Here is the story that you have heard (and I have read) a million times. Last year, while working in Nicaragua for an NGO, I met a girl that I started dating, fell in love, had to come back to the states to work to pay off my college loans. I have visited her since and I care for her greatly. I would like her to come to the states to meet my parents, see my life here, and take some english classes. She speaks barely any english and has recently started studying english at a university about 9 months ago. She has ambitions to be an english teacher. Here is the dilemna: her family is poor. American standards put her and her family well below the poverty line.
I thought perhaps I would be able to get her a F-1 and she could come and study in an ESL program. English benefits almost every occupation in Nicaragua, considering all the tourism, so I thought this would be feasible. However, I have to prove finances for an I-20, and I can only get her into a 4-week program (my current level of finances for an I-20, even though it's enough for her to take a 4-month program) and I don't believe she would approved for such a short amount of time.
I have looked into a B-1, or a B-2 but these types of visa have nothing to do with sponsorship and feel she would be denied instantly.
I have considered applying for a K-1, but I really don't want to put her through that. In her community, it would be devastating to her if everyone thought she was getting married and then for her to return 3 months later.
Some background information on her: She works 6 days a week but it's not well paying and probably not considered a viable tie ($60 a month in a market store). She goes to school once a week at a university (An English class for 3 hours). She has not family in states.
My parents would be willing to assist me if she would require sponsorship and a homestay if required.
After reading 1000s of posts about similar situations, I have not been able to determine a great approach and I feel lost. I was wondering if anyone has any constructive advice based on similar experiences?
Details would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I thought perhaps I would be able to get her a F-1 and she could come and study in an ESL program. English benefits almost every occupation in Nicaragua, considering all the tourism, so I thought this would be feasible. However, I have to prove finances for an I-20, and I can only get her into a 4-week program (my current level of finances for an I-20, even though it's enough for her to take a 4-month program) and I don't believe she would approved for such a short amount of time.
I have looked into a B-1, or a B-2 but these types of visa have nothing to do with sponsorship and feel she would be denied instantly.
I have considered applying for a K-1, but I really don't want to put her through that. In her community, it would be devastating to her if everyone thought she was getting married and then for her to return 3 months later.
Some background information on her: She works 6 days a week but it's not well paying and probably not considered a viable tie ($60 a month in a market store). She goes to school once a week at a university (An English class for 3 hours). She has not family in states.
My parents would be willing to assist me if she would require sponsorship and a homestay if required.
After reading 1000s of posts about similar situations, I have not been able to determine a great approach and I feel lost. I was wondering if anyone has any constructive advice based on similar experiences?
Details would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
