
- K-1 Visa Income Requirements. In short, the U.S. citizen petitioner (person who filed Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé) must have an income that at least 100% of the poverty ...
- Determining Your Household Size. To determine if you meet the K-1 visa income requirements, you’ll first need to know your household size.
- Proving You Meet the Income Requirement. Once USCIS approves Form I-129F, the National Visa Center will ask the petitioner to submit additional documents, including Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, on ...
- Green Card Income Requirements. Once married, the foreign national may apply for a green card through adjustment of status. ...
Do all K1 visas require administrative processing?
Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant's interview by a Consular Officer. After You Receive a K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa
What do you need to know about the K1 visa?
The Port of Entry phase for an K-1 (Fiance (e)) Visa consists of the following steps:
- Travel to and enter the United States
- Stand in line for immigration interview
- CBP immigration officer interview
- Get your luggage (baggage claim)
- Customs Check
- Exit
What happens if my K1 visa expires?
■ Nothing, really. As long as you postmark the I-129F before it expires, you will be fine. Expiration of the form doesn’t affect processing as long as you mail it in time. If for any reason you can’t get a K-1 visa interview date within the 4 months, you should let the Embassy know you’re still intending to apply.
Should I use K1 or CR1 visa?
There are two very important points to note, though. If the host country allows same-sex marriage, then both the fiance K-1 visa or the CR1/IR1 are viable. However, if the host country doesn’t recognize gay marriage, then you may use the fiance K visa there discreetly.
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How much income is needed for a K-1 visa?
If the sponsor's household size is only them and their future spouse, then the income requirements to receive a K1 visa must be a minimum of $17,240 annually after deductions in 2021. This number goes up if the household is larger, such as if the sponsor has one or more children.
What is the minimum income requirement for K-1 visa 2022?
Overall, your stable earnings need to be at least $16,910 per year in order to support a household with two people. On the other hand, when the fiancé becomes a permanent resident, you would have to earn at least $21,137 every year. These are the minimum requirements.
Do you need proof of income for K-1 visa?
You will be required to provide your U.S. federal income tax return and your proof of current employment. The tax return must be for the most recent tax year.
How much money do you need for K1 with no income?
Based on the 2022 poverty guidelines, the petitioner would require an income of at least $18,310 to meet the K-1 visa income requirements in all states except for Alaska and Hawaii.
How much money do I need to make to sponsor an immigrant 2022?
The most common minimum annual income required to sponsor a spouse or family member for a green card is $22,887. This assumes that the sponsor — the U.S. citizen or current green card holder — is not in active military duty and is sponsoring only one relative.
How hard is it to get a K1 fiancé visa?
So Is it Difficult to Apply for a K1 visa? The approval of the K1 visa may vary from case to case according to circumstances, and in most cases can be denied or delayed simply because of the applicant's fault for not being able to provide the correct information or follow instructions.
Why would a K-1 visa be denied?
The petitioner does not meet the necessary requirements. The foreign national does not meet the necessary requirements. The relationship seems suspicious or fraudulent. The U.S. citizen does not meet the necessary income requirements.
What percentage of fiancé visas are approved?
Gain an advantage when applying for your fiancé visa It's true: most people who apply for a K-1 visa are successful. In fact, according to statistical reports published by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), about 74% of fiancé(e) visas were approved in 2020.
What is the minimum income to sponsor an immigrant 2021?
For example, in 2021, a sponsor in the U.S. mainland would need to have income (or assets) of at least $33,125 to cover a petitioner who lives alone and is sponsoring one immigrant and two children (that is, a total of four people).
Do I need a job for K-1 visa?
Having a job or income isn't required at any point during the K-1 visa process. But you must still be able to pay all fees and find a joint sponsor for the I-134 Affidavit of Support. Not meeting financial requirements is one of the leading causes of K-1 visa denial at the interview.
How long do k1 visas take to process?
After filing Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé, it may take approximately 8 to 11 months to obtain a K-1 visa. It may be shorter for some and longer for others. As explained, the K-1 processing time can vary based on the agencies that adjudicate the many steps.
Do I need to report a k1 with a loss?
Yes, you should enter the K-1 on your tax return even if it shows a loss. It is a passive loss. The instructions mean that you are not allowed to deduct this loss from your other income.
Are K-1 distributions considered income?
Although withdrawals and distributions are noted on the Schedule K-1, they generally aren't considered to be taxable income. Partners are taxed on the net income a partnership earns regardless of whether or not the income is distributed.
What is stable income?
Stable Income: “Stability” plays a major role in the USCIS decision process. Income derived from active employment, Veteran Administration benefits, retirement pensions, and Social Security are all stable forms of income, but income gained from unemployment is not. If the sponsor’s income is determined to not be “stable” by USCIS, there is a good chance that the visa request will be denied.
Is Rapidvisa a law firm?
No part of this post should be considered legal advice, as RapidVisa is not a law firm. This content is provided free of charge for informational purposes only. If anything herein conflicts with an official government website, the official government website shall prevail.
Can you apply for spousal visa with cash?
For spousal visas or those seeking to adjust status (green card), cash or assets which are readily liquidated can be applied towards the income requirement. Typically, if the sponsor is a U.S. citizen, the assets must be worth at least three times the amount required from the poverty guidelines. However, if you are a green card holder, ...
Who will review my visa?
If you work with an immigration attorney, or a fiancé visa agency , they will carefully review your situation to verify that you meet all of the requirements.
What can you use 1/3 of the dollar value of?
You can use 1/3 of the dollar value of certain assets, such as real estate, stocks and bonds.
Do all K-1 visas meet the requirements?
Not everyone will meet the K-1 visa requirements. Check your eligibility with our K-1 visa eligibility calculator. Note that USCIS and consular officers are different and some countries may have additional requirements.
What should I know before applying for a K-1 visa?
You should read the Rights and Protections pamphlet before your visa interview to learn about your rights in the United States relating to domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse and protection available to you . The consular officer will verbally summarize the pamphlet to you during your interview. Additionally, K-1 visa applicants will be provided with any existing criminal background information on their U.S. citizen fiancé (e)s that USCIS received from other government agencies during processing of their Form I-129F petitions.
How Long Will It Take to Get My K Visa?
For Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé (e), you can visit the USCIS website for the status of your petition.
What do you need to present to a consular officer for a visa interview?
During the visa interview, applicants will be required to present evidence to the consular officer that they are not likely to become a public charge in the United States. You may present evidence that you are able to financially support yourself or that your U.S. citizen fiancé (e) is able to provide support.
Where to file I-129F?
Note: Form I-129F cannot be filed at a U.S. Embassy, Consulate, or USCIS office abroad. After USCIS approves the petition, it is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC will give you a case number and send your petition to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where your fiancé (e) lives.
How long do you have to meet a foreign citizen?
In general, the foreign-citizen fiancé (e) and U.S. citizen sponsor must have met in person within the past two years. USCIS may grant an exception to this requirement, based on extreme hardship for the U.S. citizen sponsor to personally meet the foreign-citizen fiancé (e), or, for example, if it is contrary in the U.S. citizen sponsor’s or foreign-citizen fiancé (e)’s culture for a man and woman to meet before marriage.
What are some examples of ineligibilities for a visa?
Examples of these ineligibilities include: drug trafficking; overstaying a previous visa; and submitting fraudulent documents.
What is an I-134 form?
Evidence of financial support ( Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, may be requested)
How many K1 visas were issued in 2017?
There were a total of 35,000 K1 visas issued back in 2017, so a good number of people are trying to move to the United States with the love of their life. Even still, you have to meet some requirements to obtain a fiancé visa as the sponsoring U.S. fiancé.
How much money do you need to make to support two people?
Overall, your stable earnings need to be at least $16,910 per year in order to support a household with two people. On the other hand, when the fiancé becomes a permanent resident, you would have to earn at least $21,137 every year. These are the minimum requirements.
What is stable income?
As such, here is what a stable earning can be: Retirement earnings. Social Security retirement benefits. The salary you earn as long as it’s a U.S.-based one, and only if you have a permanent job, and not a temporary or seasonal one.
Can you qualify for disability if you have no income?
Social security permanent disability benefits. Other than that, you cannot qualify if you have benefits that are not among these types of earnings. Welfare benefits, for instance, are not considered earnings and will thus not count as such.
Do I have to submit an I-134 for a second marriage?
For the first income requirement submission, you will have to submit the I-134 Affidavit of Support whereas, for the second time, you’ll have to submit the I-864 Affidavit of Support . But the adjustment of status will only occur if you didn’t marry within 90 days of the fiance’s arrival to the U.S.
Can you use a portion of your W2?
If you do not meet this minimum, or you are close to it, you may be able to use a portion of certain assets, or a joint sponsor. Assets and self-employed income are always scrutinized more heavily than earned income from a traditional W2 job.
Can you get a joint sponsor from an embassie?
Not all U.S. embassies allow joint sponsors for all petition types. Contact us at 1-800-872-1458 if you have questions. Even if you meet or exceed the income requirement, there is no guarantee you will not receive an RFE (Request for Evidence) or be asked for a joint sponsor by the government. To find out more about the income requirements, go here

K-1 Visa Income Requirements
Determining Your Household Size
- To determine if you meet the K-1 visa income requirements, you’ll first need to know your household size. Generally, your household includes you and any dependents. Add together your current dependents and the intending immigrants. If your fiancé has children that will accompany, they must be included in the calculation. To determine your household size, add together the foll…
Proving You Meet The Income Requirement
- Once USCIS approves Form I-129F, the National Visa Center may ask the petitioner to submit additional documents, including Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, on behalf of the foreign fiancé. Use Form I-134 to support a visa applicant and show they have sufficient financial resources while in the United States. In short, it’s reassurance for the U.S. government that the fi…
Green Card Income Requirements
- Once married, the foreign national may apply for a green card through adjustment of status. Green card applicants who are applying on the basis of a K-1 entry are generally subject to the public charge rule. USCIS will make a determination if the applicant will likely become a public charge at any time in the future based on certain criteria. USCIS will evaluate applicant’s education, skills, …
Stable, US-based Income
Utilizing Assets
- For spousal visas or those seeking to adjust status (green card), cash or assets which are readily liquidated can be applied towards the income requirement. Typically, if the sponsor is a U.S. citizen, the assets must be worth at least three times the amount required from the poverty guidelines. However, if you are a green card holder, the assets must be five times the amount re…
Specific Challenges
- Self-Employed
Sponsors who work for themselves face additional income requirements. Since they are not on a “traditional” career path (and usually can’t get a letter from their employer), those who are self-employed must show bank account records going back at least six months and copies of their I… - Expatriates and Domicile
Another challenge at this stage of the visa process also faces American sponsors who have lived outside of the U.S. for an extended period of time. For those who are self-employed (common among this demographic), the U.S. tax returns and bank account forms noted previously are still …
Income Requirements For Fiance (K1) and Spousal (CR1) Visas
- As noted previously, the annual gross income of K-1 fiancé visa sponsorsmust be equal to or greater than 100% of the federal poverty guidelines. For individuals seeking to secure CR1 spousal visas or adjust their status to lawful permanent residency (green card), that threshold increases to 125%. Also note that living in Hawaii or Alaska increases ...
Contiguous Us
- (including Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam and Mariana Islands) *(Including all currently and previously sponsored aliens)