Caro&Craig

Thank you everyone! This is a big help and a load off my mind! 
 

Hi everyone,

We have received my husband’s CR-1 spousal visa in February and are due to fly to the USA at the beginning of July. I have already paid the $220 social security payment from the info that came with the visa. 
 

My question is what should we expect once in the USA. Are there any other steps we need to take upon arrival? Do we need to follow up with USCIS about the social security payment that was paid so they know to start to process this?
 

If we DON’T have to do anything, how long should we expect to wait to receive his Green Card? My family goes to Canada for summer holiday and I’m wonderibg if we will be able to join them or if we may still be waiting many weeks/months to receive his Green Card allowing him to travel. 
 

It’s been difficult to find any information on what happens AFTER getting to the US with the visa. I’d appreciate any insight!

thanks,

Carolyn 

Sorry.. tried to edit the above post but the system wouldn't let me.

Under the instructions for using proof of assets, it also states I must submit the I-864A form. Is this form in addition to the I-864/I-864ez or the only one I must submit?  I found this info on the state dept FAQ page (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/i-864-affidavit-faqs.html#aos13), but I'm confused because all other instructions states that this form is only if you're filling with a sponsor or household member....?

Can the immigrant visa applicant count assets that he or she owns that are outside the United States, such as real estate or personal property?

Yes, under the following conditions:

• The assets must be convertible to cash within 12 months.
   
• The applicant must show that the assets can be removed from the country where they are located. Many countries have limits on cash or liquid assets that can removed from the country.
   
• The net value of assets must be at least five times the difference between the sponsor's income and 125 percent of the poverty guideline for the household size.

The visa applicant needs to file a Form I-864A to have his or her assets included in the minimum income level calculations.

Under the instructions for using proof of assets, it also states I must submit the I-864A form. Is this form in addition to the I-864/I-864ez or the only one I must submit?

Sorry, another follow up question.

I'm busy going back through all the instructions and I do believe I should be fine to submit without a co-sponsor, BUT.. should I use the I-864 form or the I-864EZ? The third I-864EZ form requirement is: The income you are using to qualify is based entirely on your salary or pension and is shown on one or more Forms W-2 provided by your employer(s) or former employer(s). 

Given that I'm using proof of assets and not employment income, would I qualify for I-864EZ? I think I do, but given the language doesn't mention "other assests" I just want check with you all first!

THANK YOU!!

Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to do a deeper dive into the instructions for how to go at this alone without a joint sponsor. 

Thank you for your reply!

Yes, my husbands income WILL continue (and increase) when we get to the states as he will transition from remote consultant to full time employee. 
 

And yes, my savings is in cash and stocks and over the $60k requirement. Is it worth pursuing this course of action and submitting documentation for these assets, or potentially still easier/better to just go with parent joint sponsor!
 

I just worry that if I don’t keep my documents simple and straightforward, that it increases room for error and maybe processing time. But maybe it’ll be perfectly ok? Just harder to find info and instructions for submitting this type of income proof. 
 

Hi Everyone,

I am the petitioner/ sponsor for my South African husband and we live in South Africa together. I am currently a PhD student here in SA (and work part time for myself) and don't have US 'employment income' to show. We live off my husband's salary, as well as my own US savings/ investments. My husband actually already works for an American tech company as a remote contractor, but I don't believe his income counts for anything.

I've been looking around on the USCIS and VJ websites to determine if the SUM of my savings/ investments (which exceed the poverty limit guidelines) will qualify towards being sufficient evidence of finances to sponsor my husband for his CR-1 spousal visa, or if I'll need to ask my parents in the US to be a joint sponsor. I do file and have yearly tax returns for income generated from these savings, but its rarely for more than $15k because of the lower cost of living here in SA, which is then less than the poverty guidelines for sponsorship. Is proof of the sum of my assets enough or just the income gains on tax returns? 

I just want to be safe and file things correctly so as not to waste processing time by being requested later on to submit additional documents for a joint sponsor. Is it worth just submitting with joint sponsors anyway just to absolutely make sure I cover my bases?

AND, if my savings/ assets DO count and make an additional joint sponsor unnecessary, what types of additional forms or special documentation would be needed?

This is from the State Dept website:

Thanks in advance for any help and guidance!

Carolyn

I am American and my fiancé is South African (we live in SA) and I have a similar question about the option of getting married while we are visiting the US with My fiancé on his tourist visa.
 

We are busy trying to get married here in SA to then eventually apply for the spouse visa to move to the US next year. Unfortunately, it’s proving to be harder to get a home affairs marriage than we anticipated.. and now with the country in lockdown we have missed both our home affairs marriage appointments. When we can finally get back in the marriage queue we will likely have to wait a handful of months for a next available appointment, best case scenario, which is seriously eating into our ‘get visa and move to the USA’ timeline.
 

We are busy brainstorming options and wondering what it would mean if we decided to fly to the US to visit my parents and then got married while we are there before returning back to SA. My question is how will a marriage certificate from a US courthouse compare with a marriage certificate from a South African home affairs office in regards to ultimately applying for a spouse visa to get us to the US. Would it make the process any different? Would it help the process, hurt the process or be a lateral move just with the addition of expensive flights?
 

If all was going according to plan, the spousal visa was going to be the best option, but given the state of the world right now with lockdowns and travel restrictions, we are also just wondering if it may turn out to be more worthwhile to just wait until we can travel/ move and apply for the fiancé visa?! Our South African wedding (celebration) is likely postponed or cancelled at this rate so just trying to focus on and figure out a plan B for marriage and visas. Any advice would be tremendously appreciated.