K-1 Fiancé Visa (Filipino-American Couple)

[Jajajajaja 0]

Hi,

 

I am a Filipino citizen (26F) currently living in Australia on a student visa and my course is scheduled to finish in November 2026. My boyfriend is a United States citizen (25M).

 

We met in Australia while he was on a working holiday visa and have been together since May 2025. I had known him from October 2024 and we have been friends since February 2025. After his working holiday visa, he returned to the United States in July 2025 but we have maintained our relationship.

 

In September 2025, I applied for a U.S. tourist visa in Sydney because we planned to travel together in the United States and I intended to stay with him for a short visit. Unfortunately, my application was denied. The reason provided was that I did not have sufficient ties in Australia for them to be confident that I would return.

 

Because of this, we decided to meet elsewhere so we could spend time together. From December 2025 to February 2026, I joined him on his Latin American trip. During this time, we travelled together in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, and Colombia. I also met his entire family for the first time in Costa Rica while they were traveling there with us.

 

Right now, we are looking into the K-1 Fiancé Visa. However, we are concerned about the financial requirements. My boyfriend works as a cook in a seasonal job. He works approximately six months of the year and the business closes during the winter months, during which time he usually travels. Based on our research, it seems his annual income may not meet the financial sponsorship threshold. We also considered whether his parents could act as financial sponsors, but we have read conflicting information indicating that this may not be allowed for the K-1 visa.

 

As for me, I am working as a casual employee in Australia along with my studies. And while in the process and waiting for the result once we lodge it, I will continue my visa here in Australia and apply for an extension.

 

Our main questions are these:

1. Is a joint sponsor possible on K-1 visa? Or anyone here have experience not meeting the financial threshold and what did you do about it?
2. Is my Tourist visa denial going to affect my K-1 application?
3. What strong evidence do we need to provide in a long distance relationship when we live in different countries to prove our relationship? (we don’t have joint accounts)
4. For the interview, am i going to do it here in Australia or in the Philippines?

 

Thank you very much for your time. I would greatly appreciate any guidance you could provide. 🙏