Does Crowdfunding money count as Income or Asset?

[jameso 0]

I searched and didn't see anything about this. I had an idea to start a GoFundMe (or something similar) to let our family and friends help offset some of the costs of the immigration process.

My fiancee is worried that this might somehow be a red flag in the immigration process. I know when it comes to the Affidavit of Support, having large sums of money appear into our account can look suspicious, and I think that's why she's worried. My logic is that it's gifted money given out of the good will of family and friends -- therefore it shouldn't matter why or how it was received.

So who is right in this case?

Also, would crowdfunded money be counted as INCOME or an ASSET?

Thanks in advance!

[canadian_wife 1,831]

I do not think it qualifies as income as it is not continuous.

It is almost like a gift - but does a gift count as an asset? Would your family gift enough to cover the requirements for cash in the I864 instructions?

Good luck

[Penguin_ie 6,003]

Definitely not income; it could be considered an asset, but even that is doubtful unless you have very generous friends that can raise many thousands of dollars. Additionally, if these friends are super generous, it could be considered suspicious (CO may suspect they are only "lending" you the money for the purposes of getting a visa, and you will give it back), plus the CO may think if you need to crowdsource then money for immigration fees, you will not have the money to financially suport her long term.

Edited July 22, 2016 by Penguin_ie

[canadian_wife 1,831]

Agree. If you need a GoFundMe page to help with immigration fees (thinking like CO here), then ho can you support your wife long term and ensure she will not become a public charge?

Sounds like you are complicating your case. Set up a crowd fund page, but focus on income to meet the I864 requirements.

Good luck

[Chris and ZhiJia 146]

If you want to ask friends and family to donate money to help offset the immigration costs, DO NOT USE GOFUNDME. GoFundMe takes a cut of the money they donate, it is far easier and cheaper for them to mail you a check, or bring cash directly to your door. So if you raise $10,000 through GoFundMe, they keep $500 for themselves. This site is at best a way to solicit money from random third parties, but if friends and family wish to donate, you are better off having them give the money directly to you, or by gifting it through paypal.

[aaron2020 11,652]

I searched and didn't see anything about this. I had an idea to start a GoFundMe (or something similar) to let our family and friends help offset some of the costs of the immigration process.

My fiancee is worried that this might somehow be a red flag in the immigration process. I know when it comes to the Affidavit of Support, having large sums of money appear into our account can look suspicious, and I think that's why she's worried. My logic is that it's gifted money given out of the good will of family and friends -- therefore it shouldn't matter why or how it was received.

So who is right in this case? You are right. These are gifts. Using GoFundMe is no different from getting a gift in person to pay for any of your immigration expenses.

Also, would crowdfunded money be counted as INCOME or an ASSET? It's not income unless you promise to do something or provide something. Gifts are not income. You can use gifts as your own assets.

Thanks in advance!

GoFundMe charges a fee for every gift. You may be better off asking for gifts in person to avoid the fees.

I do not think it qualifies as income as it is not continuous. Income can be one time events. Income does not need to be continuous.

It is almost like a gift - but does a gift count as an asset? It's not almost a gift. It's a gift. Gifts can be counted as assets. Would your family gift enough to cover the requirements for cash in the I864 instructions?

Good luck

[JenniferNangel 137]

I've seen people make a gofundme to help with medical treatment for pets but to pay for immigration fees????? that's a new one for me

[Merrytooth 5,749]

I've seen people make a gofundme to help with medical treatment for pets but to pay for immigration fees????? that's a new one for me

There were a few posts of gofundme for AOS fees on VJ here before but removed by mod.

[JenniferNangel 137]

There were a few posts of gofundme for AOS fees on VJ here before but removed by mod.

.

Wow I had no idea. I understand the fees are a lot but if somebody needs a gofundme how are they going to support the beneficiary?? Especially if they aren't even married?? I think a lot of people misuse gofundme

[aaron2020 11,652]

.

Wow I had no idea. I understand the fees are a lot but if somebody needs a gofundme how are they going to support the beneficiary?? Especially if they aren't even married?? I think a lot of people misuse gofundme

The beneficiary can work to support himself/herself.

One can meet the I-864 requirements but not have cash.

If you think people are misusing GoFundMe, then contact them about it. There is nothing wrong with using GoFundMe to get help with immigration expenses.

[TBoneTX 48,953]

Four Five posts have been removed because of bickering. Administrative action has been taken against one participant for Terms of Service violations. The other participant in the bickering is instructed, yet again, to avoid engaging publicly and instead to REPORT the TOS violations.

Post civilly, or don't post.

TBoneTX

VJ Moderation

Edited July 22, 2016 by TBoneTX

[Boiler 48,524]

I have seen quite a few posts about begging for money to help pay with immigration costs, honeymoons whatever.

Certainly possible to do so on GoFundMe.

Now unless there are some really weird friends and family the amount involved is likely to be nominal, all the ones I saw were.

And as has been pointed better to them just give it direct.

[JFH 12,196]

I saw a Craigslist post asking for a sponsor for a CR-1 visa case.

[jameso 0]

Agree. If you need a GoFundMe page to help with immigration fees (thinking like CO here), then ho can you support your wife long term and ensure she will not become a public charge?

Sounds like you are complicating your case. Set up a crowd fund page, but focus on income to meet the I864 requirements.

Good luck

I don't need a GoFundMe to pay the immigration fees -- I have the funds already. It's just a thoughtful idea, because my fiancee does have friends in this country who would love to be able to see her more frequently. And I'm sure they wouldn't mind parting with a small gift to help set us up on our new life together and start building our family. The funds aren't necessarily going all directly toward fees -- they'll be going into a savings account for various needs along the way. And of course I would make this fact clear (I'm not gonna scam my family and friends, that's dumb).

My general question is more so about how this kind of gift is looked at (in regards to the affidavit of support). If the CO were to ask where the extra deposits to my savings were coming from, and I said "gifts from family and friends to help us start our new life together," what would they think about that?

Don't focus specifically on the "GoFundMe" idea (it was just an example), but more on the general concept of what crowd funding is -- one-time donations from family and friends.

If you want to ask friends and family to donate money to help offset the immigration costs, DO NOT USE GOFUNDME. GoFundMe takes a cut of the money they donate, it is far easier and cheaper for them to mail you a check, or bring cash directly to your door. So if you raise $10,000 through GoFundMe, they keep $500 for themselves. This site is at best a way to solicit money from random third parties, but if friends and family wish to donate, you are better off having them give the money directly to you, or by gifting it through paypal.

I am aware of the costs. Thank you for your concern.

But considering that our friends and family are all scattered across multiple countries... (I have family and friends all across the US, she has family and friends across Canada and the UK) trying to get a hold of them each individually and personally would be a logistical nightmare. To me, the small fee is there exactly to provide this service -- setting up a simple page all together that handles the complications.

Though I did consider setting up a Paypal page instead (I think Paypal's fees are still 3%, unless I am wrong). GoFundMe was just an example. Thank you for the information though, I will definitely consider it when choosing how to set this up.

The beneficiary can work to support himself/herself.

One can meet the I-864 requirements but not have cash.

If you think people are misusing GoFundMe, then contact them about it. There is nothing wrong with using GoFundMe to get help with immigration expenses.

Yes, she will have access to a job once she's here. My family runs a local business which she can get instant employment (after she gains the legal right to do so).

I'm not so much worried about using this money for the I-864 requirements. More so worried about it coming up as suspicious and getting a denial because of it. That's my main concern. I understand that income is really what they are looking at, but in the event that I have to use my savings account as a listed asset, I am curious if they will question the source of the funds. (my goal is to not use assets or a co-sponsor, but I'm a realist, and sometimes life hits you with curve-balls to your income or health)

And I totally agree, there is no right or wrong way to use GoFundMe. It's just a personal funding service. Same with KickStarter or PayPal.

I have seen quite a few posts about begging for money to help pay with immigration costs, honeymoons whatever.

Certainly possible to do so on GoFundMe.

Now unless there are some really weird friends and family the amount involved is likely to be nominal, all the ones I saw were.

And as has been pointed better to them just give it direct.

Yes, I don't expect the amount to be significant. Just in the same way I don't expect a savings account with 1% interest to be a significant source of income. But some money is better than no money, so why not try? Every penny helps.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far!

[jameso 0]

I saw a Craigslist post asking for a sponsor for a CR-1 visa case.

That's sad. But I can understand. My fiancee has struggled her whole life against her unsupportive family. I've had to do the same, but to a lesser extent. I can definitely understand being in a situation where you don't have anyone who you can trust or rely on. It's sad, but that's the reality many people face.