Fees for CR-1 through DCF

[thepettle 0]

My husband and I are going to do the DCF for the CR-1 visa as I am a US citizen residing in the UK on a 2 year visa.

1. I know the I-130 costs $355 but is that all the fees for the whole visa or are there more I am not aware about?

Also, for the Affidavit of Support can I have more than one sponsor? I ask this because we don't have jobs set up already in America but are fully capable of working. One of my family members is retired but has a lot of savings, owns their house, lives off their retirement money, has stocks etc. but we don't be living with them, moreso down the road from them, another family member (my step dad) has a job and brings in money for the house however they have a mortgage my mother pays for with her Social Security Income as she has Cerebral Palsy - but that pays for the mortgage.

2. Can I have more than one sponsor?

3. Does the sponsor has to live with me?

4. Does my mom getting SSI mean my step dad couldn't sponsor me as thats considered a government fund?

If anyone could answer these questions as I am not sure where else to go, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!!

[Bobby+Umit 161]

FEES

I-864 can have two sponsors.

Sponsor does not need to live with you, just an USC/LPR living in the US. (and over 18 and making enough to meet the poverty level *125%* needed)

Mom's SSI shouldn't affect your step-dad to sponsor.

Edited May 27, 2009 by Bobby_Umit

[thepettle 0]

Thank you for the quick reply - it says "Month 4-8 Dept. of State Affidavit of Support Processing Fee $70.00" - does that mean I wait 4-8 months to pay or do I pay that at the same time I pay the I-130???

Also, it says "Month 6-12 Dept. of State Immigrant Visa Application Fee $400.00

Month 29-36 *Homeland Security, USCIS Removal of Conditions Fee $545.00"

When do I pay the Visa Application Fee??? I Didn't even know this fee existed - what is it for?

And do I pay the removal of conditions fee when we are already in the states before his temporary green card runs out?

Thanks for your help!

[imaisha 1]

there are some other fees. the $355 is just for the petition, which is basically just permission to apply for the visa (silly, i know). the actual visa itself (or rather the application for it) is $400, payable on the day you interview. the medical exam will also be 180 pounds and you'll have to pay fees for any certificates you have to order (the police certificate is 35 pounds and if you'll need a birth certificate that's 10 pounds). and you have to pay the courier the day of the interview. they'll be the ones returning your passport to you and that's 14 pounds. i think that's it...

[thepettle 0]

Do we pay the $400 the day of the interview with check or can we pay with cash? I am guessing we pay in dollars. So does that mean we have to pay the $70 for the affidavit of support? and if there are 2 sponsors do we need to pay 2x the amount ($140) or still $70?

[imaisha 1]

you shouldn't have to pay the $70 for the Affidavit of Support. that's only when it's filed with NVC. should be free for you.

removal of conditions you will have to do (if i remember correctly you have not been married for more than two years) after you get to the states. that first green card he gets will be valid for 2 years. 90 days before that one runs out you'll file with USCIS here to have those conditions removed and he'll be granted a 10 year green card.

hehe you ask the questions faster than i can answer!

here's info on how to pay:

The fees are paid to the Embassy cashier on the day of the interview. Fees may be paid in cash - sterling or dollar equivalent; by International Money Order or Bankers Draft; by Credit Card - Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, Discover or American Express; or Debit Card with the Visa logo. The Embassy does not accept any other credit or debit cards, or personal checks.

found it here:

http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/iv/interview.html

[thepettle 0]

Thanks again for your help, I REALLY appreciate it

Edited May 27, 2009 by thepettle

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Thank you for the quick reply - it says "Month 4-8 Dept. of State Affidavit of Support Processing Fee $70.00" - does that mean I wait 4-8 months to pay or do I pay that at the same time I pay the I-130???

Also, it says "Month 6-12 Dept. of State Immigrant Visa Application Fee $400.00

Month 29-36 *Homeland Security, USCIS Removal of Conditions Fee $545.00"

When do I pay the Visa Application Fee??? I Didn't even know this fee existed - what is it for?

And do I pay the removal of conditions fee when we are already in the states before his temporary green card runs out?

Thanks for your help!

The times are general guidelines when to expect the payment request.

The visa application fee is for the actual visa you will get at the embassy.

Removal of conditions is if the green card is "conditional" - you have to remove conditions within 90 days of it expiring - if applicable.

[imaisha 1]

you're very welcome!

[thepettle 0]

Are the only forms I need to fill out these:

I-130

G-325A (both of us)

I-864 - Affidavit of Support (my 2 sponsors)

DS-230 (both of us)

and thats it? Or am I missing something really important?

[imaisha 1]

london also has a credit card form that you include with the I-130 to pay for that. there's also the DS-2001 checklist way down the road when you're scheduling your interview. you can find all of this on their website. it starts here, with the step you're on now: http://london.usembassy.gov/dhs/uscis/i130filing.html and continues with after that part is approved here: http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/iv/ivprocess.html

also, you have to file an I-864, even if you're using a joint sponsor. were you including yourself in that count?

[thepettle 0]

I didn't know I had to fill out an I-864 - because I don't have a job set up for when we go over there, although I do have a job currently, but it won't really help us because we don't have much savings or anything. So am I allowed to have 2 other sponsors as well as me filling it out or no?

[Bobby+Umit 161]

I didn't know I had to fill out an I-864 - because I don't have a job set up for when we go over there, although I do have a job currently, but it won't really help us because we don't have much savings or anything. So am I allowed to have 2 other sponsors as well as me filling it out or no?

Yes - you still need to fill out the 864- since you will always be the primary sponsor (even if you can't show the income - that is where your other sponsors come into play).

[imaisha 1]

even if your income is 0 you always have to do an I-864.

also, i'm not sure if you're allowed to have two joint sponsors (in addition to you). when it's a joint sponsor their income must be equal to 125% of the poverty line for the household size (their household + 1, the immigrant). that income is not added to yours. it is their income alone. i think you are only allowed to have multiple joint sponsors if you are sponsoring more than one person, meaning one joint sponsor is responsible for say, the beneficiary and another sponsor is responsible for a child immigrating with him. i think that's how it works. read the instructions on the I-864 really closely and see what you can make of it.

[thepettle 0]

I found this... but still don't understand if I can be a sponsor but have 2 other sponsors or not?

"Part 6 — Joint Sponsors: A joint sponsor may only be used when the

petitioner (or relative with a 5 percent ownership interest in the

petitioning entity) cannot meet the income requirement or if a consular or

INS office requests it. The use of a joint sponsor does not relieve the

petitioner of his/her full financial responsibility for the sponsored

immigrant(s). There may be more than one joint sponsor, but each sponsor

must individually meet the full 125 percent income requirement and must

fully qualify as a sponsor. The assets of the sponsored immigrant(s) may

be used to meet the income requirement, but they may be used only by one

sponsor. All other sponsors must meet the income requirement without

including the sponsored immigrant's assets."

Found from: http://www.americanlaw.com/affidavitrule2.html

Also, what is the minimum poverty level requirements for 2009 or do I go by the 2008 ones?