Where to file 129 f if living abroad

[Jon York 156]

This is an insane process. I am just lost with all of the steps. It is incredibly overwhelming

Yes, it is incredibly overwhelming. Some people have advised you to start with the first step and just take one step at a time. But I would advise not to take any steps until you read and understand all the steps to the very end.

When you understand the whole process and what's required at each step, it will really help you to fill out the initial forms the right way, as well as to plan ahead for what you're going to need to have and need to do.

VisaJourney is a great help. Click on "Guides" in the menu at the top of the page and then click on the K1 guide. Or just click here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

I read and thoroughly understood all of that before I started. It will really help you to see the whole process laid out before getting started.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

OP Says they file US Taxes.. so that should cover the Affidavit of Support as long as the amounts are good...

No, a USC must file taxes on worldwide income, so a USC who has a job abroad still has to file taxes, but is not qualified to use that job for the affidavit.

[Enigma23 68]

No, a USC must file taxes on worldwide income, so a USC who has a job abroad still has to file taxes, but is not qualified to use that job for the affidavit.

Really? That sucks.

I can't seem to find it specifically defined either way so I defer to your expertise, knowledge and VJ historical experience...

I wasn't asked for mine at Interview but I am strong believer in "it's better to have it and not need it... than need it and not have it!"

Edited May 5, 2014 by Enigma23

[baron555 934]

No, a USC must file taxes on worldwide income, so a USC who has a job abroad still has to file taxes, but is not qualified to use that job for the affidavit.

I can understand about income while living abroad can not be used for support, but if the income was from a foreign company that paid while the USC lives in the US,,,,,then this would count?

Obviously the assumption is that the USC and the beneficiary intend to permanently reside in the US and the USC have sufficient income while residing here.

[Adrian-Gloria 43]

We're currently in the same situation with my fiance, you need to send all your documents to the texas lockbox. We're using DHL, my only concern was how to make the payment, but we figured out we could send an international money order attached with the packet. My fiance is going back to the US next month. We're going to do a couple of updates on the forms we're sending and hopefully we'll ship it on thursday.

Best of luck and keep in touch!

-Adrian

[iawait 9]

How long have you lived in turkey? The fiance visa is for someone who cannot get married in a foreign country due to circumstances. If you have lived in Turkey for more than 6 months continuously, you are eligible to get married and file a DCF on I-130. Please check online with your embassy to make sure that DCF is available (Consulate in Ankara will process U.S. Citizen petitions for spouses and children in Turkey and Iran). Once the petition is granted and visa issued, you will have to establish domicile in the US and have him follow. You can use your parents as co-sponsors for Affidavit of Support. Also, if you were to get married and file for I-130 in the US, it is down to a 6-8 months of wait and takes a little longer than the fiance visa. Good luck on whatever you decide to do.

[raven52 233]

YOU...,.,simply put cannot do what you are asking to do! You must establish residence in the USA, and be there.

If you marry in Turkey, you will have to file I-130 instead of K-1.,.,.,K-1's are running, a few months for approval, I-!30 is quite another story, 12-16 months!

I would think you would pay the 340.00 by an approved US source, check money order.,.,etc...,..,and NO you cannot do it online, at least to my knowledge.

What you are attempting, 'YOUR" way.,., is pretty much impossible.

[icechamp31 11]

The thing is if I establish domicile in the US, he is coming with me. I am not establishing domicile without him. I have a job and make money. The goverment should accept that. They want people to show that the person has money and they don't even accept my income and I need my parents to help? I have money that I make that should be enough. Do they not realize how hard they make it for people? Just accept my money and get me the visa!

[icechamp31 11]

If I go to the US he goes with me. They cannot separate us. This process is insane and needs reform. I can use my parents place as address and I have a job, that better be good enough for them.

[KayDeeCee 4,892]

If I go to the US he goes with me. They cannot separate us. This process is insane and needs reform. I can use my parents place as address and I have a job, that better be good enough for them.

That better be good enough, or what?

He cannot go with you without a visa, no matter how hard you protest. You either marry and file for the CR-1 spousal visa, or you file for the K-1 visa and then marry within 90 days of entering the US and file to adjust his status to permanent residency.

Income for the affidavit of support must be from a job that will continue, You need to show current, ongoing income from a US based job, benefits or pension. You are planning to move to the US and live. What you made while living abroad will not work to support your spouse in the US. Your other options are to use assets alone, and you will need at least 3 times the income requirement in assets, or use a co-sponsor. Assets must be able to be converted into cash within a year without considerable hardship or financial loss. A co-sponsor must be able to meet the income requirement for their own household size plus the intending immigrant.

First, you need to file the I-129F petition. Deal with getting your I-134 affidavit of support details all worked out while waiting for the petition approval. The I-134 and supporting financial documentation is not needed until the foreign fiance(e) applies for the K-1 visa at the US consulate in their country and has an interview.

Read through the I-129F petition instructions first and foremost, if you are seriously intending on getting a K-1 visa. Then, research the procedure and requirements for what will come later for the actual K-1 visa application at the consulate your fiance(e) will interview at. After you are confident in how it works for the I-129F petition and K-1 visa application, then go ahead and research about filing for adjustment of status once he enters the US with the K-1 and you marry within 90 days. Take the immigration process one step at time, even while looking ahead to learn about the entirety of it.

[baron555 934]

If I go to the US he goes with me. They cannot separate us. This process is insane and needs reform. I can use my parents place as address and I have a job, that better be good enough for them.

Then get married in Turkey and file for a CR-1 visa. Then you both travel together.

[ErikaAndHamit 73]

OK, it's going to have to work or what? You lose your money and end up where you started because you get denied? Your attitude isn't going to get him a visa. You follow the rules and win or you don't and lose. That's your choice. I think it should be a little harder after seeing all the fakes i have seen come through (and yes, even from Turkey, so far it's 50/50 from there from the couples I've met so far, anyway) and use American women for visas. I don't think it should be easier. Sure, it isn't perfect, but that's the government. God forbid it be even more simple. It's not too difficult once you read the rules and ask follow up questions here.

[BirdyGirl85 23]

This is an insane process. I am just lost with all of the steps. It is incredibly overwhelming

It's feels that way at first, but after going through K1, AOS and ROC, I look back on it all and it was not so bad, in fact it feels fairly easy after doing a bit of research.

The thing is if I establish domicile in the US, he is coming with me. I am not establishing domicile without him. I have a job and make money. The goverment should accept that. They want people to show that the person has money and they don't even accept my income and I need my parents to help? I have money that I make that should be enough. Do they not realize how hard they make it for people? Just accept my money and get me the visa!

Sounds like you have never spent any time apart from your fiance... Yes it's hard but what's a few months compared to a life time together? I feel like relationships are very strong if they can get through that. My husband and I were in a long distance relationship for five years before we got married. It was always hard and got harder with each separation. But it was nothing new to us to be separated for months at a time. I find it funny that people who have never gone through that just act like it's impossible. No, it is not impossible. If your love is strong enough you will make it through. Just think of the goal at the end to be together forever, no more separations.

Yeah, I see what you are saying that we should just be allowed to have our fiance/spouse with us at all times, but already even with these types of immigration processes, there are still foreigners faking a relationship just to get a green card, even when the USC is believing the relationship is real. Not saying that is what is going on with your relationship, but I can see why immigration by marriage is that way here. Can you imagine if it was that easy for someone to get a fiance visa, just get one because you a fiance? No interview, no proof of relationship, no nothing? There would be way more people trying to fake a relationship to get to the U.S. if it was that easy.

Edited May 6, 2014 by BirdyGirl85