K1 Income Requirement

[Dreamin Black Boy 4]

Hi guys, Very new here. I am trying to migrate from Jamaica on a K1. Currently my fiance resides in North Carolina, based on her current rate of earning(not Salaried) she will be earning about $18,000 this year which meets the income requirement. However this is her first real job and as such she will have no previous Income tax filings to support this. Also she currently lives with a family of 4 but we intend to get our own place when the K1 Visa is approved. I have two related questions. 

 

1. Will the lack of previous income tax returns pose a challenge for our application or can we go ahead and file I-129F? For the record she has over $10,000 in savings as well. 

2. On the I-129F where it asks for address that we will be living in states. Can she put her current address or will that be an issue since that household is currently a 4 person household?

 

 

[JFH 12,189]

Although that income might be enough to get through the K-1 process, it won’t be enough for adjustment of status. Either she will need a better job or a joint sponsor for that. 

 

What do you mean by “she lives with a family of 4”? Are they her children or she just rents a room in the home of another family?

 

$18,000 a year is not much at all for 2 people who want their own place. You will not be able to work for many months. You have hefty AOS fees to pay when you arrive and get married. She will need to arrange healthcare for you too. Are you bringing savings with you? 

[Dreamin Black Boy 4]

1 minute ago, JFH said:

Although that income might be enough to get through the K-1 process, it won’t be enough for adjustment of status. Either she will need a better job or a joint sponsor for that. 

 

What do you mean by “she lives with a family of 4”? Are they her children or she just rents a room in the home of another family?

 

$18,000 a year is not much at all for 2 people who want their own place. You will not be able to work for many months. You have hefty AOS fees to pay when you arrive and get married. She will need to arrange healthcare for you too. Are you bringing savings with you? 

I just realized that I made that sound really awkward. She lives with her family now but has no dependents. Her mom has already indicated her willingness to assist in purchasing an apartment. I will be taking up savings with me so that would cover all costs related to AOS fees and mortgages for at least 6 months. 

[nullaccount234 882]

1. She should be ready to show proof that she wasn't required to file the two prior years. Having only one year of substantial income is fine, but in her case her annual income is a bit low, look for a joint sponsor to help you out.

2. She should write the address where she resides. Doesn't matter if she lives with family as long as they are not her dependents tax-wise.

[Dreamin Black Boy 4]

Do I have to provide another sponsor at this point or can the I-129 be filed now and a sponsor added after? I am not sure at what stage income has to be proven. Forgive my ignorance please. I am hoping/expecting that she will be a better paying job by then as she has just completed school plus that will give us time to get a sponsor which should not be a problem. 

[Crazy Cat 39,227]

32 minutes ago, Dreamin Black Boy said:

Do I have to provide another sponsor at this point or can the I-129 be filed now and a sponsor added after? I am not sure at what stage income has to be proven. Forgive my ignorance please. I am hoping/expecting that she will be a better paying job by then as she has just completed school plus that will give us time to get a sponsor which should not be a problem. 

You should ask your fiance to create an account here on Visa Journey because there is a GREAT deal you both MUST learn........I would start by reading, studying, and understanding the information regarding K-1 visas on the guides section of this web site: https://www.visajourney.com/content/guides/  .

 

The immigration process is long and very hard.  It will require a very significant amount of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and money......It sounds as if she will definitely need a joint sponsor since her financial situation might not satisfy a consulate officer that you will not become a public charge......good luck.

[Chris Duffy 1,256]

38 minutes ago, Dreamin Black Boy said:

Do I have to provide another sponsor at this point or can the I-129 be filed now and a sponsor added after? I am not sure at what stage income has to be proven. Forgive my ignorance please. I am hoping/expecting that she will be a better paying job by then as she has just completed school plus that will give us time to get a sponsor which should not be a problem. 

File I-129 when you want, it may be many months before you need a I-134 for the interview.

[SalishSea 16,770]

The way things are now, your best bet is to have a joint sponsor lined up.  With that salary alone plus limited work history, the public charge issue will be hard to refute.

 

I also agree that she should create an account here.  You both will need to do much reading and research for a successful outcome.

[VeVe 76]

I would suggest that you read about both the K1 and the CR1. When my husband and I got engaged, I spoke with an attorney who provided a free consultation. It was more economically feasible to get married and apply for the CR1. If you proceed with the K1, you will end up paying double the CR1 within year 1 but you will be together sooner. True love prevails whether K1 or CR1.