Confused and Hopeful: Poverty Level

[kymadex 0]

Alright I've browsed the forum a little bit, but didn't find anything like my situation.

So I'm very young (20). My fiance and I have been together for 2 years, and we've been researching the K-1 process for a while. Last I checked the poverty line for 2 people was like $16,520 or something. Now it's $20,xxx.

I worked part time all year, working my way up. I finally got full time a few weeks ago. But since I was part time I only made around $10-11,000 this year.

Next year, if my pay stays exactly the same, I'll make $18,xxx. But I'm due a couple raises (I need to contact my employer as my six month raise is overdue) this coming year, that should put me closer to $19,xxx. If I work a straight 40 every week, I'd be at $20,xxx with what I currently make. (I usually get 37.)

My question is: would I be denied, if I were to apply in the next few months? Do I need a full year's taxes as proof I made that much, or can I send in paycheck stubs?

Any help is appreciated.

Edited December 22, 2016 by kymadex

[JenniferNangel 137]

I was denied for being 220 short but thankfully I found a cosponsor. Do you have anyone that could help you if you don't make enough ??

[soulstriker 274]

tax transcripts and tax returns will be needed its not something u should avoid, pay stubs are okay but the main thing is tax stuff

[Ben&Zian 4,397]

Would agree about having a co-sponsor lined up. Also have to take into account, does the embassy the beneficiary would go through accept co-sponsors for a K-1 also..

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

Alright I've browsed the forum a little bit, but didn't find anything like my situation.

So I'm very young (20). My fiance and I have been together for 2 years, and we've been researching the K-1 process for a while. Last I checked the poverty line for 2 people was like $16,520 or something. Now it's $20,xxx.

I worked part time all year, working my way up. I finally got full time a few weeks ago. But since I was part time I only made around $10-11,000 this year.

Next year, if my pay stays exactly the same, I'll make $18,xxx. But I'm due a couple raises (I need to contact my employer as my six month raise is overdue) this coming year, that should put me closer to $19,xxx. If I work a straight 40 every week, I'd be at $20,xxx with what I currently make. (I usually get 37.)

My question is: would I be denied, if I were to apply in the next few months? Do I need a full year's taxes as proof I made that much, or can I send in paycheck stubs?

Any help is appreciated.

What do you mean "I usually get 37." ?

[Cheezees 1,514]

What do you mean "I usually get 37." ?

37 hours/week

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

tax transcripts and tax returns will be needed its not something u should avoid, pay stubs are okay but the main thing is tax stuff

Not necessarily. If you haven't been required to file previous years. It's the current annual income that matters. The issue is acquiring enough proof of that income without a tax return but this can be done.

37 hours/week

ah ofc tnx

[yuna628 9,527]

Think they mean 37hr work week perhaps, instead of 40.

OP I think you will need a cosponsor. Unless the UK fiancé makes enough in pure savings for self-sponsorship (which London has been known to allow). Keep in mind after marriage though you'll need to file for AOS, in which the more stringent 125% poverty guideline and supporting evidence will come into play (instead of 100% which London can accept).

London can accept an I-134 with a work letter from the boss or HR alone, instead of a tax transcript of course. But you'd still need to be making enough money. If you had a great deal of savings or assets you could combine. Otherwise in exhausting those possibilities (or finding another job) a cosponsor would be most likely.

Edited December 22, 2016 by yuna628

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

Alright I've browsed the forum a little bit, but didn't find anything like my situation.

So I'm very young (20). My fiance and I have been together for 2 years, and we've been researching the K-1 process for a while. Last I checked the poverty line for 2 people was like $16,520 or something. Now it's $20,xxx.

I worked part time all year, working my way up. I finally got full time a few weeks ago. But since I was part time I only made around $10-11,000 this year.

Next year, if my pay stays exactly the same, I'll make $18,xxx. But I'm due a couple raises (I need to contact my employer as my six month raise is overdue) this coming year, that should put me closer to $19,xxx. If I work a straight 40 every week, I'd be at $20,xxx with what I currently make. (I usually get 37.)

My question is: would I be denied, if I were to apply in the next few months? Do I need a full year's taxes as proof I made that much, or can I send in paycheck stubs?

Any help is appreciated.

IF you get that raise and IF you can get your employer to write a letter stating you will be working 40 hrs/week, or whatever is needed to get above that line, along with the other employment information and IF you have at least 6 months of pay stubs that support this claim... That would be enough for the requirement but no one can ever guarantee you what the IO reviewing your case will say.

If you are allowed and can get a co-sponsor... I'd recommend that.

[kymadex 0]

Okay, so everyone is basically saying I'll need a co-sponsor. What are co-sponsor requirements? My parents make minimum wage and are on foodstamps, they 99% most likely wouldn't be able to help me. My grandmother is on SSI, my grandfather on the other side MIGHT be able to help but I doubt it (and he's very stingy about financial means, anyhow).

This just all makes me feel very hopeless.

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

Okay, so everyone is basically saying I'll need a co-sponsor. What are co-sponsor requirements? My parents make minimum wage and are on foodstamps, they 99% most likely wouldn't be able to help me. My grandmother is on SSI, my grandfather on the other side MIGHT be able to help but I doubt it (and he's very stingy about financial means, anyhow).

This just all makes me feel very hopeless.

Just take the time and work those months you need to gather proof of income! You are young, if anything you have time Most of us had a long journey before filing, build your relationship and your finances. Talk to your boss about the raise. Take the steps you need to get to your goal. You'll be there sooner than you think!

edit: co-sponsor requirements are the same as for you.

Edited December 22, 2016 by Suss&Camm

[yuna628 9,527]

Time is what you need, if there are no cosponsors immediately available to you that would help (it is a big responsibility afterall). I'd suggest getting your work stuff sorted out, so that you can reach the point of making enough, even if that should take a bunch of months or even a year or two extra (and I know I know you want to be with each other now). Save as much as you can (the both of you). Or look around for better work opportunities. These days it's a lot more on the table than just making enough to sponsor someone to get a K1, because once they are finally there you'll need to adjust their status, and get them healthcare from somewhere (which these days can often break the bank) or pay the fine.

I know it's rough out there, and being apart from someone you love at that distance is difficult. So don't give up hope, even if it means waiting a while more than planned.

Edited December 22, 2016 by yuna628

[DelilahBrz 48]

Alright I've browsed the forum a little bit, but didn't find anything like my situation.

So I'm very young (20). My fiance and I have been together for 2 years, and we've been researching the K-1 process for a while. Last I checked the poverty line for 2 people was like $16,520 or something. Now it's $20,xxx.

I worked part time all year, working my way up. I finally got full time a few weeks ago. But since I was part time I only made around $10-11,000 this year.

Next year, if my pay stays exactly the same, I'll make $18,xxx. But I'm due a couple raises (I need to contact my employer as my six month raise is overdue) this coming year, that should put me closer to $19,xxx. If I work a straight 40 every week, I'd be at $20,xxx with what I currently make. (I usually get 37.)

My question is: would I be denied, if I were to apply in the next few months? Do I need a full year's taxes as proof I made that much, or can I send in paycheck stubs?

Any help is appreciated.

[lkh 1]

Think they mean 37hr work week perhaps, instead of 40.

OP I think you will need a cosponsor. Unless the UK fiancé makes enough in pure savings for self-sponsorship (which London has been known to allow). Keep in mind after marriage though you'll need to file for AOS, in which the more stringent 125% poverty guideline and supporting evidence will come into play (instead of 100% which London can accept).

London can accept an I-134 with a work letter from the boss or HR alone, instead of a tax transcript of course. But you'd still need to be making enough money. If you had a great deal of savings or assets you could combine. Otherwise in exhausting those possibilities (or finding another job) a cosponsor would be most likely.

Agreed because we are in CR-1 and my current income is above the poverty level, but based on the last 3 years tax return we are required to have a joint sponsor.

[Cathi 5,609]

All of this aside, the immigration process is VERY expensive and you really need to take that into consideration. Not only is there an application fee, there is the cost of the medical(not sure how much it is in the UK, but for my husband 5 years ago in Jordan is was more than $400 US dollars), there is the adjustment of status after you marry which is well over $1k, biometrics fees, any many other incidental fess that add up very quickly plus plane fare for him to travel here. You're looking at a minimum of around $5k on the low end. Then once he's here he will not be able to work for several months after you marry and file for AOS because he has to have EAD. I applied for a CR1 on behalf of my husband, which meant he had his green card the moment he set foot into the US giving him the ability to work on day one and it took him 5 months to find a job, he's a computer engineer and that job was loading trucks at Walmart. No one was willing to hire him in his field with no US work experience. It took him an additional 5 months(a total of 10 months) to find a job in his field and it was only(he had to get his foot in the door somehow) an intern position for only $10 an hour and 4 months on top of THAT to be hired full time as an engineer. So 14 months from the day he arrived to find a full time job in his field. I'm not trying to frighten you I'm only being honest, the process is long and difficult.

You need to read the guides at the top of the page and the application for the K-1 to even begin to understand how much time, effort and money goes into this process. I wish you the best of luck, but you really need to be in a better place financially before you jump into this process. You do not earn enough and you cannot depend on "what ifs" as far as getting enough hours to earn 19k which is well below the 100% minimum, once you file adjustment of status that goes up to 125% plus you stated that you don't have a viable joint sponsor.