Help!!! DCF in Manila

[MCGCB 3]

We went to the US Embassy. Window 25 for USCIS said my fiance could file for petition once we get married and proof of residence here in Phil then DCF will be processed in 30-90 days. If petition is approved then we could start processing for VISA.

[MCGCB 3]

I have 2 questions regarding the affidavit of support.

1. Is it enough to have a co-sponsor for someone like my fiance who does not have a job in the US? (He is a doctor in our country but unemployed in the US)

2. Is there like an amount that we can show to them that would make them realize that we actually dont need a co-sponsor?

[MCGCB 3]

Requirements for DCF are usually that the petitioner has been resident in the country for long enough (since he's been there since birth, then he is going to qualify - minimum is usually 6 months, sometimes a year). So... you're probably good to go. You obviously also know you need to be married.

Your main difficulty is going to be the I-864.

Although you can use a joint sponsor (a USC/LPR in the US who is over 18 and making enough money can be a joint-sponsor), the primary sponsor (the USC spouse) must also complete their own I-864, even if it states $0, but this means they must either have a US domicile or have a good-faith evidence that they are going to be re-establishing one (such as... having somewhere to live, a job offer, bank accounts, voting records... that sort of thing). USCs are also required to file US tax returns, so if he hasn't been filing those, he should probably back file.

Google "I-864 instructions" to get the PDF, and read the "Domicile" section carefully. There's also some information on this on Manila's embassy website: http://manila.usembassy.gov/domicilerequirements.html

DCF varies by country, but it takes about 3 - 6 months.

Hi again!

Is it ok if my fiance travels to the US after our marriage to open a US bank account? Or he really needs to be in Philippines and not travel abroad to qualify as a resident here?

By the way, we inquired about the back taxes. He didnt pay US tax yet because he didnt work in the US before. We are so confused with the processes now. The US embassy will not give us information about the taxes until the VISA step. :-(

Requirements for DCF are usually that the petitioner has been resident in the country for long enough (since he's been there since birth, then he is going to qualify - minimum is usually 6 months, sometimes a year). So... you're probably good to go. You obviously also know you need to be married.

Your main difficulty is going to be the I-864.

Although you can use a joint sponsor (a USC/LPR in the US who is over 18 and making enough money can be a joint-sponsor), the primary sponsor (the USC spouse) must also complete their own I-864, even if it states $0, but this means they must either have a US domicile or have a good-faith evidence that they are going to be re-establishing one (such as... having somewhere to live, a job offer, bank accounts, voting records... that sort of thing). USCs are also required to file US tax returns, so if he hasn't been filing those, he should probably back file.

Google "I-864 instructions" to get the PDF, and read the "Domicile" section carefully. There's also some information on this on Manila's embassy website: http://manila.usembassy.gov/domicilerequirements.html

DCF varies by country, but it takes about 3 - 6 months.

Hi again!

Is it ok if my fiance travels to the US after our marriage to open a US bank account? Or he really needs to be in Philippines and not travel abroad to qualify as a resident here?

By the way, we inquired about the back taxes. He didnt pay US tax yet because he didnt work in the US before. We are so confused with the processes now. The US embassy will not give us information about the taxes until the VISA step. :-(

Sorry, i double posted. i accidentally pressed the button twice.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Hi again!

Is it ok if my fiance travels to the US after our marriage to open a US bank account? Or he really needs to be in Philippines and not travel abroad to qualify as a resident here?

By the way, we inquired about the back taxes. He didnt pay US tax yet because he didnt work in the US before. We are so confused with the processes now. The US embassy will not give us information about the taxes until the VISA step. :-(

Hi again!

Is it ok if my fiance travels to the US after our marriage to open a US bank account? Or he really needs to be in Philippines and not travel abroad to qualify as a resident here?

By the way, we inquired about the back taxes. He didnt pay US tax yet because he didnt work in the US before. We are so confused with the processes now. The US embassy will not give us information about the taxes until the VISA step. :-(

Sorry, i double posted. i accidentally pressed the button twice.

He can travel. He shouldn't give up his residence until he's submitted the I-130.

*All* USCs, whether they've ever lived/worked in the US ever or not, are expected to do tax returns.

See: http://www.expattaxandlaw.com/us-citizen-abroad.html

And: http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/U.S.-Citizens-and-Resident-Aliens-Abroad

Edited January 14, 2014 by lost_at_sea

[MCGCB 3]

He can travel. He shouldn't give up his residence until he's submitted the I-130.

*All* USCs, whether they've ever lived/worked in the US ever or not, are expected to do tax returns.

See: http://www.expattaxandlaw.com/us-citizen-abroad.html

And: http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/U.S.-Citizens-and-Resident-Aliens-Abroad

Thanks! Ur reply is very helpful. Lastly, is there an equivalent amt. Lastly, how soon can he file for a

CR-1 petition under DCF?

[MCGCB 3]

Thanks! Ur reply is very helpful. Lastly, is there an equivalent amt. Lastly, how soon can he file for a

CR-1 petition under DCF?

I mean, is there a minimum amt that we should deposit in US bank for it to be accepted by the embassy?

[Darnell 8,479]

Thanks! Ur reply is very helpful. Lastly, is there an equivalent amt. Lastly, how soon can he file for a

CR-1 petition under DCF?

The day after you have a gov-issued marriage certificate in his hand.

[Darnell 8,479]

I have 2 questions regarding the affidavit of support.

1. Is it enough to have a co-sponsor for someone like my fiance who does not have a job in the US? (He is a doctor in our country but unemployed in the US)

2. Is there like an amount that we can show to them that would make them realize that we actually dont need a co-sponsor?

1. yup - IV Unit understands this stuff about co-sponsers for DCF casefiles. Make certain he handles the domicile prove-up with the I-864 submission though .

2. like? oh, it's more than like (similar, analogous to) - there's an exact book about it - find/study the I-864P

[Darnell 8,479]

I mean, is there a minimum amt that we should deposit in US bank for it to be accepted by the embassy?

if trying to qualify on assets only, say CASH in a USA bank account,

it's 3 times the missing amount for the thresh-hold of 125 percent of the poverty guidelines.

Clear as mud? Sure, it's a math thingie. Solve for x, aye?

y = income already earned in USA

X = 3 * (poverty_amount - Y)

example - no income in USA, Y = 0, poverty amount for 2 people = 19,200 (my number, not USCIS)

X = 3 * (19,200 - 0)

X = 57,600 usd

[MCGCB 3]

1. yup - IV Unit understands this stuff about co-sponsers for DCF casefiles. Make certain he handles the domicile prove-up with the I-864 submission though .

2. like? oh, it's more than like (similar, analogous to) - there's an exact book about it - find/study the I-864P

Thank you! He will go to the US to open a bank account, back file his tax return, and meet up our co-sponsor. By the way, what are the requirements for the co-sponsor? The USCIS lady from the embassy would not give us info about this. She just told us to wait for further instructions during the VISA application stage.

[Darnell 8,479]

i beg of you, study the instructions for the I-864 and I-864A.

[MCGCB 3]

i beg of you, study the instructions for the I-864 and I-864A.

I just did. Tnx.

[MCGCB 3]

if trying to qualify on assets only, say CASH in a USA bank account,

it's 3 times the missing amount for the thresh-hold of 125 percent of the poverty guidelines.

Clear as mud? Sure, it's a math thingie. Solve for x, aye?

y = income already earned in USA

X = 3 * (poverty_amount - Y)

example - no income in USA, Y = 0, poverty amount for 2 people = 19,200 (my number, not USCIS)

X = 3 * (19,200 - 0)

X = 57,600 usd

Ok. So this is how much we should

deposit in US bank if we dont want to have a joint sponsor. Very informative. I'll talk to him about this. Thanks a lot!

[MCGCB 3]

Hi everyone! I just would like to share that our DCF filing in manila, Philippines got approved last Feb 6. Thanks for your help!

[Darnell 8,479]

when yer sharing again,

tell us what he did for monies in a usa bank account,

showing assets,

engagement with co-sponser,

etc etc etc..

Congratulations on the approval - whatcha cooking, to celebrate?