maybe my example was too subtle. There can be more than 2 options. And supporting locals and being a chump are also not the same thing. I've had people ask literally 100x what other people are asking because they think they can get away with it- some people are assholes and overcharge. I'd prefer not to encourage that behavior, but I also try really hard to spend my money with poor folk.
What is the actual question? I just did this this year. I forget the seasoning time, but I deposited the money, waited, then did the marriage application. I'm theory I can use the income method after the first year, but even the guy at immigration was like "you should not touch the money because they could change the rules without notice" and what rules are enforced is damn near arbitrary as it is.
sadly I got felted by COVID and now seldom fly upper class. Especially now that most of my flying is international. Tickets are routinely 20x. That is money my kids will need for university, sigh.