Shanh

Hello all

So I-129F was sent this Saturday, of course future hubby forgot the "received receipt" option

Among all the questions I ask myself is the one about my savings.
At first I wanted to leave them here in Belgium as the interest rate seems "better" (less worse? hihi) than in the States.

But thinking a bit more about it I realize that it could be ill-perceived by immigration - maybe not for K1 but afterwards for AOS?

What do you think?

Thank you

meauxna

It won't impact your immigration to leave your money overseas. Not at all.

However, it's a good idea for you to set up *the ability* to easily transfer money over to the US. You should get familiar with the fees involved, timelines etc. When we were moving, we had to generate online account access and the foreign transfer we were doing, from the bank physically in the UK (a big PITA).

Have a browse in the USA forum here for threads on transfers and exchange rates.. you may be better off leaving it where it is, as long as you have access to it.

Noorah101

Your savings don't come into the immigration picture at all, unless you are planning to use your savings to "self-sponsor" for the K-1 visa.

Rene

jeffreyhy

S,

I think that you don't want to forget to report that interest when you do your 2009 US income tax return next year.

Regards, JEff

Shanh

Thanks for the quick answers.

J, thank you, I didn't know that - in Belgium interest on savings are exempt if they are below a certain amount.

Rete

I'm quite sure I will be bashed for the viewpoint, but I vote for keeping the money in Belguim under your name and your name alone. It is your savings, accumulated while single, through inheritance or however. Until the time the money is needed for expenses extraordinarie in the US for a joint purchase, why not keep in separate. Your OH should do the very same. Setup, if not already in place, an account just for myself. It is only fair, isn't it.

Rete

Check with an international tax accountant on the ramification of savings worldwide when filing a US return.

Noorah101

I certainly agree with this. I had a savings account from before I married my alien husband, and I never incorporated that savings to a joint account. It is my own personal savings which I still contribute to, separate from our joint banking accounts which serve our joint purposes. You just never know when you'll need emergency money, just for yourself.

Rene

meauxna

No bashing from me.. I agree too.
We never worked out a formal agreement in writing, but all of our financial comingling has been equitable. I've seen too many cases posted where one party or the other got screwed up and there are women who've had to get their internet buddies to help them get 'home' when things didn't work out.
Probably more than a few men, too.

Everyone should have their own little emergency stash. The less you have to start with, the MORE important it is IMO.

ian-mstm

No bashing from me either! I also agree. Sheila and I have always had our own bank accounts and kept our money separate. We divide the bills proportionately according to our respective incomes and have never had any immigration issues with respect to finances.

Ian

Shanh

Yeah, it was never a question of bringing my savings into a joint account
We both agree on that.

It's just me trying to not loose the small benefit I get from the interest rate here in Belgium but I was concerned that it would be considered as "non-commitment" or something of the sort by immigration.

I consider those savings important for our future or for me if I don't find a job quickly ...

So, looking out for the best interest of my interest rate *flees*

jeffreyhy

Me four.

Regards, JEff

meauxna

lol. We should all just live together and save ourselves some rent.
But separate checking accounts! And I'm not doing the cooking.
Hivemind.