KellyandNino

For me the most important thing has been my family relationship and I find the visa process is an necessary annoyance that I place behind the visa process.

Most people on this board however come here focused on getting through it as quickly as possible. So questions such as yours will be viewed differently depending on the posters perspective.

Good luck

Yea, I understand. Thank you. I know everything will work out. Obviously I'd rather not have to leave the U.S., but if it comes to it I will. It looks like getting that co-sponsor secured is the best idea at this point.

As I said, I would recommend you put your travel plans on hold, get a decent job to support your new wife to be, then make plans then to travel once she is married with you.

On a side note, my girlfriend has a job in the U.S. that she is able to perform remotely. I secured this job for her before I left the company a while back. I did this before she left to South Africa last year, so that she wouldn't worry about work. She is a customer service agent that works from home.

So when she comes to the U.S., she will most likely have a job. Just wanted to add that info.

N

Why don't you ?????

n/m

my sentiments exactly....

Where is this elitist attitude coming from? I thought this was a forum to help...not judge. Just because I have a wonderful person that supports me in a dream I have had for almost 10 years now. Doesn't mean you need to post and pass judgment.

If you don't have any assistance to give...then post elsewhere. Not sure I understand the reason to post, "n/m" or "my sentiments exactly...".

It's not elitist dude, get over yourself. We were trying to help you. And I can post wherever I want. Deal with it.

Calm down.

And I'm sorry, but where is posting "n/m" considered help? That response was not helpful at all.

Yes, you can post whatever you like. You are right. Have at it. ;-)

Perhaps he posted something and saw the poster right above him gave the same info?

so he edited his post and put "n/m" which means "never mind" ....

A lot of people are giving you advice, here and in your initial thread.

You seem to have made up your mind to travel no matter what, so I don't know what you looking for, someone to say "that's a great idea!!!"?

As I said, I would recommend you put your travel plans on hold, get a decent job to support your new wife to be, then make plans then to travel once she is married with you.

She should be your main focus - but you will have to make the decision on what is more important, her or your travel plans.

Good luck in whichever you pick.

I completely understand what "n/m" means. It just seemed unnecessary. Anyways...no biggie.

And no, I don't need validation that pursuing my dream is a "great idea". It's something I have discussed with her since the beginning of our 2 year relationship. Even before we had any idea we were going to need a K-1 Visa. She is very happy that I have the opportunity to do it. And I'm happy I have her support.

She is my main focus. Nothing about the decision to travel means I am deciding it is more important than her. If we don't get the visa, then I will move to South Africa. She is more important than anything.

The main point of my question in this thread, was not to get approval of my decision, but more so assistance on how I could time it properly. If the consensus is it would be close to impossible without a sponsor. Then I need to hunt for a sponsor. That's all. ;-)

N

Why don't you ?????

n/m

my sentiments exactly....

Where is this elitist attitude coming from? I thought this was a forum to help...not judge. Just because I have a wonderful person that supports me in a dream I have had for almost 10 years now. Doesn't mean you need to post and pass judgment.

If you don't have any assistance to give...then post elsewhere. Not sure I understand the reason to post, "n/m" or "my sentiments exactly...".

It's not elitist dude, get over yourself. We were trying to help you. And I can post wherever I want. Deal with it.

Calm down.

And I'm sorry, but where is posting "n/m" considered help? That response was not helpful at all.

Yes, you can post whatever you like. You are right. Have at it. ;-)

anything that requires government assistant will be considered public charge....

Thanks! That's what I thought. I think my brother will feel better about becoming a co-sponsor...phew.

I wonder if there is a page anywhere on Visa Journeys site that goes into detail about the liability of a co-sponsor. In plain speak that is.

n/m

my sentiments exactly....

Where is this elitist attitude coming from? I thought this was a forum to help...not judge. Just because I have a wonderful person that supports me in a dream I have had for almost 10 years now. Doesn't mean you need to post and pass judgment.

If you don't have any assistance to give...then post elsewhere. Not sure I understand the reason to post, "n/m" or "my sentiments exactly...".

the k-1 process might sound simple, but if you are not prepared then you are just wasting your time and money, you should get your priorities straight before filing.

My priorities are straight. I'm going to take this trip. That's why I'm asking for help on how to make it all work.

I've been reading about the K-1 visa for over 3 months now. I definitely don't think it is a simple process by any means.

I love my girlfriend and we will be together no matter what. Even if I have to live in South Africa. But I have an opportunity to accomplish a dream of mine and she fully supports that decision. That's why I won't let anything stand in our way, she is so great and I'm lucky to have her.

N

Thanks everyone.

My girlfriend and I agreed that this trip is something I need to do. I promised myself that if I was ever laid off, I would take an extended trip. Because you only live once and there aren't many other opportunities to travel for an extended period of time. This trip is something I have been hoping to do for many years.

It looks like I need to find a co-sponsor then.

Maybe you all can answer me this. I read on the I-134 that the sponsor is liable if the fiance becomes a public charge for up to 3 years. My brother was willing to do it, but he brought up a good point. How far does the term "public charge" really go?

Lets say she got into a car accident and didn't have insurance (which she would never do, but for the sake of argument...lets say it happened). Could an insurance company go after him, because he's her sponsor?

If it is mainly directed at her collecting government funding (food stamps, unemployment, etc.). Then I'm not so worried about him signing. But I just don't want to involve a family member if their assets could be seized for whatever reason.

Thanks,

Nino

Sorry if my post was so long. I'm thinking maybe that's why I didn't get any replies.

Here is a shortened version...

My plan is to have the K1 visa ready to submit in early Feb. I will be leaving the country at that time for approx 5 months. If I don't have a job and no option of getting a co-sponsor. What would be the best plan to ensure I have enough time to get a job when my trip is over before the I-134 is needed? I estimate approx 30-45 days needed to secure a job. Here are some of the ideas I had below:

1. Send the packet as planned because current wait times dictate approx 6 months. That would mean if the packet is approved, I wouldn't need to submit the form till around August.

2. Send the packet off and if it is approved earlier than expected, then have my girlfriend wait to schedule the interview until I have a job. (not sure how soon she is required to interview after being approved)

3. Have a family member send the packet off later than early Feb. This would allow more time for me to secure a job by the time I get back in June.

Thanks in advance.

Nino

First off, I just want to say thanks a lot for being such an active board.

I've posted in forums before, but I've never experienced so much participation before. It is much appreciated.

Some of you may remember my situation. At present, I have been laid off from my job. I always told myself that if I was ever laid off, I would take that opportunity to travel. With the current state of our economy, it seems like a good time.

The plan is to be gone from early Feb to late June.

The problem is that I am in the process of applying for a K-1 visa. I was planning to get a sponsor, but it looks like that won't be happening at this moment...nor in the foreseeable future. So I will have to do this on my own.

Here is the area which I would welcome suggestions.

I am planning to submit the K1 Visa packet before I leave on Feb 4th. The plan is to return by June 24th. When I come back, I'm sure I can get some sort of job within a month or so.

How would you all time it so that you have enough time to secure a job before needing to submit the I-134 sponsorship form?

Here are some options I came up with:

1. Send the packet as planned because current wait times dictate approx 6 months. That would mean if the packet is approved, I wouldn't need to submit the form till around August.

2. Send the packet off and if it is approved earlier than expected, then have my girlfriend wait to schedule the interview until I have a job. (not sure how soon she is required to interview after being approved)

3. Have a family member send the packet off later than early Feb. This would allow more time for me to secure a job by the time I get back in June.

Any thoughts on those ideas? Any other ideas?

Thanks a bunch,

Nino

Hmm...I wonder how would they know the correction was made after she signed? There is nothing that would indicate the correction was made before or after. Or maybe I am missing something...I'm all ears if so.

I really don't want to mess this up.

So I just left South Africa on a visit to my girlfriend.

We went through all the paperwork together and she signed all the necessary docs after everything was filled out.

However, she thought her address was "Karabonkle", but instead it seems to be "Karabonkel".

I don't want to wait and have her send another signed form. Is this really going to be a problem? Can I use white out to fix it?

Sigh...

Please help.

I'm also a bit curious about this envelope.

Does it say "do not open" on the envelope? Is this sent to the fiance after the I-129 is approved? I want to make sure this doesn't happen to us.

Thanks.

I'm not so worried about the unemployment thing at the moment. But I appreciate the concern/advice.

I just spoke to my mother about co-sponsoring, which is quite embarrassing since I'm a grown man (28 yrs old), but I couldn't think of any other family member in the area (they live all over the U.S.).

She said, "let me check into it and we can talk when you get back". I'm in South Africa at the moment, that's why she said, "when you get back".

She is a worry-wort about everything...literally. That is also another reason why I was hesitant to ask. I obviously know that the decision I'm making is right. I feel so great about this person and I've had relationships in the past and this one just doesn't compare.

But does my mother, or any co-sponsor I ask, have any reason to worry? Is this document legally binding in any way? If Kelly and I break up, for whatever reason, could she seek support from my mother (or co-sponsor). I just want to make sure and be upfront with whomever I ask.

At this point, I think I'm going to ask my brother instead, because I'd rather not deal with my mothers stress. But I want to make sure my brother knows all the ins and outs of the decision.

Thanks,

Nino

Hey everyone,

First and foremost, thanks to whoever created this site and all that participate. Geez, it's really nice to have a website with so much information and support for what seems like the most difficult process I have ever encountered.

So I am preparing my packet to send in the next few weeks, but I have a few questions that are looming in my mind. Before I ask the questions, let me just give you a quick summary of my present situation.

My girlfriend came to the US (San Francisco) as an au pair in June of 2006 on a 2 yr visa. We met July of 2007 and instantly bonded. She left the US in June of 2008 back to South Africa. She tried a couple of times to just get a tourist visa to come back so I could marry her, but was denied both times.

So I flew to visit her in late December and stayed for 2 weeks (I'm in South Africa right now).

Before I left to visit her, I was laid off from my job. I am presently collecting unemployment. Obviously this financial status was not really part of the plan.

One promise that I made myself was that if I ever found myself out of a job, I would take that opportunity to travel. This is something I spoke to her about and she knew it has been a long-time goal of mine.

My plan was to utilize my savings to travel South America for 4-5 months while the Visa application went through its typical 6+ month process and by the time I got back, I could get a job...and she would be hopefully on her way...provided we did everything right. That plan seemed awesome to me.

The thorn on my side at the moment is the financial requirements on the I-134 form once she goes for her interview. Once I return from South America, I should be getting a check of $450 per week via unemployment. I read somewhere that at least $15,000 salary per year was required for sponsorship. Unemployment would put me over that mark and I have it approved until December 2009.

With all that said, here are a few questions I have:

- What are the minimum financial requirements for the I-134 (minimum salary, account balance, etc.)

- Some people in other site forums have mentioned co-sponsors are not allowed on K-1 visas. Is this true?

- If co-sponsors are allowed, would my situation require one?

- I was thinking maybe she could hold off on the interview after getting approved for the visa, so that I could hurry and get a job. How long does one have after getting approved for the visa, before they need to have the interview?

- Any folks out there have a similar situation in terms of getting approved for a k-1 when the sponsor was unemployed or making very little money?

If I have to end my South America trip early to find a job, I will. Obviously this has been such a long time dream, that I would really like to take advantage and really enjoy this trip. But making sure she gets her visa approved and everything goes smooth is most important.

Any advice out there in terms of what I can do to make this all work out, and hopefully not need to end my trip early, would be much appreciated.

My ideal timeline, as I saw it, is below:

End of Jan: Submit I-129f packet

Beg of Feb: Start South America travel

Late June/Early July: Return from trip, collect unemployment, and get a new job asap (I'm very well qualified in my field, so I don't see this being too difficult).

July: Visa approved

This is obviously provided I don't have any RFE's. I plan to put tons of effort getting this packet right.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Nino