New Member - K1 visa employment questions

[BJ_Baloo 1]

Hi all, I've been following posts on VJ forums for a couple of weeks. I'm a USC preparing to file a K1 visa for my fiance who is French and living in South Africa (SA). We lived together in SA until mid 02/2014 when I returned to the US to look for a job. Unfortunately, we're one of those couples who don't have a co-sponsor. Since my SA income was ineligible for proof of financial support as per I-134 guidelines, I had to return to the US to look for a job. I've just started the job search process and I'm hoping to start the K1 visa filing process once I have a job offer.

We'd like to file as soon as practicable following a credible job offer. In the interim we're trying to work out what we can compile/prepare in order to file as soon as my employment situation allows.If I file when I receive an employment offer, I figure that by the time we receive an NOA2 I'll have several pay stubs and an employment contract as proof of employment for I-134. If anyone has any advice on this (pitfalls to look out for or suggestions for accelerating this process) I'd appreciate it.

I'd also appreciate comments from those who went through a similar process (moving back to the US so that USC sponsor can look for employment in advance of filing) and triumphed. I've only been back in the US for two weeks but I'm already beginning to wonder how I'm going to manage the stress of this lengthy two step process (getting a job then hopefully a 6-9 month wait to get to K1 visa interview stage. Thanks much and I'm looking forward to a shared visa journey with you!

[Pitaya 2,580]

~Moved from Introducing our Members to K-1 Process Forum~

~inquiry about K-1 visa process~

[LibCampFireClub 635]

I'm in a situation very similar to you in that I am a USC who worked in China for almost six years, and just returned to the US in mid-January this year to seek a job. I've seen several posts by members who probably never worked abroad, who automatically assume that any foreign income cannot be used for consideration. However, it appears in my judgement that the VO is looking at the big picture of financial stability and employability.

I filed taxes in the US for every year I worked in China. My adjusted gross income appears as zero (0) because it was less than the $92,500 annual salary for foreign earned income. In my view, this applies only to taxes and not income. I always earned well above the poverty level for every year filed taxes. I think as long as the petitioner is able to secure a job in the US that meets or exceeds the guidelines of the I-134, then they will be approved. It's not easy to find a history of members that fall into a category like this, so finding information is not easy.

[BJ_Baloo 1]

I'm in a situation very similar to you in that I am a USC who worked in China for almost six years, and just returned to the US in mid-January this year to seek a job. I've seen several posts by members who probably never worked abroad, who automatically assume that any foreign income cannot be used for consideration. However, it appears in my judgement that the VO is looking at the big picture of financial stability and employability.

I filed taxes in the US for every year I worked in China. My adjusted gross income appears as zero (0) because it was less than the $92,500 annual salary for foreign earned income. In my view, this applies only to taxes and not income. I always earned well above the poverty level for every year filed taxes. I think as long as the petitioner is able to secure a job in the US that meets or exceeds the guidelines of the I-134, then they will be approved. It's not easy to find a history of members that fall into a category like this, so finding information is not easy.

@ExEpat - thanks for responding! My adjusted gross income being zero because it was less than $92 500 was one of the reasons I thought my SA income would not be eligible. I've also seen numerous posts on VJ about people in a similar situation being told to use a co-sponsor because of the non-U.S. income issue. It's good to know you had a good experience despite not having earned US income. Will keep that in mind for future reference.