Crazy Cat

Everyone would......but it wasn't in the cards for us.

There are no USCIS offices outside the US. Must be done in the US.

****Similar topics merged***

****I have moved this discussion to the Philippines regional forum*****

Go to this link, then enter your zip code in Field Office Locator. It will list your local field office: https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-a-uscis-office/field-offices

****I have moved this thread to the IR-1/CR-1 Spousal Visa forum area*****

Good. Then you are in a better place to consider the benefits/drawbacks of both a K-1 and a CR-1.

For information, this is my analysis of both marriage routes. Each couple must decide which route is better for their situation: K-1 More expensive than CR-1 Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork) Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (up to 9 months) Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (up to 9 months) Some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed. A K-1 might be a better choice when 18-21 year old children are immigrating also In some situations, marriage can affect certain Home country benefits, making a K-1 a better choice A denied K-1 is sent back to USCIS to expire K-1 entrant cannot file for citizenship until after having Green Card for 3 years. Once an I-129F has been approved, delaying the case is difficult to impossible if the need arises. If US spouse declines to participate in Adjustment of Status, the foreign spouse will have a very difficult avenue to legally remain in the US. Current Presidential executive order (travel bans) don't allow K-1 visa holders from some countries to enter the US. CR-1/IR-1 Less expensive than K-1 No Adjustment of Status(I-485, I-131, I-765) required. Spouse can immediately travel outside the US Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival. Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport. Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US. The clock for citizenship filing starts immediately upon entry to the US. A CR-1/IR-1 case can be delayed indefinitely at NVC if the need arises. Current Presidential executive order (travel bans) exempt immediate relatives of US citizens.

Sounds like you are in a difficult situation if your benefits stop upon marriage since it seems you will lose benefits months before your spouse will be able to work with either a K-1 or a CR-1.

Once you and your fiance are married, it could be up to a year before she is authorized to work inside the US. I assume you have thought how to support your spouse during this time.

You have to marry within 90 days after she arrives in the US with a K-1 visa.

Have you considered that support level sponsorship is even higher for Adjustment of Status (125% vs 100%)?

The "limit" is not an absolute. Consulate officers use the totality of each case to determine public charge probability. Do you both live in that house? You might be able to combine incomes. However, her age and retirement could play a part in the CO's decision. I think finding a different joint sponsor would be the best route, if possible.

He meant your Mother. Your fiance's work is irrelevant to US immigration. Does your Mother have enough income to fully qualify as a Joint Sponsor on her own?

No. A Joint Sponsor must be fully qualified. The only way to combine incomes is if a qualifying household member signs an I-864a to combine income with the sponsor....but that is not guaranteed to satisfy a consulate officer.