DId any of you take out loans to boost up your numbers on the Affidavit of Support?

[Trymester3 6]

You don't have to get super detailed, but I was just curious. I guess taking one from your bank wouldn't be smart, as it will be revealed when you have to submit a bank statement during the interview. I'm just curious if you took one out just to show that your bank account is not that poor. I already have my mother as a co-sponsor, but it would be nice if I can show substantial funds as well.

I'm just not a big bank person either. I have a checking account, but no savings account. On the Affidavit of Support they ask for your savings account info. Would I just be able to put Checking account info instead?

Thanks for any advice.

[Mike Bowman 8]

I am worried about this too as all my money has gone nothing but to this visa process, visiting 4 times, engagement ring, and now I have to fly back with her so another $1500 I'll be spending, then the wedding, then AOS....My account stays below $2,000! I make more than enough money and if I was able to save that money I would have over $25,000 in my account. I'm hoping they aren't going to evaluate me on my bank account alone as it looks not the best. They have to understand people are spending a lot of their money visiting their other and doing this whole visa process. I don't know too many people that have spare $100,000 just laying around. I wouldn't take out a loan to boost your bank account if you make higher than the poverty level. I make 300% higher than the poverty level so I'm hoping this will be ok.

[belinda63 2,981]

If your income or the income of the co-sponsor is enough to meet the 125% poverty level you don't even need to provide your bank statements. Correction, I have heard rarely the embassy will ask for them, but the income is what matters. I had maybe $500 in the bank and I was approved.

[christeen 966]

Income is what is most important, not savings... I would NOT take out loans if you meet the income requirements!

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

This is why they like to see 6 months to a year's worth of bank statements. That way they can see if you just recently deposited a large sum of money just to get past the affidavit of support. Don't take a loan, or borrow some money from someone to pad your bank account. Money in the bank is not even required.

For those of you worried about not having enough money to show, if your income meets the requirement, you can leave all the questions about assets blank. No letter from the bank or bank statements needed. Provide your most recent tax transcript, letter from employer and most recent pay stub(s) to prove your financials.

[aaron2020 11,651]

This will not work for one simple reason - it's a well known sham.

The US government is not stupid when it comes to this sham. The US will want to make sure that if you are using assets, then you need to document where the assets came from. You cannot borrow money for the purpose of meeting the AOS, then return it later because essentially you are claiming some else's money as your own.

The only reason to use assets is because income is low. How does a person with a low income have so much assets? It's suspicious by nature.

If the money is a gift or inheritance, then it's easy to prove it's your despite having a low income.

Money suddenly appearing that allows you to meet the poverty line is suspicious.

[baron555 934]

I am worried about this too as all my money has gone nothing but to this visa process, visiting 4 times, engagement ring, and now I have to fly back with her so another $1500 I'll be spending, then the wedding, then AOS....My account stays below $2,000! I make more than enough money and if I was able to save that money I would have over $25,000 in my account. I'm hoping they aren't going to evaluate me on my bank account alone as it looks not the best. They have to understand people are spending a lot of their money visiting their other and doing this whole visa process. I don't know too many people that have spare $100,000 just laying around. I wouldn't take out a loan to boost your bank account if you make higher than the poverty level. I make 300% higher than the poverty level so I'm hoping this will be ok.

If your annual salary is adequate, there is no reason to even include bank statements in your 134 form.

We didn't, just annual income and all was fine. If your annual income is very very close to the poverty levels, then yes you should sweat it because you should be since that level is so low, how could you two even live with such a low income? There are many more expenses beyond the K-1.

To those that are so low and so close I would suggest to wait until you get a better income, it would be better in the long term. Just MHO.

[TBoneTX 43,057]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to General Immigration Discussion -- topic can apply to more than one visa type. ***

[NickD 202]

Not only the I-864 for the sponsor, but also can submit the I-864A for the immigrant spouse showing combined assets. Not only that, but both show equal liability in case something goes wrong. And if the immigrant spouse doesn't want to sign that I-864A, you know you are in for a hanging. Can read other sections of this board where the immigrant is hanging the US sponsor.

[Trymester3 6]

I have my income tax returns for the last 2 years putting me just above the poverty level (I'm at like 21-22 thousand a year according to the taxes). My mother is a co-sponsor though and she is at least at 50 thousand a year though. I was only going to include a savings account amount, because it asks for it on the I-134, the truth is though, I don't have a savings account. I just have a checking account which is frequently getting filled and emptied. then filled, then emptied. If a substantial amount does show up all of a sudden, then I can say that is just from repayment of a loan by a friend, which is usually the truth anyway.

[aaron2020 11,651]

I have my income tax returns for the last 2 years putting me just above the poverty level (I'm at like 21-22 thousand a year according to the taxes). My mother is a co-sponsor though and she is at least at 50 thousand a year though. I was only going to include a savings account amount, because it asks for it on the I-134, the truth is though, I don't have a savings account. I just have a checking account which is frequently getting filled and emptied. then filled, then emptied. If a substantial amount does show up all of a sudden, then I can say that is just from repayment of a loan by a friend, which is usually the truth anyway.

Ok. Now, prove that your friend owes you money and had to repay it. Prove that you aren't the one taking the loan and you would make a repayment as soon as the green card is issued. The burden is on you to prove this. The US Embassy does not have to accept your assets for the AOS.

Warning you man - this is a well known sham. The US Embassy is well aware of this tactic when money suddenly appear in your account. You would need documents to prove it was not a loan. The US Embassy can reject your "loan repayment" and deny the case for fraud.

You alone meet the AOS requirements by yourself. If you need a Joint Sponsor, your mother qualifies. So why would you do anything that is consider a red flag for fraud? That doesn't make sense.

You think you are helping yourself with this "loan repayment" but in reality you are hurting yourself.

Good luck.

Edited August 23, 2013 by aaron2020

[Morningmist 76]

At 50 thousand a year your mother is earning well above the poverty line for 3 people. Why are you complicating your life and the USCIS's by claiming to have money you don't really have?

Even on the I-864 it clears states to only fill up a section IF you don't meet the poverty guidelines.

Keep it simple.

[Pinkrlion 2,607]

Not a good idea. As others stated, it is not a good idea to lie, and you will have to show proof of the income. In addition, it is not required to provide banking info, if you meet income guidelines.

[NickD 202]

Can recall borrowing a couple of bucks from a buddy until payday in the military, but when I went to a bang to borrow 300 bucks from a bank, to buy a car. Was turned down, considered to be high risk, even though I would have that car as collateral.

So was just wondering how you would go to a bank, just to get the cash of any sizable amount without any collateral and apparently, not with the means to pay it back. And what are you going to tell them when they ask you for the reason you want to borrow that money?

Maybe you could get 500 bucks or so from a credit card company, what difference would that make? Then you have to pay it back at a 20% rate. Or even try a loan shark at a 50% rate, but if you don't pay it back will break your legs.

Just doesn't sound like a very practical solution in real life.

[Trymester3 6]

I appreciate the response, folks. I will avoid getting a loan for the time being as my mother and I should be enough to satisfy the affidavit of support requirements.