Need employment, or money saved okay?

[maklein 0]

i'm not employed,

but have money saved in the bank,

is this okay to be eligible to sponsor,

or must i be employed?

thanks!

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

I think it depends at least some on the consulate or embassy that you're dealing with, but know that you need to have 5 times (pretty sure) 125% the poverty level for your family size. So if it's just you and your fiancée, you'll need 98 310 US dollars, bare minimum, in easily accessible assets. Otherwise, some consulates and embassies allow cosponsors.

[Meghan&Andrey 51]

First, filling in your timeline so we know what embassy/consulate you're going to be using would help a lot. Then you can get embassy/consulate specific information.

I think it depends at least some on the consulate or embassy that you're dealing with, but know that you need to have 5 times (pretty sure) 125% the poverty level for your family size. So if it's just you and your fiancée, you'll need 98 310 US dollars, bare minimum, in easily accessible assets. Otherwise, some consulates and embassies allow cosponsors.

I'm not sure where you got this. The "5 times 125% the poverty level"..are you saying this is specific for people who are just using savings? Because here http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-864p.pdf states the guidelines & you are way off. You just use your household size (this includes the beneficiary, petitioner, any dependents &/ others living in the house count towards this number).

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

I'm not sure where you got this. The "5 times 125% the poverty level"..are you saying this is specific for people who are just using savings? Because here http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-864p.pdf states the guidelines & you are way off. You just use your household size (this includes the beneficiary, petitioner, any dependents &/ others living in the house count towards this number).

I was under the impression that if you're using assets, you must have five times the guideline. I may have botched the math, but if you are going to sponsor your fiancé and have no dependents, your family size is 2 people. If you live in the 48 contiguous, you're looking at 19 662 dollars, assuming that you are not active duty military. But using assets, unless you are already married to the person, you must multiply that 19 662 by five. Which, if I'm not messing up the math, gives you 98 310 dollars in accessible assets. If you were married to the beneficiary already, then I believe it is three times the guideline.

If you're using ongoing employment, you use the guideline itself and must be making at least that amount as your annual income.

[Meghan&Andrey 51]

I was under the impression that if you're using assets, you must have five times the guideline. I may have botched the math, but if you are going to sponsor your fiancé and have no dependents, your family size is 2 people. If you live in the 48 contiguous, you're looking at 19 662 dollars, assuming that you are not active duty military. But using assets, unless you are already married to the person, you must multiply that 19 662 by five. Which, if I'm not messing up the math, gives you 98 310 dollars in accessible assets. If you were married to the beneficiary already, then I believe it is three times the guideline.

If you're using ongoing employment, you use the guideline itself and must be making at least that amount as your annual income.

I apologize, you're right. That number just seemed so high! I was in a hurry & wasn't thinking it all the way through.

[Zedayn 485]

Actually it is only 3 times the amount for fiances and spouses. So for a household of 2 its about 60,000 needed. Still a lot though.

From: http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-864instr.pdf

In order to qualify based on the value of your assets, the total value of your assets must equal at least five times the difference between your total household income and the current poverty guidelines for your household size. However, if you are a U.S. citizen and you are sponsoring your spouse or minor child, the total value of your assets must only be equal to at least three times the difference.

Fiances also follow this guideline, they are considered like a spouse.

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

Actually it is only 3 times the amount for fiances and spouses. So for a household of 2 its about 60,000 needed. Still a lot though.

From: http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-864instr.pdf

In order to qualify based on the value of your assets, the total value of your assets must equal at least five times the difference between your total household income and the current poverty guidelines for your household size. However, if you are a U.S. citizen and you are sponsoring your spouse or minor child, the total value of your assets must only be equal to at least three times the difference.

Fiances also follow this guideline, they are considered like a spouse.

Oh, thanks. I didn't know that. I thought it didn't count until you were married.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Actually it is only 3 times the amount for fiances and spouses. So for a household of 2 its about 60,000 needed. Still a lot though.

From: http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-864instr.pdf

In order to qualify based on the value of your assets, the total value of your assets must equal at least five times the difference between your total household income and the current poverty guidelines for your household size. However, if you are a U.S. citizen and you are sponsoring your spouse or minor child, the total value of your assets must only be equal to at least three times the difference.

Fiances also follow this guideline, they are considered like a spouse.

3 times or 5 times is sort of embassy specific... Manila = 5 times

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

i'm not employed,

but have money saved in the bank,

is this okay to be eligible to sponsor,

or must i be employed?

thanks!

This will depend on the factors of your overall case. What is your employment history? Are you employable? Is there or will there be a steady flow of income? The CO will base their decision on whether or not they believe the foreign fiance(e) has a strong chance of becoming a public charge once they are in the US.

The I-134 itself has no set and specific guidelines for how much you need in assets. Those come from the I-864 instructions, which you will need to provide after you are married and your spouse files for AOS. Some consulates follow the guidelines for the I-864 and will accept 3 times for a fiance(e)/spouse with the I-134. The more you have, the better. If your household size is 2, then you need a bare minimum of about $60k in assets. You need to provide 6-12 months worth of bank statements that shows the money was not recently deposited just for your affidavit of support submission.