What costs should I expect when I move to the USA on a K1 fiance visa?

[Adam&Allison 128]

So I have my K1 visa now and I'm trying to figure out what costs will be incurred when I move to the USA between the time I land, and receive my Green Card. I have the AoS/Biometrics fee which I believe is at $1225 right now - I've also got stuff like marriage license, certificate etc. budgeted for. What else should I be expecting?

[A'n'L 735]

Any actual costs for the wedding celebration? Fees related to getting a DL. Was your medical including vaccinations complete? Health insurance? Living costs and any activities you and your spouse want to engage in?

[Ana&Matt 213]

Hello!

As far as I know once you're marry you should apply for EAD, that allows your to work (will need to reapply every year until your AOS (i.e. "Green Card") application is approved) and the AP that allows you to leave the country on a vacation / trip while your AOS application is being processed.

 

EAD:  $495

[Adam&Allison 128]

7 minutes ago, anajabonero said:

Hello!

As far as I know once you're marry you should apply for EAD, that allows your to work (will need to reapply every year until your AOS (i.e. "Green Card") application is approved) and the AP that allows you to leave the country on a vacation / trip while your AOS application is being processed.

 

EAD:  $495

 

I was always under the impression that you can file for the EAD/AP for free as part of the AoS package?

[Georgia16 2,858]

6 minutes ago, Adam&Allison said:

 

I was always under the impression that you can file for the EAD/AP for free as part of the AoS package?

This is correct. 

 

EAD/AP is applied for with the AOS package. 

 

Otherwise A'n'L had some good questions that would be helpful if you answered. 

[Adam&Allison 128]

18 minutes ago, A'n'L said:

Any actual costs for the wedding celebration? Fees related to getting a DL. Was your medical including vaccinations complete? Health insurance? Living costs and any activities you and your spouse want to engage in?

 

There won't be any costs for the wedding celebration, not yet anyways - that will come later. The driving license fees I've looked at, and those are fine - they seem cheap enough. I have all my vaccinations done, apart from a flu jab which I have to get done. For health insurance, yeah, I need to look into that. There will also be money set aside for social activities

[A'n'L 735]

9 minutes ago, anajabonero said:

Hello!

As far as I know once you're marry you should apply for EAD, that allows your to work (will need to reapply every year until your AOS (i.e. "Green Card") application is approved) and the AP that allows you to leave the country on a vacation / trip while your AOS application is being processed.

 

EAD:  $495

 

8 minutes ago, Adam&Allison said:

 

I was always under the impression that you can file for the EAD/AP for free as part of the AoS package?

Both EAD and AP (advance parole, travel permit) are absolutely free of charge when filed together with AOS (or even with a pending AOS).

[A'n'L 735]

1 minute ago, Adam&Allison said:

 

There won't be any costs for the wedding celebration, not yet anyways - that will come later. The driving license fees I've looked at, and those are fine - they seem cheap enough. I have all my vaccinations done, apart from a flu jab which I have to get done. For health insurance, yeah, I need to look into that. There will also be money set aside for social activities

 

Well, if your DS3025 is not marked complete (?), expect to pay a few hundred dollars for a US civil surgeon to transcribe your vaccinations onto the i693.

[trudi 1,317]

AnL has given you a good list, I would say that whatever you have budgeted for 'just because' spending add more - you have several months of enforced leisure ahead while you wait for your EAD

[NikLR 13,220]

Cost of living expenses, rent, food, bills... I can say that often bills and food will double in cost when a couple moves in together. 

[Adam&Allison 128]

8 minutes ago, NikLR said:

Cost of living expenses, rent, food, bills... I can say that often bills and food will double in cost when a couple moves in together. 

 

Aye, sorry I should've mentioned - stuff like food and bills and rent etc. is all budgeted for

[NikLR 13,220]

Awesome, good job! Most people dont budget for the 3(ish) months the k1 visa holder wont be working for.  It's more difficult than people realize being unable to be employed in any capacity.  

[A'n'L 735]

Furniture and re-decorating was something we spent a lot of money on to make my husbands house suitable for two. Any items you can't bring from home (bicycle, gym equipment, kitchen utensils your fiancé might not have).

[NikLR 13,220]

Thankfully my husband's home was habitable because he went out of his way to make sure we had things (new pot and pan set for example) which was very nice.  But alfeful has a good point.  Generally women have most basics but not always.  Since the OP has social events money, Im sure an extra blanket or a special pot is in the budget too.

[Ben&Zian 4,397]

Always expect the unexpected. Between marriage license, wedding/civil ceremony, even certified copies of the license to have for AOS and other things.

 

Any emergency stuff, clothing possibly.... I thought I had it planned out pretty well but then we got a puppy haha.. there was an unforseen expense but worth it.