Income requirement question

[SteveInBostonI130 3,479]

6 hours ago, HaydenCorneau said:

Thanks for the information. You've saved me a ton of headaches lol. I'm going to stockpile a ton of money and plan everything out some more.

I used to have a ton of possessions, but I sold them off to make sure I could transition to the US easily and hassle-free. Her parents recently told me that they'd get me a job at one of their local grocery stores too, and that they'd even put me on their phone family plan with them. They've basically accepted me as family at this point. 

 

Hmm.

 

Did you and your fiance research the entire K1 process?  Many couples choose K1 because it's the first type of visa they heard about or the 90 day fiance show.  They don't seem to review other visas or look beyond the I-129F form for the K1.

 

When you first enter as a K1, you cannot work in the US.  After you marry your USC spouse, you cannot work in the US.  After you marry and submit for the adjustment of status, form I-485, affidavits of support, forms I-864's, employment authorization document, I-765, and advanced parole, I-131, you cannot work in the US.  After the EAD is approved and you get the EAD/AP card, which is currently taking 8 months from filing the I-765, you can work.

 

Also, until you get that EAD card, many states will not give you a driver's license.  

 

With a spouse visa, CR1, you become a legal permanent resident the day you enter the US, with the right to work, get a DL, etc.  

 

 

[HaydenCorneau 12]

Just now, SteveInBostonI130 said:

 

Hmm.

 

Did you and your fiance research the entire K1 process?  Many couples choose K1 because it's the first type of visa they heard about or the 90 day fiance show.  They don't seem to review other visas or look beyond the I-129F form for the K1.

 

When you first enter as a K1, you cannot work in the US.  After you marry your USC spouse, you cannot work in the US.  After you marry and submit for the adjustment of status, form I-485, affidavits of support, forms I-864's, employment authorization document, I-765, and advanced parole, I-131, you cannot work in the US.  After the EAD is approved and you get the EAD/AP card, which is currently taking 8 months from filing the I-765, you can work.

 

Also, until you get that EAD card, many states will not give you a driver's license.  

 

With a spouse visa, CR1, you become a legal permanent resident the day you enter the US, with the right to work, get a DL, etc.  

 

 

Yes, we looked into that too. The job would be something I would get into after I submit the necessary documents and get approved

[SteveInBostonI130 3,479]

2 minutes ago, HaydenCorneau said:

Yes, we looked into that too. The job would be something I would get into after I submit the necessary documents and get approved

As long as you, your fiance and her family is aware, then it seems you have the bases covered.

 

The immigration process tends to be very stressful.  Planning what you can and setting realistic expectations for processing times tend to help.  Glad you found someone you care about and it seems they care about you as well.  Good luck!

[HaydenCorneau 12]

1 minute ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

As long as you, your fiance and her family is aware, then it seems you have the bases covered.

 

The immigration process tends to be very stressful.  Planning what you can and setting realistic expectations for processing times tend to help.  Glad you found someone you care about and it seems they care about you as well.  Good luck!

Thanks, I'm going to keep posting here.

[Loren Y 2,756]

7 hours ago, HaydenCorneau said:

I'm going to stockpile a ton of money

You are about to enter a US immigration process, I would increase the stockpile from 1 Ton to 2 Tons minimum. The never ending fees alone of the process will take care of 1 Ton pretty easily.

[JeanneAdil 6,608]

you r getting ahead of the process

the USC , your gf ,   has to apply for the K1

and she will do the  134 when  u need it

She needs to read the USCIS or the guides above to know the process

[HaydenCorneau 12]

11 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

you r getting ahead of the process

the USC , your gf ,   has to apply for the K1

and she will do the  134 when  u need it

She needs to read the USCIS or the guides above to know the process

I like to think ahead lol

[WeekendPizzaiolo 47]

14 hours ago, HaydenCorneau said:

What forms would I submit to show that I would be supported financially during my process in the US?

On this subject, there is for the most part, no extensive back-and-forth with USCIS like you might enjoy with a realtor or stock broker. There is no one you can call to provide immediate help and move your case along. Your fiancé would need to file a package of several forms and supporting documents without anything missing or improperly formatted. USCIS and DoS really do not hesitate to deny if your i's are not dotted and t's are not crossed even if you are eligible and approvable given the facts and circumstances. Don't waste 6-12 months waiting time submitting a flawed application that would otherwise be approved if prepared properly. As such, you and your fiancé will need to decide whether to:

1. do the filing yourself (DIY): this is what many people do and what I wish I had done. See 
2. hire a lawyer: I spent loads on a lawyer who added months to the process by not immediately notifying me of notices. I had to prepare most of the documents myself according to his checklist. In the end, his paralegals just checked everything over.
3. use a cheaper service (e.g. Boundless): I cannot make a recommendation here. A service like this may be useful if you (a) do not believe you and your fiancé are up for (1) and (b) you do not want to spend money on (2).

I basically did (1) while paying a pretty sum for (2). Note that if you choose (1), do lots of research with your fiancé so you do not miss anything - nada. Involve your US citizen fiancé heavily in the process. Make checklists and check off each item after you prepare a draft and then check off the item again when reviewing. Review each item multiple times. Create a shared folder (e.g. DropBox, Google Drive, Box) to stage your documents together. Read all the instructions for each form over and over again so that no form is improperly filled. Read up how to do a proper passport photo (no shadows, centered, neutral expression, high res, 2x2, white or off-white bg, top of head and chin in target area) and get them printed at your local Canadian Shoppers DrugMart or Walmart (you can use idphoto4you.com to generate a 4x6" standard photo print that you can cut with scissors). Get each of your best friends to write letters of support (To Whom It May Concern) and have them sign and photocopy with their driver's licenses at the bottom of the letter. You should both write Letters of Intent to Marry with the standard language. Start preparing your photo albums and include pictures not just of the two of you, but among friends and family. Our photo album was 2 pages per year together, 2 photos per month (10 pages). We prepared a visit journal that described highlights of each trip together, who we met, and what we did at different stages of each trip with a few bookings attached. Many people submit call logs with date, time, and length of call (I didn't). You don't need to go overkill with documentary evidence of your relationship as submitting 100s of pages may significantly delay your case. Remember at the first stage of the process, it is the US citizen fiancé who must sign and submit the I-129F package.

 

[SalishSea 18,076]

5 hours ago, HaydenCorneau said:

Yes, we looked into that too. The job would be something I would get into after I submit the necessary documents and get approved

Okay, but what people in this thread are attempting to tell you is that you would not have a work permit (or the ability to leave the US and be readmitted) for 8-10 months after arriving with the K-1 visa. 

 

This is why the K-1 is inferior to the CR-1.  The overall process timelines are the same, but with the CR-1, you can work and travel upon entry.

[HaydenCorneau 12]

2 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

Okay, but what people in this thread are attempting to tell you is that you would not have a work permit (or the ability to leave the US and be readmitted) for 8-10 months after arriving with the K-1 visa. 

 

This is why the K-1 is inferior to the CR-1.  The overall process timelines are the same, but with the CR-1, you can work and travel upon entry.

Yes, I know that. Her family stated they will support me during that period

Edited February 7, 2022 by HaydenCorneau

[JeanneAdil 6,608]

1 hour ago, HaydenCorneau said:

Yes, I know that. Her family stated they will support me during that period

that gets old fast

u will be bored

and they have no idea of the reality and how long it takes for all this to happen

[WeekendPizzaiolo 47]

5 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

that gets old fast

u will be bored

and they have no idea of the reality and how long it takes for all this to happen

This is good wisdom here. Indeed, there is a gap between people's ideals and how their feelings evolve regarding the situation over time, especially if the person(s) supporting one's self are not one's romantic partner. When people return from a 8-12 hour day of work to someone who is idle at home, even if it is the result of waiting for bureaucracy, there could be some tension that accumulates over time. I am not saying this will match the original poster's situation but it is something for him to bear in mind. If there is anything I have learned over the decades is to be mindful of the ideals vs. reality gap.

 

 

[HaydenCorneau 12]

1 hour ago, DE CS said:

This is good wisdom here. Indeed, there is a gap between people's ideals and how their feelings evolve regarding the situation over time, especially if the person(s) supporting one's self are not one's romantic partner. When people return from a 8-12 hour day of work to someone who is idle at home, even if it is the result of waiting for bureaucracy, there could be some tension that accumulates over time. I am not saying this will match the original poster's situation but it is something for him to bear in mind. If there is anything I have learned over the decades is to be mindful of the ideals vs. reality gap.

 

 

I'll bring this concern up with her 

[Zoeeeeeee 797]

I immigrated on a K1 in 2019 and I can 100% say if I were going to do it again, I would do a CR1 (and get married first). I figured I'd be fine with not working for several months and that I'd keep myself occupied. 

 

Nope. After a couple of weeks, you really do run out of things to do and start just watching the clock, waiting for your partner to return. I had a bunch of friends here already - but they were all working too, so it was basically just me and my dog.

 

I also found that I didn't feel comfortable just spending my husband's money as freely as I would my own. I brought thousands of dollars with me when I immigrated, but trust me, it goes fast. And whilst my husband never begrudges me spending money (he encourages me to - and he has a very well paying job and can afford for me to), I never feel comfortable splurging on stuff in the way that I would do if it was my own money. 

 

So yeah, you may find that how you actually feel when you're here is very different to how you think you'll feel. A CR1 removes all of that (and ends up being cheaper in the long run).

 

 

Edited February 8, 2022 by Zoeeeeeee

[HaydenCorneau 12]

4 minutes ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

I immigrated on a K1 in 2019 and I can 100% say if I were going to do it again, I would do a CR1 (and get married first). I figured I'd be fine with not working for several months and that I'd keep myself occupied. 

 

Nope. After a couple of weeks, you really do run out of things to do and start just watching the clock, waiting for your partner to return. I had a bunch of friends here already - but they were all working too, so it was basically just me and my dog.

 

I also found that I didn't feel comfortable just spending my husband's money as freely as I would my own. I brought thousands of dollars with me when I immigrated, but trust me, it goes fast. And whilst my husband never begrudges me spending money (he encourages me to - and he has a very well paying job and can afford for me to), I never feel comfortable splurging on stuff in the way that I would do if it was my own money. 

 

So yeah, you may find that how you actually feel when you're here is very different to how you think you'll feel. A CR1 removes all of that (and ends up being cheaper in the long run).

 

 

my girlfriend lives at home lol, so me and her would be home together lol. 

I am definintely interested in the cr1 though. Is there a definitive guide on how to get it? My girlfriend has a physical illness that impacts her mobility, and travel may be limited for her.

Edited February 8, 2022 by HaydenCorneau