How much $ do I have to have in bank??

[Mduenas 1]

We have to show proof that we will be able to support our fiancé once they get here, right??

I have 3 children from a precious relationship. Once my fiancé gets here, we will be a household of 5. Can anyone tell me what I am expected to have in the bank? Or what my salary should be? I don't know to expect?!

On another note, my children have Florida Medicaid. I am a teacher so during the summers, I usually qualify for assistance from the state (food stamps and Medicaid for my household). Is this going to look bad when it comes to showing proof of support for my fiancé? Will this cause me problems??

God....I'm so stresses about this whole thing!!!

[learningus 6]

More experienced members will chime in shortly, but based on your own admission, you are going to need a co-sponsor to help you fulfill the financial obligation. See if someone you know can help with the I 134 requirement. Do some research here on VJ about affidavit of support. Good luck.

[wilfon 30]

Hi, here is a link to the financial requirements, but for a family of five it looks like the income should be $33,762. As long as you meet the requirements you should be good, if not then that is where the money in the bank and assets come in to play. Good luck to you.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864p.pdf

[Mduenas 1]

Really?? That's it??

I make $40,000 at my job, plus I get $700 in child support each month (I'm assuming this accounts as income)...according to what you've just said...I'm fine?!

Why was I told (by someone that went through this) that is need to have assets and money to add up to like $150,000...I thought that sounded weird, but I was worried!

[lost_at_sea 995]

Really?? That's it??

I make $40,000 at my job, plus I get $700 in child support each month (I'm assuming this accounts as income)...according to what you've just said...I'm fine?!

Why was I told (by someone that went through this) that is need to have assets and money to add up to like $150,000...I thought that sounded weird, but I was worried!

I think it's set not that far above the poverty line, but yeah.

Edit: sorry. It is the poverty guidelines they use (never bothered to look at that PDF before). Crazy low.

Edited March 9, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[Mduenas 1]

Great!! Thank you so much!! :0)

[TBoneTX 47,525]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Case Progress subforum to the Process forum. ***

[baron555 934]

We have to show proof that we will be able to support our fiancé once they get here, right??

I have 3 children from a precious relationship. Once my fiancé gets here, we will be a household of 5. Can anyone tell me what I am expected to have in the bank? Or what my salary should be? I don't know to expect?!

On another note, my children have Florida Medicaid. I am a teacher so during the summers, I usually qualify for assistance from the state (food stamps and Medicaid for my household). Is this going to look bad when it comes to showing proof of support for my fiancé? Will this cause me problems??

God....I'm so stresses about this whole thing!!!

If you have sufficient income, then the bank is not needed. I didn't list anything just my income.

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

We have to show proof that we will be able to support our fiancé once they get here, right??

I have 3 children from a precious relationship. Once my fiancé gets here, we will be a household of 5. Can anyone tell me what I am expected to have in the bank? Or what my salary should be? I don't know to expect?!

On another note, my children have Florida Medicaid. I am a teacher so during the summers, I usually qualify for assistance from the state (food stamps and Medicaid for my household). Is this going to look bad when it comes to showing proof of support for my fiancé? Will this cause me problems??

God....I'm so stresses about this whole thing!!!

You do not need any money in the bank

Your income needs to exceed the guidelines for a family of 5. Check the I-864P guidelines here at this site.

Your children's and your receipt of government benefits has nothing to do with the process, they will not even ask. US citizens ALWAYS have the ability to receive assistance. Food stamps are issued on a "past 30 days income" basis so a teacher with -0- income during summer qualifies for them in summer but may have an annual income that is plenty to support an immigrant. The guidelines require you to make 125% of the poverty level but food stamps can be issued up to 200% of the poverty level (depends on the state) One has nothing to do with the other.

If your income does not exceed the guides for a family of 5, then you need a co-sponsor.

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

Really?? That's it??

I make $40,000 at my job, plus I get $700 in child support each month (I'm assuming this accounts as income)...according to what you've just said...I'm fine?!

Why was I told (by someone that went through this) that is need to have assets and money to add up to like $150,000...I thought that sounded weird, but I was worried!

You are fine. Child support counts if it is documented that you RECEIVE it AND that it is court ordered.

There are plenty of people that have not a clue what they are talking about but that does not stop them from talking. 1st amendment and all that. Many people that went through this used a lawyer (who rarely know the procedures either) to fill out two forms easier than a job application at Home Depot. My guess is they had a lot of problems with this process and probably have a lot of problems in general with life which they blame on others.

IF you had -0- income you would need to have 3 times the required amount in assets to qualify. Perhaps their brain was overloaded with the details and all they could do was babble out an inaccurate figure based on partial information. Some will do that. I have no better explanation for why someone would tell you that.

[bigdog 377]

G and A are right on, better to figure it out our self using the table. It you don't have a clue use an attorney other wise follow the guides. An attorney will just take your money and you do all the work anyway.

[Mduenas 1]

Wow! This part has definitely stressed me out the most since I honestly thought I was going to need to borrow money from people to have it in my bank account!!!

Thanks everyone!! You've all cleared up so much! I can finally sleep at night!!

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

Wow! This part has definitely stressed me out the most since I honestly thought I was going to need to borrow money from people to have it in my bank account!!!

Thanks everyone!! You've all cleared up so much! I can finally sleep at night!!

Sleep well.

Incidentally your first sentence is why a lot of consulates do not accept cash in the bank as an "asset". Cash can too easily appear...and disappear.

Many people misunderstand the purpose of this affidavit and believe it is because the government wants to make sure your fiancee is cared for properly. WRONG. They couldn't care less if she sleeps in a refrigerator box under a bridge...as long as THEY can confiscate from YOU any money to reimburse them for any "means tested" benefits she may receive. They do not care if YOU receive means tested benefits (food stamps) or not. Some ignorant people will say "if you get food stamps you cannot support your fiancee" YES, you can. They will not even ask you if you receive food stamps. It would be a silly question as anyone making close to the guideline minimum COULD be receiving food stamps. If it were an issue, they would ask. They don't.