Sponsor I-134

[riss 12]

Sponsorship question!

We're going to approach a friend of my fiancé's to ask if she'll be willing to sponsor me for the I-134. I am hoping that we won't need a sponsor by the time we get to I-864 stage, as by then they will take into account my assets. So I want to know what the limits of the K-1 sponsor's responsibility to me, are. Does it only last until we do the I-864, and provided we get through on our own steam, she's off the hook from there on? Because it doesn't lay that out clearly in the I-134 instructions. In the I-864 it says the responsibility is FOR LIFE! (or until I've worked for 10 years, but I'm not sure what my plans are for work yet.) I wouldn't feel comfortable asking anyone to do that for me.

Thanks in advance,

Riss

[Travis and Meghan 24]

As far as I know (and I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong) once you fill in the I-864 and it is approved that takes over in place of the I-134.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

The I-134 isn't really anything. I know that reads bad but it's not legally binding. It's just not... anything. The I-864 though, as you know.. that's the "bad" one. it's legally binding, it stays in effect until you become a USC, have worked 40 quarters (that's a minimum of 10 years), give up your GC or die.

She wouldn't have to support you, but she would be required to pay back the government if you ever needed to use a means-tested benefit (and they'd go after your primary sponsor first - your spouse).

Personally I think the same, I would had to get someone else involved if I was able to prevent it because even though you'd hope to never need to use a means-tested benefit, you can never know for sure till it happens.

[riss 12]

What exactly are means-tested benefits? I mean, are they potentially unlimited? Like for example, medical services if something happens and you're not covered by insurance? I want to explain to her what her responsibilities would be, and I don't know if I dare tell her that we might have to ask her later on to help us with an i-864 (and what it would involve) if what we have isn't considered adequate! I think we should be alright with our own/my assets but there's a little bit of grey area.

The I-134 isn't really anything. I know that reads bad but it's not legally binding. It's just not... anything. The I-864 though, as you know.. that's the "bad" one. it's legally binding, it stays in effect until you become a USC, have worked 40 quarters (that's a minimum of 10 years), give up your GC or die.

She wouldn't have to support you, but she would be required to pay back the government if you ever needed to use a means-tested benefit (and they'd go after your primary sponsor first - your spouse).

Personally I think the same, I would had to get someone else involved if I was able to prevent it because even though you'd hope to never need to use a means-tested benefit, you can never know for sure till it happens.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

What exactly are means-tested benefits? I mean, are they potentially unlimited? Like for example, medical services if something happens and you're not covered by insurance? I want to explain to her what her responsibilities would be, and I don't know if I dare tell her that we might have to ask her later on to help us with an i-864 (and what it would involve) if what we have isn't considered adequate! I think we should be alright with our own/my assets but there's a little bit of grey area.

Medical services is one part, but not because you're not covered by insurance (they would just sue YOU about not paying the bill) but if you used say.. food stamps, or medicaid (which is a federal assistance thing to help pay medical bills so people don't end up with large bills if they don't have insurance)... things like that.

Here's a list: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3183.html#_Means_Tested_Public