Complicated case...I could use some input please

[Unstoppable02 0]

Hi all! I’m new here. I’m a 28 gay American from California. I’ve been married for 10 months to my Moldovan husband. I did a 2 year service program and met him in the capital. We dated 3 months after I got there and dated ever since.  We got married after my service July 2019. I then started working an international job within East Africa, so we became long and internationally distant. We see each other every 3-4 months and for major holidays, but it’s still very tough. As of January, he’s now working in the UK to earn money for the process. Due to COVID, I’m now here with him teleworking. 
 

Here’s our case. I started my job aug 2019. I’ve been saving most of my paycheck since then. I now have about $15,000 saved. I believe I read that we need about $20,000 since it’s only 2 of us. Correct me if I’m wrong. It’s supposed to %125 above the povertyguidelines of housing rate. I found a lawyer, but don’t know entirely how much she’ll charge as we haven’t used her services yet. We’re supposed to be starting the process in June, but I don’t know the likelihood of it now. Plus,I’m worried about the cost draining our process money even though we’re still working. Am I just being paranoid? 
 

I also read that I need to have a home back in the states before the interview. I was hoping to have either a dorm or apartment as I’m wanting to attend grad school fall 2021. If this doesn’t count, I’m not sure what to do because I live and  work internationally. Anyway, my jobs contract ends in Aug 2021 if I decide to not stay with my job. My plan is to save as much money as possible from 2019-2021. Then return to grad school. I was hoping to have all my ducks in a row, a passed consular interview, and a visa for him by the time I left for school, so he could arrive with me. Doing a process while in grad school would be too stressful & exhausting, so I’d like to complete it beforehand. 

p.s. I’ve been trying to find a work from home job to earn more money for us. 

 

Does anyone have a similar experience? Any advice or suggestions. The future stresses me out so much and I’m very much a planner.

[Duke & Marie 1,389]

Immigration costs will be around $2k total, in increments starting with the filing of the I130 petition for alien spouse. 

 

you don’t need a lawyer, this is a self help site and 90% of us are doing it ourselves or seriously considering it, those that do have lawyers are generally for complicated cases.. 

 

its nice you have savings, however it’s mainly earnings that count, since you’ve been out of the country I’d advise to ensure you have filed all your US taxes because transcripts etc will be required.. 

 

at some point (maybe 12 months after filing) you will have to demonstrate domicile or intention to return to the US.. if you plan on going to Uni, It is very likely you will need the assistance of a co-sponsor who resides within the US, possibly a parent. 

 

Good luck 

Edited May 11, 2020 by Duke & Marie

[Unstoppable02 0]

1 hour ago, Unstoppable02 said:

Hi all! I’m new here. I’m a 28 gay American from California. I’ve been married for 10 months to my Moldovan husband. I did a 2 year service program and met him in the capital. We dated 3 months after I got there and dated ever since.  We got married after my service July 2019. I then started working an international job within East Africa, so we became long and internationally distant. We see each other every 3-4 months and for major holidays, but it’s still very tough. As of January, he’s now working in the UK to earn money for the process. Due to COVID, I’m now here with him teleworking. 
 

Here’s our case. I started my job aug 2019. I’ve been saving most of my paycheck since then. I now have about $15,000 saved. I believe I read that we need about $20,000 since it’s only 2 of us. Correct me if I’m wrong. It’s supposed to %125 above the povertyguidelines of housing rate. I found a lawyer, but don’t know entirely how much she’ll charge as we haven’t used her services yet. We’re supposed to be starting the process in June, but I don’t know the likelihood of it now. Plus,I’m worried about the cost draining our process money even though we’re still working. Am I just being paranoid? 
 

I also read that I need to have a home back in the states before the interview. I was hoping to have either a dorm or apartment as I’m wanting to attend grad school fall 2021. If this doesn’t count, I’m not sure what to do because I live and  work internationally. Anyway, my jobs contract ends in Aug 2021 if I decide to not stay with my job. My plan is to save as much money as possible from 2019-2021. Then return to grad school. I was hoping to have all my ducks in a row, a passed consular interview, and a visa for him by the time I left for school, so he could arrive with me. Doing a process while in grad school would be too stressful & exhausting, so I’d like to complete it beforehand. 

p.s. I’ve been trying to find a work from home job to earn more money for us. 

 

Does anyone have a similar experience? Any advice or suggestions. The future stresses me out so much and I’m very much a planner.

P.s. I’m unable to gain support from family or anyone else.

[Chancy 6,241]

6 hours ago, Unstoppable02 said:

P.s. I’m unable to gain support from family or anyone else.

  

Then you need a job.

 

If you want to use your savings or other liquid assets for the affidavit of support, you must have assets valued at 3x the difference between the poverty guidelines and your actual household income.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-1-submit-a-petition/i-864-affidavit-faqs.html#aos13

 

Note that having just enough assets (or income) does not guarantee visa approval.  It is still up to the consul to assess the likelihood of your beneficiary becoming a public charge.

 

From the info you've shared, I don't think your case is complicated enough to need a lawyer.  Still, hiring a lawyer is a personal choice, depending on how much time and effort you're willing to spend on this process and how confident you are with your reading comprehension and ability to follow instructions.

 

Whatever you decide, I wish you good luck.

 

[pushbrk 12,914]

If you don't understand the difference between, income, and money in the bank, or don't understand that 125% of is very different than 125% more than, you probably do need professional help.  Visajourney has a partner page for a good reason.  https://www.visajourney.com/partners/

[Oliversmom 250]

You will need 3x 21,550 in assets which comes to 64,650.  And they may or may not accept that.  It will be based on whether they believe the beneficiary is likely to become a public charge.  My advice is go back and get a job making over the requirements.  I worked two jobs to make sure I was comfortably over the guidelines.