Fiance Co-sponsor requirement questions

[Ben & Jela 140]

Hello All,

I am looking for information about using a co-sponsor for my fiance visa...for those that know or past experience. I am US Citizen and my fiance is from India, he's never been to the US. We have been in a relationship for 8 years long distance, and kept thinking 'this would be the year we file' but circumstances kept holding us back. I have been to see him several times (6 in total) most visits were longer visits (as its not a short trip to India). Shortest visit I had to see him was 1 month, longest was 6 months. We have tons of pictures (with his parents, family, friends, etc.) and I have all my travel itineraries, flight tickets, etc. So nothing missing in the relationship proof department.  

 

My question is I am currently unemployed (and have been since October of 2014 - long story, but health issues for me; doing better now and looking for work again.)  In any case without regular income above poverty level, I do know I need a co-sponsor. My best friend is ready/willing to do so. But she just recently had a hit to her credit (she didn't realize one of her college loans was missed and not getting paid on for a few months, so her credit took a huge hit...she only found out trying to buy a house, beforehand she had good credit.) 

 

I say all this to ask...will her lower credit affect us? I know the officers can and do sometimes dig deep to get information...but not sure who/what kind of information they dig for? If its just on us (the couple trying to be together) Or if its pretty much anyone/everyone that is touched upon in the case/paperwork process?

 

Next question is, she gave her last 3 years of tax returns and the first year she was still in college (so only had $5,000) earnings, the next year she had just started working half way thru the year, so was below the poverty line there as well, and this last year was her first year of working full time - so she is well above the poverty limit and has all the documents, employee letter, paystubs, etc., to prove it. So my next question is, will this be an issue either? 

 

We have not yet filed. But we did start gathering all the documents required and are getting ready to file. I do not have anyone else to co-sponsor or help out financially. So I am really concerned if this doesn't work out, we dont have any options left. I welcome advice from anyone that has been there or knows how this may affect us. 

Thanks in advance! 

[Ben & Jela 140]

Nobody knows...? Or I didn't post this in the right area...? 

[geowrian 22,337]

They're not going to run credit checks on a sponsor. They aren't concerned about that...they want to know their current income and that they're currently able to actually sponsor somebody.

 

As for taxes, they may consider past income in some circumstances, but if the current income is sufficient and can be shown, it should be fine.

[Ben & Jela 140]

Thank you so much Geowrian! Its reassuring to have another input in something as stressful and drawn out as this! Thanks again!