Young couple

[Resident]

Hey Guys,

I'm a big fan of the site, I've got a question:
I've read a lot about the k1 visa and the whole process but there are some things that are still not clear enough for me. We are a young couple, my girlfriend is 21, I'm 25. We met last year in the US, she is a US citizen, I'm European. I've read things about this financial status and supporting your spouse and stuff and I'm wondering whether it would affect our future marriage plans if there will be any. She is a university student, I'm graduating this year in my home country. We want to live together but since the US is airtight, sealed like a can of herrings, our only option would be to get married so we could live together. (I want her to go to grad school as so I would be the one who actually financially supported her, not the other way around.) I know it takes like 3 months to get a work permit even if you get married but still. She does not have much income, she works part-time. And of course I would not even expect her to aid me financially, for god's sake, I'm older and I'm the man (hopefully with a degree) I'm pretty sure even to pay for all the fees and stuff would be more than enough for us, most likely we would be living with her parents till I can get a work permit. So my questions are...
Would there be any problem concerning the lack of income? Could we still get married and live like a newly married stupid couple who think they can manage on their own? Would it make any difference if we got married in my home country? Or the easiest way is to get a K1 and get married in the US?

Thanks in advance

[Woodger]

Hi mate

I am in a very similar situation, but my fiance's mother is co-sponsoring me

That means that she signs a form which says she earns enough to 'keep me' financially sound, as my fiance doesn't earn enough money to do that...

It's a standard process of the K1 and you shouldn't worry about it, as long as your fiance's parents or friends are willing to sponsor you (they don't have to pay any money direct to the UCSIS or anything)

Albeit, my future mother in law is my co-sponsor but understands that I have my own money and sees it as just paperwork to help her daughter get married to the love of her life.

More information here https://www.immihelp.com/usa-visitor...sor-documents/

You don't have to prove you have enough money to get married, only that you have a sponsor in the US who earns enough to look after you (even if you plan to use your own money)

[Resident]

Thanks mate.

Well, that does not sound too great. None of her parents are marriage freaks, they got divorced, one hates each other more than the other. (Not like my girlfriend was a marriage freak, or myself. It seems like a necessary evil if we wanna live together...) How much income do you need to sponsor your spouse? (Not like I needed it. As soon as i get my labor certificate or whatever I'd start working and earning money.) Bah, I hate when things become complicated.

[Woodger]

they must earn 125% of the poverty level, which increases depending on the number of people they already financially responsible for (dependents under 18)

Here is the family size (2 would indicate mother and child... and so on)

and the income (annually) they need to meet, is US $

1 13,538
2 18,213
3 22,888
4 27,563
5 32,238
6 36,913
7 41,588
8 46,263

so its not too bad..

You could always assure your fiances parent(s) that you have your own money and it's purely a paperwork issue.. ?

It does get complicated, but thats what we're here for

[francksgirl]

Thank you

That information is good to know........I was wondering what the exact numbers were!!!

[Resident]

Hey,

It's me again, got some more questions. The whole things is just theoretical but still.

Could we get married if I came back on a J1 visa? (Applying for a K3 or something...) To be honest I don't have a lot of money but I don't wanna be away from her for too long. I'm graduating in July, I could come back on a J1 for the very last time and I could stay here, apply for something or just get married. Is that possible? She's going to visit me in december and she is not coming back to the US till June or something. (She's gonna study in Europe for 1 semester.) I think we couldn't start the K1 process because of this cause I believe she is supposed to be in the US to start the whole process. Or not?
I guess that's it for now, Woodger buddy, come and help me out

[Russell]

Coming on a J1 or any nonimmigrant VISA (except the K1) to get married with the intention to stay here will be fraud and will trigger a fraud investigation when you apply for the green card.

You can come here on a J1 and marry your fiancee but go back to your own country and then file for the K-3 VISA.

[Resident]

Thanks mate.
So which option would be the most cost effective and fastest? Marrying here or just waiting back home to happen something.

Another question. After we got married and I have my k1 or k3 visa, can I use my SS card? I got it when i was on a j1 visa a year ago. Cause to be honest I'm a little bit short on money and I don't really want to borrow any money from my parents or having my gf to pay for anything.

[Russell]

The social security administration website lists K-1 type Visa's is a type that allows you to work.

I can't link the page directly but go to the WWW and search Social Security Administration. On the right will be three drop down boxes in the middle one select immigrants. On the next page their are some links on the left click on workers. Then "VISA classifications that allow work".

I did not research the K-3 as marrying outside the country was not feasible at the time, and the K-1 appeared to be faster.

[Resident]

Ok, I guess i could use the SS card I have right now. I would still need a work authorization or something, right? (on a k1 or k3)

If I get it right, you're saying I could come back here next summer after I graduated on a J1, get married and go home, wait some months(?) and come back on a K3. Wouldn't that be a fraud?

All I wanna do is spending as much time with my gf as possible. I don't give a clam about the rest. Well, I wanna do it the legal way...

Could we start the K1 process while I'm here in the US with her? (Most likely im coming back in late June after I graduated) If we could that would drastically reduce the time i have to spend without her. Or, coming here on J1, filing for a k3 and go home before I have to attend that interview or something.

Thanks for all your help guys. (And Nichole )

[rhoel]

questions

whats nexf if petition approved?need help immediately thnks and god bless

[Resident]

Ok, I guess i could use the SS card I have right now. I would still need a work authorization or something, right? (on a k1 or k3)

If I get it right, you're saying I could come back here next summer after I graduated on a J1, get married and go home, wait some months(?) and come back on a K3. Wouldn't that be a fraud?

All I wanna do is spending as much time with my gf as possible. I don't give a clam about the rest. Well, I wanna do it the legal way...

Could we start the K1 process while I'm here in the US with her? (Most likely im coming back in late June after I graduated) If we could that would drastically reduce the time i have to spend without her. Or, coming here on J1, filing for a k3 and go home before I have to attend that interview or something.

Thanks for all your help guys. (And Nichole )

God bless you too but please open a new thread, read the process on the website or read the faq.

I hope someone can answer my questions. Thanks!

[Russell]

I have not done any research on a J1 VISA. But I think you can get married in the USA on any VISA as long as you also come for the purpose of the VISA. I think your girlfriend can file for the K-3 before you leave the country.

Come here on a student VISA and you get married then you had better also go to school.

I don't see a problem as long as you return to your own country when your J VISA expires.

You can have your girlfriend file for the K-1 right now without getting married but that might get your J1 VISA revoked as you would become an intending immigrant. Talk to a lawyer.

[nichole]

Just a note, I am too busy to help you further. A Social Security card does not mean you can work. Your number will remain the same if you get legal residence in the US and you will use that number for income tax, opening a bank account, giving to your employer for tax withholding. Tell the SS office that you have a previous number you want to reactivate. It is not an active card right now Resident so don't try to use it.

A K1 can not work without work authorization from the DHS. (EAD or green card) Social Security Administration does not authorize anybody to work. They keep up with money taken out of your paycheck and paid into your SS account for old age.

I suggest you read the guides on this website and go to uscis.gov and start searching for info on fiance visa and spouse visa. Read the instructions to the forms! Read the Q&A on the USCIS website. It's all layed out. Go to the Customs and Border Protection website. They answer many questions including can you visit on K1. YES but they don't ever have to let anybody in no matter who they are so entry is not guaranteed.

You are bantering things back and forth that are not all good or correct answers. Woodger failed to say the immigrant is included in the household size. Mother and child + immigrant = 3. Get a co-sponsor.

Nobody can tell you how long a visa will take. Many factors like where USC lives, which embassy abroad, how wel you do your paperwork. See another of my recent posts telling about times. Not going to write it again.

I am moving and just taking a short break and can't write any more.

[Resident]

Thank you guys, thank you Nichole!
I'll search and post what I've found.