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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline
Posted

Just a little background on myself - I am a US citizen born and raised in Los Angles, CA. I also had a stint in New York City where I attended college. But after that I relocated to Manila, Philippines in 2016 for work and have been living here ever since. My fiancé/partner and I met here and have been living together for 4 years now. We are a same-sex couple :) 

 

We’re both hoping to move together to the US in 2021 and were planning to take the K-1 visa route because of the relatively quicker timeline vs. the spousal visa. It is very important for us to move to the US as soon as possible, therefore we were advised that the K-1 would be the best option for us.

 

Over the past couple of months, I have been researching the process and requirements to petition my partner. The one thing I am worried about is the income requirement. Since I am currently working and living in the Philippines, it’s hard for me to navigate how to go about fulfilling the income requirement. 

 

I work at a fairly good job in the Philippines. I direct commercials and digital content for a production company and have been working there for the past 2 years. Unfortunately though, my salary does not reach the minimum requirement that the US government states. Because of this issue, we researched alternatives like a financial co-sponsor, but unfortunately they do not accept co-sponsors in the US Embassy in Manila for the K-1 visa specifically. 

 

I am more than willing to go to the US ahead of my fiancé to find a job that will allow me to meet the minimum income requirement, but I was wondering if I needed to have that job 1) before I file my K1 visa petition for my fiancé or 2) before her embassy interview? I am wondering because I know I will need to submit tax returns but they would only reflect the income from my job in the Philippines vs. the new job I would have if I move to the US ahead of time. 

 

Has anyone dealt with something similar? Would appreciate any and all help toward our goal. 

Posted

To the file the I-134 you need to be domiciled in the US.  You don't need that until interview time.  You probably will need a co sponsor unless your income is projected to meet the requirements.

March 2, 2018  Married In Hong Kong

April 30, 2018  Mary moves from the Philippines to Mexico, Husband has MX Permanent Residency

June 13, 2018 Mary receives Mexican Residency Card

June 15, 2018  I-130 DCF Appointment in Juarez  -  June 18, 2018  Approval E-Mail

August 2, 2018 Case Complete At Consulate

September 25, 2018 Interview in CDJ and Approved!

October 7, 2018 In the USA

October 27, 2018 Green Card received 

October 29, 2018 Applied for Social Security Card - November 5, 2018 Social Security Card received

November 6th, 2018 State ID Card Received, Applied for Global Entry - Feb 8,2019 Approved.

July 14, 2020 Removal of Conditions submitted by mail  July 12, 2021 Biometrics Completed

August 6, 2021 N-400 submitted by mail

September 7, 2021 I-751 Interview, Sept 8 Approved and Card Being Produced

October 21, 2021 N-400 Biometrics Completed  

November 30,2021  Interview, Approval and Oath

December 10, 2021 US Passport Issued

August 12, 2022 PHL Dual Nationality Re-established & Passport Approved 

April 6,2023 Legally Separated - Oh well

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline
Posted
2 minutes ago, Paul & Mary said:

To the file the I-134 you need to be domiciled in the US.  You don't need that until interview time.  You probably will need a co sponsor unless your income is projected to meet the requirements.

Thank you for this! Did you apply from the US Embassy in Manila as well? I've read the embassy does not accept co-sponsors for the K-1 visa and is the only embassy in the world with this rule. 

Posted
2 hours ago, relacsonme said:

Thank you for this! Did you apply from the US Embassy in Manila as well? I've read the embassy does not accept co-sponsors for the K-1 visa and is the only embassy in the world with this rule. 

US Embassy has accepted CO-Sponsors for over 20 year that I am aware of, it has always been on case by case basis and they usually want a relative.

 

Where ever you read they don't accept co-sponsor is a blatant lie

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline
Posted (edited)
3 hours ago, Allovertheworld said:

US Embassy has accepted CO-Sponsors for over 20 year that I am aware of, it has always been on case by case basis and they usually want a relative.

 

Where ever you read they don't accept co-sponsor is a blatant lie

Hello! Thank you for your reply. I've read several forums here on visajourney that a co-sponsor for the K-1 visa is usually not accepted or allowed in the US Embassy in the Philippines. Though many are suggesting that it is a case by case basis, based on the CO that is handling the case. I've read other forums that have also stated that it would just be safer to fulfill the income requirement without the need of a co-sponsor because the embassy in Manila will not accept it and/or will deny the visa. 

 

Here is a link to one of the forums that I came across: 

 

Edited by relacsonme
Posted
11 hours ago, relacsonme said:

Thank you for this! Did you apply from the US Embassy in Manila as well?

No we married in Hong Kong and came via Mexico.  But I have had tons of experience via USEM.

11 hours ago, relacsonme said:

I've read the embassy does not accept co-sponsors for the K-1 visa and is the only embassy in the world with this rule. 

Up until 2019 they really didn't allow many I-134s and those tended to be other family members as a co-sponsor.  It is always preferred to have the best I-134 you can provide and eliminate any public charge concerns. Remember that you are going to file an i-864 when you AOS the income level becomes 125%.Current earnings are what is most important.  So if you are making $3k a month your annual income will be shown as $36,000.

 

@Hank_ has a good reference material.

March 2, 2018  Married In Hong Kong

April 30, 2018  Mary moves from the Philippines to Mexico, Husband has MX Permanent Residency

June 13, 2018 Mary receives Mexican Residency Card

June 15, 2018  I-130 DCF Appointment in Juarez  -  June 18, 2018  Approval E-Mail

August 2, 2018 Case Complete At Consulate

September 25, 2018 Interview in CDJ and Approved!

October 7, 2018 In the USA

October 27, 2018 Green Card received 

October 29, 2018 Applied for Social Security Card - November 5, 2018 Social Security Card received

November 6th, 2018 State ID Card Received, Applied for Global Entry - Feb 8,2019 Approved.

July 14, 2020 Removal of Conditions submitted by mail  July 12, 2021 Biometrics Completed

August 6, 2021 N-400 submitted by mail

September 7, 2021 I-751 Interview, Sept 8 Approved and Card Being Produced

October 21, 2021 N-400 Biometrics Completed  

November 30,2021  Interview, Approval and Oath

December 10, 2021 US Passport Issued

August 12, 2022 PHL Dual Nationality Re-established & Passport Approved 

April 6,2023 Legally Separated - Oh well

Filed: Other Country: Philippines
Timeline
Posted (edited)
On 9/9/2020 at 2:33 AM, relacsonme said:

Just a little background on myself - I am a US citizen born and raised in Los Angles, CA. I also had a stint in New York City where I attended college. But after that I relocated to Manila, Philippines in 2016 for work and have been living here ever since. My fiancé/partner and I met here and have been living together for 4 years now. We are a same-sex couple :) 

 

We’re both hoping to move together to the US in 2021 and were planning to take the K-1 visa route because of the relatively quicker timeline vs. the spousal visa. It is very important for us to move to the US as soon as possible, therefore we were advised that the K-1 would be the best option for us.

 

Over the past couple of months, I have been researching the process and requirements to petition my partner. The one thing I am worried about is the income requirement. Since I am currently working and living in the Philippines, it’s hard for me to navigate how to go about fulfilling the income requirement. 

 

I work at a fairly good job in the Philippines. I direct commercials and digital content for a production company and have been working there for the past 2 years. Unfortunately though, my salary does not reach the minimum requirement that the US government states. Because of this issue, we researched alternatives like a financial co-sponsor, but unfortunately they do not accept co-sponsors in the US Embassy in Manila for the K-1 visa specifically.   Not true - USEM does accept co-sponsors with the K-1*

 

I am more than willing to go to the US ahead of my fiancé to find a job that will allow me to meet the minimum income requirement, but I was wondering if I needed to have that job 1) before I file my K1 visa petition for my fiancé or 2) before her embassy interview? I am wondering because I know I will need to submit tax returns but they would only reflect the income from my job in the Philippines vs. the new job I would have if I move to the US ahead of time. 

 

Has anyone dealt with something similar? Would appreciate any and all help toward our goal. 

On a case by case basis USEM has accepted co-sponsors as far back as I can recall.   They, normally, look for the co-sponsor to be a close family member (parents, siblings) is what I have always found.  If you were to try a co-sponsor that is not a close family member I might suggest using the I-864 instead of the I-134.  It has works before.

 

 For the past 6 years USEM has been sporadic with even asking for financial support evidence, just the same it is on the required documents lists. 

 

As for employment, do you have new employment lined up in the USA?   For sure get a letter from the new employer as that will help greatly.

 

Edited by Hank_

Hank

"Chance Favors The Prepared Mind"

 

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“LET’S GO BRANDON!”

 
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