Mixel96

Hey guys, I just wanted to give a little positive feedback on how my K1 process has been going. I have a very unique backstory that some may still remember because I made several posts on it back in 2022. In March 2022, I was denied entry to the U.S. in Chicago (ORD) while attempting to enter on ESTA. I came to the States for the first time in August 2021 on a J1 as a exchange student. That is where I met my now fiancée. After leaving in January 2022, I wanted to visit her. In Germany I just had finished my bachelor's degree and didn't put too much thought into how ESTA, non immigrant visa and especially CBP officers work, as everything worked seamlessly up to that point. In Chicago I was pulled into secondary inspection after mentioning I was going to visit my girlfriend. I had no idea what was going on and expressed too much intent to possibly work / study / stay in the U.S. I know better now, but back then I had no idea that the officer was trying to build a case for refusing my admission right from the start of our conversation. For me, everything just sounded like a general convo about a hypothetical future. For him, everything I said he directly connected to my upcoming stay on ESTA (as he should, its his job). Once I realized it was looking bad, it was already too late. I tried to clarify that I had no intention to work or start studying while being on ESTA. I truly had not any of these intentions. In my perspective it was just obvious, that I would need a visa for a certain purpose in the U.S. Long story short, I got refused and had to go back to Germany. I was not particularly asked if I want to withdraw my application for an admission, however I also was not removed. As I was assured at the end, after signing a Sworn Statement that I never should have signed as it was simply inaccurate, that I would just need a visa for the next time, I went ahead and applied for a F1 after getting admitted for a masters program in the U.S. In the following, I was denied at the embassy solely based on my refused admission. Then I hired an immigration lawyer. All they did was filing an FOIA and a DHS Trip redress inquiry. That's also about everything they were able to do, so no blaming that law firm. Another two denials for the F1 followed. It was devastating. I honestly am still traumatized in some way from everything that has been happening since the Refused admission. My life in germany kind of was on hold for around 2 and a half years, as the future was so uncertain. In 2023, I went for a J1 (internship) and also was denied, although the officer almost issued me the visa. My girlfriend and I then decided to go for the K1. Without a lawyer, but thorough preparation and INCREDIBLE help from some people in this forum, we managed to obtain the K1 visa in October. Our filing of the I-129f was end of march, so pretty fast from initial petition to entering the U.S. on November 20th. Of course, the K1 has it's cons. Everyones situation is unique and for this just seems perfect with how things went so far. Even with the K1, I still had so many doubts leading up to my visa appointment. And even after receiving the visa, it was the same leading up to my travels and going trough customs. Sleepless nights, anxiety, endless hours of research on every possible question I could face at the interview. & during PoE. After all that, I can only say- I stressed myself out way too much. With the K1, as long as your relationship is genuine and you intent to marry, you will be fine. Never lie or try to sneak your way into grey areas. I can happily say I never did that, hence I am in the U.S. today. Just wanted to share my thoughts and the backstory. Encouraging anyone that has questions about the process to always reach out, I want to help others and lift some doubts and fear off their shoulders.

where do you get this from?

Is the secondary inspection usual for PoE with K1?

Thank you and yes, I would. However, I can’t access sites like the one you posted. Must be because of my region being Germany. I will forward it to my fiancée so she can check.

Illinois. I was going to look at everything regarding that once I’m there. Or is there anything specific I gotta figure out beforehand ? other than that, thanks to all of you for your kind replies 😊

Hello, I received my K1 visa in October. My trip to the U.S. is coming closer and I am figuring out everything necessary for Port of Entry and the first days within the country. If you follow the official information, you only need: the sealed package from the embassy, your passport with the visa, police certificate (original?) birth certificate (original?) and the documents from the medical exam. Is that all that's required? For the first steps after entry I have this as my focus: obtaining SSN (after 2 weeks of entering) look into how to obtain U.S. drivers license get married Is there anything I am totally missing here? Feel free to provide some insight

I just noticed the 01 behind my Case number when checking the status in the case tracker. I haven't had my interview yet. What would that minor revision be for?

Interesting. The earliest medical I could get was 24th of september so then the earlierst visa interview date was october 7th, 3 days after our NOA2 expiraiton date. I also emailed them and they just wanted an updated letter of intent as well, but not specifically asking for any reasons why we didnt pursue the visa earlier.

okay, thank you. No, they are not.

Okay thank you so much. Just to make sure again, because I have been reading different approaches to this. We are now using one individual from that married couple as the joint sponsor. He made 21k on his last tax return. His new job has a set salary of 45k yearly. He just started that new job. My fiancée made 11k on her latest tax return and starts her new job with a salary of 54k this September. -So for my fiancée's I-134 we put down 54k for sponsor’s income in Part 3 Question #14, correct? She stays at her parents house currently with both parents and her sister. Do we list them on the form as well? From my understanding, no. -For the joint sponsor's I-134 we put down 45k in the income table, correct? He lives with his spouse, household of two. Do we list the spouse on the form as well? The reason I am asking again are these two informations I found: "The same analysis is used when reporting the sponsor’s income in Part 3 Question #14. Enter the name of the sponsor, all dependents, their date of birth, and the dependents’ relationship to the sponsor. Indicate the sponsor’s income and apportion it among the dependents and the sponsor. Enter the number of dependents and the total income. It is important that the sponsor not include any income or financial support the sponsor intends to provide to the beneficiary. That information is entered in Part 3 Question #21." "Your current income is the gross amount you expect to earn this year. If you have an annual salary of $36,000 and this is your only job, your current income is likely $36,000. However, if you started the year unemployed and began working on May 1, your current income would likely be approximately $24,000. (That’s because 8 of 12 months would be ¾ of $36,000.) Don’t confuse current income with your tax return. Your tax return shows a history of your income."

I was reaching out to them because my interview date would fall a few days behind the NOA2 expiration date. The "approved K1 petition" is the NOA2 and that is good for 4 months. It's 6 month from the medical exam date that your K1 visa is valid. So I think its is not necessarily automatically extended. Probably will be in most cases, but I wanted to make sure.

I don't think that's true. I reached out to the Frankfurt embassy and they responded with this: Dear visa applicant, Our records show that you are the beneficiary of a K1 fiancé(e) visa petition. An approved K1 visa petition is valid for a period of 4 months from the date of approval. Your fiancé(e) would need to send us a signed revalidation letter, stating that both of you remain legally free to marry, and that you continue to intend to marry each other within 90 days after your admission into the United States. This statement can be forwarded to our office by email.

Ok great, thank you. Meaning if he as a fixed salary per year, we can put that number down?

I have another question regarding assembling the I134f form with a joint sponsor. If the joint sponsor starts a new job in September and earns around 45k yearly there, do we put that amount down on the I-134f? Or the amount listed in the most recent tax return?

Only thing I could find was that when the joint sponsor is a married couple and files everything jointly, their income can be counted together. Then Form I-864A needs to be filled out additionally by one of them. However, this form is attached to the I-864 financial support form, which in return is not part of the K1 process..