How much money should we have?

[lologeebee 0]

Hi everyone,

I have yet to begin this entire process with my fiance. I am from America, and he is Moroccan. My biggest worry is that neither of us have enough money to be approved. I am a student, with only about $2000 to my name, but I know that my parents and family are willing to help and even put more money in my bank account when it comes time to show my bank statements to the government. My fiance, on the other hand, has no bank. We both have family willing to help us out with visa expenses, but I'm wondering how much he should have in the bank!

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[Anh map 2,098]

You need to show a personal income that meets the requirement or have at least 3 times the income amount in personal assets/cash.

See the link for the I-864P in my signature below to see the $$ amount required.

[szemek 12]

There are basically two things you will need money for:

1. Visa Fees

These are fees you send along with your applications that basically fund the government to process your application. The government does not care where this money comes from, and in fact one of the best forms of payment for them is a money order. You will pay a fee for your initial application ($340) and then again when your fiance does his interview about 7 or 8 months later ($350). There is also a fee for a required medical exam he will have to take. This depends on the country (any Moroccans who can remember the price). Because of the medical, the price up til K1 Visa Approval varies; It cost me and my fiance a little over $1000.

You should also know, the step immediately following getting your Visa is called AOS (Adjustment of Status) and is also quite expensive. I believe the fee right now is a little over $1000.

Once again, the government could care less where this money comes from.

2. Affidavit of Support

You need to prove to the government that you you can support your fiance. They are not interested in bringing an immigrant in who will immediately file for welfare and food stamps. So you need to prove that you make a certain amount of money every year. Ahn map has a good link in his signature with the yearly requirements. Assuming you have no children (please correct me if I'm wrong), once your fiance comes here you will have a household of 2. Right now you will need to prove to the government that you make $18,387 a year in order for them to approve him (the number is %125 of the poverty level in America).

Now, if you don't make that much, you can get a co-sponsor. This could be your parents if they are willing to do so. Please remember that these affidavits are binding and even if you get divorced down the line (God forbid) you and your parents would be responsible for your fiance. If you need your parents help, when the time comes, you will both simply fill out an affidavit each. Together your incomes must be the $18,387. (There are other things that add to your value, like savings accounts, properties you own, stocks, bonds, etc.)

In the end, the government cares very little about what is in your bank account (although showing statements doesn't hurt), but are more interested in your income.

Hope this explains things a bit!

[szemek 12]

Sorry I forgot to mention, but the way the government usual checks your yearly income is through tax record, W-2 forms from employers, pay stubs, or direct deposits on your bank statement. If they see money just appearing in your bank account from family members, they most likely won't count it a 'income'.

Sorry I forgot to mention, but the way the government usual checks your yearly income is through tax record, W-2 forms from employers, pay stubs, or direct deposits on your bank statement. If they see money just appearing in your bank account from family members, they most likely won't count it a 'income'.

[az110965 252]

There are basically two things you will need money for:

1. Visa Fees

These are fees you send along with your applications that basically fund the government to process your application. The government does not care where this money comes from, and in fact one of the best forms of payment for them is a money order. You will pay a fee for your initial application ($340) and then again when your fiance does his interview about 7 or 8 months later ($350). There is also a fee for a required medical exam he will have to take. This depends on the country (any Moroccans who can remember the price). Because of the medical, the price up til K1 Visa Approval varies; It cost me and my fiance a little over $1000.

You should also know, the step immediately following getting your Visa is called AOS (Adjustment of Status) and is also quite expensive. I believe the fee right now is a little over $1000.

Once again, the government could care less where this money comes from.

2. Affidavit of Support

You need to prove to the government that you you can support your fiance. They are not interested in bringing an immigrant in who will immediately file for welfare and food stamps. So you need to prove that you make a certain amount of money every year. Ahn map has a good link in his signature with the yearly requirements. Assuming you have no children (please correct me if I'm wrong), once your fiance comes here you will have a household of 2. Right now you will need to prove to the government that you make $18,387 a year in order for them to approve him (the number is %125 of the poverty level in America).

Now, if you don't make that much, you can get a co-sponsor. This could be your parents if they are willing to do so. Please remember that these affidavits are binding and even if you get divorced down the line (God forbid) you and your parents would be responsible for your fiance. If you need your parents help, when the time comes, you will both simply fill out an affidavit each. Together your incomes must be the $18,387. (There are other things that add to your value, like savings accounts, properties you own, stocks, bonds, etc.)

In the end, the government cares very little about what is in your bank account (although showing statements doesn't hurt), but are more interested in your income.

Hope this explains things a bit!

Nice summary for the OP.

Just a couple of items:

1) The I-134 is NOT a binding or enforceable affadavit of support. The I-864 is at AOS time.

2) In case of divorce, you are NOT responsible for the fiance. The only obgligation would be if spousal support (alimony) is ordered. The ONLY time a USC would have a financial obgligation is if the divorced non USC ex-spouse were to receive means tested benefits. This obgligation ends after 40 quarters of employment -or- when the beneficiary becomes a USC -or- death of the petitioner.

[szemek 12]

Thank you az, sometimes I get mixed up on the different affidavits of support.. : )

[KittyPollitt 284]

If you want to use a bank account on the affidavit of support, you'll need to have over $50,000 in the account (3X the poverty level for 2 for one year) in order for them to consider it. This is a very expensive process, costing nearly $10k from visa to citizenship, including airfare, which right now is around $1k a ticket from Morocco. If you're not able to afford it, you should wait until you are.