Question about my daughters K-1 visa.(merged)

[Boiler 47,456]

A year of saving sounds a good idea.

Allows self sponsorship and covers the 3 months or so no working.

Plus there are so many other costs beyond the headline ones.

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! It's refreshing to hear someone say this. I would be saying the same thing as a parent. While this is my own opinion, I don't believe they should even allow co-sponsors for fiance(e) or marriage visas at all (or at least only under certain specific circumstances).

While I certainly understand people want to be with their loved ones, marriage is a big, grown-up, adult CHOICE to make. While anyone legally able to get married is free to do so, petitioners should at least have to demonstrate they are capable of meeting these (minimal) immigration requirements on their own.

Good luck, that is going over so well in the UK

[AMZJ 61]

She earns enough to sponsor him herself and you don't need to co-sponsor. Also it's slowed down at California significantly people are waiting 90 days plus for a NOA2 now. Yes some people got though it in 4 months that applied late last year, but that's not happening now. Her staying at yours until he gets there would have no bearing on the application, but that is your personal choice. Honestly she should move out if she is getting married. They will need their own place. He won't be able to work until he gets his EAD which takes around 90 days to process after she gets married and has filed it. The files and info is all in the K-1 instructions on this site. Really not difficult. She probably has a ban if she overstayed in the UK, plus our laws here do not allow co-sponsorship and the income bracket is ridiculously high.

[Meg&Andrew 297]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! It's refreshing to hear someone say this. I would be saying the same thing as a parent. While this is my own opinion, I don't believe they should even allow co-sponsors for fiance(e) or marriage visas at all (or at least only under certain specific circumstances).

While I certainly understand people want to be with their loved ones, marriage is a big, grown-up, adult CHOICE to make. While anyone legally able to get married is free to do so, petitioners should at least have to demonstrate they are capable of meeting these (minimal) immigration requirements on their own.

I can NOT say I agree with this. If it wasn't for them allowing the k1 to be sponsored I wouldn't have this chance to have my love by my side. I'm a 28 year old single mother of 4 children, while trying to go to school full time myself to better my life for my children and I. I don't think I deserve to not have my fiancé here because I'm trying to finish school, and barely have minimum wage income. Does that mean I can't be happily married? I don't think it's fair to say that. Not to mention the town I live in was hit hard by the recession. Jobs are very hard to come by, and even the ones open aren't paying enough to cover 125% of poverty levels for me, my 4 kids, and my fiancé. Which is exactly why I am in school working on my degree, to end up being able to find a job that will help my children and I live more comfortably. It's not fair to punish those who are trying to do their best with the given situation to say that the co sponsor shouldn't be allowed.

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

Hello! I will say I am in a (somewhat?) similar position in regards to not having much of an income while sponsoring my fiance for a K-1. In fact, I make significantly less than your daughter! (to the tune of almost $10,000..) Because of this, my father did end up agreeing to co-sponsor, but I was very adamant from the beginning that I would be fully responsible for the cost of the visa process as well as provide for my fiance/husband until he is able to work. I do have my own apartment which I have been renting for a few years now, so I do have an idea of what it means to budget and have to figure out financials on my own.

That being said, the visa process was still of course a pretty large expense for me. Thankfully I had been saving up and had about $5,000 that I could pledge specifically for the process. While I am definitely living paycheck to paycheck, I do not feel like I am drowning. I have had to accept certain realities, like how "date night" isn't going to be something that involves going out to restaurants, that missing a shift here and there because I don't feel well is something I can't really afford to do, that I won't own a gaming system or a nice computer, and that most of my furniture is going to be used or hand-,me-downs for a while. For our honeymoon, instead of paying for an expensive trip, we are taking a small road trip and camping across the Midwest (this isn't much of a "sacrifice" for us though, as we both really enjoy camping and the outdoors!) Thankfully I come from a thrifty family, so it's not super new to me! I do want to point out that I do live in an are of the U.S. that is relatively inexpensive, so that has helped as well.

I realize a lot of this is just irrelevant personal narrative, but the point is that I definitely think it is possible for your daughter to make it happen if she tries! I do think waiting a little bit so she has at least some savings may definitely be helpful. I'm not sure how much rent is on average wherever you are living, but the upfront cost of the visa application as well as first month's rent and a likely security deposit is going to be a bit of a big expense right up front.

~*slight detour to discuss the issue of removing the co-sponsor option*~

In terms of not having a co-sponsor option, there is also the issue of how 125% of the federal poverty level is a vastly different amount of money in terms of purchasing power depending on where you are in the U.S. for example, I currently only make about $11,000 a year, but so far that has been more than enough considering my rent is only $400 a month and gas, groceries, and other expenses are also relatively low in my area. Because of all this, salaries are generally not as high in the area as well.

I am more than capable of living within my budget at well bellow the poverty line without needed government assistance. At the same time, there may be someone in New York City or Las Angeles who has a harder time getting by on $20,025 than I do at $11,000. Now obviously this is all true with or without the option of a co-sponsor, but being able to co-sponsor limits the issues with the threshold as people are able to get around it. Once that is no longer an option, this and other issues are going to come to the forefront.

[Sledge 11]

Also you wont be liable for 10 years by co sponsoring. He will get citizenship or his permanent resident card.

[Boiler 47,456]

Also you wont be liable for 10 years by co sponsoring. He will get citizenship or his permanent resident card.

Who is this he?

And your comment makes no sense.

[Sledge 11]

The op said she didn't want to be liable for 10 years.. What doesn't make sense? I also speak russian, chinese, spanish and hindi if you need a translation.

[Boiler 47,456]

For a start Sponsorship can be for life.

Which language would you prefer that in?

[Transborderwife 4,666]

The op said she didn't want to be liable for 10 years.. What doesn't make sense? I also speak russian, chinese, spanish and hindi if you need a translation.

Not everyone wants to become a citizen. The sponsor is liable until the beneficiary does one of the following:

Becomes a U.S. citizen;

Has worked, or can be credited with, 40 quarters (usually 10 years) of coverage under the Social Security Act; In certain cases, the work of a spouse or parent adds qualifying quarters

Ceases to be a lawful permanent resident and departs the U.S.

Becomes subject to removal, but applies for and obtains in removal proceedings a new grant of adjustment of status, based on a new affidavit of support, if one is required; or

Dies.

[Sledge 11]

Whichever you prefer. Show me where someone has been stuck paying for someone for life and a percentage. Then ill take your word for it.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

I'm sure that there are cases, it's not like everyone on VJ are the only ones who immigrate.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

Whichever you prefer. Show me where someone has been stuck paying for someone for life and a percentage. Then ill take your word for it.

Maybe you can PM the original poster to volunteer yourself to be the co-sponsor.

The Co-sponsor only needs to be USC or LPR.

Edited May 5, 2016 by Merrytooth

[Pennycat 880]

The op said she didn't want to be liable for 10 years.. What doesn't make sense? I also speak russian, chinese, spanish and hindi if you need a translation.

I think it's also that the fiance in question is a "she". And it is entirely possible. My former roommate was a Scottish man who was petitioned by his ex-wife some 20-ish years ago. He never became a citizen, still lives here and I don't know the details (and don't want to) but I highly doubt that he's yet been credited with 40 fiscal quarters. Between his work being seasonal (which for him seems to mean 6 months per year) and him largely working under the table, I would not be at ALL surprised if his ex-wife is still technically "on the hook" for him. However, he doesn't get any sort of government benefits so it is a moot point.

[Sledge 11]

Ya and I'm sure Theres someone out there born with 4 arms. happens. Point one out to me. Everyone's always so negative. Is it possible sure. Its also possible to climb mount everest, become the president, and make a trillion dollars. Doesn't mean it's likely. Besides even if something went bad the most s/he would qualify for is food stamps. If its a female female theres obviously no kids unless adopted so housing will be a good 5 year wait in which the green card would expire. So you'll be liable for $60 a month in a worst case scenario. No tanf without kids either. So if im missing some government assistance we can break it down.