New here and starting the K1 Visa journey I am a US citizen and Gisell is a citizen of the Domincan Republic

[Ewpinky88 2]

Hello all my name is Erik (United States/Reno/Nevada/Washoe County) and I'm with my fiance Gisell (Dominican Republic/Santo Domingo) and we are starting the K1 Visa process. I really want to make sure that I do everything correctly because we only want to do this once as I'm sure many of you share that sentiment and in doing correctly it will be the fastest. I am legally disabled but do not collect SSI, I collect Survivor's Benefits which I understand do count towards my income. We met on a secure dating website called Boo. I should say she found me and took a chance on me and we fell madly in love. I already spent 34 days with her in the Dominican Republic and will be going back in May to spend 8 months with her there while the process plays out. I will be using a co sponsor on the application as my income is just shy. My Mom will be the co sponsor, but she is also legally disabled and of retirement age, owns her own home and will be using that as collateral for me under the public charge rule. Gisell is not a public charge under any means. Her health is fine and looks that way for the foreseeable future. I just really want to do this correctly and will do anything I need to make sure it is processed correctly. Any help and forwarding of knowledge will really help us out. It's been extremely hard being apart and we just want to be together as soon as possible in the United States. 

 

Thank You very much

 

Erik and Gisell

Edited 16 hours ago by Ewpinky88

[TBoneTX 49,084]

Welcome to the forum.

[JeanneAdil 7,459]

https://www.ssa.gov/survivor 

 

your SSA from survivor benefits can be used as income for immigration 

as that is what i used 

if you do not do tax returns at this time , use the letter social security sends each year that outlines next year's income (may have to make a SS portal to get the statement) plus statement of no taxes filed  (It can be obtained for free online, by mail using Form 4506-T) 

 

you do not get to qualify her as not a possible public charge,  that is the duty of immigration according to their rules 

 

 

[Crazy Cat 46,182]

11 hours ago, Ewpinky88 said:

My Mom will be the co sponsor, but she is also legally disabled and of retirement age, owns her own home and will be using that as collateral for me under the public charge rule.

That could be problematic as it might not be seen as a liquid asset which could be liquidated in 12 months, or an asset which would not cause hardship to the owner if liquidated.   I would find a different well qualified joint sponsor with qualifying income.  Good luck on your visa journey.  Folks here are happy to help and answer any questions you might have.  I would continue to research the entire process, especially the Adjustment of Status procedures, limitations, and forms.

Edited 4 hours ago by Crazy Cat

[Boiler 48,655]

Are you talking about the house your mother is living in?
 

A well qualified Joint Sponsor may be required.

[Ewpinky88 2]

7 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Are you talking about the house your mother is living in?
 

A well qualified Joint Sponsor may be required.

I have no one else. Everyone in my family is dead. My Mom is the only person I have left in my life. 

[Boiler 48,655]

Does she work?

[Crazy Cat 46,182]

3 minutes ago, Ewpinky88 said:

I have no one else. Everyone in my family is dead. My Mom is the only person I have left in my life. 

A joint sponsor can be any US citizen or Legal resident who is qualified.

Edited 4 hours ago by Crazy Cat

[Ewpinky88 2]

2 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

A sponsor can be any US citizen or Legal resident who is qualified.

Do they only need to be able to cover the portion I can't? 

[Ewpinky88 2]

4 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Does she work?

My Mom or Gisell? My mother doesnt work, but she also collects Survivor's Benefits. Gisell works but income in the Dominican Republic is not excellent. 

[Crazy Cat 46,182]

6 minutes ago, Ewpinky88 said:

Do they only need to be able to cover the portion I can't? 

No.  A Joint Sponsor must be fully qualified.  The only way to combine incomes is if a qualifying household member signs an I-864a to combine income with the sponsor....but that is not guaranteed to satisfy a consulate officer.

Edited 4 hours ago by Crazy Cat

[Crazy Cat 46,182]

2 minutes ago, Ewpinky88 said:

My Mom or Gisell? My mother doesnt work, but she also collects Survivor's Benefits. Gisell works but income in the Dominican Republic is not excellent. 

He meant your Mother.  Your fiance's work is irrelevant to US immigration.   Does your Mother have enough income to fully qualify as a Joint Sponsor on her own?

Edited 4 hours ago by Crazy Cat

[Ewpinky88 2]

4 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

He meant your Mother.  Your fiance's work is irrelevant to US immigration.   Does your Mother have enough income to fully qualify as a Joint Sponsor on her own?

Not without including her assets. I live with my Mom because she is disabled and retired so we would have the option to combine incomes. I am just shy of the limit that's why we discussed using our house as an asset. It's my Mother's and my house jointly. Paid for. 

[Crazy Cat 46,182]

4 minutes ago, Ewpinky88 said:

Not without including her assets. I live with my Mom because she is disabled and retired so we would have the option to combine incomes. I am just shy of the limit that's why we discussed using our house as an asset. It's my Mother's and my house jointly. Paid for. 

The "limit" is not an absolute.  Consulate officers use the totality of each case to determine public charge probability.  Do you both live in that house?  You might be able to combine incomes.  However, her age and retirement could play a part in the CO's decision.  I think finding a different joint sponsor would be the best route, if possible.

Edited 4 hours ago by Crazy Cat

[Crazy Cat 46,182]

Have you considered that support level sponsorship is even higher for Adjustment of Status (125% vs 100%)? 

Edited 4 hours ago by Crazy Cat