K1 Visa Denied [merged threads]

[aldvore 0]

Today my fiance's application for a K1 Visa was denied due to Section 212 (a)(4) (potential to become a public charge). I tried contacting the US Embassy in Bangkok to see what other options we have to possibly overturn this decision and we were replied with a link to Form I-134. The reason why the application was denied was mainly due to me not earning enough money and the interviewee stated that joint sponsors are not accepted for K1 visas where the primary sponsor does not earn close to $20,000. I was told by a few people that my joint sponsor should write a letter for the embassy to explain how he will help to prevent my fiance from becoming a public charge and why I needed a joint sponsor because I am about to graduate from college.

I am curious is anybody has any advice on what next step we should take outside of trying to go for a CR1 visa. Is it likely that the letter will make any difference and influence the embassy to change their decision?

[aldvore 0]

I also apologize for posting this multiple times. I think it is a result of pressing 'Back' and 'Forward' on my browser.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Unfortunately, the letter will not make a difference and have zero influence on changing the denial.

Outside of the CR-1, your only option is to make close to $20,000 annually.

[Cathi 5,609]

A letter won't do anything, they want actual proof that the joint sponsor makes over the minimum poverty guidelines. If the joint sponsor does not make over the amount needed you need a different joint sponsor. They will not make an exception, if they make one for you they would have to do it for everyone. Period. End of story.

[aldvore 0]

My joint sponsor makes significantly more than the min poverty guidelines and we previously submitted a W-2 along with his tax returns. The way my fiance made it sound, the interviewer barely reviewed my joint sponsors I-134. I refer to myself as the 'primary sponsor'. Sorry for the confusion

Edited December 8, 2016 by aldvore

[soulstriker 274]

how much do u make?

[Penguin_ie 5,984]

Can you get a job/ second job/ pick up extra shifts at your current work? Event working two evenings a week at Starbucks or McDonalds should get you closer to the poverty line.

[TBoneTX 43,020]

Inadvertent duplicate threads have been merged.

[Ash.1101 1,755]

What country is your fiance coming from first off to see if maybe others have the same experiences.

Do you have a history of not working? Where do you live? Is it somewhere where your fiance could live? What were your overall plans for her to be here? Did she know them?

I see it says you make 12,000$ right now. Maybe you should take on some second job to bump that up. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/613924-i-134-question-11/#entry8352041

There are some consulates that don't take joint sponsors, but joint sponsors are allowed for MOST K-1 visas, it depends on how strict the consulate is. Myself, and plenty others have been unemployed while doing the K-1 process, but our fiances countries consulates allowed for joint sponsors, in my case, two of them.

They can still technically deny on this, even with a joint sponsor. If the CO just has a feeling that, one, the joint sponsor won't say, buy ya'll food when you're hungry, or take care of the fiance financially, or two, they feel that when your fiance shows up s/he'll actually be WORSE off than where s/he is now, they can deny based on that worry.

I believe if you do a CR-1 then they do have to at least entertain a joint sponsor, and if they deny based on that, you can at least find out exactly why and try to get it appealed.

Edited December 8, 2016 by Ash.1101

[aldvore 0]

My fiance is from Thailand and I am currently a full time student. I already work around 30 hours per week and my fiance told the embassy that I am going to graduate in a year. After talking with a few people who interviewed at this embassy before, she found out her interviewer generally do not accept joint sponsors unless the primary sponsor makes $18,000+.

I can attempt to find a better paying job and submit bank statements and pay stubs indicating a raise. The workers at the embassy also told my fiance that they would be more inclined to accept me as a joint sponsor for a CR-1 visa.

[aldvore 0]

It is also important to note that my fiance used to work in the US with a J1 visa and mentioned that she still had many contacts in her old workplace. She also mentioned that she has family here and my joint sponsor will aid her in finding employment.

[aaron2020 11,651]

It is also important to note that my fiance used to work in the US with a J1 visa and mentioned that she still had many contacts in her old workplace. She also mentioned that she has family here and my joint sponsor will aid her in finding employment.

This is not important. It doesn't move you any closer to making $20,000.

[Ash.1101 1,755]

Honestly her saying she's worked here and has family here could have made the CO think she's not in it for the relationship but that she enjoys the US. Her family is here, her joint sponsor will make sure she's taken care of, she's worked here before so she has contacts in the US. Nothing about you supporting her.

At the end of the day it's YOUR job to show that you can support her, both with the K-1 process and the AOS process, her saying how there are many other ways she'll be supported that aren't coming directly from you could be worrying, and could lead to the CO worrying she'll become a public charge.

Sometimes being honest and giving out all the information you can hurts you. It should always be a case of, answer when a question is given, be simple and honest with the answer, and don't give out more information than needed. Some people will tell the CO's how their fiance sends them money and have it negatively impact them, they see it as something that happens in a relationship, the CO's see it as the USC buying off a foreign spouse. Sometimes people think it helps by saying they have all these connections in the US, but it actually can hurt.


If the interviewer (or consulate) doesn't take cosponsors, then it's on you to show you make at least 25,025$ a year.

Edited December 8, 2016 by Ash.1101

[KierenHby 897]

You can either get yourself closer to making the K1 minimum, or marry your fiance outside the US and petition her for a CR1.

You have the option get any LPR\USC to be a joint sponsor on a spousal visa.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

Or wait to graduate and find a better paying job to meet the I-134 or I-864 poverty requirements.