Sawasdee 4 (Thai K-1s in 2010)

[rin and john 71]

Seems like awhile back I saw that ssi for non-citizens who live in the USA didn't have a problem getting SSI ( believe that is what the pubs above are about), but that there was a limit on a non-citizen living overseas and drawing SSI. Can't find it now, but I swear I saw it somewhere. Since Rin and I plan to retire in Thailand, her being a USC would assure she was able to receive SSI if she outlives me.

Found this:

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10137.html#additional

Basically as long as the USC lived in the US for ten years and had 40 qtrs of credit and the Thai spouse lived in the USA for five years, then they would qualify for survivor benefits. These requirements vary by country.

[Audy_Rob 26]

I wasn't guessing when I stated 3x. In fact, I based my information off of what is stated in the USCIS Adjudicator's Field Manual. In the AFM, it states that if the sponsor is an immediate relative of the applicant, 3x is all that is necessary. There is some confusion surrounding this as there are some vague terms surrounding mention of K applicants in the AFM, but it seems relatively clear to me although I understand why some assert that 5x is required.

This isn't the first time someone has brought this fact to your attention.

Actually 3x for I-864 for immediate relatives. The assumption is that the rules are the same for I-134. I don't see why they wouldn't be.

I realize another person posted on the issue but I ignored since the posted information is incorrect. I am responding to a K-1 Applicant.

I will give link and then cite Section 29 from page 9 of the I-864 instructions which are very clear.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864.pdf

In order to qualify based on the value of your assets, the total value of your assets must equal at least five times the difference between your total household income and the current poverty guidelines for your household size. However,if you are a U.S. citizen and you are sponsoring your spouseor minor child, the total value of your assets must only beequal to at least three times the difference.

[\quote]

It is clearly stated that assets must be five times the income shortfall except for spouse or minor child. It is three times for spouse or minor child. So basically it is correct to say 5 times for I-134 because NOT sposue. And it is three times for the I-864 because by that time, the fiance(e) has become a spouse.

Just because someone posted omething to me does not mean I must adhere to it when it is clearly contradicted in the instructions for I-864 and those instructions are typically used for assets of I-134 and many other aspects of I-134.

Edited September 8, 2010 by Audy_Rob

[rsn 135]

Since there are no written rules for the I-134, the assumption is that the rules from the I-864 are used. I think we both agree there.In the I-864 FAQ document, the following appears:

Sponsors of immediate relative spouses and children of U.S. citizens must only show assets in the amount of three times the difference between the poverty guideline and actual household income.

The bolded section is also bolded in the actual FAQ, which is published by the DOS. The AFM defines an immediate relative as a K applicant. Bobby+Umit, who provided this information to you earlier and cited specific sections in the AFM that support this appears to be correct & is one of the top 5 (possibly even top 3) most knowledgeable posters on VJ. Again, I can see why this is a confusing subject as the DOS has not presented this in the most intuitive fashion and there is no guarantee that all embassies will interpret this the same way, but it seems to me (and others) that the rule should be 3x for all K applicants since this is what the AFM & the I-864 documents specify.

I think the best we can do here is agree that the required ratio is debatable.

Edited September 8, 2010 by rsn

[ArizonaMike74 0]

Mimi was approved for her K-1 Visa yesterday and her mother was approved for a B-2 Tourist Visa today! A short synopsis of Mimi's interview:

An American lady interviewed my Fiance' in English. She was friendly and polite and asked how we met, my name, where I work, was I married before, do I have any children, and where/when we plan to get married. Short interview (5-10 minutes).

Mimi's mother, Waralee, was interviewed in Thai by an American man. He was also friendly and though she brought a bunch of financial documents he only asked to see the invitation letter I sent her (I believe I copied it from VisaJourney somewhere). The letter just explains that she took care of me when I was in Thailand and that I want her to come to her daughter's wedding in America and that I will take care of her while she is visiting America. He asked her my name, where I work, why she was coming to America, and how long she planned on staying. Very short interview.

One lady Mimi knows from Thai4Visa had her interview the same day as Mimi and she told Mimi that her Fiance' paid a lawyer over 40,000 baht to help them. I am glad I did not pay for an attorney as I intended to originally - the people here convinced me not to. I want to thank everyone for the information and advice provided - I could not have done it without your help. Thanks!

Mike

[toma1 10]

Mimi was approved for her K-1 Visa yesterday and her mother was approved for a B-2 Tourist Visa today! A short synopsis of Mimi's interview:

Congrats. You beat the odds on the B-2!

[thongd4me 69]

Mimi was approved for her K-1 Visa yesterday and her mother was approved for a B-2 Tourist Visa today! A short synopsis of Mimi's interview:

An American lady interviewed my Fiance' in English. She was friendly and polite and asked how we met, my name, where I work, was I married before, do I have any children, and where/when we plan to get married. Short interview (5-10 minutes).

Mimi's mother, Waralee, was interviewed in Thai by an American man. He was also friendly and though she brought a bunch of financial documents he only asked to see the invitation letter I sent her (I believe I copied it from VisaJourney somewhere). The letter just explains that she took care of me when I was in Thailand and that I want her to come to her daughter's wedding in America and that I will take care of her while she is visiting America. He asked her my name, where I work, why she was coming to America, and how long she planned on staying. Very short interview.

One lady Mimi knows from Thai4Visa had her interview the same day as Mimi and she told Mimi that her Fiance' paid a lawyer over 40,000 baht to help them. I am glad I did not pay for an attorney as I intended to originally - the people here convinced me not to. I want to thank everyone for the information and advice provided - I could not have done it without your help. Thanks!

Mike

Congrats on the visa, & especially on your wisdom not to use an attorney

Thai Airways Bomb threat

I heard it on Bloomberg radio 5 min. ago; restroom mirror-artist with bad grammar.

[thongd4me 69]

Plane lands safely, but Homeland Security will have to get hold of a lot of mirrors & lipstick to re-screen all the passengers & crew.

- "But can't you see I was just kidding?"

- "Can't you guys take a joke?"

- "I meant to write 'palm' not 'bomb.'"

- "I swear it was my twin who works on the cleaning staff.'"

- "I was only practicing, it was a dry run.'"

- "I always write things in restrooms and thought you'd get a kick out of this."

- "The gay guy from United Airlines made me do it."

[Audy_Rob 26]

Mimi was approved for her K-1 Visa yesterday and her mother was approved for a B-2 Tourist Visa today! A short synopsis of Mimi's interview:

An American lady interviewed my Fiance' in English. She was friendly and polite and asked how we met, my name, where I work, was I married before, do I have any children, and where/when we plan to get married. Short interview (5-10 minutes).

Mike

Congratulations Mike and Mimi.

Audy interviews Monday, Sep 13. I am here in Bangkok helping Audy put together all her papers, checking everything, practicing questions, etc... I just told Audy about Mimi's interview. Thanks for a synopsis of the questions.

Good luck on the next steps in your lives together.

[AdamW 2]

Congratulations Mike and Mimi.

Audy interviews Monday, Sep 13. I am here in Bangkok helping Audy put together all her papers, checking everything, practicing questions, etc... I just told Audy about Mimi's interview. Thanks for a synopsis of the questions.

Good luck on the next steps in your lives together.

Looks like my wife and your fiance' will be there together on the 13th. Is Audy nervous as my wife is?? LOL I was just there for a month getting her ready but had to come back to Indonesia to work so she is going alone. Also, I know K1 is different than CR1 but all I can see from the Packet 4 that she needs to bring is her medical and passport. Is this correct if anyone can tell me?? Thanks.

[daboyz 36]

Looks like my wife and your fiance' will be there together on the 13th. Is Audy nervous as my wife is?? LOL I was just there for a month getting her ready but had to come back to Indonesia to work so she is going alone. Also, I know K1 is different than CR1 but all I can see from the Packet 4 that she needs to bring is her medical and passport. Is this correct if anyone can tell me?? Thanks.

[AdamW 2]

I would love to but had some J-A messing around and I deleted everything in order to protect my privacy. Sorry but my wife is having her interview Sept. 13 and we mailed off I-130 in January. Sorry for the lack of timeline. Is there a way to recover what I deleted?

[daboyz 36]

I would love to but had some J-A messing around and I deleted everything in order to protect my privacy. Sorry but my wife is having her interview Sept. 13 and we mailed off I-130 in January. Sorry for the lack of timeline. Is there a way to recover what I deleted?

You might be able to guess. It's just a good idea because people use that data when they first file to get an idea of when the next step in the process will be.

The website uses that data to draw these graphs:

http://www.visajourney.com/content/ir1cr1historical

Also, you can do specific timeline searches here:

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/filterlist.php

It's not just for the visa, but also Adjustment of Status, Removing conditions, Citizenship etc.

[AdamW 2]

You might be able to guess. It's just a good idea because people use that data when they first file to get an idea of when the next step in the process will be.

The website uses that data to draw these graphs:

http://www.visajourney.com/content/ir1cr1historical

Also, you can do specific timeline searches here:

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/filterlist.php

It's not just for the visa, but also Adjustment of Status, Removing conditions, Citizenship etc.

I apologize. I will try to go and look this up. In the meantime, can you give guidance on my question, I have read that some people bring new I864 to the interview? According to her packet, all necessary documents have been received except for medical. I have been sort of confused at other postings at what they brought to interview. She has all the evidence compiled and is bringing it.

[daboyz 36]

I apologize. I will try to go and look this up. In the meantime, can you give guidance on my question, I have read that some people bring new I864 to the interview? According to her packet, all necessary documents have been received except for medical. I have been sort of confused at other postings at what they brought to interview. She has all the evidence compiled and is bringing it.

You might give her a copy of the I-864. Do you owe the IRS any money? If so, that's gonna be an issue. I got burned that way.

Just make sure you have lots of photos. They put alot of credit to photos. Not sure why. I had bills with both our names at the same address in Bangkok since I lived there, plus 6 or 7 photos, and that wasn't good enough. So go crazy with the camera if you haven't already.

[AdamW 2]

You might give her a copy of the I-864. Do you owe the IRS any money? If so, that's gonna be an issue. I got burned that way.

Just make sure you have lots of photos. They put alot of credit to photos. Not sure why. I had bills with both our names at the same address in Bangkok since I lived there, plus 6 or 7 photos, and that wasn't good enough. So go crazy with the camera if you haven't already.

No money owed to IRS, I filled out the 864EZ form. We have tons of photos along with bills as well, I work in the oilfield so I have been living there as well for the last year. My 14 yr old son has been to visit and we have tons of photos of that and also me with all of her family. I guess I will tell her to print out some more.She is concerned that she will have to pay more money when she gets there and is getting that info from thaivisa forums. I can't seem to convince her that she does not need again at the Thai post.