Question regarding affidavit of support - I believe I have plenty in assets, despite no income, but want to confirm best course of action

[Gallito24 0]

I'm going to propose to my Colombian girlfriend within the next month. We met in the US (she was on a J-1 visa) but she returned to Colombia and I've been willfully unemployed to be able to travel to Colombia and be with her until I felt confident to ask her to marry me. I had previously worked in software engineering and made plenty before my current stretch of no income and have been living off the savings. When I count my current back accounts + stocks + property (minus mortgage), I have around ~$350,000k which is well above the 5x threshold

 

I guess my question is, what will bring about more scrutiny: if I were to apply for the affidavit of support without a joint sponsor and just assets or if I get a family member who makes a large income to come on as a joint sponsor? 

 

Since I'm able to count my home as an asset, that feels like it puts me way over the threshold and there's no need for a joint sponsor, but the information online can be conflicting at times

 

Over the course of this year I'll likely get a job again (thus I should have income for when my to-be fiancé will eventually be interviewed for her K-1) but I have a bit of anxiety around what would potentially take the longest/be the most scrutinized since I don't have an income currently 

[Boiler 48,571]

Joint Sponsor would be the safest bet

[Crazy Cat 46,120]

26 minutes ago, Gallito24 said:

Since I'm able to count my home as an asset,

That could be problematic.  I would get a well qualified joint sponsor.

[Gallito24 0]

Appreciate the responses. Getting a joint sponsor shouldn't be a problem. Though, just looking at the K-1 process...I wouldn't need the joint sponsor when I do the initial I-294F. It would be needed when my fiancé goes for the K-1 interview, which could be a year-ish from now, correct?

[mitzab 372]

2 hours ago, Gallito24 said:

Appreciate the responses. Getting a joint sponsor shouldn't be a problem. Though, just looking at the K-1 process...I wouldn't need the joint sponsor when I do the initial I-294F. It would be needed when my fiancé goes for the K-1 interview, which could be a year-ish from now, correct?

 

For the K-1 process, financial scrutiny does not occur at the I129F stage, USCIS does not evaluate income or assets when adjudicating Form I-129F, so unemployment at this point is not relevant (USCIS I-129F instructions:

Financial ability is reviewed later at the consular interview using Form I-134

 

https://www.uscis.gov/i-129f 

USCIS I-134 instructions: https://www.uscis.gov/i-134
 

read through these links at your leisure you will be able to learn a lot as well. 

 

joint sponsors are allowed, using assets alone is also valid, though assets (especially home equity) may receive closer review for valuation and liquidity.

 

applicants in your situation proceed with assets-only (there is no data to see how many do and how many dont but they sure do) and keep a joint sponsor available as a backup if requested at the interview, which is a common and acceptable approach. (But common advice in this case is to get a sponsor involved sooner than later instead of first going through asset situation) 

 

Wishing you good luck in your journey.

Edited 1 hour ago by mitzab