The first part of the K-1 fiancé visa process is proving that your U.S. citizen sponsor (fiancé) earns enough to support their foreign-born spouse during their visit to the United States. If you are worried that your income is not adequate to qualify, you can try to get a “joint sponsor” or “co-sponsor” to assist with your K-1 visa application.
What is a K-1 Joint Sponsor?
A K-1 joint sponsor is an individual who promises to provide monetary support for the K-1 visa candidate (your fiancé) while in the U.S. Sponsors do not have to be family members, but they will need to meet specific U.S. government financial requirements. Anyone who is an American citizen or permanent resident (green card holder), age 18 or older, and currently residing in the United States is eligible to apply as a joint sponsor
When Do You Need a K-1 Joint Sponsor?
You might require a joint sponsor if you, the U.S. citizen fiancé, cannot prove that you make the required income for your size of household. As of 2024, the lowest income required for a K-1 visa for a two-person household is $20,440, or 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
If you don’t have enough of it, a joint sponsor can cover the money burden.
What Does a K-1 Joint Sponsor Have to Do?
A joint sponsor’s primary duty is to fund the K-1 visa applicant while he or she is in the US. The joint sponsor must have Form I-134 (Declaration of Financial Support) signed by the U.S. government to indicate that they are legally committed to providing financial support for the applicant to meet this requirement.
Form I-134 requires information on the joint sponsor including name, social security number, and proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. The form also asks them for their job history, income, and assets. The sponsor must provide evidence to show that the information he/she provides is correct.
Notification: Effective Jan 29, 2024, only the 11/09/2023 version of form I-134 will be accepted by USCIS. Make sure you read the form and USCIS guidance to make sure you are using the correct version.
FAQs About K-1 Joint Sponsors
Is there a K-1 applicant who can benefit from a joint sponsor?
A joint sponsor is not available for all K-1 visas. K-1 applicants, for instance, from countries such as the Philippines and Thailand are not allowed to have a joint sponsor. You can ask the US Embassy or consulate that’s processing your application to make sure that a joint sponsor is allowed.
Is the same joint sponsor eligible for my marriage green card application?
Yes, you can apply for the same joint sponsor for the K-1 visa and the marriage-based green card as well. But for the green card application (Form I-485), the joint sponsor will have to file a different form known as Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support). The income level for this form must be higher than I-134, or 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, rather than 100% for K-1.
Whether you’re applying for a K-1 visa or a marriage-based green card, learning the role of a joint sponsor can be one of the most crucial components of your application in terms of completing financial obligations. Law and Visas can assist you with immigration form filling and advising.
