0]

Hi all,

 

I met an american girl in my country, we fall in love and gonna try the K1 next year. But we have some doubts and need some opinions.

 

- She is american, has 20 years old. Need to have 21?

- She lived in my country since was 10 years old. She's coming back now to study and work. Probably she's not gonna have a lot of income, some like 1.5k per month. It's relevant?

- I'm 24 years old, and don't have too much money. But my dad can be my sponsor, he can help with that.

- How much do I need to take with me in cash?

- How much does she need to have in cash?

 

Just it for now.

 

Thanks!!

Edited August 25, 2017 by ozzongan

[RJandHamid 1,133]

She just needs to be old enough to marry in the state she lives in. Since she is 20 years old, she can legally get married in any state (except Mississippi where she requires parental consent until age 21).

Is she living and working in Brazil or the USA? 

If she doesn't meet the income requirements, she can use a co-sponsor. 

[Roel 7,193]

Your dad can't be your sponsor. Your fiancee will always be your sponsor. Co sponsor needs to be a US citizen who pass the financial requirements. It's 125% over current poverty line. So yeah, the financial part is relevant. 

[f f 725]

usc or lpr for the co-sponsor

 

as for how much cash to have on hand I would suggest having $2k for all of the fees since it is horrible not being able to aos once you get here.

 

also she needs to reestablish her home in the us or show very good proof that she will before you will get the visa.

[C-ma'am 684]

1 hour ago, Roel said:

Co sponsor needs to be a US citizen who pass the financial requirements.

This information is incorrect. The co-sponsor can also be an LPR.

[Roel 7,193]

Oops, my bad. Sorry. You're right of course.

[Peot 162]

9 hours ago, ozzongan said:

- She is american, has 20 years old. Need to have 21?

- She lived in my country since was 10 years old. She's coming back now to study and work. Probably she's not gonna have a lot of income, some like 1.5k per month. It's relevant?

- I'm 24 years old, and don't have too much money. But my dad can be my sponsor, he can help with that.

- How much do I need to take with me in cash?

- How much does she need to have in cash?

 

Just it for now.

 

Thanks!!

• Yes she can get married in nearly every single state.
• She doesn't need to make any income as long as you have a co-sponsor. The co-sponsor needs to currently reside in America on LPR status or Citizen status (and will need to prove this).
  • Keep in mind that you will also need a sponsor for the adjustment of status as well.
• Taking cash with you is not an issue. If you're talking about when you reach the point of entry, as long as you declare it, you can bring as much money as you like.
• If you're talking about "how much will this process cost", keep in mind that you will need filing fees for both USCIS and the embassy, as well as money for the various documentation, forms, medical exam, police record check, and any travel needed to get all of the above. Total cost is (roughly) $1100 USD for the average person going through a K1 visa. Once you have the visa and are married, the AOS costs another $1060.

This is a HUGE investment and a HUGE step in life. Make sure that you are both ready to take this journey together before making this kind of huge financial / emotional commitment. Sometimes it's better to wait a few years, maybe even until she's out of school, before you take this step. If you plan on spending the rest of your lives together - a few years is not a long time to wait for each other.

[Dashinka 24,941]

7 hours ago, Peot said:

• Yes she can get married in nearly every single state.
• She doesn't need to make any income as long as you have a co-sponsor. The co-sponsor needs to currently reside in America on LPR status or Citizen status (and will need to prove this).
  • Keep in mind that you will also need a sponsor for the adjustment of status as well.
• Taking cash with you is not an issue. If you're talking about when you reach the point of entry, as long as you declare it, you can bring as much money as you like.
• If you're talking about "how much will this process cost", keep in mind that you will need filing fees for both USCIS and the embassy, as well as money for the various documentation, forms, medical exam, police record check, and any travel needed to get all of the above. Total cost is (roughly) $1100 USD for the average person going through a K1 visa. Once you have the visa and are married, the AOS costs another $1060.

This is a HUGE investment and a HUGE step in life. Make sure that you are both ready to take this journey together before making this kind of huge financial / emotional commitment. Sometimes it's better to wait a few years, maybe even until she's out of school, before you take this step. If you plan on spending the rest of your lives together - a few years is not a long time to wait for each other.

Just one correction, I think the AOS fee has increased to around $1225 or something like that.

 

Good Luck!

[Georgia16 2,858]

Have you thought about a spouse visa? 

 

Since you guys are young and are not going to apply before next year it seems perfect. 

 

None of you have much money so for you to be there for many months without any income doesn't sound like a great plan. With a spouse visa you will be able to work right away and will not have to AOS after you get there.

[zilchfox 296]

How much money you have as the beneficiary is irrelevant, you could be flat broke and still be sponsored. It's entirely on her to show she makes at LEAST 125% above the poverty line.

[Dutchster 1,107]

The US sponsor has to make at least $20,300 annually when it comes to sponsoring for adjustment of status (I-864). When the main sponsor doesn't earn that money, a co sponsor will be required. That can be anyone from the US fiance(e)'s dad, mom, uncle, friend, anyone who can sponsor you but also still provide for their family. Plus, they will be financially on the hook for you until you are a US Citizen.  

 

[Blessed21 141]

13 hours ago, Peot said:

• Yes she can get married in nearly every single state.
• She doesn't need to make any income as long as you have a co-sponsor. The co-sponsor needs to currently reside in America on LPR status or Citizen status (and will need to prove this).
  • Keep in mind that you will also need a sponsor for the adjustment of status as well.
• Taking cash with you is not an issue. If you're talking about when you reach the point of entry, as long as you declare it, you can bring as much money as you like.
• If you're talking about "how much will this process cost", keep in mind that you will need filing fees for both USCIS and the embassy, as well as money for the various documentation, forms, medical exam, police record check, and any travel needed to get all of the above. Total cost is (roughly) $1100 USD for the average person going through a K1 visa. Once you have the visa and are married, the AOS costs another $1060.

This is a HUGE investment and a HUGE step in life. Make sure that you are both ready to take this journey together before making this kind of huge financial / emotional commitment. Sometimes it's better to wait a few years, maybe even until she's out of school, before you take this step. If you plan on spending the rest of your lives together - a few years is not a long time to wait for each other.

I agree what this person  said up here☝. It's a very long process huge step and you have to be emotionally stable. And above  all you have to make sure that both you guy's want this. And your ready to go through  the waiting  process  together. But it can be done if everything  is filled correctly.  Good luck to you guys hope all works out for you guy's 😊

[Peot 162]

6 hours ago, Bill & Katya said:

Just one correction, I think the AOS fee has increased to around $1225 or something like that.

 

Good Luck!

You are correct! 

OP should definitely check out the various "Filing Fee" information available right from the USCIS for accurate cost. I guess both of my numbers were rough estimates

[ozzongan 0]

Thanks all for the answers!

 

On 8/25/2017 at 9:55 PM, Peot said:

• Yes she can get married in nearly every single state.
• She doesn't need to make any income as long as you have a co-sponsor. The co-sponsor needs to currently reside in America on LPR status or Citizen status (and will need to prove this).
  • Keep in mind that you will also need a sponsor for the adjustment of status as well.
• Taking cash with you is not an issue. If you're talking about when you reach the point of entry, as long as you declare it, you can bring as much money as you like.
• If you're talking about "how much will this process cost", keep in mind that you will need filing fees for both USCIS and the embassy, as well as money for the various documentation, forms, medical exam, police record check, and any travel needed to get all of the above. Total cost is (roughly) $1100 USD for the average person going through a K1 visa. Once you have the visa and are married, the AOS costs another $1060.

This is a HUGE investment and a HUGE step in life. Make sure that you are both ready to take this journey together before making this kind of huge financial / emotional commitment. Sometimes it's better to wait a few years, maybe even until she's out of school, before you take this step. If you plan on spending the rest of your lives together - a few years is not a long time to wait for each other.

I have read a lot about all of the process. Me and my girlfriend fill all of the requirements, without a big worry.

The only thing that it's making me crazy it's the financial requirement. I know about the fees, and that's not our concern because we will can pay this.

She is arriving now in September to study and work. She want to apply the K1 in December of 2017. I mean, she will not have the tax report in December (she will be at work from September until December, only 3, 4 months).

 

We are willing to take a statement of your work with how much it earns from salary and a proof of how much it has in your bank account. My fear is this is not enough to be approved. What do you think?

I looked for thousands of K1 reports, and found none that was disapproved because of the financial aspect.

 

Thanks!! 

[Peot 162]

8 hours ago, ozzongan said:

Thanks all for the answers!

 

I have read a lot about all of the process. Me and my girlfriend fill all of the requirements, without a big worry.

The only thing that it's making me crazy it's the financial requirement. I know about the fees, and that's not our concern because we will can pay this.

She is arriving now in September to study and work. She want to apply the K1 in December of 2017. I mean, she will not have the tax report in December (she will be at work from September until December, only 3, 4 months).

 

We are willing to take a statement of your work with how much it earns from salary and a proof of how much it has in your bank account. My fear is this is not enough to be approved. What do you think?

I looked for thousands of K1 reports, and found none that was disapproved because of the financial aspect.

 

Thanks!! 

All people who cannot meet the financial requirement get a co-sponsor. If you cannot get a co-sponsor, you will get a 221(g) refusal at your interview, and either you are given the chance to submit the proper documents, or you are right out denied. When it's something like missing paperwork, they will often give you a pending refusal rather than a straight-up denial.

 

Your bank account alone will usually not be enough. Assets such as what you have in your bank account must meet x3 the poverty limit. That's a very large sum of money to have in there, and not a lot of people hold on to that much. From your story, it doesn't sound like either of you do. That's why income earned over the year is much more important as well as a current job earning enough.

 

But long story short is you CAN get a co-sponsor, and if you do, they will not care whether your fiance made $1 or $20,000.