"Ready and willing to deposit a bond, if necessary"

[thejoz 0]

So I just sent an email to my co-sponsor detailing the information necessary to get my beneficiary over here, and he was particularly unsettled by the item that says "I am ready and willing to deposit a bond, if necessary" in regards to making sure the beneficiary does not become a public charge, etc.

...

He then goes on to say he doesn't have any money and can't do that, and quite frankly, I don't either. I have no idea how much money the consulate would even ask for if they were to do this, but quite frankly, there is nobody in my family who can just part with several hundred (or thousand?) dollars at the drop of a hat just because I have someone from Britain who wants to live here.

He's already planning to provide her free (ish) room and board, he makes over 50 grand a year, and would only be supporting three people (himself included).

What is the chance that London would actually ask or require us to do this? How common an occurance is this? Under what situation would the consulate actually require said bond to be posted?

I really hope this isn't a major stumbling block, because if it's common, we're gonna have a problem

[Otto 83]

So I just sent an email to my co-sponsor detailing the information necessary to get my beneficiary over here, and he was particularly unsettled by the item that says "I am ready and willing to deposit a bond, if necessary" in regards to making sure the beneficiary does not become a public charge, etc.

Asking/Requiring a bond most certainly is a rare occurrence (I've not read once instance on VJ of one) I would think.

[pushbrk 13,000]

So I just sent an email to my co-sponsor detailing the information necessary to get my beneficiary over here, and he was particularly unsettled by the item that says "I am ready and willing to deposit a bond, if necessary" in regards to making sure the beneficiary does not become a public charge, etc.

...

He then goes on to say he doesn't have any money and can't do that, and quite frankly, I don't either. I have no idea how much money the consulate would even ask for if they were to do this, but quite frankly, there is nobody in my family who can just part with several hundred (or thousand?) dollars at the drop of a hat just because I have someone from Britain who wants to live here.

He's already planning to provide her free (ish) room and board, he makes over 50 grand a year, and would only be supporting three people (himself included).

What is the chance that London would actually ask or require us to do this? How common an occurance is this? Under what situation would the consulate actually require said bond to be posted?

I really hope this isn't a major stumbling block, because if it's common, we're gonna have a problem

Requiring a bond is rare but if what you have is "someone from Britain who wants to live here", there won't be a visa anyway. Your profile indicates K1, which is a fiance visa. In which case your family would understand the beneficiary is going to be your wife, a member of their family.

If not, then your best bet is to simply withdraw the petition now. She doesn't need a visa to visit from Britain for 90 days which is all the K1 is good for unless she marries you within the 90 days.

[thejoz 0]

So I just sent an email to my co-sponsor detailing the information necessary to get my beneficiary over here, and he was particularly unsettled by the item that says "I am ready and willing to deposit a bond, if necessary" in regards to making sure the beneficiary does not become a public charge, etc.

...

He then goes on to say he doesn't have any money and can't do that, and quite frankly, I don't either. I have no idea how much money the consulate would even ask for if they were to do this, but quite frankly, there is nobody in my family who can just part with several hundred (or thousand?) dollars at the drop of a hat just because I have someone from Britain who wants to live here.

He's already planning to provide her free (ish) room and board, he makes over 50 grand a year, and would only be supporting three people (himself included).

What is the chance that London would actually ask or require us to do this? How common an occurance is this? Under what situation would the consulate actually require said bond to be posted?

I really hope this isn't a major stumbling block, because if it's common, we're gonna have a problem

Requiring a bond is rare but if what you have is "someone from Britain who wants to live here", there won't be a visa anyway. Your profile indicates K1, which is a fiance visa. In which case your family would understand the beneficiary is going to be your wife, a member of their family.

If not, then your best bet is to simply withdraw the petition now. She doesn't need a visa to visit from Britain for 90 days which is all the K1 is good for unless she marries you within the 90 days.

No, please don't misunderstand. They know we're gonna get married, they know she's my fiance, they know all of that.

My father is...contradictory, for one. He said months ago he'd 'sign whatever [we] needed signed', but now that he looks at the responsibility and the fact that he may have to deposit money somewhere, that he doesn't have...well he didn't say he wouldn't sign it, but quite honestly if he does after this I'd be surprised.

It's not just a matter of 'her just wanting to live here' it's the fact that...

My father asked why they even needed all this info for. I told him, in the simplest terms "money" to make sure he had it and his immediate response was "I don't have any f*cking money".

Yes, he makes $50,000 a year, but the man is not exactly rich. He's in debt like most Americans and yeah.

So the problem is that, no amount of love or her being my future wife is going to mean much to my parents or anyone else if they don't absolutely have money they can just set aside and part with to 'prove' that Amy won't end up on welfare someday.

The fact that he's got a steady house, steady income, a son (me) who pays his own bills not including rent, and the fact that Amy is going to work her butt off should not mean nothing to the embassy I'd imagine, but you don't know my father, and I don't know how the embassy works.

[Ta Ta 1]

Why do you think you need a bond ? Are you assuming that from the question on the form ? I don't know what you are talking about but

I filled out NO on that question.

[thejoz 0]

There's no "question", it simply says toward the bottom of the form "I am ready and willing to deposit a bond if necessary" blah blah blah.

I don't feel we'll "need" a bond, but my co sponsor (my father) was reading it, came across it, and said he 'didn't like it' and basically seemed to say, without actually saying it, that he wouldn't sign it because he can't deal with that obligation.

I have since read that, according to the Department of State, the I-134 is in fact, not considered legally binding. It is only the I-864, and that one doesn't ask for any bond.

I sent him the email with the info, so I have to hope and pray that it's enough to convince him he has nothing to worry about. My father is a stubborn SOB though, so...

If he doesn't, I'll have to try convincing my mother...

[neophi 5]

I have since read that, according to the Department of State, the I-134 is in fact, not considered legally binding. It is only the I-864, and that one doesn't ask for any bond.

Exactly. I think that statement is only as a sign of good faith for the Embassy. Make sure your buddy checks "I intend" in question #8 and states he is willing to furnish a room and board.

I have to agree with pushbrk though, it's kind of weird that someone refers to his future wife as "someone from Britain who wants to live here. Not that I'm judging you or anything.

[Ta Ta 1]

If I remember correctly there was a check box near that statement which I marked no. A quick call to an immigration lawyer

may set your mind at ease that you can check no without problems.

[trailmix 77]

He sounds stubborn indeed. The thing is, this is to be taken seriously and he is, so that's not a terrible thing. He is obviously uncomfortable with this for whatever reason (whether it is just his nature, whether he wants to hold it over you or whether he is just uncomfortable).

Here is what I would do, I would get to know that I-134 inside out, you need to be able to have a really good conversation about this with him. Granted he had agreed and you weren't expecting him to ask about a bond - but next time be ready. Read the details, do your research. Sometimes parents are not all that confident in their children's choices and therefore don't want to become involved, by being able to answer ANY question he comes up with, you will be showing him that you have done the research and may put his mind at ease.

Just my 2 cents worth. I wish you good luck!

[pushbrk 13,000]

He sounds stubborn indeed. The thing is, this is to be taken seriously and he is, so that's not a terrible thing. He is obviously uncomfortable with this for whatever reason (whether it is just his nature, whether he wants to hold it over you or whether he is just uncomfortable).

Here is what I would do, I would get to know that I-134 inside out, you need to be able to have a really good conversation about this with him. Granted he had agreed and you weren't expecting him to ask about a bond - but next time be ready. Read the details, do your research. Sometimes parents are not all that confident in their children's choices and therefore don't want to become involved, by being able to answer ANY question he comes up with, you will be showing him that you have done the research and may put his mind at ease.

Just my 2 cents worth. I wish you good luck!

The I-134 is a tool. It is not actually the required tool. One option is to go to an attorney and have them draw up an affidavit of support that would satisfy all parties. Bonds are not required for K1 applicants but may sometimes be for other temporary visitors.

Some fathers legitimately expect their grown children of marriage age to meet all their own financial obligations related to supporting their family. I wouldn't criticize a father for having such an expectation.

[Jesse and Hema 2]

Some fathers legitimately expect their grown children of marriage age to meet all their own financial obligations related to supporting their family. I wouldn't criticize a father for having such an expectation.

The key here is to first fully understand where your father is coming from. With that knowledge, try your best to gain his trust that you aren't going to pull him into bankruptcy! If he's reading a government form saying he might need to put down money, he's going to believe that over a thousand forum posters saying he won't need it (he won't, by the way). Assure him that you'd get a loan in his behalf if need be... And just reason with him, and be patient...

And btw, if he's making over 50k a year, you'll be fine with him as a co-sponsor

good luck!