How much money do I need...

[visaveteran1 33]

She's 32 with a double PHD and no kids. A smart cookie for sure ;-D

Hey, that's nothing...my wife has double EEs. AND...she plays the accordion. Imagine how hard that is.

[slim 1,525]

I read in another post someone said you need 15,000 dollars of cash in the bank.

Stop reading other forums.

Hey, that's nothing...my wife has double EEs.

I used to "date" a Russian girl with Fs. I have no idea how she'd play the accordian but she was a master of the skin flute.

[Captain Hammer 113]

I believe the 15000 was in regard to the cost of bringing her over, nnot what USCIS requires. I.e., fees and all of the extra things you'll need around the house and the increase in bills once she arrives.

Wow, really? I guess it depends on what needs to be done, but I can't imagine most people would spend more than $6k-$7k. $10k on the outside.

[visaveteran1 33]

Stop reading other forums.

I used to "date" a Russian girl with Fs. I have no idea how she'd play the accordian but she was a master of the skin flute.

Well, I was exaggerating just a little for comedic effect. But, like so many Russian beauties, my wife is nicely put together...and does play the accordion. Too bad it's still back in Siberia. I may have get her a new accordion, a monkey and a silver cup...and start pulling in some real money.

[Captain Hammer 113]

Well, I was exaggerating just a little for comedic effect. But, like so many Russian beauties, my wife is nicely put together...and does play the accordion. Too bad it's still back in Siberia. I may have get her a new accordion, a monkey and a silver cup...and start pulling in some real money.

Keep an eye on Craigslist. I don't know about accordions, but there are good deals to be had on musical instruments. I picked up a gorgeous Seagull acoustic guitar for $50 last year that my local music store has appraised at $200.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hey, that's nothing...my wife has double EEs. AND...she plays the accordion. Imagine how hard that is.

Simple answer. ALL OF IT!

You do not need ANY for the I-129f (except the filing fee) and for the interview you just need to show income exceeding 125% of the poverty guideline. Not much really. You do not need anything in the bank if you have sufficient income.

[DavidandIrina 1]

Wow, really? I guess it depends on what needs to be done, but I can't imagine most people would spend more than $6k-$7k. $10k on the outside.

"But Kohana, if you love me, won't you buy me this new fur coat and leather boots? Only 500 dollars thats nothing to you right?" LOL!!

We are marrying women that NEED to dress in style, so my clothing bill for the year just went up about 8 times what it was :-D

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

A word of warning, be very careful with the use of Husband/Wife Interviewing officer's at the consulate and POE have been known to ask trick questions trying to trip up a couple, accidentally saying husband/wife can get the visa petition hung up or entry denied requiring documentation that are not married.

I have seen a few cases where the consulate denies a K-1 because they suspect couple are in fact married prior to issuance of the K-1.

My wife's K-1 interviewer tried a trick question at her K-1 interview, something like "How many children does your husband have", she was on to this and answered "He has no children, and he is not my husband."

Nix the wife/husband cutesy nonsense. You are petitioning a fiancee.

If you exceed the overty guidelines you do not need any money in the bank or anything else to qualify for the visa. What you need for life is between you and her. Basically figure ALL your money.

Your private love rituals are your business...but you might want to consider that the present bliss could all disappear once she hits the states. Don't get the cart before the horse. There is a percentage of women who can't handle life in the USA...and what city or area you live might be a factor. My wife's friend married a guy in Portland Oregon and she hates it there. Spends much of her time in Russia, apart from her unhappy husband. We live 10 minutes from the White House and my life loves it here (No. VA).

I will say this...you're a glutton for marriage ceremonies. I guess I'm more of a heathen. I got married in the Palace of Marriage in Siberia and that was that. Now how can you top that act? When I left I felt more like a king than a husband...I mean "a palace!"

Best of luck.

I heard the white house neighborhood is in decline.

[DavidandIrina 1]

Your private love rituals are your business...but you might want to consider that the present bliss could all disappear once she hits the states. Don't get the cart before the horse. There is a percentage of women who can't handle life in the USA...and what city or area you live might be a factor. My wife's friend married a guy in Portland Oregon and she hates it there. Spends much of her time in Russia, apart from her unhappy husband. We live 10 minutes from the White House and my life loves it here (No. VA).

I will say this...you're a glutton for marriage ceremonies. I guess I'm more of a heathen. I got married in the Palace of Marriage in Siberia and that was that. Now how can you top that act? When I left I felt more like a king than a husband...I mean "a palace!"

Best of luck.

I'm not new to the long distance thing... my first (and only wife so far) was from the other side of the USA and she came here and we had about 3 months of arguing and adjusting before things turned back into bliss (at least for a little while). So I expect at least that if not worse. I hear that often the more patience *I* have with her, often the adjusting will go much better. We shall see..... Although I like what Gary wrote in another topic "Regardless which country she is from, be a good husband and your wife will never leave you". Its my new motto. ))))

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

"But Kohana, if you love me, won't you buy me this new fur coat and leather boots? Only 500 dollars thats nothing to you right?" LOL!!

We are marrying women that NEED to dress in style, so my clothing bill for the year just went up about 8 times what it was :-D

Alla is a clothes fiend, no doubt, but she also is a bargain hunter and really does not spend that much. See if she can do some modeling gigs. they get to keep the clothes. Alla is one of the "best dressed women" when we go skiing because she did a live modeling gig, serving Stolichnaya Vodka in a walk in freezer at some sort of convention and got $300 PLUS the best ski outfit you ever want to see, probably worth $1000 in itself. They wanted a "real Russian woman" (OK a hot Ukrainian will do though) to serve the Vodka. Heck, one good photo shoot will FILL the average sedan with clothes.

[DavidandIrina 1]

Nix the wife/husband cutesy nonsense. You are petitioning a fiancee.

If you exceed the overty guidelines you do not need any money in the bank or anything else to qualify for the visa. What you need for life is between you and her. Basically figure ALL your money.

I heard the white house neighborhood is in decline.

Hey, sometimes that cutesy stuff pays off well in the end ;-) Builds traditions and memories which are important too. But yes, I know where you guys are coming from :-P

Definitely got my question answered. Thank you ladies and gentlemen! I am a semi-retired old man without children looking for a good time with my 18 year old WIFE... er.. fiancee. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!

[DavidandIrina 1]

Alla is a clothes fiend, no doubt, but she also is a bargain hunter and really does not spend that much. See if she can do some modeling gigs. they get to keep the clothes. Alla is one of the "best dressed women" when we go skiing because she did a live modeling gig, serving Stolichnaya Vodka in a walk in freezer at some sort of convention and got $300 PLUS the best ski outfit you ever want to see, probably worth $1000 in itself. They wanted a "real Russian woman" (OK a hot Ukrainian will do though) to serve the Vodka. Heck, one good photo shoot will FILL the average sedan with clothes.

Hook a brother up with details... if Alla can be in modeling after having 2 kids (if I'm remember correctly) so can Irina after she has our first. :-D Where can I get my beloved model into gigs on this side of the ocean??

[Captain Hammer 113]

"But Kohana, if you love me, won't you buy me this new fur coat and leather boots? Only 500 dollars thats nothing to you right?" LOL!!

We are marrying women that NEED to dress in style, so my clothing bill for the year just went up about 8 times what it was :-D

Heh! Well I'm fortunate enough that my wife knows how to get the best bang for her/my dollar. She'd never buy a pair of $200 shoes because she's patient enough to wait for that exact same shoe to go on sale for $65.

[Jonathan Matthies 1]

My wife puts the F in F*cking Frugal. She found all of our furniture on Craigslist, and talked the sellers down. King sized bed w/ end table + dresser, dining room table + chairs, new twin sized bed with matching desk for Denis, full length mirror for her to primp and for me to oggle her. When she moved in I had a full sized bed, a crummy twin sized bed, a hide-a-bed couch, and small round kitchen table.

All my ####### got pushed to the side/flat out tossed. But I'm grateful, because I was not wanting to go full retail on all of those purchases. And I found out that even if I wanted new stuff, it'd be pointless with the whirlwind that is a 6 year old boy. Our king sized headboard is currently adorned with about 150+ star wars stickers. I probably would have been pissed if those were stuck to a $1000+ oak headboard.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Definitely got my question answered. Thank you ladies and gentlemen! I am a semi-retired old man without children looking for a good time with my 18 year old WIFE... er.. fiancee. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG, here come all the UK/Canada and pretending to married to Ukrainian members again. Prepare to be scolded.

Heh! Well I'm fortunate enough that my wife knows how to get the best bang for her/my dollar. She'd never buy a pair of $200 shoes because she's patient enough to wait for that exact same shoe to go on sale for $65.

"her/my"

Edited April 13, 2011 by Gary and Alla