Hate to be a bother

[Cherish86 0]

Hello!!

So I am quite new here but have been looking at the information on the site for sometime. Unfortunately I am still a little confused. My boyfriend lives in Kenya and we are going to begin the process once we get officially engaged on my trip there next May. The information I have seen is telling me this is an expensive process!! My gosh!

I understand the K1 and gathering evidence but the affadavit for support has me questioning some things. Is it 100% of the poverty line or 120%? I have seen both on here. Also I work almost full time but I am a student right now and get financial aid and loans. Will this count towards the income guidelines? I have two kids so we would be considered a family of 4 as far as the poverty limits are concerned, right? Also, if i needed a co signer, do i have to live with them? And how many would their income be based off of?

Once thats all said and done and he gets here, and we get married can he start working? I have gotten so many mixed answers here! I see some things saying that once you file the AOS the price $1010, includes the AP and EAD for working. Then others are saying you can file for the EAD and start working when you receive that. Help??

And the last thing is, when do we apply for the social security card? Once he arrives and after we marry?

Well I thank you for any help! I know how some people can get irritated with giving answers to others so if you could just point me to the forum if you feel that way, i would appreciate it too!!

Thanks in advance!!

[Anh map 2,098]

Take a look at the K1 flow chart to get a sense of the steps in the process through Adjustment of Status. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;page=k1flow

AOS is $1010, that includes the EAD if filed together.

[Dakine 26]

Some people can't afford to buy a house and some can't afford to bring a person from another country.

Can do tho with careful planning and hard work. May take awhile tho. Best to have all finances in order before you start.

Edited December 6, 2009 by Dakine

[reeses16 8]

Good morning! My responses to your questions are below in blue

Hello!!

So I am quite new here but have been looking at the information on the site for sometime. Unfortunately I am still a little confused. My boyfriend lives in Kenya and we are going to begin the process once we get officially engaged on my trip there next May. The information I have seen is telling me this is an expensive process!! My gosh!

I understand the K1 and gathering evidence but the affadavit for support has me questioning some things. Is it 100% of the poverty line or 120%? I have seen both on here.

Visit the guides sections and review both the guides and flow charts (If you still have questions about the cost of specific forms go to www.uscis.gov, look up the form and the price is listed in the instructions page. If I recall correctly its 125% of the poverty guideline for your household size. I'm positive it is not 100% (unless you are military).

Also I work almost full time but I am a student right now and get financial aid and loans. Will this count towards the income guidelines?

Depends, the portion of your financial aid that is not used on tuition an books may qualify. But its your burden to document it properly. You need to show your financial aid award letters and the disbursement of funds into your personal account. Depending on the type of aid you also should state whether or not it was taxable. Loans are not, visit the IRS website, look under "students" and print and highlight the relevant sections. IF you received taxable aid ( for example some types of scholarship and fellowship) then you need to show that you paid taxes on that amount. Often the money you receive from these programs are taxable, but you are not given a W2 form...this should be clearly explained in the award letter or handbook, copy relevant page and highlight. PM me if you have more questions about this. I was a student when we did the K1 and we had no problems at all, I was also very detailing my financial documentation.

I have two kids so we would be considered a family of 4 as far as the poverty limits are concerned, right? Also, if i needed a co signer, do i have to live with them? And how many would their income be based off of?

Yes, you would be a family of 4. I am not sure about your co-sponsor.

Once thats all said and done and he gets here, and we get married can he start working? I have gotten so many mixed answers here! I see some things saying that once you file the AOS the price $1010, includes the AP and EAD for working. Then others are saying you can file for the EAD and start working when you receive that. Help??

I think its a misunderstanding. Getting married does not give him the right to start working. He needs either his green card or EAD to work; which you apply for AFTER you are married.. The easiest thing to do is apply for his EAD at the same time you file AOS and AP. You want to do this at the same time, in the same envelop because the price will be $1010. EAD and AP have processing time limits- they must be completed within 3 months, if not you have recourse at that point. the AOS (aka. green card) has no processing limits lately its been taking 3 months but it could take up to a year or more.

And the last thing is, when do we apply for the social security card? Once he arrives and after we marry?

It doesn't really matter. The choice is yours. Look into your marriage license requirements....I'm sure its lists SSN, call the office and ask if it can be waived (explain that your fiance is not a USC). The answer is most likely yes, you can get a waiver. Then you can marry and apply for the SSN afterwards. FYI, you do not need a SSN to apply for AOS, and if I recall correctly there may be a place on the form that asks if you want a SSN&Card automatically sent to you- this does not apply to K1 visas....you can check it but it will never come. You must go to the SSAdministration and apply.

Well I thank you for any help! I know how some people can get irritated with giving answers to others so if you could just point me to the forum if you feel that way, i would appreciate it too!!

Thanks in advance!!

[Cherish86 0]

AHHHH you all are so wonderful!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! All the info and links helped us greatly!!

[Afrilaskan Queen 0]

AHHHH you all are so wonderful!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! All the info and links helped us greatly!!

Hi Cherish86,

Congratulations on finding a marriage mate! Not easy to meet someone you love and the distance is challenging in a way others who have not experienced it will understand.

I can answer the question about co-sponsors. You do not have to live with your co-sponsors. Your co-sponsors must be willing to provide their 1099's or W2's, providing proof of their income. Also assets can be included, yours or your co-sponsors. Assets might include a vehicle, a house, etc.

When you file that I-129 for fiance, once approved you will have that 90 days to get married within. Or change your mind of course. However it's strictly important to be married legally married in those 90 days.

As I understood the process for the I-129 a few years ago, once you are married - your fiance has come as a non-immigrant, so you will change his status to immigrant. This will involve some fees, and biometrics (i.e. finger prints etc). So I do not believe your fiance could work immediately but it's not all that long, just can't tell you exactly how long it is.

Hope this is helpful. take care...

[shefellfromheaven 18]

Feel free to ask. we are here to help.