DCF Frankfurt - Affidavit of Support

[Oban 1]

Many many thanks / good morning!

Yes, I know that I need an appointment for the USCIS in Frankfurt (Infopass, right???). Somehow I like the system, easy to handle.

The tax returns shouldn't be a problem! My wife and I just moved to Germany this year (I am German, but we lived a while in Austria). Incl. January 2007 my wife had an income. So the tax return 2006 is no problem. 2007 is not over -> so nothing is filed yet. 2005 and 2004 might cause a problem, because she was still studying (university) and had a small or no income.

The information regarding the case number is also helpful. I should as for the number when I am in Frankfurt... good to know.

What's up with this filing the DS-230 Part I? Does that really mean I can just file the DS-230 Part I and afterwards I have to drive home and fax them the checklist? They don't take it in person? I think that is confusing!

Another question regards my assets:

When my wife files the I-864 and we mention my assets on there, is there anything to know? Let's say I write "53,000.00 USD". I assume I need proof that I own this money and where it is and so on -> Signed letter from my German (???) bank?!

I think it is no big deal to get a written statement from my bank about this money, but aren't there certain rules? Is the money untouchable afterwards? Is the US Government allowed to ask my bank after 2 months "hey, is the money still there?". Because I am planning to invest my assets as soon as possible, but I would like to keep the money in my savings accounts till we filed the I-864. Any ideas? I hope my question is understandable.... hehe.

Thanks again!

Cheers,

Oban

[Mephibosheth 0]

I'm no expert on I-864s, but I think if you want to mention your assets, you would have to file the I-864A in addition and mention it there... unless your wife has full access to the bank account, then she can mention the assets as her own. I think a copy of a bank account statement is enough, but if the money showed up quite recently you might have to explain where it came from (if it has accumulated over time through income for example that looks less sketchy), you can also take the account statement for the whole quarter with you if you think that proves that the money is truly your own and not temporarily borrowed. I don't think anybody will check 2 months later... basically if your visa is through, nobody goes back to check the legitimacy of your I-864 again

I know it seems a bit complicated with not leaving all papers there right away, but I guess their thinking is that they want to limit the amount of paperwork they have at the embassy, so they want the other stuff only if your I-130 is approved, and that takes 60-90 days... Frankfurt is quite a busy place... But then that's just me guessing. I think you might be able to leave the checklist there right away as well, but don't quote me on that

[Oban 1]

When I read the timelines, 60-90 days seems way too long. It seems that this amount of time applies if you do not hand in your I-130 in person. A lot of people got their approval after 2/3 weeks to 1.5 months.

As far as I understood the I-864, my wife can mention MY assets (even when she has no access!). There is a part which asks for the immigrant's assets. They don't mention any needed access. But hey, a shared bank account is no problem.

What do you guys think about any explanation like "Well... my grandpa (or whomever) gave me the amount of money for my move to the US". Would that be an explanation why the money "popped" up?

Any comments?

Thanks again!

Oban

[Mephibosheth 0]

I read somewhere that if you insist that it was a gift and that you do not have to return it, it's acceptable.

60-90 days is the official version, but it can be faster as you observed, especially if you turn it in in person.

[Mary G. 0]

Oban,

You can put yours and your wife's assets on the 864. If you were not her spouse, then you would have to use the 864-A to have your assets included. In terms of proving assets, my husband and I had bank statements printed out for the previous twelve months, since we'd been told that's what we would need. In the end, they only asked for the most recent statement, but I think this was because they seemed to accept my job contract in the States (which didn't begin until July and we were interviewing in April) as enough evidence for the 864.

Good luck!

Best wishes,

Mary

I read somewhere that if you insist that it was a gift and that you do not have to return it, it's acceptable.

60-90 days is the official version, but it can be faster as you observed, especially if you turn it in in person.