Evidence of own funds?

[Liver Perfect 0]

I have my interview next week and have all my evidence ready except for that which they require to meet the Public Charge Provisions of the Law.

My fiance cannot really afford to be my sponsor and I have savings anyway, so I am try to provide evidence of this money under the Applicant's Own Funds option.

I was going to give them copies of my bank statements. The problem with this is that the wording on the information sheet I received seems to imply something much more complicated:

Statement from a senior officer of a bank showing present balance of applicant's account, date account was opened, the number and amount of deposits and withdrawals during the past 12 months, and the average balance during the year...

So... will I be able to use my bank statements as planned, or do I have to get my bank to trawl through my account records for the past year for me? I asked at my bank today to find out what they thought and they looked at the piece of paper like it was written in Japanese. They couldn't understand why it was all necessary when all that info is on my bank statements already. They also said that asking them to do such a thing would incur a hefty charge of some sort.

Anyone here who has had their interview and / or can shed some light on this?

[mrswooten4ever 0]

The need a letter from the bank signed by them stating the date the account was opened, the opening balance the amounts deposited in the last year and the current balance. You can attached copies of your statements if you want to. If you have property or insurance policies these can also be used

Adele

Edited May 3, 2006 by MrsW2B

[Liver Perfect 0]

Thanks!

So they DO actually need a list of every transaction that's taken place in the last year?

And who would I go to? The bank manager?

[Yodrak 7]

Liver Perfect,

I can't answer your question with any degree of assurance, but I can give you two ideas to ponder that have worked for many people at various consulates.

- Submit only copies of bank statements, most people seem to go with one year's worth, without any letter from the bank.

- go through the bank statements to get the necessary information and draft the letter yourself, then take your draft with the statements to the bank and have them transfer it to their letterhead and sign it.

Yodrak

I have my interview next week and have all my evidence ready except for that which they require to meet the Public Charge Provisions of the Law.

My fiance cannot really afford to be my sponsor and I have savings anyway, so I am try to provide evidence of this money under the Applicant's Own Funds option.

I was going to give them copies of my bank statements. The problem with this is that the wording on the information sheet I received seems to imply something much more complicated:

Statement from a senior officer of a bank showing present balance of applicant's account, date account was opened, the number and amount of deposits and withdrawals during the past 12 months, and the average balance during the year...

So... will I be able to use my bank statements as planned, or do I have to get my bank to trawl through my account records for the past year for me? I asked at my bank today to find out what they thought and they looked at the piece of paper like it was written in Japanese. They couldn't understand why it was all necessary when all that info is on my bank statements already. They also said that asking them to do such a thing would incur a hefty charge of some sort.

Anyone here who has had their interview and / or can shed some light on this?

[Liver Perfect 0]

Thanks Yodrak, those are good suggestions

I'd be quite willing to try the second option if my bank will go for it. I'm thinking that they'd want to check the accuracy of the information I'd provided before putting their name to it, though.

I might have to use the Embassy's overpriced helpline to establish exactly what they're willing to accept - I don't want to risk not getting the visa over some bureaucratic technicality at this late stage.

Does anyone else have any experience of this? I'm in the UK, if that helps.

[meauxna 15]

Don't call the pay number---they know less than you do.

You might PM user Boiler and ask him to comment on your thread (inlcude a link). He self-sponsored.

You could also search (including the archives) with that phrase 'self sponsor' since many others have done it. I don't ever remember reading about such a to-do over the paperwork tho.

[Liver Perfect 0]

Thanks! I've done exactly that

[Boiler 46,047]

Thanks! I've done exactly that

I will post here just in case somebody else reads this.

In my case Nat West did not do that sort of letter and as it seemed a bit silly anyway I did not bother. I did go and get a printout from the Cash Machine on the day of the interview and did take my collection of statements.

Actually I took everything realting to my financial situation, I did a spreadsheet summary. I was working under the impression at the time that I needed to hit the 5x Poverty Limit. even got a valuation on my Flat from the local Estate Agent, which might come in useful down the line.

Even translated it all into dollars using FT current rate with a copy of the FT page from the previous day.

Major overkill, my impression was that if you clearly exceed there relatively nominal amount then they look no further. I can not remember if they kept my spreadsheet, I think not.

I was expecting major interrogation, and all I got was a glance. But that went for the whole day.

Now if you are tight for the amount they require, I would want to make sure I could substantiate clearly.

I am sure that they are aware that UK Banking practice differs to US.

[meauxna 15]

Thanks! I've done exactly that

And a'course now I'm obliged to ask: got a plan for the I-864 for your adjustment of status? You will be able to use your assets but at the 1/5 value formula. And as a K-1, you probably won't be working, soooooo.

[Liver Perfect 0]

Aha, thanks Boiler! I am also with Natwest, coincidentally. SO I think I'll just take all my statements for the last year plus evidence of how I intend to move the money over.

meauxna, now you have me worried again... I hadn't looked that far ahead yet - just barely keeping up with everything I have on my plate right now.

Actually, isn't that two years down the line? If I'm not working by then I'll be living in the gutter already!

[meauxna 15]

meauxna, now you have me worried again... I hadn't looked that far ahead yet - just barely keeping up with everything I have on my plate right now.

o dear.

Ms Fiance had better get a 125% pov job or a Joint Sponsor.

Not much point getting here if you can't stay.

er, didn't mean that to sound like 'that'. I do recommend that you do some looking ahead tho. It will take awhile for you to get employment authorization (like 3-6 months).

Edited May 4, 2006 by meauxna

[Yodrak 7]

Liver Perfect,

I certainly hope that a bank would want to check the accuracy of your work, that's why I wrote to take the statements along with the letter to the bank. Not that they'd re-do your work but they'd probably want to make some spot checks.

Boiler's approach, very detailed and complete, was excellent. I'd say follow the lead and do the same even if his experience showed that such level of detail may not have been necessary. One reason that his information may not have undergone a lot of review at his interview may well have been that it was obviously thorough and well done. Had it been 'back of the envelope' it may well have been subject to more scrutiny.

And, as meauxna points out, it may be useful for the I-864 for AOS.

Yodrak

...

I'd be quite willing to try the second option if my bank will go for it. I'm thinking that they'd want to check the accuracy of the information I'd provided before putting their name to it, though.

...

Boiler,

Great post, great information. I don't think your detailed approach was overkill, it may well have been a significant contributing factor in their acceptance of the information at face value.

Yodrak

Thanks! I've done exactly that

I will post here just in case somebody else reads this.

In my case Nat West did not do that sort of letter and as it seemed a bit silly anyway I did not bother. I did go and get a printout from the Cash Machine on the day of the interview and did take my collection of statements.

Actually I took everything realting to my financial situation, I did a spreadsheet summary. I was working under the impression at the time that I needed to hit the 5x Poverty Limit. even got a valuation on my Flat from the local Estate Agent, which might come in useful down the line.

Even translated it all into dollars using FT current rate with a copy of the FT page from the previous day.

Major overkill, my impression was that if you clearly exceed there relatively nominal amount then they look no further. I can not remember if they kept my spreadsheet, I think not.

I was expecting major interrogation, and all I got was a glance. But that went for the whole day.

Now if you are tight for the amount they require, I would want to make sure I could substantiate clearly.

I am sure that they are aware that UK Banking practice differs to US.

[Boiler 46,047]

I would always recommend overkill.

But the vast majority of my info never made it out of my Rucksack, just learned that the translation is Back Pack. And that period is full stop, and that's after 2 years.

I did have the spreadsheet and a few bits of the important info collated in a plastic folder, as I say it was just glanced at.

I have not read of anyone having an issue, but that does not mean you can not be the first so play safe.

When I found out that the I134 is not enforceable and that they basically look for the sam sort of cash as if you were going on holiday for 3 months it made sense, did not realise that at the time.

I864 is another issue, it would appear that some people fudge it a bit on application and assuming that they have the usual long wait submit a new one with the immigrants income for the interview. Just need to avoid a RFE on application.

[meauxna 15]

Actually, isn't that two years down the line? If I'm not working by then I'll be living in the gutter already!

LP, I didn't clarify about this before...

A K-1 enters the US and has 90 days to marry their USC petitioner and apply to adjust their status to Permanent Resident. The I-864 must be submitted with that application.

The time it takes for your application to be decided will vary depending on your District Office's schedule. Where I live, it only takes about 6 months; other cities can take up to 3 years.

[sadie33138 0]

I have my interview next week and have all my evidence ready except for that which they require to meet the Public Charge Provisions of the Law.

I was going to give them copies of my bank statements. The problem with this is that the wording on the information sheet I received seems to imply something much more complicated:

Statement from a senior officer of a bank showing present balance of applicant's account, date account was opened, the number and amount of deposits and withdrawals during the past 12 months, and the average balance during the year...

Just FYI I have been trying to get this "letter" from Bank of America since early March & finally wrote BOA Tampa, FL in April (I'm USC living in New Zealand and have a savings acct. in the US at BOA). I've called, written, emailed and it's been one of the most difficult things I've tried to get. Many of the Customer Service people don't have a clue what it is. One rep just put me on hold & never came back and this was at international rates. I finally got a definitive answer online. It is called an Account Reference Letter. For Bank of America accounts write to:

Bank of America, Att: Judy Cumba

FL1-002-01-31

5570 Idlewood

Tampa, FLorida 33634

USA

They charge you $10 processing fee and when you write to them, you need to give your permission for this fee to be deducted from your account. Mine was deducted 5/1 so I know the letter is coming finally.

Edited May 5, 2006 by sadie33138