K1 visa, confused about payment and amount

[Phred 5]

I am a US citizen living in Singapore. I plan to marry in California, where I was born. My fiancé Also lives in Singapore. She is a Myanmar citizen. We have no immediate plan to live in the USA, but I need a SSN for her because I have to pay taxes in the USA and Singapore.

I followed the guide. I have everything put together now. But, how much? There are many references on this site, but they do not agree with each other. The example says the total cost is $455. The visa fee is $240. The processing of the i29F is $340. But $240+$340!=$455??? What is the correct answer?

This site also says the DHS will accept credit cards. So do I just photo-copy both sides of the credit card from my bank in the USA? Then the amount is not such a big deal because they can just charge it to my account in the USA right? Advice please.

I have an address in the USA that I can use (that of my brother). I am leaving for a vacation in the USA in a few days.

Thank you in advance. Live long and prosper!

[Ryan H 3,812]

She is not be eligible for an SSN until she becomes a US resident. Unless she is required to file a US tax return, she is not eligible for an ITIN unless you are already married.

A photocopy of both sides of your credit card is unacceptable for a petition filing. An actual check or money order drawn on funds from a US financial institution must accompany the package. The guide you read about credit cards being acceptable is only applicable when paying fees at a stateside field office in-person.

Edited October 5, 2013 by Ryan H

[belinda63 3,038]

Rather than do all this, can she obtain a visitor's visa? Come get married, leave, file for Taxpayers ID number.

[Phred 5]

She has tried. She cannot get a visa because she can only show strong ties to Myanmar, not Singapore. The embassy said her chances are nil because she is not living in Myanmar. I asked the officer at the embassy, and she said our best bet is to get married. So we decided to get her a K1 visa and get married next summer after all the processing takes place.

I will be in the USA next week for a few days. I planned on mailing the package from there (cheaper). I can get a cashiers check from Bank of America, but I do not know the amount and noboy can tell me.

[Phred 5]

Singapore is a VWP participant country, she wouldn't need a visitor's visa.

she is not Singaporean. She is a forgiven worker like me. We are both dual residents, but not dual citizens. Neither of us have Singapore citizenship.

[Ryan H 3,812]

I can get a cashiers check from Bank of America, but I do not know the amount and noboy can tell me.

The I-129F filing fee can be found on this page: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=a10e4154d7b3d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

[Ryan H 3,812]

she is not Singaporean. She is a forgiven worker like me. We are both dual residents, but not dual citizens. Neither of us have Singapore citizenship.

My bad, I let that important piece of information slip.

[mariepear 12]

You don't pay for the visa right away with your I-129F. That's either before or at the interview...

[Anonymous885 44]

If you file I-129F ( K-1 visa for fiancee ), you have to include the check or money order ( not Credit card ) with I-129 F.

Now : Package of I -129F and $ 340 for USCIS to process your paperwork.

Later : $240 for visa that will be paid before or at interview.

Edited October 5, 2013 by HaoPhong

[Phred 5]

The I-129F filing fee can be found on this page: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=a10e4154d7b3d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

Ok good. Thank you. I now have three references that agree. I have two references to the address of the Dropbox. I will locate a third. I never trust anything on the NET without at least three references. Too many typos floating around, you know?

I also did not know if I had to pay for the I-129f and the k1 fee up front or pay only for the I-129f now, and the K1 later.

I feel much better now.

[Pitaya 2,577]

The initial $340 is the I-129F petition fee, paid to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The next fee is the $240 visa application fee, paid to the U.S. Department of State.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_2994.html

That is only the start, more fees later on in the process. The entire process is not for the faint of heart, or light of wallet.

Good luck.

[April-n-Gary 17]

Maybe I'm wrong, but....

If you have no plans to live in the USA after getting married, the K1 process probably isn't for you. Think you'd need to be able to show residence in the USA for 3 years after applying for the AOS for her to apply to get her citizenship. Otherwise, if she moved back to Singapore she would be abandoning her petition. You'd be throwing away your time and money.

If she is not a US citizen, or resident, don't know why she would have to file US taxes, even for yourself, if you are earning you money overseas on (someone correct me if I'm wrong) a contract of 2 years or greater, I don't believe you need to pay US taxes either?

[Phred 5]

Maybe I'm wrong, but....

If you have no plans to live in the USA after getting married, the K1 process probably isn't for you. Think you'd need to be able to show residence in the USA for 3 years after applying for the AOS for her to apply to get her citizenship. Otherwise, if she moved back to Singapore she would be abandoning her petition. You'd be throwing away your time and money.

If she is not a US citizen, or resident, don't know why she would have to file US taxes, even for yourself, if you are earning you money overseas on (someone correct me if I'm wrong) a contract of 2 years or greater, I don't believe you need to pay US taxes either?

I understand your points.

US citizens have to pay taxes on income outside the USA that exceeds $90,000 USD. I have to pay US taxes on anything I make over about $95,000 USD a year because I get $5,000 relief. I currently make about $93.600 or so. If we get married, and she has a tax ID number I can carry her, and her son as a dependents. I will only have to pay taxes on anything I make over $105,000 a year. That is the only reason I need tax ID numbers. Otherwise it does not matter.

She will not be applying for AOS or citizenship anytime soon. The K1 is simply so we can go there to get married, in the presence of her sister, and have a nice honeymoon. Over 95% of all K1 visa are approved. There is no law that says we have to stay in the USA after getting a K1, and getting married. The only reason I am bothering with the K1 is because she does not have a prayer of getting approved for a tourist visa, by the summer of 2014. The approval rate for a tourist visa to the USA is less than 50% (I forget the number).

However in 2015, when we are ready to take another vacation, we will be married. We will have over $50,000 in our joint Singapore bank account. She can easily qualify for a US tourist visa.

She has no real interest in living in the USA, but I want her to experience it. She met my auntie. She asked me if all people in Northern California are gentle and sweet like her. I said, “We like to think that most are”.

[Anonymous885 44]

I understand why you need to add her to your tax return. However, she will have to marry you within 90 days after her arrival to US under K-1visa, otherwise, she will get deported. Also, you dont want to fill out AOS that implies she wont have her green card. If she leaves US at some point, then she cant enter to US again.

You might want her to come to US in the future, it would make difficult for her to obtain visa.

By the way, she will need social security to file tax return . I am not sure if they let her keeping her social security number when she is not permanent resident.

Edited October 6, 2013 by HaoPhong

[Phred 5]

I understand why you need to add her to your tax return. However, she will have to marry you within 90 days after her arrival to US under K-1visa, otherwise, she will get deported. Also, you dont want to fill out AOS that implies she wont have her green card. If she leaves US at some point, then she cant enter to US again.

You might want her to come to US in the future, it would make difficult for her to obtain visa.

By the way, she will need social security to file tax return . I am not sure if they let her keeping her social security number when she is not permanent resident.

Good!

We will only visit the USA for two weeks. We will get married, and return to Singapore. No AOS need be done at that time.

I will inquire with the IRS. They are always helpful when I talk to them. I am pretty sure there is a procedure to get a temporary tax number for her. : )

When and if we ever move to the USA we can concern ourselves with a green card.