K-1 visa and unemployment

[S0rceress0]

I am currently engaged to a man in Ireland. I would like to bring him to the U.S. under a K-1 visa so we can get married. I am currently military disabled and unemployed and expecting to remain unemployed for at least a year. My Fiancee has been long term unemployed in Ireland but has computer skills that could be put to good use in the community that I live in.

We were introduced by my mother online. We are in contact constantly over Skype, but because I am disabled and have two young children and he takes care of his 90+ year old grandmother, we are unable to leave our places of residence to meet in person.

1 - Will we have a problem with the K-1 visa or is it a better idea to wait until I am employed again to apply?

Much thanks for your time

 

[elcupacabras]

The first thing you MUST MUST MUST do before you file anything is to meet in person. This should be your major priority.

 

[Triple Citizen]

There is a provision in the law that may exempt the petitioner from the meeting requirement "if it is established that compliance would result in extreme hardship to the petitioner." Keep in mind, this waiver is very hard to secure.

1 - Will we have a problem with the K-1 visa or is it a better idea to wait until I am employed again to apply?

 

[S0rceress0]

Well, earning $845/mo disability with two children and his unemployment/support of his grandmother make it pretty much impossible for a flit over the ocean unless it is permanent. I am more concerned with how the unemployment factor on both sides will look. With both of us together we can do ok, but apart I have no one to help me and he has no job opportunity where he is.

 

[elcupacabras]

You will need to work on finding a joint sponsor to make your income up to the 125% above poverty level (keeping in mind the number of dependents you have which raises the amount you need to bring it up to). Your fiance's income/lack of doesnt come into play at all.

But this is all a moot point until you meet or get that waiver approved. As Triple stated this is VERY difficult to get approved (the ONLY time Ive seen these approved is when one/both parties are physically unable to meet one another due to medical reasons and so are physically unable to fly......or their religion specifically forbids meeting before marriage). Going through all the info I've trawled through over the years, being unemployed/caring for a non dependent as a reason for not meeting quite frankly wont cut it.