Who should pay for the AOS fees?

[andy78 178]

15 hours ago, Trebaruna said:

Who do you think the burden of paying for AOS and K1 visa burden should fall on? The US citizen, or the non-US citizen?

If both aren't willing to pay at least something, then neither should. Just like paying for anything else as part of a relationship.

Edited December 29, 2019 by andy78

[Cathi 5,755]

If this is a question so early on in the relationship, that's a red flag for the future.

 

 

Just sayin'.

 

 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Wait - I haven’t read the other responses yet but - You’re planning to get married and already arguing over who should be paying the cost of stuff to get you together? You guys seem to have stuff to talk over before you actually take the final step.

[Marieke H 2,512]

Just whoever has the money to pay for it. You will be comingling your finances anyway.

 

I had some savings when we started the process, so I paid all the fees for my K1 and AOS myself. Then we lived off my husband's income plus some of my savings for 7 months, until I started working. We'll pay for ROC from our joint account. 

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

They like to see joint bank accounts and other mingled finances for AOS anyway... so, both?

[Scandi 4,166]

Since we have shared finances all the money we have belong to both of us. Doesn't matter if it's a new computer, a new car or house, or immigration fees. We're in the same boat, sharing everything.

[geowrian 22,337]

4 hours ago, missileman said:

My wife and I both have incomes.  We each have a personal bank account, and we have a joint bank account.  We each regularly contribute equally to our joint account......All our household expenses are paid using our joint account.  We have shared all the immigration expenses equally......because it is "We"....not "me" or "You" any longer.

That's nearly exactly our setup too! We put everything into the joint account then distribute $x to personal accounts per paycheck. It makes things much simpler for us...for anything involving both of us, it comes from the joint account. If one of us wants to spend their own money on something, then they can do so - no questions asked (my wife really doesn't need another fashion bag, but it's her money so I can't complain).

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

In another thread OP described his fiancée as “wealthy”*. Seems odd to be having this debate in that context.

 

* to be specific, OP said his fiancée claims to be wealthy. I understood he hasn’t visited her at home yet.

[Crazy Cat 41,887]

5 minutes ago, geowrian said:

That's nearly exactly our setup too! We put everything into the joint account then distribute $x to personal accounts per paycheck. It makes things much simpler for us...for anything involving both of us, it comes from the joint account. If one of us wants to spend their own money on something, then they can do so - no questions asked (my wife really doesn't need another fashion bag, but it's her money so I can't complain).

and having all 3 of our accounts in the same bank makes it super easy to immediately transfer funds among the accounts.......works great for "my money", "her money", and "OUR money"......LOL.

Edited December 29, 2019 by missileman

[Neonred 3,564]

You should pay for everything so you can always use that to remind her what you did for her and who is in charge.

 

At least it seems to happen that way here often.

 

 

Edited December 29, 2019 by Neonred

[SalishSea 17,836]

5 hours ago, missileman said:

My wife and I both have incomes.  We each have a personal bank account, and we have a joint bank account.  We each regularly contribute equally to our joint account......All our household expenses are paid using our joint account.  We have shared all the immigration expenses equally......because it is "We"....not "me" or "You" any longer.

That is what we do as well.

[Ryanmaria2018 186]

22 hours ago, Trebaruna said:

Who do you think the burden of paying for AOS and K1 visa burden should fall on? The US citizen, or the non-US citizen?

That all depends on whether the non citizen has a working permit or not. If not then of course the US citizen should pay.

[Ryanmaria2018 186]

2 hours ago, geowrian said:

That's nearly exactly our setup too! We put everything into the joint account then distribute $x to personal accounts per paycheck. It makes things much simpler for us...for anything involving both of us, it comes from the joint account. If one of us wants to spend their own money on something, then they can do so - no questions asked (my wife really doesn't need another fashion bag, but it's her money so I can't complain).

How long has your wife been here and does she already have a work permit? Seems like when you file for a AOS the spouse can't work till he or she get's a work permit.

[SalishSea 17,836]

5 minutes ago, Ryanmaria2018 said:

That all depends on whether the non citizen has a working permit or not. If not then of course the US citizen should pay.

The non citizen wouldn't have an EAD yet, as the OP is asking about paying for the AOS fee.....

[Going through 5,671]

22 hours ago, Trebaruna said:

Who do you think the burden of paying for AOS and K1 visa burden should fall on? The US citizen, or the non-US citizen?

Why would it matter who pays for it?  

 

I guess I don't see the difference in who pays for what early on in that stage.

 

If you can afford it, you pay for it---if she can afford it, she pays for it.  Or both do 50-50.  

 

But honestly if you guys are arguing over who pays for the immigration fees, there are likely bigger issues in your relationship this early on.