A little peace of mind

[Ant&Max 0]

Hello Everyone, I have been browsing these boards for about 6 months and have decided to become active. A little back story first.

I met my fiance, Max, while traveling through South Korea back in 2011. She was a singer at a hotel and we were introduced by a mutual friend. We started dating two days later. I ended up working and staying in Korea for six months. After which we decided to move to the Philippines (Max is Filipina and was working in Korea). I met the family, had some amazing adventures, and even proposed while in the PI. Little did we know the nightmare that is the Visa process was looming ahead of us. We studied the process and I reluctantly returned home to the US while she stayed and worked in the Philippines. I hadn't been to my home state of Washington in about three years. I landed a job and got to work filing the Visa. It was recorded as arriving on Sept 17th at California Service Center and we are now just waiting for approval.

As for the the dilemma, though I have been working nonstop since my return, minus a trip to visit for three weeks, I am finding out that Manila is a bit harder to convince for the visa due to my income. My last two years of Tax records show me under the poverty level. I was traveling and just making enough to get by. I of course am using my Father as a cosponsor and have been steadily working since July of 2012. I just hope this is enough to convince the Embassy. I am willing to move to the PI, but my family and friends never getting the chance to meet Max would be devastating for everyone. Even with my new job, I still believe at the end of a year I will be just under the poverty level still. Take care and good luck Everyone!

Anthony portion of Ant&Max.

Edited January 21, 2013 by Ant&Max

[Alaska2012 462]

Get a second job, just for now. So it looks all good on paper.

Edited January 21, 2013 by Alaska2012

[Tahoma 2,298]

The U.S. Embassy Manila (USEM) accepts K-1 joint sponsors on a case-by-case basis. However, it's a dicey proposition. You, at best, may have only a 50-50 chance of the USEM accepting your joint sponsor.

Don't worry about your past income tax returns because the consular officers put more weight on your current sustained income (on an annualized basis) than they do on your 2012 income. So, if your 2013 income surpasses the poverty guideline for your household size on an annual basis, you stand a very good chance of approval. Your current paycheck stubs (at the time of the interview) will be proof of your current sustained income. You can use liquid assets at a 3:1 ratio in place of any income shortfall.

At the time of the interview, if your income plus liquid assets still don't put your over the income guideline, I would advise you to attend your fiancée's interview, and attempt to use your joint sponsor.

[Ant&Max 0]

Thanks for the advice! I am barley under the required income as I work in the service industry. With tips I hit the requirement, just have no way of proving my added income from tips. For liquid assets I just have my old '97 Mercury Tracer, been living out of my suitcase for a while. I was planning on visiting my fiance in March, maybe I'll plan on holding out and heading down for the interview. Is being present really helpful in getting the Visa granted? I have heard mixed stories about it. Hopefully with a steady income and a well-to-do sponsor this all goes smoothly. Thanks again for the advice!

[nealxette 4]

You can add your assets when you fill up the Affidavit of Support.

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

Hello Everyone, I have been browsing these boards for about 6 months and have decided to become active. A little back story first.

I met my fiance, Max, while traveling through South Korea back in 2011. She was a singer at a hotel and we were introduced by a mutual friend. We started dating two days later. I ended up working and staying in Korea for six months. After which we decided to move to the Philippines (Max is Filipina and was working in Korea). I met the family, had some amazing adventures, and even proposed while in the PI. Little did we know the nightmare that is the Visa process was looming ahead of us. We studied the process and I reluctantly returned home to the US while she stayed and worked in the Philippines. I hadn't been to my home state of Washington in about three years. I landed a job and got to work filing the Visa. It was recorded as arriving on Sept 17th at California Service Center and we are now just waiting for approval.

As for the the dilemma, though I have been working nonstop since my return, minus a trip to visit for three weeks, I am finding out that Manila is a bit harder to convince for the visa due to my income. My last two years of Tax records show me under the poverty level. I was traveling and just making enough to get by. I of course am using my Father as a cosponsor and have been steadily working since July of 2012. I just hope this is enough to convince the Embassy. I am willing to move to the PI, but my family and friends never getting the chance to meet Max would be devastating for everyone. Even with my new job, I still believe at the end of a year I will be just under the poverty level still. Take care and good luck Everyone!

Anthony portion of Ant&Max.

Generally they go by current income. If you got a December 31, 2012 paying $300,000 per year your current annual income is $300,000 per year. That is the correct answer for the I-134. Document it. Sleep well.