How Far Above Poverty Level ?

[DesiJase 52]

Hi all. Just wondering how far above the 125% does London like to see? I know people say it's only 100% at Visa level, but with all the changes you never know what the Officers are going to want..I do make over the 125% on my own without a joint, but I'm just praying it will be enough.

 

Thanks in advance. 

[JFH 12,190]

The 125% only kicks in for AOS and I-864 once you have arrived and got married. The I-864 is legally enforceable so at that stage they are very strict about it.

 

For a K-1 using form I-134 (which is not legally enforceable) it asks that you are at 100% or above. London has been known to accept self-sponsorship for K-1s (for example, if you are selling a house before leaving and will make a tidy profit, have significant savings or you retain stocks, shares or property in the UK which will provide an income).  
 

However, you also need to consider the bigger picture. These are poverty levels, the bare minimum the government believes you need to eat and have a roof over your head. I think it’s currently a little over $20k gross per year for a 2-person household. In many parts of the country you can’t even keep a goldfish on that. Even 125% of that is a miserable existence in many places. Getting through the interview is one thing. Living on that amount of money is a whole other matter. 

Edited February 2, 2020 by JFH

[DesiJase 52]

4 minutes ago, JFH said:

The 125% only kicks in for AOS and I-864 once you have arrived and got married. The I-864 is legally enforceable so at that stage they are very strict about it.

 

For a K-1 using form I-134 (which is not legally enforceable) it asks that you are at 100% or above. London has been known to accept self-sponsorship for K-1s (for example, if you are selling a house before leaving and will make a tidy profit, have significant savings or you retain stocks, shares or property in the UK which will provide an income).  
 

However, you also need to consider the bigger picture. These are poverty levels, the bare minimum the government believes you need to eat and have a roof over your head. I think it’s currently a little over $20k gross per year for a 2-person household. In many parts of the country you can’t even keep a goldfish on that. Even 125% of that is a miserable existence in many places. Getting through the interview is one thing. Living on that amount of money is a whole other matter. 

Thank you for the response I appreciate it. I make a little over 30,000 and a promotion should be coming pretty soon. I live in a state with a low cost of living, so we live fairly comfortable. My mother also lives with me and has her own income so that bumps us up as a household. It's just all the little things that you think about during this process. The AOS scares me a little but I think we're doing better than some with the totality of circumstances. We can only hope... 

 

Thank you again.

Edited February 2, 2020 by DesiJase

[JFH 12,190]

$30,000 for a household of 2 won’t be a concern for London. Assume you have a plan in place for his medical costs? Usually he can’t be added to your employer’s plan until you are legally married. By the time your AOS case is adjudicated (it’s taking around a year) you likely will have had a salary increase also. 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

4 minutes ago, DesiJase said:

. I make a little over 30,000 and a promotion should be coming pretty soon.

I think you will do fine for I-134 and I-864 approval. 

[DesiJase 52]

1 minute ago, JFH said:

$30,000 for a household of 2 won’t be a concern for London. Assume you have a plan in place for his medical costs? Usually he can’t be added to your employer’s plan until you are legally married. By the time your AOS case is adjudicated (it’s taking around a year) you likely will have had a salary increase also. 

Household of three with my son, but we'll still hopefully make them happy with the income. Yes, I'm looking at temporary insurance plans or savings for medical until we get married and I can add him to my work insurance, thanks ! 

[DesiJase 52]

2 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

I think you will do fine for I-134 and I-864 approval. 

If I have to I can add my mother's income to our household income, I'm just trying to not do that if I don't have to. Thank you ! 

[Boiler 45,525]

Self sponsorship does not require much, I went that was as it was much easier, they seem to want you have enough to last the 90 days.