Just a few questions 1 year before I begin this process

[PineappleQuest 0]

Hi, I am new to this forum. I decided to make an account because it has been very helpful so far as a tool to navigate the complexities of US immigration law and visas. My girlfriend and I have been together for 6 months, she is a citizen of the Philippines. We have recently been discussing the future of our relationship and have decided that we want to live here in the US when we are ready to get married. We soon learned that, "Easier said than done" is a huge understatement here. We have both learned a lot in the last few days and we have come to the conclusion that a K-1 "Fiancee Visa" would be our best option. I am 21 she is 23 and we are not quite ready for both marriage and the requirements of this visa. So we will begin the process in 1 years time.

There are quite a few requirements for this visa and some of them have raised questions that I can't seem to find direct answers for (in terms i can understand) on government websites. So I decided to ask them here in hopes that when we do begin this long process, it will be the right way,

1) I do not have a job right now, I am a full time student but will soon switch to part time and pursue a full time job. I have 0 tax info right now, I haven't earned enough or worked long enough to need to file taxes. When I start this process I won't have 1 full year of income to report. How would that affect the stable income requirement?

2) Realistically, I could only hope for a position at or slightly above minimum wage given my exp. So while it should be enough to make 100% of the poverty threshold for a 2 person household, it isn't enough for 125%. Does having a co sponsor hurt my chances of being approved? Philippines consulate has no definitive policy regarding this.

These are my main questions for now, I'm sure I'll have more later. Thank you in advance for reading this.

[baron555 934]

we are not quite ready for both marriage

Great, the K-1 is for those who are ready.

and the requirements of this visa.

It's really not that daunting. Just a bunch of forms and documents to gather.

So we will begin the process in 1 years time.

1) I do not have a job right now, I am a full time student but will soon switch to part time and pursue a full time job. I have 0 tax info right now, I haven't earned enough or worked long enough to need to file taxes. When I start this process I won't have 1 full year of income to report. How would that affect the stable income requirement?

Current income at the time of the interview is key. If you can show, from current pay summaries and letter from employer that you make sufficient income, then you are fine. The more and the longer is better but not a requirement.

2) Realistically, I could only hope for a position at or slightly above minimum wage given my exp. So while it should be enough to make 100% of the poverty threshold for a 2 person household, it isn't enough for 125%. Does having a co sponsor hurt my chances of being approved? Philippines consulate has no definitive policy regarding this.

The Phils seem to be on a case by case basis.

These are my main questions for now, I'm sure I'll have more later. Thank you in advance for reading this.

[heo luoi 206]

The Philippines consulate hardly seems like a difficult locale, not a slam dunk but more like a layup.

Seems like you are preparing in advance w/ good foresight.

Could you think of ways to get any supplementary income? a part time job...etc?

Preparing for co sponsorship as a backup at a minimum seems prudent.

Co sponsorship is the formal part of the process, if needed, not really sure how one could be reprimanded for following the process.

Edited October 29, 2015 by heo luoi

[Zedayn 486]

Hi, I am new to this forum. I decided to make an account because it has been very helpful so far as a tool to navigate the complexities of US immigration law and visas. My girlfriend and I have been together for 6 months, she is a citizen of the Philippines. We have recently been discussing the future of our relationship and have decided that we want to live here in the US when we are ready to get married. We soon learned that, "Easier said than done" is a huge understatement here. We have both learned a lot in the last few days and we have come to the conclusion that a K-1 "Fiancee Visa" would be our best option. I am 21 she is 23 and we are not quite ready for both marriage and the requirements of this visa. So we will begin the process in 1 years time.

There are quite a few requirements for this visa and some of them have raised questions that I can't seem to find direct answers for (in terms i can understand) on government websites. So I decided to ask them here in hopes that when we do begin this long process, it will be the right way,

1) I do not have a job right now, I am a full time student but will soon switch to part time and pursue a full time job. I have 0 tax info right now, I haven't earned enough or worked long enough to need to file taxes. When I start this process I won't have 1 full year of income to report. How would that affect the stable income requirement?

2) Realistically, I could only hope for a position at or slightly above minimum wage given my exp. So while it should be enough to make 100% of the poverty threshold for a 2 person household, it isn't enough for 125%. Does having a co sponsor hurt my chances of being approved? Philippines consulate has no definitive policy regarding this.

These are my main questions for now, I'm sure I'll have more later. Thank you in advance for reading this.

1. You don't need 1 year of income history, you only need to be working with an income level at or above the poverty guidelines. Your fiancée will simply provide proof of your current income at the embassy interview.

2. Get 2 jobs. If only 1 job will put you at 100% of the poverty level, then just get a 2nd job to put you over 125%. You wouldn't need to work many hours at the 2nd job, but it is an option to consider. Co-sponsors are accepted on a case by case basis only, so I wouldn't depend on that being an option. However, it is up to the discretion of the CO if they will accept your income as being sufficient or not, or if they will accept a co-sponsor should you choose to use one.

Edited October 29, 2015 by Zedayn

[Hank_ 9,174]

Hi, I am new to this forum. I decided to make an account because it has been very helpful so far as a tool to navigate the complexities of US immigration law and visas. My girlfriend and I have been together for 6 months, she is a citizen of the Philippines. We have recently been discussing the future of our relationship and have decided that we want to live here in the US when we are ready to get married. We soon learned that, "Easier said than done" is a huge understatement here. We have both learned a lot in the last few days and we have come to the conclusion that a K-1 "Fiancee Visa" would be our best option. I am 21 she is 23 and we are not quite ready for both marriage and the requirements of this visa. So we will begin the process in 1 years time.

There are quite a few requirements for this visa and some of them have raised questions that I can't seem to find direct answers for (in terms i can understand) on government websites. So I decided to ask them here in hopes that when we do begin this long process, it will be the right way,

1) I do not have a job right now, I am a full time student but will soon switch to part time and pursue a full time job. I have 0 tax info right now, I haven't earned enough or worked long enough to need to file taxes. When I start this process I won't have 1 full year of income to report. How would that affect the stable income requirement?

2) Realistically, I could only hope for a position at or slightly above minimum wage given my exp. So while it should be enough to make 100% of the poverty threshold for a 2 person household, it isn't enough for 125%. Does having a co sponsor hurt my chances of being approved? Philippines consulate has no definitive policy regarding this.

These are my main questions for now, I'm sure I'll have more later. Thank you in advance for reading this.

1) You can get pass the tax return requirement when you are a new employee by having a letter from your employer and copies of pay stubs.

2) I second the advice to get a 2nd job to get your income to the 125% level. USEM does accept a co-sponsor with the K-1 visa on a case by case basis, no guarantees.

- With all of that said, do you have someone in the USA who could be a co-sponsor for your fiancee? I ask because being you are currently living in the Philippines, you could get married there, and do the spousal visa IR/CR-1 visa with a DCF (Direct Consulate Filing) this WHOLE process takes roughly 60 days (once you have your certified marriage certificate and CEMAR/CENOMAR). Just food for thought.

When you have time pop over to the Philippines forum, hang out, ask questions... http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/129-philippines/