Co-Sponsor / Self Sponsor Questions

[LouisePaul 0]

Hello!

I'd like to clear up some questions specifically for sponsorship for k-1 visas.

My fiancé and I are trying to sponsor ourselves, I don't have an income, and his income just became above poverty line this January. We don't really have anyone we could ask to be our co sponsor. Also note, his income would be able to come to the US with him because he runs his own business selling apps, its not tied to a specific job in the UK.

1. To self sponsor do you need to show 3 years of tax returns?

2. Can a co-sponsor be retired?

3. I've never paid taxes because I've never reached the yearly income required to do so, do I need send off for some sort of paper to prove that?

4. What are our options if we can't get a co-sponsor and have to sponsor ourselves (I don't make an income so he would have to sponsor himself)

We're kind of panicking because we don't have the 3 years of a steady income but this year we've reached beyond the government poverty line and the year is only halfway through. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much for your help!

(our full story is posted here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/376066-i-have-a-few-questions-and-concerns-regarding-the-k-1-visa-please-help/)

Louise and Paul

Edited July 3, 2012 by LouisePaul

[Tygrys 143]

Hello!

I'd like to clear up some questions specifically for sponsorship for k-1 visas.

My fiancé and I are trying to sponsor ourselves, I don't have an income, and his income just became above poverty line this January. We don't really have anyone we could ask to be our co sponsor. Also note, his income would be able to come to the US with him because he runs his own business selling apps, its not tied to a specific job in the UK.

1. To self sponsor do you need to show 3 years of tax returns? K-1 cannot sponsor themselves

2. Can a co-sponsor be retired? Yes

3. I've never paid taxes because I've never reached the yearly income required to do so, do I need send off for some sort of paper to prove that? Statement will be sufficient

4. What are our options if we can't get a co-sponsor and have to sponsor ourselves (I don't make an income so he would have to sponsor himself). None

We're kind of panicking because we don't have the 3 years of a steady income but this year we've reached beyond the government poverty line and the year is only halfway through. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much for your help!

(our full story is posted here: http://www.visajourn...sa-please-help/)

Louise and Paul

[LouisePaul 0]

I've read that you can self sponsor on a K-1 visa

here was a link sent to me in another VJ post:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/286631-k1-i-134-self-sponsorship-query/

[LeftCoastLady 441]

Have you read the information on the US Embassy - London site re: self-sponsoring? Read thoroughly as it should answer your questions on what your fiancé would need to show as evidence.

http://london.usembassy.gov/faffidavit.html

[Tygrys 143]

Okay, I was wrong, it looks like London is an exception and will accept K-1 self-sponsorship.

I hope you've got all the answers browsing throgh the links provided by other members. Good luck!

[Anh map 2,098]

Have you read the information on the US Embassy - London site re: self-sponsoring? Read thoroughly as it should answer your questions on what your fiancé would need to show as evidence.

http://london.usemba...faffidavit.html

London does have provisions for self sponsorship. Link quoted above is

[LouisePaul 0]

Have you read the information on the US Embassy - London site re: self-sponsoring? Read thoroughly as it should answer your questions on what your fiancé would need to show as evidence.

http://london.usembassy.gov/faffidavit.html

I did read that earlier but regarding the 'Applicants Own Funds' section how much are they expecting, is it just the 'above the government's poverty line' or is it more? I'm having trouble finding this.

Thank you for your help!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I did read that earlier but regarding the 'Applicants Own Funds' section how much are they expecting, is it just the 'above the government's poverty line' or is it more? I'm having trouble finding this.

Thank you for your help!

It is a subjective number and there is no guideline. Few people come back and actually update what happened at the embassy. I recall one that said they were approved with $40,000. You have to convince the interviewing officer that he will not become a public charge. The number could actually be much less but it's up to the officer to decide. He needs to prove his cash funds with bank statements. Perhaps his business information and evidence of how much he has earned with his apps would make a favorable impression.

I've seen you asking about tax returns. No UK tax returns are ever needed at the embassy. A person self sponsoring would show his a$$et$ with bank statements. What he earned in the UK the last few years generally does not count in any way. He does not fill out an I-134. He shows up and says "I've got this much money in the bank. Is it enough to get a visa?"

The tax returns mentioned are US returns when there is a US sponsor providing an I-134. The answer is-- one tax return is sufficient. An I-134 by a US sponsor can be approved with zero tax returns if the income is proven in a different way.

2. Can a co-sponsor be retired?

Yes, it they have pension or social security income that meets the threshhold OR a lot of money in the bank.

3. I've never paid taxes because I've never reached the yearly income required to do so, do I need send off for some sort of paper to prove that?

No for the interview in LONDON. If you don't have any money, then don't even do an I-134. Get someone else. There is no requirement for you to do an I-134 or even sponsor for the visa. London just wants a sponsor. It can be you, friends, family, or the immigrant.

Your bigger problem is when he gets to the US. He can't work before you marry and file for AOS ($1070) and then wait 60-90 days for work authorization. There is a much stricter Affidavit of Support (I-864) that must go with the application. You will have to do that even with no income. You will need a joint sponsor from the US to also do one. You will have to explain why you did not file taxes in a statement saying your exact income for each of the previous 3 years. You can't just say "I didn't earn enough". You need to state what your earned and the filing threshold cut off for that year. Each year may have a different threshhold.

I did not file an income tax return in 2011 because I earned $125.32 and that was below the minimum requirement of $9500 income for a single taxpayer.

I did not file an income tax return in 2010 because I earned $_____ and that was below the minimum requirement of $_____ income for a single taxpayer.

I did not file an income tax return in 2009 because I earned $______and that was below the minimum requirement of $_______ income for a single taxpayer.

The answers I've given you are LONDON SPECIFIC FOR THE I-134. Many people are giving you how it works in other countries. Others are telling you I-864 requirements which are stricter. He just has to convince one person at the interview that he's not going to be a public charge. It's pretty much the officer's opinion. Maybe you hanging out in the UK for 6 months instead of finding a job in the US might shadow his general opinion. He might want more to convince him since you have not really earned a living for at least 3 years you've said. He will look at everything a make a judgement call on the self sponsoring thing.

Oh forgot to add...read this thread http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/350185-london-2012-k1s-from-noa2-to-interview-thread/ for a LOT of other London specific information and experience you will need for the K1 visa. Read it start to finish and take notes.

Edited July 3, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[Boiler 47,536]

I self sponsored, they seemed to be looking for enough for the 90 days $5,000?

You can ask them.

[LouisePaul 0]

Because he will be the sponsor is he the one to fill out the I-134? If so would he just put N/A for the US citizen specific questions, and just put his UK address when they ask for the US address? Or would he fill out a whole different sponsor form?

Because of the type of work he does he doesn't have to be 'working' to make money. He just makes the app once and sales continue to happen after he is done, and since he already has apps out he could be on vacation for example and still be making money, is that still not allowed? (obviously he wouldn't be allowed to make more apps until he was authorized but does the income form sales form apps he completed before still count as an income while he's waiting to be authorized?)

Thank you for your help! I was looking around Visa Journey and at the example forms but I'm still not sure if he is allowed to fill out I-134 because hes not a USC. Just trying to clarify.

Louise

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Because he will be the sponsor is he the one to fill out the I-134? If so would he just put N/A for the US citizen specific questions, and just put his UK address when they ask for the US address? Or would he fill out a whole different sponsor form?

Because of the type of work he does he doesn't have to be 'working' to make money. He just makes the app once and sales continue to happen after he is done, and since he already has apps out he could be on vacation for example and still be making money, is that still not allowed? (obviously he wouldn't be allowed to make more apps until he was authorized but does the income form sales form apps he completed before still count as an income while he's waiting to be authorized?)

Thank you for your help! I was looking around Visa Journey and at the example forms but I'm still not sure if he is allowed to fill out I-134 because hes not a USC. Just trying to clarify.

Louise

Scroll up to post #8 in this thread. I answered that in the second paragraph (starting at the very beginning of the long reply). Have you read that post?

Edited July 6, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[LouisePaul 0]

Scroll up to post #8 in this thread. I answered that in the second paragraph (starting at the very beginning of the long reply). Have you read that post?

Oh right, yes I see it now, I read it before but must have forgotten.

Thank you

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Oh right, yes I see it now, I read it before but must have forgotten.

Thank you

If your fiance tries to self sponsor, it would be great for you to post a detailed report in the UK regional forum of what happened, who said what, and how much money was accepted or rejected. It will make a very helpful reference for the next person in your shoes.

[LouisePaul 0]

If your fiance tries to self sponsor, it would be great for you to post a detailed report in the UK regional forum of what happened, who said what, and how much money was accepted or rejected. It will make a very helpful reference for the next person in your shoes.

It'll be our only option to self sponsor, but yes, I'd like to stick around the forums for the whole process and when (hopeful thinking) all goes well (or if it doesn't) I'd like to give a full report back