torpkevuk

Just a couple of quick questions regarding my forms sent by the embassy.

I've misplaced my DS-157 after making a photo copy of the original to practice on (stupid i know), but have found it in .pdf format on www.usembassy.org.uk and printed it out. I'd be ok to use this printed copy rather than the original they sent, yes?

Second, the form that specifies your sponsor (I-134 i think off the top of my head - its at home, im at work) anyway, is my fiancee ok to be my sponsor? Does she have to meet any particular monetary requirements?

Thanks

Expat_Wannabe

You have to fill the DS-157 in online and then print it out.

elf

I've misplaced my DS-157 after making a photo copy of the original to practice on (stupid i know), but have found it in .pdf format on www.usembassy.org.uk and printed it out. I'd be ok to use this printed copy rather than the original they sent, yes?

I used the pdf form instead of the one they sent me and typed the whole form, I had no problems with this, they gave me a visa on tuesday. They publish these forms on-line for those of us that lose the originals.

torpkevuk

Thanks, I'll use the one I printed out then.

Any ideas on the sponsor thing?

Duncan Roberts

Depending on how many people will be in your family, she needs to make a certain amount. For 2 people it's around $18,000 I think.

Dan725

Its $15,612 for 2 people. The FAQ and breakdown can be found here:

http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/affsupp.htm

torpkevuk

Sorry if i seem a bit of a dumbass here, but honestly that just reads like stereo instructions to me.

she has to make more than $15,612 per year to sponsor me, (which is around £8,800) or be able to "You must prove the cash value of your assets is worth five times this difference"

so for example, if, for easy counting, she made $12,000 a year she would have to prove that her cash assets are in excess of $18,060 ??

It shouldn't be a problem, but I'd rather know so I can explain it to her a bit easier.

ta'

Dan725

Basically, she needs to make $15,612 total. Wages are 1:1, assets (property etc) are 1:5.

So using your example, she makes $12K a year. That leaves $3,612 to find. So your assets must be worth 5 x $3,612, which as you say is $18,060.

Now, the actual bit you want to know, are savings counted as cash or assets - I'm not sure!!!!!! We had way in excess of both, but I think (someone correct me if I'm wrong - I don't want to give any wrong advice) cash assets count 1:1, as the reason for the 5:1 business was that if you were starving away feeding your family of 50 on a paltry wage, you could quickly sell everything (someones got to buy at 1/5th the market price, right!) and get yourself out of the hole!

I guess to be on the safe side, you could count cash as 5:1 if you've got it, otherwise I'd just be tempted to Email the powers that be and clarify it.

Bear in mind, that assets can also be stuff you own, any wage that you earn etc.

Sorry I can't be more help!

torpkevuk

You've been a great help, thanks. Like I say, it shouldn't be a problem, but forewarned, is forearmed as they say

Rete

Cash assets are NOT 1:1 but 1:5

You can try reading the FAQ at the start of the alt.us.marriage-based forum on BE. We deal with only marriage-based and fiancee visas for USC and foreigners.

Rete

Dan725

Thanks for correcting me Rete. I think it's kind of dumb though - cash is cash whether you earn it or have it in the bank and could live on it for a year. Still, no one said the immigration process had to make sense....

CalgaryAMC

Cash is spent, and then it's gone, like other assets. Earnings are presumably recurring. The sponsorship form is determining ability to support you for many years.

Dan725

Yeah, Im not disputing that, but you can't tell me that someone with, say 4x the requirement (say $60k) in cash will be worse off than someone who earns $15k a year. Even if it took the person with money in the bank 2 years to find a job, they could live to twice the standard of the person earning $15k whilst looking. Plus, jobs can be lost. The requirements are what they they are but I think its stupid. Who the hell can live at those poverty line requirements anyway? I don't know any husband and wife who get by on $15k a year