K-1 employment requirement

[toha 2]

Hello everyone!

I would like to bring my GF finally to the US. I got my citizenship last year and visited Ukraine twice since.

I've been reading through internet resources and found that I have to be employed or have an income (single person) $11,000. This year I worked for about 6 month, made ~7k and now unemployed due to graduate school (20 hours per week rule).

My question is: will USCIS require any proof of income/employment from me? School provides me with $17k yearly for living expanses, do you think that will be sufficient?

Thanks ahead for help!

Edited August 19, 2014 by toha

[sma1488 155]

First of all, the K-1 visa is not for girlfriends, it's for fiance(e)s. Make sure you don't refer to her as your girlfriend after you apply for a K-1.

Your income needs to (probably) be 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for two people, which for 2014 is $15,730 x 1.25 = $19,662. You need to show that your annual income is above that OR find a co-sponsor. I don't think scholarships or stipends from universities count. I think it has to be regular income, like the kind that you would pay taxes on.

What is the 20 hour/week rule? That you can't work more than 20 hours a week? So you could at least get a part-time job instead of being unemployed.

You will definitely have to show your income or get a co-sponsor, just like everyone else.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You will need a co-sponsor; you don't make enough.

[toha 2]

First of all, the K-1 visa is not for girlfriends, it's for fiance(e)s. Make sure you don't refer to her as your girlfriend after you apply for a K-1.

Your income needs to (probably) be 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for two people, which for 2014 is $15,730 x 1.25 = $19,662. You need to show that your annual income is above that OR find a co-sponsor. I don't think scholarships or stipends from universities count. I think it has to be regular income, like the kind that you would pay taxes on.

What is the 20 hour/week rule? That you can't work more than 20 hours a week? So you could at least get a part-time job instead of being unemployed.

You will definitely have to show your income or get a co-sponsor, just like everyone else.

20 hour rule prevents me from working more than 20 hours per week.

I think I can get a co-sponsor. Thanks for the reply!

You will need a co-sponsor; you don't make enough.

Thank you! I will look into that

[jan22 2,898]

Unless it's a specific school requirement, the 20-hour-a-week rule only applies to students who are on an F-1 visa. US citizens can work full-time and go to school full-time both at the same time, without restrictions. Again -- unless there is a school rule against it -- and I'm not aware of any school that puts this restriction on students (other than perhaps jobs that are on-campus)....would violate a lot of employment rights and perhaps be viewed as discriminatory against students with fewer financial resources.

[Al422 221]

It does not have to be earned income, as long as it is income officially in your name. For example, gifts from relatives will not do, but if you are a recipient of a government program that pays you a certain amount each month or year or whatever, that does count (in other words money you are entitled to). And if your total income from all sources exceeds the 19k and change, you are in.