Public Charge Question

[eterri 0]

Hi guys! It's been a long time since I posted as my fiance recently visited me and officially proposed. We didn't get a chance to put our package together as we only had 2 weeks together and he had some worries. He said that the card he filled out when coming into the country said that he was not to apply for a visa of any sort during his stay? I can't remember what the card is called but it's the one you fill out on the plane when entering a different country. (My fiance is from the UK, by the way.)

At any rate, I'm starting to get some things together now but I have a question. I know that eventually we have to prove that Richard won't become a public charge. I have been unemployed for the past year or so but thankfully have a job interview tomorrow (wish me luck please!). The pay from the job won't be nearly enough to put me at 125% of the poverty line BUT I do have a co-sponsor lined up so we're going through with this anyway.

My question is: If I get an income-based apartment (such as housing projects) will that count against us in any way as far as public charge goes? The most affordable housing happens to be the city's housing authority and that is really all I'll be able to afford until Richard is settled here and working as well (or until I find a higher paying job, of course). I'm not sure how far they look into these things and I don't have the apartment yet but I'd like to sign up for one as soon as I get a job. I've lived in the apartments before and they're actually newly-remodeled, well maintained and like I said, very affordable. That's beside the point though, I'm starting to ramble!

At any rate, if you could just point me in the right direction to find the answer to my question, that would be great as well.

Oh, one more question: The co-sponsor is a close friend of the family and a cousin to my father. However, I know that it's kind of uncomfortable sharing all your personal financial information with another person. If they co-sponsor Richard, will there be any way that I can assure them that I won't be seeing their personal information or is this something that can't be avoided?

[Yodrak 7]

eterri,

I suspect that you're writing about Form I-94W, but I see no such restriction on it.

I suppose that the friend who will be your fiance's sponsor for the visa could mail their financial documents directly to the consulate, with a note clearly identifying whose visa application the material is intended for.

Yodrak

Hi guys! It's been a long time since I posted as my fiance recently visited me and officially proposed. We didn't get a chance to put our package together as we only had 2 weeks together and he had some worries. He said that the card he filled out when coming into the country said that he was not to apply for a visa of any sort during his stay? I can't remember what the card is called but it's the one you fill out on the plane when entering a different country. (My fiance is from the UK, by the way.)

...

Oh, one more question: The co-sponsor is a close friend of the family and a cousin to my father. However, I know that it's kind of uncomfortable sharing all your personal financial information with another person. If they co-sponsor Richard, will there be any way that I can assure them that I won't be seeing their personal information or is this something that can't be avoided?

[eterri 0]

Thanks for the reply, Yodrak. It would be great if they could just fill it out and send it in separately. I wonder if that would slow the process though? But as long as we get approved in the end, it doesn't matter. We've had five years to practice patience!

[rebeccajo 14]

I thought I had read on here before that the co-sponsor could give you their affidavit and documents in a sealed envelope, and they could just be taken to the interview that way.

[eterri 0]

That would also be great if it could work that way. Who would I contact to find out for sure?

[Yodrak 7]

eterri,

Of course it could work as rebeccajo suggested - why not?

I almost suggested that approach also, but you wanted the sponsor to be certain that you would not see the information and giving you the envelope involves trust, which may be well deserved but it is not certainty.

Yodrak

That would also be great if it could work that way. Who would I contact to find out for sure?

[eterri 0]

Ah, yeah I see your point there. I guess they could choose which way they'd be most comfortable with. Hopefully they won't mind the sealed envelope approach.

Edited March 7, 2006 by eterri

[Joey559 1]

Hey, eterri - just wanted to say good luck in the interview. I ran away to england to live with my fiance for six months and now i'm back with an engagement ring and we've started the process...but i'm job hunting too! I know just how you feel. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[eterri 0]

Thank you Joey and good luck to you too!

[meauxna 15]

I thought I had read on here before that the co-sponsor could give you their affidavit and documents in a sealed envelope, and they could just be taken to the interview that way.

I did that.

Everyone was happy with the arrangement.

[eterri 0]

Thanks. That sounds like a good plan, hopefully they'll agree.

Anyone know the answer to the income-based housing question?

[Peter Miami 0]

Good luck.

Peter Miami