How did you pay for your CR1/IR1 visa?

[Redro 4,611]

I'm wondering how other couples dealt with the costs associated with the CR1/IR1 visa. 

Is this a piece of proof you showed the embassy to indicate you're an actual couple? 

We're just using the USC's bank account to pay for the costs as paying with a Korean account involves a lot of ID verification.. 

Edited October 21, 2021 by Kor2USA

[SteveInBostonI130 3,432]

21 minutes ago, Kor2USA said:

Is this a piece of proof you showed the embassy to indicate you're an actual couple? 

We're just using the USC's bank account to pay for the costs as paying with a Korean account involves a lot of ID verification.. 

 

Co-mingling of finances was attached on the I-130 application.

 

Who pays for what fee for the process doesn't matter much.  Someone intent on fraud can easily pay the fees and organize the payments, whether it is the petitioner or beneficiary.

 

Proof of ongoing relationship shown during the interview were things done after the petition was submitted:  time spent together, chat printouts, additional financial co-mingling, etc.

[Redro 4,611]

Just now, SteveInBostonI130 said:

 

Co-mingling of finances was attached on the I-130 application.

 

Who pays for what fee for the process doesn't matter much.  Someone intent on fraud can easily pay the fees and organize the payments, whether it is the petitioner or beneficiary.

 

Proof of ongoing relationship shown during the interview were things done after the petition was submitted:  time spent together, chat printouts, additional financial co-mingling, etc.

I know who pays what fee doesn't matter... just wondering how couples view/ dealt with payment. Some couples might see the immigration cost as wholly the cost and responsibility of the beneficiary (it's their visa) as other couples might see the cost as being the responsibility of the petitioner (I want you to move to the States so I'll bear the cost). 

[SteveInBostonI130 3,432]

The fees for the forms and visa is minor compared to the life changing event of being with the person you love.

 

I would say typically the USC pays for the petition and visa fees.  Airfare could be either party.  The intangible cost is the beneficiary upending their life to move to another country.

 

Even if the immigrating spouse didn't have much material possessions, they are leaving their family, friends, and neighbors behind.  They are going from a culture they know to something that may be completely different.  And having to learn a new language.

 

Each contributes and sacrifices something or somethings to be together.  The USC has an easier time because they do not need to move.  

 

Focusing on a few thousand dollars of immigration fees is odd and not very healthy.

[arken 4,197]

Specially in a spousal petition, if one is talking about fee responsibility, that's not the beginning of a healthy relationship imho. I can see that happening on siblings petition who will be immigrating with the family and definitely not spending the life with the petitioner.

Edited October 21, 2021 by arken

[JeanneAdil 6,491]

When the immigrant is from a country with low wages,  i would suspect the burden is assumed by USC (like me)

with the understanding that they are coming for a bona fida marriage and will work together in the USA to help each other with finances

 

and yes,  some of us,  have had to show commingling of finances like i added spouse to IRS tax returns,   to my bank account and to a utility bill and deed to the house / all before he came to the US

 

since it is so hard for a engaged person to get a tourist visa for the US,  most of us (USC'S)  have had to bear the financial burden of travel to the immigrant's country to meet and marry/or to meet in a 3rd country for marriage

 

any money i paid out for fees and /or travel  was evident as i used my bank debit card

 

I stayed in the family home when i was  in Morocco so we split the cost of food,  renting a car,,  traveling by bus,  restaurants, even the translations of documents to English,   so we had already shared costs in small ways 

[Redro 4,611]

1 hour ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

The fees for the forms and visa is minor compared to the life changing event of being with the person you love.

 

I would say typically the USC pays for the petition and visa fees.  Airfare could be either party.  The intangible cost is the beneficiary upending their life to move to another country.

 

Even if the immigrating spouse didn't have much material possessions, they are leaving their family, friends, and neighbors behind.  They are going from a culture they know to something that may be completely different.  And having to learn a new language.

 

Each contributes and sacrifices something or somethings to be together.  The USC has an easier time because they do not need to move.  

 

Focusing on a few thousand dollars of immigration fees is odd and not very healthy.

Ah...so usually the USC does live in the States when the petition is filed.

I think our situation is different because we both live in a third country and have lived here together for 10 years.  

We've decided to move to the States because although I would love for us to move back to my home country, it is very anti-foreigner... I would be the sole breadwinner (because my spouse is not allowed to work)... 

Edited October 21, 2021 by Kor2USA

[millefleur 5,046]

1 hour ago, Kor2USA said:

I think our situation is different because we both live in a third country and have lived here together for 10 years.  

I lived abroad and did DCF with my husband in his country. We had co-mingled joint bank accounts there and everything was paid through that. Ever since we've been together, we've had shared accounts. I understand why some people might want separate finances. Some people are bad with money management. Thankfully both my husband and I are responsible and on the same page about finances.

 

2 hours ago, Kor2USA said:

We've decided to move to the States because although I would love for us to move back to my home country, it is very anti-foreigner... I would be the sole breadwinner (because my spouse is not allowed to work)... 

I'm sorry to hear that. That's infuriating that a spouse would not be able to work. What is the logic behind that? Are they paranoid about people marrying for immigration? Curious what country that is if you don't mind sharing.

[JeanneAdil 6,491]

53 minutes ago, millefleur said:

I lived abroad and did DCF with my husband in his country. We had co-mingled joint bank accounts there and everything was paid through that. Ever since we've been together, we've had shared accounts. I understand why some people might want separate finances. Some people are bad with money management. Thankfully both my husband and I are responsible and on the same page about finances.

 

I'm sorry to hear that. That's infuriating that a spouse would not be able to work. What is the logic behind that? Are they paranoid about people marrying for immigration? Curious what country that is if you don't mind sharing.   When IBM sent us to Japan,  I was not allowed to work.   too many citizens who could fill the jobs.  if we had been military,  i could have  worked on base teaching,  etc but not out in the Japanese community.   I Belgium, i worked in a store selling Belgium lace  and candies of all kinds

 

[millefleur 5,046]

9 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

When IBM sent us to Japan,  I was not allowed to work.   too many citizens who could fill the jobs.  if we had been military,  i could have  worked on base teaching,  etc but not out in the Japanese community.   I Belgium, i worked in a store selling Belgium lace  and candies of all kinds

I understand that but I assume you weren't married to a Japanese or Belgian citizen in those situations? If you're a 3rd country national in another country and you're only there because of your non-citizen spouse, it's common that in those situations the "dependent" spouse doesn't always get work rights. I've just never heard of a country banning the spouse from working if they're married to an actual citizen of that country. Obviously it exists, but I'm just wondering what country that is.

 

I know for a fact that Japan allows spouses of Japanese citizens to work.

Edited October 21, 2021 by millefleur

[SteveInBostonI130 3,432]

4 hours ago, Kor2USA said:

Ah...so usually the USC does live in the States when the petition is filed.

I think our situation is different because we both live in a third country and have lived here together for 10 years.  

We've decided to move to the States because although I would love for us to move back to my home country, it is very anti-foreigner... I would be the sole breadwinner (because my spouse is not allowed to work)... 

Do you mean if you moved to S.Korea your spouse would not be allowed to work?

 

Is that due to pressure/expectations from family?

 

I know foreigners are allowed to work there.  There are even some civilian jobs at the US military bases in Seoul, Daegu, Pusan and other cities that are only open to US nationals.  Like my 2nd grade teachers at Camp Walker.

[Redro 4,611]

2 hours ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

Do you mean if you moved to S.Korea your spouse would not be allowed to work?

 

Is that due to pressure/expectations from family?

 

I know foreigners are allowed to work there.  There are even some civilian jobs at the US military bases in Seoul, Daegu, Pusan and other cities that are only open to US nationals.  Like my 2nd grade teachers at Camp Walker.

 

4 hours ago, millefleur said:

I lived abroad and did DCF with my husband in his country. We had co-mingled joint bank accounts there and everything was paid through that. Ever since we've been together, we've had shared accounts. I understand why some people might want separate finances. Some people are bad with money management. Thankfully both my husband and I are responsible and on the same page about finances.

 

I'm sorry to hear that. That's infuriating that a spouse would not be able to work. What is the logic behind that? Are they paranoid about people marrying for immigration? Curious what country that is if you don't mind sharing.

We live and work in Korea. Neither of us is Korean. 

My home country has very high unemployment, so, unless you have special skills (and can receive a visa which usually has to be obtained overseas) it's fairly difficult to work. Just being married to a citizen doesn't confer work rights until you've been married for 5 years and obtain permanent residency. 

[SteveInBostonI130 3,432]

2 minutes ago, Kor2USA said:

 

We live and work in Korea. Neither of us is Korean. 

My home country has very high unemployment, so, unless you have special skills (and can receive a visa which usually has to be obtained overseas) it's fairly difficult to work. Just being married to a citizen doesn't confer work rights until you've been married for 5 years and obtain permanent residency. 

Ah, that clears it up.

 

I noticed that younger couples place more significance on who pays for what, which is understandable because they are starting out and may not have established income and/or savings.   Like me when I got married right after college (to a high school sweetheart, no immigration involved).  

 

If you are working and saving up, then immigration to the US will benefit you both just about equally.  I would say it should be more of a joint expense.

 

[X Factor 1,112]

I paid it and did so willingly.  Been married for over 9 years and it has been wonderful with my baby now working and paying for stuff  together ❤.