Co sponsoring help!

[craig_b1990 1]

My girlfriend and I are about to send off the first package once we have everything we need for it (hopefully within a few weeks). My girlfriend will be in education, and so even with a part time job cannot solely sponsor me. We are looking at having someone co-sponsor (at the moment, its looking like her grandmothers partner, hes a high earner, has savings, investments etc, and my girlfriend is currently living in their household).

I am also aware that UK applicants can self sponsor, or could do the last time i checked.

My questions are:

1. If we go ahead with the co-sponsor, when do we "declare" this. I cannot see anywhere on the first package where we can mention it, and from what i have researched the other sensible time to mention it would be the Affidavit of Support, which is represented at the consulate interview if i am correct. When do we "declare" this co-sponsor.

2. After reading a few topics on the Self sponsoring, im still a little confused. I cannot find anywhere about specifics as to amounts needed to self sponsor from the UK. I have read that if i did i wouldnt need to fill any paperwork in, its just a case of at the interview, showing i can afford to look after myself and not become a cost to the US govnt. I currently have about $12,000 savings/investments (converted into $ of course), and i can prove this, and hope to build on the saving parts whilst waiting for the visa to complete. Is it correct that i can just say at the interview i wish to self sponsor, as long as i have the paperwork to show i can?

P/s. Just a side thought, is it possible to have a co-sponsor AND self sponsor. Or is that a stupid idea haha!

Anyway, thanks for any help that is given, or anyone that can point me in the right direction. I have researched it and read about it, i just cant find the answer.

Craig

[Que Saudade 284]

The I-134 affidavit of support will be after the adjudication of the I-129F petition. Currently, once NOA1 is received for the I-129F, there is an average of about 24-28 weeks to approval. If yours is faster celebrate it.

I can't answer the self sponsorship. I know a couple of people who did it several years ago, but it may (or may not) have changed. Contact the embassy for clarification regarding eligibility and amounts

Either way, you will have to cross this hurdle again when you file for adjustment(I-864). You will not be allowed to work once you enter the US until you receive EAD or green card.

If your fiance has a joint sponsor, then you do not need to self sponsor.

Edited August 18, 2012 by Que Saudade

[craig_b1990 1]

I've had another thought after a bit of research. Seeing as i am visiting my girlfriend next week for 5 weeks. Could i visit as usual, and get married whilst there, and return and pursue the CR-1 route? I know that its not the right thing to do, by entering the US, telling the immigration officer that i only plan on visiting her, and i realise that should they find out that i had other plans, i could be deported/kicked out asap. I just want to know how risky it is to take that route, if the CR-1 route is any easier or quicker than the K-1, and any other implications that are there. I only know the very minimum about the CR-1 as i never needed to research it more, and i cant find anything, anywhere that says in particular i cannot enter on the VWP, and then get married "shotgun" i guess. I know i would have to return to the UK afterwards, but this will allow me to have a job and save, rather than the K1 route, which will see me unemployed for approx 3 months at least when i first arrive in the USA.

Thanks again.

Edit: Thanks Que saudade, so i dont need to declare the co sponsor until i receive notification of the I-129f being recieved?, I guess i will wait and see if anyone else can help with the self sponsor information too, and yes, i realised i would have to jump the hurdle again at the AOS stage, but as far as i understand the co-sponsor just needs to declare their income then, so im confused as to if i dont need to show a co sponsor until after the wedding and AOS. Surely they need to know that before hand, or is it a case of just telling them at the interview?

Edited August 18, 2012 by craig_b1990

[pushbrk 14,227]

I've had another thought after a bit of research. Seeing as i am visiting my girlfriend next week for 5 weeks. Could i visit as usual, and get married whilst there, and return and pursue the CR-1 route? I know that its not the right thing to do, by entering the US, telling the immigration officer that i only plan on visiting her, and i realise that should they find out that i had other plans, i could be deported/kicked out asap. I just want to know how risky it is to take that route, if the CR-1 route is any easier or quicker than the K-1, and any other implications that are there. I only know the very minimum about the CR-1 as i never needed to research it more, and i cant find anything, anywhere that says in particular i cannot enter on the VWP, and then get married "shotgun" i guess. I know i would have to return to the UK afterwards, but this will allow me to have a job and save, rather than the K1 route, which will see me unemployed for approx 3 months at least when i first arrive in the USA.

Thanks again.

Edit: Thanks Que saudade, so i dont need to declare the co sponsor until i receive notification of the I-129f being recieved?, I guess i will wait and see if anyone else can help with the self sponsor information too, and yes, i realised i would have to jump the hurdle again at the AOS stage, but as far as i understand the co-sponsor just needs to declare their income then, so im confused as to if i dont need to show a co sponsor until after the wedding and AOS. Surely they need to know that before hand, or is it a case of just telling them at the interview?

If you are in the USA visiting and decide to marry, that's not a problem. No special visa or permission is needed to marry in the USA. Marriage is not immigration. Once you are here and married, you have two paths open to you, the CR1 visa or adjustment of status.

Your $12,000 is not enough to self sponsor. For the K1, your fiancee and the cosponsor each provide an I-134 and supporting documentation just before or during the interview (varies by country). For the CR1, both provide the I-864 at the NVC stage. For adjusting status, both provide the I-864 in the initial filing.

[JoannaV 174]

If you'll be visiting next week, personally I would choose to marry and apply for CR-1. In my opinion that is easier. You then skip the whole extra step of adjusting status after you arrive on the K-1 and marry. So there is overall less paperwork and it is also slightly cheaper. overall. Plus you will then be able to work etc as soon as you enter the US with your visa. The timelines vary slightly, sometimes one is quicker sometimes the other. Perhaps the K-1 is more often a little quicker.

If you marry you will present the I-864 at the interview. If you apply for the fiance visa you will present the I-134 at the interview, which is kind of to prove that you will be able to fulfil the requirements of the I-864 when time comes to adjust status, and then you present the I-864 then. It sounds like you will almost definitely need the co-sponsor. The exception would be if your girlfriend earns more than $12,000 in which case if you are married you would be able to use your savings to combine with her income to make the appropriate amount.

[craig_b1990 1]

If you'll be visiting next week, personally I would choose to marry and apply for CR-1. In my opinion that is easier. You then skip the whole extra step of adjusting status after you arrive on the K-1 and marry. So there is overall less paperwork and it is also slightly cheaper. overall. Plus you will then be able to work etc as soon as you enter the US with your visa. The timelines vary slightly, sometimes one is quicker sometimes the other. Perhaps the K-1 is more often a little quicker.

If you marry you will present the I-864 at the interview. If you apply for the fiance visa you will present the I-134 at the interview, which is kind of to prove that you will be able to fulfil the requirements of the I-864 when time comes to adjust status, and then you present the I-864 then. It sounds like you will almost definitely need the co-sponsor. The exception would be if your girlfriend earns more than $12,000 in which case if you are married you would be able to use your savings to combine with her income to make the appropriate amount.

Okay, thanks. I am just a bit wary of entering like that and marrying, purely because of the repercussions if we are thought to have lied, and had intentions to marry when i entered. I just get a bit of a feeling that im being "naughty" by doing it too. Im not disrespecting anyone who has done it, i just find it very risky. Also with the K1 route being about the same lenght/maybe a little shorter for the UK, that is swaying me more to stick to our plan of that. My girlfriend wont be earning that much, so we couldnt combine it. So co-sponsor is pretty definite.

Thanks for youre information anyway!

[Que Saudade 284]

Okay, thanks. I am just a bit wary of entering like that and marrying, purely because of the repercussions if we are thought to have lied, and had intentions to marry when i entered. I just get a bit of a feeling that im being "naughty" by doing it too. Im not disrespecting anyone who has done it, i just find it very risky. Also with the K1 route being about the same lenght/maybe a little shorter for the UK, that is swaying me more to stick to our plan of that. My girlfriend wont be earning that much, so we couldnt combine it. So co-sponsor is pretty definite.

Thanks for youre information anyway!

Please re-read and give more value to what Pushbrk has said.

[Nich-Nick 3,355]

A few links from the London embassy to help you--

Marrying on VWP http://london.usembassy.gov/faq-imm-proc.html#iv036

K1 Sponsors/self-sponsoring http://london.usembassy.gov/faffidavit.html

Comments:

There is no published figure for self sponsoring. It's subjective.

$12,000 isn't a lot of money. You could try it and if rejected, they would give you time to get a sponsor.

According to DOS, the I-134 only requires 100% of the poverty guidelines. http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_2994.html#9

Once you are married, whether before or after visa, you will eventually need the I-864 which is stricter and likely will require a joint sponsor like grandma's beau. You might get by on an I-864 as Joanna explained if your fiancé is within about $4000 of the 125% income requirement and your funds (joint after marriage) can put you over the mark. Example: $4000 short on salary needs 3x$4000 in assets to barely creep over the line.

CR1 visa takes just slightly longer to move to the US usually. But it is cheaper and much better in the long run.

[pushbrk 14,227]

Okay, thanks. I am just a bit wary of entering like that and marrying, purely because of the repercussions if we are thought to have lied, and had intentions to marry when i entered. I just get a bit of a feeling that im being "naughty" by doing it too. Im not disrespecting anyone who has done it, i just find it very risky. Also with the K1 route being about the same lenght/maybe a little shorter for the UK, that is swaying me more to stick to our plan of that. My girlfriend wont be earning that much, so we couldnt combine it. So co-sponsor is pretty definite.

Thanks for youre information anyway!

If you marry while in the USA, that won't be the only thing you do. You'll be "visiting" and "on holiday". Give truthful, generic answers. You are not violating any US laws by marrying a US Citizen while visiting. If, after you're already here, you decide to forego the visa process and simply adjust your status to permanent resident, that option is also available.

My wife and I couldn't do that because she couldn't visit from China. You are coming from the USA, I don't hold those visiting privileges against you, and anybody who does, you would be wise to simply ignore. You have three options, K1, CR1 or Adjust Status. Choose the one that fits your circumstances and desires wisely, when the time comes.

[JoannaV 174]

You probably don't want to make that kind of decision until you're face-to-face with your girlfriend anyway, so just take your birth certificate with you just in case. If you decide to go for the K-1 it will be easiest to fill out the I-129F whilst you're together also.

[craig_b1990 1]

You probably don't want to make that kind of decision until you're face-to-face with your girlfriend anyway, so just take your birth certificate with you just in case. If you decide to go for the K-1 it will be easiest to fill out the I-129F whilst you're together also.

I have read, and will re read all of the replies again soon. i do appreciate the help from everyone, i just need to know everything about everything to make the best decision. At the moment the only real advantage to taking the CR-1 is that it is cheaper and will allow me to work as soon as i arrive in the USA for good. My gut feeling at the moment is to stick with going the K1 route, admitted it is more expensive, but the time scale is the same, and on the front of it (No matter how likely or unlikely it is) there is less risk involved.

Like i said i will weigh it all up again tomorrow, when i have a clearer head. I already have started filling in the I-128f, before i go to see my girlfriend, and i will print off/take anything i need to with me when i leave, and post it off together (should we stick to that route). I will however discuss the CR-1 option with her aswell, see what she thinks of it. Its better to have the K1 stuff ready and prepared if we dont change our mind, then i dont have all the messing about sorting what we need out, last minute whilst visiting her, and taking up valuable time.

Again, thanks so much for the replies, each and everyone of the members on here i have met/spoken to so far, and youre all very helpful and friendly. Its a really good forum to be a member of.

On a side note, if anyone has recently self sponsored or co sponsored, or even just recently completed the K1 from the UK, Would you be able to message me or something, if youre willing to help, so that i know who i can talk to with any questions on the topics, rather than creating new threads.

Thank you so much! Take care, and good luck to anyone who are in their own personal visa processes!

[pushbrk 14,227]

I have read, and will re read all of the replies again soon. i do appreciate the help from everyone, i just need to know everything about everything to make the best decision. At the moment the only real advantage to taking the CR-1 is that it is cheaper and will allow me to work as soon as i arrive in the USA for good. My gut feeling at the moment is to stick with going the K1 route, admitted it is more expensive, but the time scale is the same, and on the front of it (No matter how likely or unlikely it is) there is less risk involved.

Like i said i will weigh it all up again tomorrow, when i have a clearer head. I already have started filling in the I-128f, before i go to see my girlfriend, and i will print off/take anything i need to with me when i leave, and post it off together (should we stick to that route). I will however discuss the CR-1 option with her aswell, see what she thinks of it. Its better to have the K1 stuff ready and prepared if we dont change our mind, then i dont have all the messing about sorting what we need out, last minute whilst visiting her, and taking up valuable time.

Again, thanks so much for the replies, each and everyone of the members on here i have met/spoken to so far, and youre all very helpful and friendly. Its a really good forum to be a member of.

On a side note, if anyone has recently self sponsored or co sponsored, or even just recently completed the K1 from the UK, Would you be able to message me or something, if youre willing to help, so that i know who i can talk to with any questions on the topics, rather than creating new threads.

Thank you so much! Take care, and good luck to anyone who are in their own personal visa processes!

I would not take anything with you that looks like you intend to immigrate to the USA. You can scan and email your birth certificate or mail it. If you complete any forms, do it in PDF and save them electronically, not on paper.

[craig_b1990 1]

I would not take anything with you that looks like you intend to immigrate to the USA. You can scan and email your birth certificate or mail it. If you complete any forms, do it in PDF and save them electronically, not on paper.

Okay, thank you for the warning. I always make sure i have my itinerary printed off, and that is proof at least (and i know only minimal) that i have the intention of that return flight.

[Cathi 5,899]

Just to make it clear, you can marry your girlfriend while here, but you cannot travel here with the intention to marry her and adjust status.

[Darnell 8,480]

1. interview day

2. sure, if'n you have 5 times in asset value the poverty guidelines amount, posted in I-864-P document .