London Consulate - Petitioner may have wages cut, but still within poverty threshold

[Ketsuban 1,034]

Hi all

My husband works an hourly shift type job. Throughout 2013, he made killer overtime and earned around $31,000 which is more than enough to satisfy the 125% poverty rate of $19,387.

Due to an incident at work, he has been stationed at a different site and the overtime is now severely lacking. As a result, if the hours don't pick up, we can expect to see his annual income fall from $31,000 to around $21,000 in 2014.

This is still within the poverty threshold, but as you can see, it is quite a big pay cut.

This is never an absolute thing - but would the London Consulate be likely to accept this as it does still satisfy the poverty guidelines?

We do have multiple people we could ask to become a joint sponsor, but we would very much rather not place this financial burden on someone if we can avoid it.

[Boiler 45,402]

Current income is the income that counts.

[Vanitas 310]

Hi all

My husband works an hourly shift type job. Throughout 2013, he made killer overtime and earned around $31,000 which is more than enough to satisfy the 125% poverty rate of $19,387.

Due to an incident at work, he has been stationed at a different site and the overtime is now severely lacking. As a result, if the hours don't pick up, we can expect to see his annual income fall from $31,000 to around $21,000 in 2014.

This is still within the poverty threshold, but as you can see, it is quite a big pay cut.

This is never an absolute thing - but would the London Consulate be likely to accept this as it does still satisfy the poverty guidelines?

We do have multiple people we could ask to become a joint sponsor, but we would very much rather not place this financial burden on someone if we can avoid it.

To actually answer your question - so long as it's over the 125% rate, you're okay. As I said in a previous thread. London are usually a little lenient anyway, if you were under 125% they'd probably accept it and tell you to have it sorted ready for AOS because USCIS will stick to that limit without exception. But as you're over, you'll be fine.

[Boiler 45,402]

CR1 not K1

[Vanitas 310]

CR1 not K1

Limits are still the same and London will still look it over one way or another, even if it's sent as part of the NVC stage. Do actually try to be helpful for once in your life.

Edited December 30, 2013 by Wheatley

[Vanitas 310]

On top of that, my information holds. They're above the 125% so they are clear regardless of the visa type. The only difference is with K1s they're a bit more lenient on the I-134 whereas with the I-864 for CR/IR-1s they are absolute.

[Ketsuban 1,034]

Limits are still the same and London will still look it over one way or another, even if it's sent as part of the NVC stage. Do actually try to be helpful for once in your life.

Aww, you're both being helpful.

Thanks for your responses. I was up until 3am last night freaking out over this. I think because I read so many of the MENA-origin posts, I get paranoid and forget I'm not dealing with the more difficult consulates I feel a little more relaxed now. I mean, even if they DID tell me his income is too unstable, they at least give us a year or so to find an additional sponsor. I need to stop being so pessimistic...

[Vanitas 310]

Aww, you're both being helpful.

Thanks for your responses. I was up until 3am last night freaking out over this. I think because I read so many of the MENA-origin posts, I get paranoid and forget I'm not dealing with the more difficult consulates I feel a little more relaxed now. I mean, even if they DID tell me his income is too unstable, they at least give us a year or so to find an additional sponsor. I need to stop being so pessimistic...

You're right, compared to the others London is a piece of cake. Manila doesn't accept joint sponsors, for example. The thing with tax transcripts and employer letters (in fact most, if not all financial documents) is that they're a snapshot in time. They're not looking for data that's correct to within a day, they're looking at the entire last year. So when you offer them the 2013 tax transcript, it's going to show $31,000 and they'll most likely nod, put it all into the file and move on.

Trust me, I psyched myself up so much that I didn't get much sleep the night before the interview. In the end, when I got into the Embassy the same thing happened when I used to get on stage for plays and things - my nerves disappeared and I just got on with it all. Just try and let it all come naturally, the pieces will fit into place and next thing you know you'll be on the plane.

[Ketsuban 1,034]

You're right, compared to the others London is a piece of cake. Manila doesn't accept joint sponsors, for example. The thing with tax transcripts and employer letters (in fact most, if not all financial documents) is that they're a snapshot in time. They're not looking for data that's correct to within a day, they're looking at the entire last year. So when you offer them the 2013 tax transcript, it's going to show $31,000 and they'll most likely nod, put it all into the file and move on.

Trust me, I psyched myself up so much that I didn't get much sleep the night before the interview. In the end, when I got into the Embassy the same thing happened when I used to get on stage for plays and things - my nerves disappeared and I just got on with it all. Just try and let it all come naturally, the pieces will fit into place and next thing you know you'll be on the plane.

I do the same thing, I psyche myself up, then pull off a legit poker face throughout the whole ordeal I can't wait until this is all over so I can look back and laugh.

[Boiler 45,402]

Manila joint sponsor issues relate to K's, not CR1 and is not absolute.

For income there are 2 issues, that you have paid your taxes, current income is the amount that needs to match the 125%.

If you have any doubts have a co sponsor to hand to be used if needed.