financial question

[Jen and Mikey 13]

Since the K1 visa is the route we'd be taking... I'm just trying to get a couple questions I've had regarding this process hammered out.

When it comes to the financial part... how heavily do they weigh on that. My fiance makes a decent salary, but currently pays a good portion of it in child support payments and that causes him to live somewhat month to month at times. Will that reflect negatively on our application?

Also I know that the cost seems to vary.... I'm wondering if someone would be able to expand on them. It seems that what I've read it's anywhere from $1200-$2000 and I'm curious if anyone has a break down of the expenses...

Thank you for any assistance... I just feel like I've read so much and it's making my head spin

[Enigma11561 336]

As I remember, they want to know what you make, not how it is spent. If you look at the guides on this site, you will see what the various costs are during the process. Just remember that their will always be something else that crops up.

But roughly, between filing fees, visa and medical fees, AOS fees, and whatever else is in there, $2000 is the lowest I would go.

[LeftCoastLady 441]

Since you'd have the option of driving to the U.S., that would definitely keep the estimated costs lower than those of us with fiancé(e) coming from elsewhere.

As Enigma mentioned, there are the costs associated with the petition and interview process, but also remember you likely will not be authorized to work for about six months upon arrival in the U.S. This depends on how quickly you file for the Adjustment of Status (AOS) and Employment Authorization Document (EAD), but do ensure your fiancé can manage that plus any current financial obligations (i.e. child support).

On the financial criteria, that comes into play after the petition has been approved and is forwarded to the embassy for your interview. Your fiancé should review the guidelines for what is considered the minimum for his household size at the 125% level. You can view the amounts here: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864p.pdf

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Since the K1 visa is the route we'd be taking... I'm just trying to get a couple questions I've had regarding this process hammered out.

When it comes to the financial part... how heavily do they weigh on that. My fiance makes a decent salary, but currently pays a good portion of it in child support payments and that causes him to live somewhat month to month at times. Will that reflect negatively on our application?

Also I know that the cost seems to vary.... I'm wondering if someone would be able to expand on them. It seems that what I've read it's anywhere from $1200-$2000 and I'm curious if anyone has a break down of the expenses...

Thank you for any assistance... I just feel like I've read so much and it's making my head spin

They go by gross income. The forms do not ask how much you owe out. They only care about what comes in. His household size will include his children, even if they are not living with him. Himself, any dependent children under 18, any other dependents he claims on his taxes, plus you: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864p.pdf

They will go by the I-864 guidelines and instructions, even when using the I-134 at the K-1 visa interview because you will be needing the I-864 for AOS after you are in the US and married.

A breakdown of the fees is as follows, but this list does not include the medical fee(approx. $200) you will need to pay:

USCIS - I-129F Petition Filing Fee: $340.00

DoS Visa Application Fee: $350.00 $240 as of April 13, 2012

USCIS - Adjustment of Status Fee: $1,070.00

USCIS - Removal of Conditions Fee: $590.00

Total Immigration Fees for Receiving Your 10 Year Green Card: $2,240.00

Edited April 1, 2012 by Jay-Kay

[L+T 71]

Since you'd have the option of driving to the U.S., that would definitely keep the estimated costs lower than those of us with fiancé(e) coming from elsewhere.

As Enigma mentioned, there are the costs associated with the petition and interview process, but also remember you likely will not be authorized to work for about six months upon arrival in the U.S. This depends on how quickly you file for the Adjustment of Status (AOS) and Employment Authorization Document (EAD), but do ensure your fiancé can manage that plus any current financial obligations (i.e. child support).

On the financial criteria, that comes into play after the petition has been approved and is forwarded to the embassy for your interview. Your fiancé should review the guidelines for what is considered the minimum for his household size at the 125% level. You can view the amounts here: http://www.uscis.gov...form/i-864p.pdf

Iti is possible to apply for EAD as Fiance(e)... processing time is 2 months. (However, there is also a hefty fee for this... compared to free EAD file at time of AOS)

[Jen and Mikey 13]

They go by gross income. The forms do not ask how much you owe out. They only care about what comes in. His household size will include his children, even if they are not living with him. Himself, any dependent children under 18, any other dependents he claims on his taxes, plus you: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864p.pdf

They will go by the I-864 guidelines and instructions, even when using the I-134 at the K-1 visa interview because you will be needing the I-864 for AOS after you are in the US and married.

A breakdown of the fees is as follows, but this list does not include the medical fee(approx. $200) you will need to pay:

USCIS - I-129F Petition Filing Fee: $340.00

DoS Visa Application Fee: $350.00 $240 as of April 13, 2012

USCIS - Adjustment of Status Fee: $1,070.00

USCIS - Removal of Conditions Fee: $590.00

Total Immigration Fees for Receiving Your 10 Year Green Card: $2,240.00

Thanks everyone for answering so quickly..

And thank you Jay-Kay for the break down..... that was awesome of you....

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Iti is possible to apply for EAD as Fiance(e)... processing time is 2 months. (However, there is also a hefty fee for this... compared to free EAD file at time of AOS)

Yes, and has been stated before several times around these forums, the fee is $380, the processing time can be longer than 2 months, and it will expire when your I-94 does. That will leave you little to no time left to actually work. It is a waste of money. Even if it came in 2 months, that leaves you 1 month to work. When the EAD expires, you must stop working. I doubt anyone wants to hire someone knowing they will quit in a couple weeks.

Filing AOS as soon as possible is the best option to be able to work. Filing for the EAD with the I-485, as well as AP, makes them free because the filing fees for those 2 forms are waived then. The EAD you receive when filing with AOS will be good for a year, plenty of time to start work and keep working because the green card will be approved before then, in most cases. Sometimes people get the green card before the EAD is even approved, and therefore not even needed.

[Miew-Miew 9]

DoS Visa Application Fee: $350.00 $240 as of April 13, 2012

At what point do you pay this one? I did see the other day that this was reduced, but am I confusing this payment with non-immigrant visa fee of $141? . I sent the USCIS $340 in aleady and my packet has been sent to Bangkok from the NVC, but in Packet three, it only says: APPLICATION FEE: Each K Visa applicant must pay in Thai baht the equivalent of US$141.00 non-immigrant visa fee, which is non-refundable, at any Thai Post Office. Please mail in the receipt, which is valid for one year.

Is the $141 in addition to the $240? and if so, at what stage do we paay it?

(or is the $141 just wrong?)

Thanks!

[Jen and Mikey 13]

At what point do you pay this one? I did see the other day that this was reduced, but am I confusing this payment with non-immigrant visa fee of $141? . I sent the USCIS $340 in aleady and my packet has been sent to Bangkok from the NVC, but in Packet three, it only says: APPLICATION FEE: Each K Visa applicant must pay in Thai baht the equivalent of US$141.00 non-immigrant visa fee, which is non-refundable, at any Thai Post Office. Please mail in the receipt, which is valid for one year.

Is the $141 in addition to the $240? and if so, at what stage do we paay it?

(or is the $141 just wrong?)

Thanks!

I was curious about that as well, but after some digging I found a post. The $240 is what you take with you to your interview and it pays for the visa..... hopefully I read that correct.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

At what point do you pay this one? I did see the other day that this was reduced, but am I confusing this payment with non-immigrant visa fee of $141? . I sent the USCIS $340 in aleady and my packet has been sent to Bangkok from the NVC, but in Packet three, it only says: APPLICATION FEE: Each K Visa applicant must pay in Thai baht the equivalent of US$141.00 non-immigrant visa fee, which is non-refundable, at any Thai Post Office. Please mail in the receipt, which is valid for one year.

Is the $141 in addition to the $240? and if so, at what stage do we paay it?

(or is the $141 just wrong?)

Thanks!

As far as I know, the visa processing fee is the same at any consulate, so it should be $240 after April 13th and not $141. It is being lowered from $350. You might want to ask about that in the regional forum for Thailand so that others that have gone through your consulate can answer about the info in your packet.

EDIT>> That fee is wrong. Found this thread: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/348259-fee-at-thai-post-office/

I was curious about that as well, but after some digging I found a post. The $240 is what you take with you to your interview and it pays for the visa..... hopefully I read that correct.

Each consulate is different in their procedures. Some have you pay beforehand, and some on the day of your interview. Just ask about it in your regional forum, and others from Canada should be able to let you know when you will pay that fee.

Edited April 2, 2012 by Jay-Kay

[Miew-Miew 9]

Rev. Jan-12 K Instruction (3) Page 1/9

Embassy of the United States of America

Consular Section, Immigrant Visa Unit

Bangkok, Thailand

INSTRUCTION PACKAGE FOR „K‟ VISA APPLICANTS

(Packet 3)

APPLICATION FEE: Each K Visa applicant must pay in Thai baht the equivalent of US$141.00 non-immigrant visa fee, which is non-refundable, at any Thai Post Office. Please mail in the receipt, which is valid for one year.

Hmm.. that application quote was taken off the BKK website (REV. Jan 2012). Either that document is wrong, there is a different fee wwe are talking about, or sometme between that document coming out they raised it from $141 to $350 (before lowering it last week to $240).

really confused now...

actually that thread was in JAN, so it went from 131->141->350->240!

Edited April 2, 2012 by Miew-Miew

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Rev. Jan-12 K Instruction (3) Page 1/9

Embassy of the United States of America

Consular Section, Immigrant Visa Unit

Bangkok, Thailand

INSTRUCTION PACKAGE FOR „K‟ VISA APPLICANTS

(Packet 3)

APPLICATION FEE: Each K Visa applicant must pay in Thai baht the equivalent of US$141.00 non-immigrant visa fee, which is non-refundable, at any Thai Post Office. Please mail in the receipt, which is valid for one year.

Hmm.. that application quote was taken off the BKK website (REV. Jan 2012). Either that document is wrong, there is a different fee wwe are talking about, or sometme between that document coming out they raised it from $141 to $350 (before lowering it last week to $240).

really confused now...

actually that thread was in JAN, so it went from 131->141->350->240!

It used to be $131 2 years ago. It changed to $350 on June 4, 2010. It is changing to $240 on April 13, 2012.

All I can tell you is that the BKK website and forms are apparently not updating the current fees.

http://www.visajourney.com/news/

Edited April 2, 2012 by Jay-Kay

[A & K 42 34]

Don't forget medical fees - $100+ (This amount varies but $100 is the minimum)

[SF2007 48]

Filing fees are a good place to start, but your estimate is way under what it will really cost you.

You are not taking into account medical expenses (exam + missing shots + trip to the clinic), travel expenses and overnight stay for your interview in Montreal and the cost of getting all required original forms you may not have (divorce decree, birth certificate, police record check, etc).

Also, you will have to provide several passport pictures, which need to be taken professionally. You can use the courier service provided by Montreal free of charge during the K1 process but everything else for AOS and ROC will be on your dime. You will also be moving; you will pay gas or airfare. Perhaps you will need personal items shipped too. Depends how tight your budget is... if you need detailed estimate, 2400$ is far from what you will end up paying in reality.

Edited April 2, 2012 by SF2007