Income required for K-1

[Alabamak1 688]

Hi:

 

Throughout the K-1 and more i have always thought about what is the minimum required income to live on while you are doing this whole immigration process and bringing your SO to the States. Just because you qualify for the Visa, does not mean you will not have financial problems later on. The responsability of providing for your SO while they are not allowed to work and or find a job even, what would someone consider the minimum to make a year to survive this ordeal? Different states and different cities have different cost of living. Would you say that for a minimum you would need:

 

a) 20K/ year for just 2 in a household

b) 30K/ year for just 2 in a household

c) 35K or more / year for just 2 in a household

 

What is your guys opinion on this?

 

Thanks

[geowrian 22,338]

Depends on where you live. In my area, $30k is definitely livable for 2 people (I did this for years and even bought a house at the time).

In nearby cities (Philadelphia, NYC, etc.), $30k is nothing.

[Ontarkie 14,435]

~~Moved to Off Topic, from General Immigration Discussion - The OP is asking for personal opinions.~~

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

12 minutes ago, Alabamak1 said:

Hi:

 

Throughout the K-1 and more i have always thought about what is the minimum required income to live on while you are doing this whole immigration process and bringing your SO to the States. Just because you qualify for the Visa, does not mean you will not have financial problems later on. The responsability of providing for your SO while they are not allowed to work and or find a job even, what would someone consider the minimum to make a year to survive this ordeal? Different states and different cities have different cost of living. Would you say that for a minimum you would need:

 

a) 20K/ year for just 2 in a household

b) 30K/ year for just 2 in a household

c) 35K or more / year for just 2 in a household

 

What is your guys opinion on this?

 

Thanks

 

No exact number can be made.... like you mentioned, depends a lot on where the USC lives, how much they pay for rent or mortgage...do they have a car payment? How high is their car insurance? Do they have good medical through their company or do they pay an extreme amount for medical/dental..... Myself, honestly, even with a reasonable rental rate for an apartment, in an average priced city, someone with a car payment, cell phone bills, electric, even reasonable health/dental insurance through their company... I myself wouldn't want to go under at least 50k annually... I make 60k'ish, maybe more depending on overtime.... I still withdrew 5k out of my 401k to cover his car down payment and have extra for date nights, dinners, movies, ect...  

 

Now... if under that amount, naturally some people can claim some government assistance which can help offset the "need".... but really, for me anyways, I can't stand to worry about money.... it's a paranoia of mine and while now combined we are at the 95-100k annual mark, we still keep things seperate by choice, and we don't live outside our means necessarily, but we have bills and those and taxes take a lot of money each month.

 

I always recommend people not aim for the minimum so to say; but plan a head and look at the unforseen costs that can arise.

Edited October 28, 2018 by Ben&Zian

[Alabamak1 688]

at least this discussion gives a kinda reference to what people think they should make even prior on embarking on this journey. I am also a control freak, and work as much as I can to be able to support our lifestyle. I was just curious what other Vjers opinion was on this. Thanks

[JFH 12,191]

Here in the PNW $20,000 for 2 people wouldn’t even cover the rent and utilities. And, as others have said, it depends a lot on your lifestyle. Smoking, drinking, and other hobbies can be costly. I drive over 30 miles each way to work so I spend $160 a month on gas (we have very high gas prices here in WA). Someone who lives 5 miles from work would spend a lot less, likewise someone who works from home would spend very little or may not need a car. 

[Umka36 781]

How much is sufficient to survive really does depend on where you live? If you are struggling now (no matter how much you make), bringing an immigrant isn't going to help especially for K1 folks as they cannot work right away.

 

$20k won't cut it where I live. We could have chosen to live a cheaper neighborhood, but I worry about crime in the area with our small children. I'm frugal in my spending as I'm the only one working with a family of 4 and a dog. When you add the cost of food/rent/utilities/medical/car insurance/etc. it's more than the poverty guideline for a family of 4.

 

 

[HP+IC 292]

On 10/28/2018 at 3:51 AM, Alabamak1 said:

at least this discussion gives a kinda reference to what people think they should make even prior on embarking on this journey. I am also a control freak, and work as much as I can to be able to support our lifestyle. I was just curious what other Vjers opinion was on this. Thanks

In my opinion, qualifying for I-134/I-864 has as little in common with real life as being eligible for K1 visa with a happy marriage. Besides, everybody's case is different and a lot of issues may or may not arise depending on where and how you live. It is my understanding that for NYC 3 times poverty line will be a real poverty line though, if not outright poverty

Edited October 30, 2018 by HP+IC

[debbiedoo 2,339]

assuming you have rent/mortgage and at least one car payment, i dont see how anyone can live (comfortably with some disposable income and a bit set aside for emergencies) on less than 35K for a family of 2. (dependent on your areas cost of living)

 

Now, if you dont have those things, your cost of living goes down.

 

i can, and have, lived on VERY little. its not fun. its not easy. it really sucks, in fact. and that was with me having no mortgage and no car payment. And i live in a low cost of living area. i am COMFORTABLE around $40K. but again, no major housing or auto expenses.

 

i certainly wouldnt try to sponsor anyone to move here if i made less that that. not only do you have the expenses for AOS and beyond to consider, but also ... you ... i dont know .... might want to buy stuff that isnt a NECESSITY. go out to eat on occasion, go to a concert, take a weekend trip, be able to buy gifts for holidays and birthdays. not worry about the power being cut off. you know, the little things. dont forget saving for retirement, too. 😕

 

 

Edited October 30, 2018 by debbiedoo

[icanbenobody 187]

On 10/30/2018 at 8:09 AM, debbiedoo said:

assuming you have rent/mortgage and at least one car payment, i dont see how anyone can live (comfortably with some disposable income and a bit set aside for emergencies) on less than 35K for a family of 2. (dependent on your areas cost of living)

 

Now, if you dont have those things, your cost of living goes down.

 

i can, and have, lived on VERY little. its not fun. its not easy. it really sucks, in fact. and that was with me having no mortgage and no car payment. And i live in a low cost of living area. i am COMFORTABLE around $40K. but again, no major housing or auto expenses.

 

i certainly wouldnt try to sponsor anyone to move here if i made less that that. not only do you have the expenses for AOS and beyond to consider, but also ... you ... i dont know .... might want to buy stuff that isnt a NECESSITY. go out to eat on occasion, go to a concert, take a weekend trip, be able to buy gifts for holidays and birthdays. not worry about the power being cut off. you know, the little things. dont forget saving for retirement, too. 😕

 

 

i really like @debbiedoo opinion in every post 😁 sometimes people need some advice about the reality in living in america..my husband annual income is more than $130k but still we live a very simple life,we dont go partying as we are not a party goer,we have a house and car but you cant avoid the reality of taxes. sometimes my husband complain because government get most half of his salary .thats why were moving to another state on spring 😂😂

 

[SalishSea 18,125]

We live in Seattle, so none of the above......

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

4 hours ago, gaski said:

i really like @debbiedoo opinion in every post 😁 sometimes people need some advice about the reality in living in america..my husband annual income is more than $130k but still we live a very simple life,we dont go partying as we are not a party goer,we have a house and car but you cant avoid the reality of taxes. sometimes my husband complain because government get most half of his salary .thats why were moving to another state on spring 😂😂

 

That's the biggest reason why I moved from CA to NC this year. My COL went down and my QOL went up exponentially. My only issue is with the state income taxes because they take more than CA did but we will get it back when we file.  

We make more than $120k even without my wife working right now but it does get eaten up by taxes and our 4 kids. But other than that we live modestly as well. 

[icanbenobody 187]

10 minutes ago, Cyberfx1024 said:

That's the biggest reason why I moved from CA to NC this year. My COL went down and my QOL went up exponentially. My only issue is with the state income taxes because they take more than CA did but we will get it back when we file.  

We make more than $120k even without my wife working right now but it does get eaten up by taxes and our 4 kids. But other than that we live modestly as well. 

sigh immigrants should be aware of these taxes responsibility before moving in america. we are still searching for a better state to move in on spring 😊😊

Edited November 12, 2018 by gaski

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

3 minutes ago, gaski said:

sigh immigrants should be aware of these taxes responsibility before moving in america. we are still searching for a better state to move in on spring 😊😊

You are correct on this. My asawa was amazed how much taxes get taken out of my paycheck. Especially when she first came here from the Philippines she was really really amazed. I had to explain to her before she came here that "No, your employer does not provide for your lodging here". Since in the MENA region for OFW's that is very common for companies to do that. 

[icanbenobody 187]

4 minutes ago, Cyberfx1024 said:

You are correct on this. My asawa was amazed how much taxes get taken out of my paycheck. Especially when she first came here from the Philippines she was really really amazed. I had to explain to her before she came here that "No, your employer does not provide for your lodging here". Since in the MENA region for OFW's that is very common for companies to do that. 

before i got here my husband used to explain it to me but i dont wanna believe it but now its a big WOW a shocking truth..most filipino always think if you are in America you have plenty of money maybe if its in Philippines rate/value sigh theres no way we can avoid these taxes.