BrennaP

Yes, the amount you need to make is dictated by what your household size will be with the addition of the immigrating party(ies).

I just grabbed this off Google. Note that it is listing 120% and 133%, not 125.

FAMILY PERCENT OF POVERTY GUIDELINE

SIZE 100% 120% 133%

1 10,830.00 12,996.00 14,403.90

2 14,570.00 17,484.00 19,378.10

3 18,310.00 21,972.00 24,352.30

So if you have a daughter already, and you're adding a fiance, then you will need to make $18,310 * 1.25 which is... $22,887.50

wow that's a lot of money to make (for me) haha. looks like when it comes to that step I will need to find a co-sponsor.

thanks everyone.

Here are the guidelines.

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

You have to make 125% of the poverty line, which would be $18,212 a year according to your taxes if you live in the lower 48 states(school loans, etc. don't count, although debt is not counted against you). If you have any other dependents, they need to be included as well.

If you do not qualify, you can get a joint sponsor, who is often a relative but can be anyone in the US. Your fiancee's income will not count unless you can prove that he will have the same income from the same source in the United States. If you or your fiancee have savings, those can be used to make up the gap, but at a rate of 3 to 1 for spouses (IE if you have no income but 18,212 x 3 in savings, you can use that).

I make about 2/3rds of the required income because I also am a graduate student and am using my dad as a co-sponsor. A co sponsor obviously has to meet the guidlelines as well.

so if i have, say a 4 year old daughter, i have to make more money than the 18,212?

thanks for clearing all that up. it is extremely helpful.

this has been tremendously helpful and has actually helped to alleviate some of my stress and worry regarding this process. I am especially grateful to share in everyone's experiences and to learn.

this whole site is amazing!!

So I am brand spanking new to this process and am most concerned about the Affidavit of Support (I know, I know, everything else is just as worrisome. . . ) My fiance is in France and makes decent money (more than me!) I am a graduate student with a part time job who makes okay money (I am pretty poor). What is it they are looking for? How rich do I have to be? Can anyone keep my head from exploding?

Help! Help!