I-134 Joint Sponsor Question and Other immigration issues

[InTransit 0]

I'm currently a medical student, so my parents have to sponsor my fiancee for me. Since they are doing the actual sponsoring, but I am the petitioner, do I have to submit an I-134 as well? Even though I don't technically have the "income" to qualify on my own?

I live off student loans, and will be the one supporting my fiancee when she gets here, so all this co-sponsorship is just ####### to me. My parents have no intention of contributing, since she can work 3-4mo after she arrives, and I have enough loans for both of us to live on. My parents don't want to cosponsor, and will only do it as a last resort. They find the affidavit to be an unecessary intrusion, and want me to consult a lawyer and look for an alternative, but I fear there is none.

I doubt that this forum tacitly supports gray-area immigration methods, but if we get married in the U.S., and she visits for six month periods while we file the I-130, what's the harm in that? She'll still maintain her primary residence in Canada with her parents. She'll still have to file taxes there this year, and she'll maintain bank accounts there. We'll still have to deal with my parents and the I-845 affidavit of support, but time is ticking, and I may not be able to convince them to co-sponsor before our scheduled wedding.

If anyone has any experience or advice on this matter, I'm all ears.

[payxibka 10,045]

Moving to:

US Embassy and Consulate Discussion

You are almost there and now you have to deal with the embassy. This is the place to post your experiences or questions related to this last step before moving to the US. Topics relating to I-134's, packets sent from consulate and medical & police certificates should be posted here.

[Anh map 2,098]

The sponsorship "#######" is not about paying the bills, buying groceries, etc. It is about if the immigrant becomes a public charge and utilizes means tested benefits. Then the sponsor would be liable to the agency to repay what is given to the immigrant. This applies to the I-134 as well as the I-864. You will always be the primary sponsor and must complete the affidavit regardless of having a co-sponsor or not.

A read of the forms and instructions will explain the parameters to both you and your parents. If your parents don't want to sponsor, simply find another person that is willing to help.

There are many people here on VJ that have come to the US on a visitor visa / visa waiver program, etc. Is there a risk, yes. Have many many folks been successful, yes. Do some reading here on VJ to learn their experiences. Read through the Cananda regional forum as well to get specific input about the Canadian visa experience.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I'm currently a medical student, so my parents have to sponsor my fiancee for me. Since they are doing the actual sponsoring, but I am the petitioner, do I have to submit an I-134 as well? Even though I don't technically have the "income" to qualify on my own?

I live off student loans, and will be the one supporting my fiancee when she gets here, so all this co-sponsorship is just ####### to me. My parents have no intention of contributing, since she can work 3-4mo after she arrives, and I have enough loans for both of us to live on. My parents don't want to cosponsor, and will only do it as a last resort. They find the affidavit to be an unecessary intrusion, and want me to consult a lawyer and look for an alternative, but I fear there is none.

I doubt that this forum tacitly supports gray-area immigration methods, but if we get married in the U.S., and she visits for six month periods while we file the I-130, what's the harm in that? She'll still maintain her primary residence in Canada with her parents. She'll still have to file taxes there this year, and she'll maintain bank accounts there. We'll still have to deal with my parents and the I-845 affidavit of support, but time is ticking, and I may not be able to convince them to co-sponsor before our scheduled wedding.

If anyone has any experience or advice on this matter, I'm all ears.

So, for the benefit of those that haven't completed their education...

There is no alternative, but the attorney will only tell you that after you pay him. It's your money.

There is nothing "gray area" about a Canadian visiting the US. I live 6 miles from the border, they do it all the time. No doubt I could throw a rock from my front porch and hit a Canadian going by on their bicycle, not that I would want to, they are pretty good sorts by and large. You can get married and she can continue to live in Canada and visit as allowed. Be sure she brings plenty of evidence she will return to Canada or they WILL turn her around. Then apply for a K-3 or CR-1, for which you will still need to show support.

The affidavit of support has nothing to do with if you can actually afford to live on the money you (or a co-sponsor) makes, the government couldn't possibly care less. They simply want to disqualify her from receiving means based public welfare. If she does, you or your co-sponsor will be obliged to re-imburse the government for it. Otherwise there is no obligation. If she defaults on a credit card, it is all hers. You will always be the primary sponsor and must submit an affidavit along with that of the co-sponsor. It is a protection for the government (and the rest of us) that you will not bring somone here only to live off the public dole. As a US citizen, you have a problem with that?

[InTransit 0]

I'm currently a medical student, so my parents have to sponsor my fiancee for me. Since they are doing the actual sponsoring, but I am the petitioner, do I have to submit an I-134 as well? Even though I don't technically have the "income" to qualify on my own?

I live off student loans, and will be the one supporting my fiancee when she gets here, so all this co-sponsorship is just ####### to me. My parents have no intention of contributing, since she can work 3-4mo after she arrives, and I have enough loans for both of us to live on. My parents don't want to cosponsor, and will only do it as a last resort. They find the affidavit to be an unecessary intrusion, and want me to consult a lawyer and look for an alternative, but I fear there is none.

I doubt that this forum tacitly supports gray-area immigration methods, but if we get married in the U.S., and she visits for six month periods while we file the I-130, what's the harm in that? She'll still maintain her primary residence in Canada with her parents. She'll still have to file taxes there this year, and she'll maintain bank accounts there. We'll still have to deal with my parents and the I-845 affidavit of support, but time is ticking, and I may not be able to convince them to co-sponsor before our scheduled wedding.

If anyone has any experience or advice on this matter, I'm all ears.

So, for the benefit of those that haven't completed their education...

There is no alternative, but the attorney will only tell you that after you pay him. It's your money.

There is nothing "gray area" about a Canadian visiting the US. I live 6 miles from the border, they do it all the time. No doubt I could throw a rock from my front porch and hit a Canadian going by on their bicycle, not that I would want to, they are pretty good sorts by and large. You can get married and she can continue to live in Canada and visit as allowed. Be sure she brings plenty of evidence she will return to Canada or they WILL turn her around. Then apply for a K-3 or CR-1, for which you will still need to show support.

The affidavit of support has nothing to do with if you can actually afford to live on the money you (or a co-sponsor) makes, the government couldn't possibly care less. They simply want to disqualify her from receiving means based public welfare. If she does, you or your co-sponsor will be obliged to re-imburse the government for it. Otherwise there is no obligation. If she defaults on a credit card, it is all hers. You will always be the primary sponsor and must submit an affidavit along with that of the co-sponsor. It is a protection for the government (and the rest of us) that you will not bring somone here only to live off the public dole. As a US citizen, you have a problem with that?

Thank you for your succinct post. It helped.