Requesting Guidance On The Right Time To Start The Process

[rbhambha 4]

Hi all,

I just stumbled across this site while searching on Google and it's been so helpful and amazing, thank you all for your contributions!

 

I would like your guidance on when you think it would be best for me (the petitioner) to begin this process. Here's a little background that's making this a confusing situation for me:

 

I currently live at my parents' address, am working as a full time server at a restaurant, and make ~$25k annually. I am currently in the process of looking for a higher paying job elsewhere, and am hesitant about beginning the application process because I do not want to list my parents' address as my physical address, nor as the address my beneficiary intends to stay upon arriving in the US. My fiance and I both assumed it would be best to wait until I've found a new job that allows me to move out of my parents' home, so that we can list a different address on the I-129f, and also show a higher, more solid income. Is this assumption correct?

 

Second, my fiance has her own business in Slovakia, and has been working within that business for close to 6 months now. She too is currently living with her parents, and her income is okay by Slovak standards, but if required to provide proof of income and tax documents and whatever else on her end, it might be difficult for her to do so, just because the business is so new, and a lot of it is transacted in cash. Will this be an issue? Should we firm things up on her end as well to ensure this process goes more smoothly?

 

We would love to begin the process as soon as possible, and of course we want to start it with the best chance possible for it to be approved. Any guidance that can inform our next steps is greatly appreciated, thank you! 

 

One more question, from start to finish, can someone please list out all of the fees that we'll be incurring along this application journey, from sending off the I-129f, to receiving AOS and Green Card? I'm not finding one place where this is all listed, and if you could take a little bit of time to list it out for me, it would also be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

Edited October 4, 2017 by rbhambha

[EandH0904 1,184]

Is there a reason that you do not want to list your parents address? If you do not feel mail is safe going to there house, or you do have not told them, remember please that being an adult is about transparency in your relationships. "Hiding" a fiance could look suspicious to USCIS unless there is some reason (such as same sex marriage, religious reasons) that might be more understandable. Remember, people who don't have anything to hide, don't hide anything. Lots of people, especially younger couples, lives with family and it's not a problem in any way. 

 

Her income does not matter at all in regards to your application. She could be making millions and it would be irrelevant. Your income is what is important. If you are a server, I presume part of your income is based on tips - make sure that you are accurately recording these for tax purposes as well as to "prove" your income - I haven't been a server for a million years so I don't know if they are listed on your check stubs as wages or not. You can wait for a higher paying job, prove this one meets your income requirements, or find a friend/family member who is willing to be a co-sponsor. 

 

The best chance of success for you is to spend as much time TOGETHER in person as possible. Keep proof (boarding tickets, hotel receipts, photos, etc). Take photos with families and friends and show that they support your decision to get married. Have families who support your relationships write affidavits if they are willing to. If you do not feel you have had enough time, wait to file when you have. 

 

As for the fees, I will let someone else answer - it was different when we filed - and we didn't get to the AOS/Green Card stage so I'm not knowledgeable about those things. 

[geowrian 22,338]

To add to the above...

• You can apply as soon as you are ready. You aren't forced to go as fast as possible, and you should be able to delay the process significantly...plus the visa is valid for 6 months from the medical or the interview (whichever is sooner). There is an expiration of the approved I-129F (4 months), but typically the embassy can extend it for you for up to a year. The I-129F alone is taking close to 5 months to get approved nowadays anyway. If you went as fast as you could, expect about 7-9 months on average from I-129F filing to embassy interview.
• The I-134 is presented at the interview, ~7+ months after filing the I-129F. That's the piece they will look at for the financials for the K-1, so you have time.

K-1 Fees:

• I-129F: $535
• MRV fee: $265
• Medical/Vaccinations: Varies by country, but expect in the $250-$400 range
• Documents + translations: <Varies, as needed>
• Travel to US: Varies

AOS Fees:

• I-485: $1140 + $85 biometrics = $1225
• I-131: None when filed due to I-485
• I-765: None when filed due to I-485
• I-864: N/A

 

Keep in mind ROC will be needed 2 years after she gets her green card.

Edited October 4, 2017 by geowrian

[rbhambha 4]

Thank you for your reply! 

 

The reason I don't want to put my parents' address is not because I'm hiding my fiancee, it's because I feel they would be more comfortable supporting this process once I've moved out of their home and am at my own address. But, if I must put down my parents' address, so be it. As long as it doesn't look bad in the eyes of the USCIS. 

 

As a server, a portion of my tips are in cash, and those are not recorded on my pay stubs, but I do keep meticulous records of all of my earnings, and they clearly show that my income is above the poverty level for a household of 2. Probably would be even more beneficial for me to deposit all of my cash tips into my bank account, as well, for evidence purposes.

 

We have spent quite a bit of time together since getting together 2 years ago, as recently as 2 months ago, with pictures from that time, and much messaging/calling in-between. So, we're strong in that department.

 

Thanks again for your reply.

 

 

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

40 minutes ago, rbhambha said:

Hi all,

I just stumbled across this site while searching on Google and it's been so helpful and amazing, thank you all for your contributions!

 

I would like your guidance on when you think it would be best for me (the petitioner) to begin this process. Here's a little background that's making this a confusing situation for me:

 

I currently live at my parents' address, am working as a full time server at a restaurant, and make ~$25k annually. I am currently in the process of looking for a higher paying job elsewhere, and am hesitant about beginning the application process because I do not want to list my parents' address as my physical address, nor as the address my beneficiary intends to stay upon arriving in the US. My fiance and I both assumed it would be best to wait until I've found a new job that allows me to move out of my parents' home, so that we can list a different address on the I-129f, and also show a higher, more solid income. Is this assumption correct?

1. It has no bearing where you live.

It's fine to list your parents adress, you can just do a change of adress when you move or have the mail go there for the K1 process and then fill out the AOS forms with the new adress for that part. It doesn't matter.

2. Your income of $25k is enough to sponsor your K1 fiancée, both in the K1 part where you have to meet 100% of present poverty lines and for the AOS where you have to meet 125%.

Quote

Second, my fiance has her own business in Slovakia, and has been working within that business for close to 6 months now. She too is currently living with her parents, and her income is okay by Slovak standards, but if required to provide proof of income and tax documents and whatever else on her end, it might be difficult for her to do so, just because the business is so new, and a lot of it is transacted in cash. Will this be an issue? Should we firm things up on her end as well to ensure this process goes more smoothly?

The fiancée's income doesn't matter at all for any part of the process and she will not be asked to provide those documents.

Quote

We would love to begin the process as soon as possible, and of course we want to start it with the best chance possible for it to be approved. Any guidance that can inform our next steps is greatly appreciated, thank you! 

Start here

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

And come back with specific questions. When you file join the "i129f XXXX filers" thread for the month in which you will file to share info and updates on the current process with fellow filers of that same month. 

Quote

One more question, from start to finish, can someone please list out all of the fees that we'll be incurring along this application journey, from sending off the I-129f, to receiving AOS and Green Card? I'm not finding one place where this is all listed, and if you could take a little bit of time to list it out for me, it would also be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

There's a list from a thread somewhere but I can't find it right now - I will look later if no one beats me to it but basically look at the forms in the guides list and what their fees are

Maybe ppl can fill up and help complete/correct the list if I start it:

 

K1

I129f - $535

Medical - roughly $300

Visa application fee $265

Add costs for ordering police certificate, making copies etc.

Add cost if she'll need to travel to a consulate for interview

 

AOS (i485, i765, i131, g1145) $1225 (you only have to pay for the i485)

Add cost for flight

Add cost for wedding

Add cost for certified copies of marriage certificate..

 

I probably missed a lot

Edited October 4, 2017 by Suss&Camm

[rbhambha 4]

1 minute ago, geowrian said:

To add to the above...

• You can apply as soon as you are ready. You aren't forced to go as fast as possible, and you should be able to delay the process significantly...plus the visa is valid for 6 months from the medical or the interview (whichever is sooner). There is an expiration of the approved I-129F (4 months), but typically the embassy can extend it for you for up to a year. The I-129F alone is taking close to 5 months to get approved nowadays anyway. If you went as fast as you could, expect about 7-9 months on average from I-129F filing to embassy interview.
• The I-134 is presented at the interview, ~6+ months after filing the I-129F. That's the piece they will look at for the financials for the K-1, so you have time.

K-1 Fees:

• I-129F: $535
• MRV fee: $265
• Medical/Vaccinations: Varies by country, but expect in the $250-$400 range
• Documents + translations: <Varies, as needed>
• Travel to US: Varies

AOS Fees:

• I-485: $1140 + $85 biometrics = $1225
• I-131: None when filed due to I-485
• I-765: None when filed due to I-485
• I-864: N/A

 

Keep in mind ROC will be needed 2 years after she gets her green card.

Awesome, thank you for the additional information! The fee listings are very helpful.

 

6 months from now, I should be in an even better financial position for sure. 

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

Lmao - hilarious, I added a 100 to the i129f and took 100 of the visa application fee - tnx @geowrian - updated my post

[rbhambha 4]

Thanks @Suss&Camm for your additions to the thread! 

[rbhambha 4]

25 minutes ago, geowrian said:

To add to the above...

• You can apply as soon as you are ready. You aren't forced to go as fast as possible, and you should be able to delay the process significantly...plus the visa is valid for 6 months from the medical or the interview (whichever is sooner). There is an expiration of the approved I-129F (4 months), but typically the embassy can extend it for you for up to a year. The I-129F alone is taking close to 5 months to get approved nowadays anyway. If you went as fast as you could, expect about 7-9 months on average from I-129F filing to embassy interview.
• The I-134 is presented at the interview, ~7+ months after filing the I-129F. That's the piece they will look at for the financials for the K-1, so you have time.

K-1 Fees:

• I-129F: $535
• MRV fee: $265
• Medical/Vaccinations: Varies by country, but expect in the $250-$400 range
• Documents + translations: <Varies, as needed>
• Travel to US: Varies

AOS Fees:

• I-485: $1140 + $85 biometrics = $1225
• I-131: None when filed due to I-485
• I-765: None when filed due to I-485
• I-864: N/A

 

Keep in mind ROC will be needed 2 years after she gets her green card.

Thanks for this information!  

 

Quick question, when will I be asked to pay the MRV fee? After I receive the NOA2?

 

also, thanks for the heads up on the ROC. 

 

[geowrian 22,338]

7 minutes ago, rbhambha said:

Quick question, when will I be asked to pay the MRV fee? After I receive the NOA2?

Yes, it's after NOA2. Exactly when it's paid varies from embassy to embassy, but usually it tends to be before you can schedule the embassy interview. Here's Slovokia's page on paying fees to at least give you a heads up on "how": http://www.ustraveldocs.com/sk/sk-niv-paymentinfo.asp

 

Good luck!

Edited October 4, 2017 by geowrian

[rbhambha 4]

2 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Yes, it's after NOA2. Exactly when it's paid varies from embassy to embassy, but usually it tends to be before you can schedule the embassy interview. Here's Slovokia's page on paying fees to at least give you a heads up on "how": http://www.ustraveldocs.com/sk/sk-niv-paymentinfo.asp

 

Good luck!

Got it! Thanks for the info and for the link!

[TexasHeartsIndia 371]

A cost that isn't figured here although it is only indirectly related to the K1 costs... I spent a couple hundred dollars (at least) getting things ready for him. I have been living alone and didn't have anything for another person. I bought things such as: organization baskets, a bedside table, extra bathroom storage, etc. I also bought him a SIM card with cell phone plan so that he can have a cell phone as soon as he gets here. I've been buying things over the last few months but it does add up.

 

Best wishes to you!

[NikLR 13,232]

Does your fiancee care that she would be getting married without her family around unless they have US visas? Or that you have to marry within 90 days of arrival? Or that she won't be able to work for 90-120 days (or more) after filing for the adjustment of status? 

Do you pay taxes on your tips like you are supposed to? 

 

It really doesn't matter to the USCIS where you live as long as it is in the USA.  They dont care about the beneficiary's income either. 

The MRV fee is the non-immigrant visa fee so the beneficiary can apply for a visa.  The K1 is non-immigrant visa with immigrant intent.  

[rbhambha 4]

13 hours ago, NikLR said:

Does your fiancee care that she would be getting married without her family around unless they have US visas? Or that you have to marry within 90 days of arrival? Or that she won't be able to work for 90-120 days (or more) after filing for the adjustment of status? 

Do you pay taxes on your tips like you are supposed to? 

 

It really doesn't matter to the USCIS where you live as long as it is in the USA.  They dont care about the beneficiary's income either. 

The MRV fee is the non-immigrant visa fee so the beneficiary can apply for a visa.  The K1 is non-immigrant visa with immigrant intent.  

Excellent considerations, thank you.

 

Yes, she is fine with all of the above, though we will need to discuss it in even greater depth now that you’ve brought it up as you have, and we’ll have to come to terms with that reality. And yes, I pay taxes on all of my tips as I’m supposed to!

 

I appreciate the additional contributions!

 

[rbhambha 4]

14 hours ago, TexasHeartsIndia said:

A cost that isn't figured here although it is only indirectly related to the K1 costs... I spent a couple hundred dollars (at least) getting things ready for him. I have been living alone and didn't have anything for another person. I bought things such as: organization baskets, a bedside table, extra bathroom storage, etc. I also bought him a SIM card with cell phone plan so that he can have a cell phone as soon as he gets here. I've been buying things over the last few months but it does add up.

 

Best wishes to you!

That’s very sweet  thank you for sharing. Yes, there will be many more small additional expenses associated with this for sure.