Don't flame me too much but... all these co-sponsers?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

125% is difficult to get by on but it does not tell the whole story. If you have a business there are many deductions that can be written off. This can put you well below the poverty line. When I told my wife that if she worked we could live a decent life . Not the best one but a decent life. She was happy that I would like her to work.Are you involved with a partner that has command of the english language with a job skill say like a nurse that would enable her to find a decent job. One thing that often comes up on the chinese forums that she looks at is the husband who has children and most of that $60,000+ income is spent on HIS former spouse and children. The new wife is in worse shape money wise than someone who is at 125% of the poverty line. Maybe the requirement should be no one who has ever been married and has that monthly support check to write should be allowed to sponser someone. Everyone's situation is different .

This IS true for self employed people but only as it regards tax returns. It is definitely something to consider. HOWEVER these people do NOT have income below the poverty line, it is only made to look that way on paper. They choose to take advantage of the tax code to reduce their tax payments by writing off income through allowable deductions as business expense rather than personal expense and keep the difference in tax, not criticizing, it is fact. I was self employed for many years and did it myself. As other self employed people can do, I changed my arrangement of payment after meeting my wife and studying the support requirements so I would be able to provide employment letters, w-2s etc. A self employed person can always incorporate and pay himself a salary as an employee OR simply not take all the deductions allowed resulting in higher income (and higher taxes). It caused me no small amount of concern and was the basis of most of my questions as a newbie here.

The advice given here was spot on and I had no trouble whatsoever.

[Steve and Amara 0]

We'll you're entitiled to your opinion but on that note so am I; I am by the way 'a little bit more American' now.

My partner and I have been living and working abroad for years, we have no credit history together in America and as my US husband went to school in Canada and is now in his mid-late 20's, technically we were safer having a co-sponsor.

Marriage is a big commitment and in saying that if you are marrying someone without talking about it seriously then I think that should be the big flashing red light; not weather you need a co-sponsor. Everyone has their own reasons. If you are lucky enough to have a co-sponsor it shows that you have spoken about this with another person and they feel confident in supporting you. Sometimes having a co sponsor is a mature and responsible move.

Marriage has no price tag, if you're dedicated and in love you'll make it work...FOR RICHER OR FOR POORER.

...and thats just my opinion.

[Ann Marie n Tom 0]

We all do not have the same lot in life, some of us live paycheck to paycheck and that's just how it is.

My love and I are no youngsters, I like to think that we've "been there, done that", and have learned some of life's lessons both being married before.

And you know, in a long distance relationship like this I find you communicate on such a deep level, we talk about everything. We know what we are getting into.

God, (yes, I'm praying here, lol) if we can get through this visa process, we can weather any storms, be it financial or whatever.

We aren't going through all this to divorce over finances in a few years.

And you have to consider the relocation to another country, that takes time to get established, and you are adjusting to a whole new way of life, new country, new home, new family, and new job.....(even have to get drivers license from scratch).............that income is what we need, you know, TWO PEOPLE, like most households have, both working outside home, we know this, but until then ..............

Like using me as an example, I have been stay at home mom for 15 years, I divorced my "income", I am going to trade school, then my love will come and he will seek employment, but as far as the income part of paperwork, I have none, I will be working come July when I get certified, until then, I will submit that information, and ask a family member, my parents to co-sponsor.

Then we will go on to live happily ever after, AMEN!!

[Killer_Clown_2009 0]

What if your spouse is capable of earning a high income? Is it ok then? Maybe that middle aged guy is improving his situation, by importing a potentially high earning spouse.

Edited June 3, 2009 by Killer_Clown_2009

[rebeccajo 14]

What if your spouse is capable of earning a high income? Is it ok then? Maybe that middle aged guy is improving his situation, by importing a potentially high earning spouse.

Hee hee........

Wes thought we could get rich if we farmed him out for I-900 number phone sex (Irish accent, you know..........)

[BirdyGirl85 23]

What HAS piqued my curiosity is how you can meet and spend time with a foreign fiance or spouse with so little money. When I was broke I had a hard time coming up with bus fare downtown. An airline ticket half way around the world would have been a couple months rent.

Well we were pretty young when my fiance and I first met each other (20 years old) and we were both living with our parents going to school/college. Long story short, we were able to afford to save up to visit each other because we don't have bills to pay since our parents were kind enough to let us live with them rent free while going to school. Otherwise I don't know how we could of done it....

[Killer_Clown_2009 0]

What if your spouse is capable of earning a high income? Is it ok then? Maybe that middle aged guy is improving his situation, by importing a potentially high earning spouse.

Hee hee........

Wes thought we could get rich if we farmed him out for I-900 number phone sex (Irish accent, you know..........)

See you made a smart choice

[Mandy P 3]

I was making about $50,000 a year when I met my fiance. Now I make below the poverty line.... does that mean I shouldn't love him anymore and forget things? I understand some of what you are saying. And from a narrow minded view I can see your point. But the truth is that every situation is different and you can't judge people based on wide reaching assumptions about why they need co-sponsors.

Also, I think a large amount of us... myself included... didn't go out seeking a "foreign" spouse. It just kinda happened that way.

Also, remember what the economy is in the US at this time. Many highly qualified people are out of work or having to take lower paying jobs. Those people still give and receive love.

Gotta look outside of your little box sometimes at the big wide world.

[BirdyGirl85 23]

Very well said Mandy and Ghani. I know of your story and I hope something works out for you... At times I feel jealous of my sister. She doesn't make much money at all, but because both her and her boyfriend are U.S. Citizens, they can be together, no matter how much money they make... It's so hard to think if you don't make enough money, you can't be together.

Edited June 3, 2009 by BirdyGirl85

[Nlove 0]

Wow you are flamed because your topic is hot,hahaha. How can you say something like that? When you love someone that doesn't really matter, you just focus on being with that person. Some members are going to be heated with you, hahaha.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

What if your spouse is capable of earning a high income? Is it ok then? Maybe that middle aged guy is improving his situation, by importing a potentially high earning spouse.

Hee hee........

Wes thought we could get rich if we farmed him out for I-900 number phone sex (Irish accent, you know..........)

See you made a smart choice

Irish accent? Women want to have phone sex with men with Irish accents? Ok, that is way to bizarre. I don't even care if Gays get married but Irish accent phone sex is way over the line!!!!!!!!! I'd be afraid it was a Leprechaun or something! Ewwwwwwwww.

Note: The really sexy voices (not to mention bodies) in those James Bond movies (oh yeah, he's British right?) are Russian. hehehehe I could be biased.

[Caladan 19]

Maybe they should apply the same income requirement to an American marrying another American.

So then what, exactly, would American women have to offer if they weren't cheap?

Awwww...c'mon, its a joke.

Just pointing out that the income requirement isn't for marriage, but for immigration & public benefit purposes, which is why there aren't income requirements, even for foreigners, to get a marriage license.

[blue123 0]

rantmode

I know most likely I should just be keeping my mouth shut but... there really seems to be much discussion about people needing co-sponsers to be 125% above the poverty line.

(This is not directed at young couples who are just finishing college with a bright future ahead of them)

I guess... maybe it is just me... but if you are some middle aged guy who is still not making 125% of the poverty line... maybe you should concentrate your life efforts more on improving you life's postiion rather then finding a bride from a foreign country.

Marriage is tough enough without the cultural issues and money matters of scraping by. Just because you are an American and in their eyes ... all Americans are rich... don't start believing it yourself.

/rantmode

There may be many reasons why at the time of submission of the I-864 income isn't 125% of poverty guidelines, we have to get a co-sponsor because the income from self employment was slightly short and NVC decided not to take into account liquid assets and assets that can be easily converted to cash within a year, even if it's a million dollars worth, if they don't choose to consider assets there is nothing people can do except get a co-sponsor. So how do you suggest we improve our lives what efforts should we concentrate on making, heading retirement in the next 10 years or so with enough money to see us through our retirement and still needing a co-sponsor?

This process is hard enough for us all without derogatory comments!

[Luke and Deanna 0]

How absurd is this!? If you fall in love, you fall in love no matter what postion you are in life. No matter if you are set in life or still need improvment, you can't block out the emotions you feel with this person; which has obviously led them to apply for this visa.

Concentrate on your own situation and don't critisize unless it's intended to help out.

[Luke and Deanna 0]

And may I add, we are in a recession right now! Many people are unfortunately losing their jobs. There are many reasons why someone might not make the requirment mark.