Income Requirements for Sponsorship???

[daniellelewis]

Hi,

I'm a Canadian on an F1 Visa (class ends Sept) & my application for Optional Practical Training (year long work visa in field of study) is processing. My boyfriend, who I've lived with for a year in Seattle and a year before that in Canada, is a US citizen.

We are hoping to get married in Jan/Feb and apply for sponsorship then. The only issue we may have is the income requirements...we are pretty young and he was going to school in Canada the past few years so he doesn't have a long history of income at the right level (although it's sufficient now) and he doesn't have a tax return where he's made enough money.

1) How long of an income history do you have to have? Ours will be 6-8 months when we apply.
2) Can I use my income on my one year work visa to count toward it?
3) We really can't afford a lawyer's fees. Do you think it's really necessary for this type of case?

Any help would be great!

 

[trialanderror83]

Hi,

I'm a Canadian on an F1 Visa (class ends Sept) & my application for Optional Practical Training (year long work visa in field of study) is processing. My boyfriend, who I've lived with for a year in Seattle and a year before that in Canada, is a US citizen.

We are hoping to get married in Jan/Feb and apply for sponsorship then. The only issue we may have is the income requirements...we are pretty young and he was going to school in Canada the past few years so he doesn't have a long history of income at the right level (although it's sufficient now) and he doesn't have a tax return where he's made enough money.

1) How long of an income history do you have to have? Ours will be 6-8 months when we apply.
2) Can I use my income on my one year work visa to count toward it?
3) We really can't afford a lawyer's fees. Do you think it's really necessary for this type of case?

Any help would be great!

You and your husband need to make 125 percent over the poverty line. If just you two(no kids), at least $17,500 per year. No you will not need a lawyer!


Married to US Citizen November 11, 2006.
Re-date for I-485, I-130, I-765, 12-11-06
NOA- I-485, I-130, I-765- 12-14
RFE I-485- 12-26
Biometrics(code 3)- done 01-29-07
RFE Received- 02-07-07
LUD I-765 - 02-23-07
Lud I-765 - 02-27-06 APPROVED!
ND- Interview(Tampa), 02-16-07
Interview Date - 03-20-07
LUD- I-485, I-130, 03-01-07
Interview- 03-20-07-APPROVED!!!
LUD I-130 Approved 03-20-07!!!
LUD I-485 Welcome notice sent, Card production ordered 03-23-07
LUD- Welcome notice received 03-27-07
LUD- I485 Approval notice mailed 03-28-07!!!
03-30-07 GC received!
106 days in all.



http://www.immihelp.com/greencard/familybasedimmigration/affidavit-of-support-relative.html

 

[LucyMO]

Optional Practical Training (year long work visa in field of study)

don't confuse a work permit for OPT while you are in F-1 (student) status with a work visa.

You don't need a lawyer, but you may need a co-sponsor with sufficient income.