I-134 is hard....

[wbeem 567]

Modern women do not expect to be supported.

That is irrelevant. A K-1 fiance won't be able to work until completing an Employment Authorization, which could take three months or so. That's time when the petitioner will need to provide support. It has nothing to do with girl-power mentality.

[kehills 217]

The spouse will not be able to work for at least 6 months upon arrival in the U.S.

Well damn. Someone better go tell my husband to get home from work, since he hasn't been in the US for six months.

[kitthekat 1,317]

That is irrelevant. A K-1 fiance won't be able to work until completing an Employment Authorization, which could take three months or so. That's time when the petitioner will need to provide support. It has nothing to do with girl-power mentality.

Fyi, as a "modern" woman, i brought savings equalling more than my husband's annual salary with me whem i immigrated. It was more like i supported him during those 3 months

I agree the OP's best options are either to get a second job to meet the poverty guidelines or pursue the spousal visa route instead where cosponsors have to be accepted.

[Elizabeth+Fred 35]

Modern women do not expect to be supported.

True, but the USCIS and consular officer have not been updated with this info yet

[wbeem 567]

Fyi, as a "modern" woman, i brought savings equalling more than my husband's annual salary with me whem i immigrated. It was more like i supported him during those 3 months

I agree the OP's best options are either to get a second job to meet the poverty guidelines or pursue the spousal visa route instead where cosponsors have to be accepted.

That's nice for you as a couple, but it's still irrelevant. First, not every fiancé is a woman. Second, the alien fiancé is not the petitioner. The US government looks at the ability of the petitioner to provide support - male or female. Co-sponsors can help, your finances can help, but it has nothing to do at all with a woman being modern or not.

[Boiler 43,512]

That's nice for you as a couple, but it's still irrelevant. First, not every fiancé is a woman. Second, the alien fiancé is not the petitioner. The US government looks at the ability of the petitioner to provide support - male or female. Co-sponsors can help, your finances can help, but it has nothing to do at all with a woman being modern or not.

I self sponsored.

[brian and aileen 14]

Boiler, you need a reality check.

The spouse will not be able to work for at least 6 months upon arrival in the U.S. With that and along with all the other expenses that a new spouse will generate, your beans better be in order.

I hate seeing couples trying to build a marriage on 30,000.00 USD petitioner salary.

Are you serious? I make way more than that and there are times where it is tough for me and my non-working wife.

Wow, 30,000.00 for a couple that's already a lot of money if you know how to manage it. We are only getting less than $50,000.00 a year but within 2 years since I got here we got our own house, a 2013 suv, and all the things you would wanna ask you can find it in our house and we are a member of 5 will become 6 cause my other son will soon be arriving from the Philippines. And for the fact that we need to pay our greencard here for both me and my son and petitioning my other son it really needs a lot of $$$$$.. and we still able to had a vacation for a week outside the state every summer. As long as you live the life on what you can afford and debt-free you are fine but if you live like a king spending money that you don't need you will be in trouble. Set your priority and be responsible handling your money. We started from scratch when i got here my husband is living with his parents too when we moved out the only thing we got is his bed and his computer, lol , but we're a good teamwork .

I am not bragging but I just wanna inspire the OP , go get a job where you can be able to get your fiance and when she get here maybe she can help you. I only work part time but still it counts . Don't be discourage let the situation be your guide on how to make it better. Every situation is different it depends on how you handles it. Before making a decision always ask God's blessings first and you will be fine. God bless you in your journey.

[lizascissors 65]

Modern women do not expect to be supported.

Right but there's that whole AOS period where your beneficiary cannot legally work in the US... Just saying... Delays in EAD/AOS can happen, getting a job could take a while, etc. It's always good to be prepared.

This modern woman will be supporting her beneficiary husband in the EAD/AOS waiting period.

Edited August 19, 2014 by lizascissors

[Boiler 43,512]

Right but there's that whole AOS period where your beneficiary cannot legally work in the US... Just saying... Delays in EAD/AOS can happen, getting a job could take a while, etc. It's always good to be prepared.

This modern woman will be supporting her beneficiary husband in the EAD/AOS waiting period.

Or he could have saved up for such an eventuality.

[kehills 217]

First, not every fiancé is a woman.

Technically, no fiancé is a woman.

[lizascissors 65]

Or he could have saved up for such an eventuality.

Right... but there are certain incidentals that come up.... or maybe USCIS decides to take a year to issue EAD's from here on out... or whatever possible worst case scenario that comes up - beneficiary becomes too ill to work, whatever.

Saving up = best idea

Saved money lasting through EAD/AOS issuance - not always possible - crazy stuff happens.

It's a good idea to be prepared.

[kehills 217]

Or there are external factors that determine when moving has to happen, regardless of intent or ability to save, or or or... lots of things.

If following traditional gender roles regarding money and who is the breadwinner is important to someone, great. It's completely not at all important to other people, and snarkiness or "should have done what I did" ain't necessary to those who are a bit more inclined towards equality and away from sexist holdovers from women (sans lower class) were not allowed to work outside the home in America.

[christeen 966]

To the op... Options are to get additional source of income (another job) or marry and file CR1 as they will have to accept co-sponsors... Good luck

[usmsbow 796]

Wow, 30,000.00 for a couple that's already a lot of money if you know how to manage it. We are only getting less than $50,000.00 a year but within 2 years since I got here we got our own house, a 2013 suv, and all the things you would wanna ask you can find it in our house and we are a member of 5 will become 6 cause my other son will soon be arriving from the Philippines. And for the fact that we need to pay our greencard here for both me and my son and petitioning my other son it really needs a lot of $$$$$.. and we still able to had a vacation for a week outside the state every summer. As long as you live the life on what you can afford and debt-free you are fine but if you live like a king spending money that you don't need you will be in trouble. Set your priority and be responsible handling your money. We started from scratch when i got here my husband is living with his parents too when we moved out the only thing we got is his bed and his computer, lol , but we're a good teamwork .

Location is everything. $30K in some parts of the country is indeed fine. $30K for a couple in NYC, Boston, DC,SF, Seattle, LA? Definitely not a lot of money even for the most frugal people out there. Do-able perhaps, but not easy.

I agree with altonbebe, especially since the OP lives in a semi-pricey area of CA.

OP- is there a reason for the rush? And any chance of getting a higher paying job? Or as others have suggested, a 2nd job?

[wbeem 567]

Technically, no fiancé is a woman.

Tell that to the US government. Whatever anyone else thinks, it's the government's position that matters.