Min. Income Req.

[ngoc 0]

Finally found the right forum to post! (vietnamese related)

hi anyone, i found out that the minimum income to sponsor my wife is $16,500 a yr.

my question is, how many years of income does the US embassy and the Vietnames Embassy needs. i heard that the vietnamese embassy can be a little stitchy and wants more than more 1 year. if so, im screw. i do not meet the income req. in 2004

2002 = 12,000

2003 = 20,000 +

2004 = 14,000

2005 = 20,000 +

as for co-sponsoring, neither my family or best friend will do it because they dont trust me and hate the fact that im marrying someone outside the US and that this "girl" will dump me afterwards.

my current boss said she may co-sponsor for me. i want to be safe, should i submit my affidavit of support along with a backup of hers as well. so if one fails, then they will accept the other? or just go alone with plan A or B.

appreciate for the help if any.. thanks for the read.

[STL_HCMC 0]

Ngoc,

It is experienced by most that they request tax return information for the past three years. You need to show the interviewing officer AT THE TIME OF THE INTERVIEW how you will support your fiance(e) and avoid him/her becoming a public charge.

My thoughts to you would be to definitely secure a co-sponsor if you have the slightest doubt about your income situation. Better safe than sorry, and better to have it at the interview instead of trying to find one as a result of a blue slip (i.e. need more information to grant decision) after the interview.

Understand that the 2006 Poverty Guidelines are a guideline that the interviewing consular officer can use for the public charge support decision. It isn't merely a given that if you make at/over the 125% poverty guideline limit for your household size that you'll be approved. It is your responsibility to convince the interviewing consular officer that you can provide adequate support to prevent your fiance(e) from becoming a public charge to the United States Government. That is the goal and mission!

Also understand that the I-134 Affidavit of Support form is legally non-binding. Therefore, in this case the interviewing consular officer is afforded a lot more discretion in whether to accept or reject a sponsor/co-sponsor. The consular officer might well look at the location of the co-sponsor and relationship and credibility of that relationship to the petitioner. For example, your mother/father as your co-sponsor might look a lot more credible to the interviewing officer than your boss. Please don't take any of this in fact, but heed the words "discretion of the interviewing consular officer."

Best of luck to you. You will find the Asia-Pacific board very useful for your journey through the US Consulate in HCMC.

STL_HCMC

Finally found the right forum to post! (vietnamese related)

hi anyone, i found out that the minimum income to sponsor my wife is $16,500 a yr.

my question is, how many years of income does the US embassy and the Vietnames Embassy needs. i heard that the vietnamese embassy can be a little stitchy and wants more than more 1 year. if so, im screw. i do not meet the income req. in 2004

2002 = 12,000

2003 = 20,000 +

2004 = 14,000

2005 = 20,000 +

as for co-sponsoring, neither my family or best friend will do it because they dont trust me and hate the fact that im marrying someone outside the US and that this "girl" will dump me afterwards.

my current boss said she may co-sponsor for me. i want to be safe, should i submit my affidavit of support along with a backup of hers as well. so if one fails, then they will accept the other? or just go alone with plan A or B.

appreciate for the help if any.. thanks for the read.

Ngoc,

After doing my reply, I noticed you had a K-3 visa situation. Replace fiance(e) in my post with wife! Sorry about that.

STL_HCMC

Edited May 5, 2006 by STL_HCMC

[dalegg 143]

Usually they only ask for the last year's tax forms. I think they start asking for more years when they have some doubts, and you being close to the poverty line might prompt them to ask for more. Of course your previous years aren't going to help you, and I also don't think getting your boss to co-sponsor you is going to help either.

[dalegg 143]

Finally found the right forum to post! (vietnamese related)

hi anyone, i found out that the minimum income to sponsor my wife is $16,500 a yr.

my question is, how many years of income does the US embassy and the Vietnames Embassy needs. i heard that the vietnamese embassy can be a little stitchy and wants more than more 1 year. if so, im screw. i do not meet the income req. in 2004

2002 = 12,000

2003 = 20,000 +

2004 = 14,000

2005 = 20,000 +

as for co-sponsoring, neither my family or best friend will do it because they dont trust me and hate the fact that im marrying someone outside the US and that this "girl" will dump me afterwards.

my current boss said she may co-sponsor for me. i want to be safe, should i submit my affidavit of support along with a backup of hers as well. so if one fails, then they will accept the other? or just go alone with plan A or B.

appreciate for the help if any.. thanks for the read.

ngoc,

I hope I am not being to nosey here, but I'm curious. I see on your information panel there that you are from Southern California, and since you've put your local office as Santa Ana, I'm guessing you are from Orange County-like me.

Sooo, if your income has averaged like $16,000 over the past 4 years with a maximum of $20,000- forget about the federal poverty limits. You are in Orange County so in real life you are actually below the poverty limits. I cannot imagine that you have found a way to support yourself with that income and are living in your own place here, so you must either live with friends or family, BUT you've stated that both your family and best friend are already distrustful of your new wife. So, the question I have is- what will be your living arrangement when you are married?

By the way, think about this question from the viewpoint of the consular officer giving you the interview, because they will surely be wondering about it.

[ngoc 0]

Dalegg,

im averaging about $18,000+ the 4 yrs so i am above the poverty lines. i make less so i have to spend less plus im single & that helps too. so i think with my average income, i can support both me and wife but probably not our kids. its just a matter of how u manage your money. yes, im somewhere in OC like you.

STL HCM,

i just found out that my boss will not be co-signing any paper. so im really stressing out right now and im about to cry out.. i was wondering if i can add in my checking account as an assets for the yr 2004. i got a few grand in the bank.. im short about $2,000 for 2004. wonder if that will help

[STL_HCMC 0]

Ngoc,

1. I noticed that you said, "I can support both me and wife, but probably not our kids." Do you and your wife have children together already, or does your wife plan to bring any children she may already have? I say this because the $16,500 (125% of Poverty Guidelines) figure that you've quoted is for a household size of two people. If you already have children together, or she plans on bringing any children she may have, that number would certainly increase according to the actual household size for support. However, once again, that 125% guideline amount is only a guide for the interviewing officer.

2. I would definitely spend my time right now having a dear heart-to-heart with my family and friends to help get them on your side of the marriage and support the issue. I think credibility of co-sponsors goes a long way at the US Consulate in HCMC - especially with the I-134 being non-binding legally. Other than that option, you might buck up on a second job to boost that income level.

3. I don't want to question whether you can support yourself living in Orange County, California, you can answer for yourself about that, but I do agree with Dalegg that this might be an issue the interviewing officer takes into account. These are American consular officers doing the interviews. I'm sure they are well aware of the cost of living standards around the country. Once again, here is where that "officer discretion" comes in! It is your task to convince them otherwise.

4. Your checking account assets certainly won't hurt your situation, but I quote from a document in packet 3 that my fiancee and I just received: "Please note that it is post policy to assess a sponsor's income via tax returns before assessing other evidence of income."

Best of luck! I would stay tuned to VisaJourney as often as you can to stay in on the HCMC specific conversations that go on here and post any additional questions you have.

STL_HCMC

Dalegg,

So i think with my average income, i can support both me and wife but probably not our kids. its just a matter of how u manage your money. yes, im somewhere in OC like you.

STL HCM,

i just found out that my boss will not be co-signing any paper. so im really stressing out right now and im about to cry out.. i was wondering if i can add in my checking account as an assets for the yr 2004. i got a few grand in the bank.. im short about $2,000 for 2004. wonder if that will help

[wait4ever 0]

As a K-3 case I believe that you have the option of presenting and I-864 affidavit of support. As we have seen on another post, Consular officers are limited to a more narrow interpretation of the I-864. Your chances of a having the 125% of poverty standard applied may be better than say, if you were filing a K-1 case and an I-134 affidavit of support. I would say that it is better to provide the previous year's tax returns than to get a blue slip later asking for them.

[ngoc 0]

STL HCM,

1. im referring to kids in the future. thanks for the clear-up

2. my family are no use, they hate it. i will have to give up on the sponsor thing. i think i have to go with what i have on hand. hopefully, the checking account assets will help along with my reasonable income in 2003 & 2005 and perhaps a laid-back Consulate

3. surviving in southern cali with a net income of about $10,000 - 14,000 isnt too hard. even with that income, i can save 900-1,000 monthly

wait4ever,

so you re saying its a good chance the Consulate wont be to harsh on the past yrs income?

i heard K3 Case which i think its sponsoring wife doesnt get denied too often?

also i have a few more concerns:

Does the Consulate in Vietnam does the interview in English or vietnamese? hopefully not in english

when my case gets approve, and i submit the either 134 or 864. does the USCIS review the income docs and approves it or disapproves it? or do they sent it to Vietnamfor review? do they review the Aff. of Supprt before hand and decline it or they wait during the the interview?.. sorry if im not making any sense. hope u guys understand what i mean.

[STL_HCMC 0]

Ngoc,

There is always the option of securing a second job at this point to build up that income level even more. Without the option of a co-sponsor, this might be a safe thing to think about.

If your hoping for an interview for your spouse NOT in English, then I suggest you prepare a videotape of you and your wife conversating together in Vietnamese. This will more than likely be necessary to establish that you as a U.S. Citizen are able to communicate in Vietnamese with the beneficiary. From what I've read from others, the interview is conducted with a Vietnamese translator and I think the consular officers speak relatively good Vietnamese as well. Most of us USC's, who can speak little to no Vietnamese, find it relatively necessary to have the fiance(e)/spouse doing the interview in English. However, you supplying her with that video to have during the interview will certainly help you avoid a blue slip.

Below is a link to the K-3 Visa guide on the VisaJourney website. This will give you a step-by-step approach to the entire process. The I-134 (or I-864 if you find you can use this) Affidavit of Support form and supporting documents will be assembled by you to send to your wife so she can take it with her to the interview. Those documents are presented to the interviewing officer and he/she makes the determination at that time.

Link: K-3 Visa Guide

From what I've read on the HCMC Consulate website, it looks as if the I-134 is used for the K-3 visa. However, some other Vietnam K-3's might be able to answer you more specifically regarding the option of the I-134 or the I-864.

I've also included two links to the HCMC Consulate website below. These both provide more specific information relating to the K-3 visa and required documents.

Link: K-1 and K-3 Visas

Link: Required Documents

STL_HCMC

STL HCM,

...and perhaps a laid-back Consulate.

Does the Consulate in Vietnam does the interview in English or vietnamese? hopefully not in english

when my case gets approve, and i submit the either 134 or 864. does the USCIS review the income docs and approves it or disapproves it? or do they sent it to Vietnamfor review? do they review the Aff. of Supprt before hand and decline it or they wait during the the interview?.. sorry if im not making any sense. hope u guys understand what i mean.

[ngoc 0]

STL HCM,

regarding the videotaping, are we talking about utilizing the Yahoo Voice Communicating as a videotape? i cant think of any other way other than that... i am vietnamese and i speak it fluently;however my wife lacks in english. i'll have her take some english courses, i guess.

Most of us USC's, who can speak little to no Vietnamese, find it relatively necessary to have the fiance(e)/spouse doing the interview in English

wouldnt it be easier for the fiance/spouse to do the interview in their native language, vietnamese? im a little puzzled about that.

excellent websites links. it even has the "switch to vietnamese" language option. im too lazy to read all that but i'll ask my wife to do the reading for her own good:=) Thanksa lot!

[dalegg 143]

3. surviving in southern cali with a net income of about $10,000 - 14,000 isnt too hard. even with that income, i can save 900-1,000 monthly

You cannot have possibly meant that. If you net $10,000-$14,000 a year, and you save $900-$1000 a month, you are leaving yourself about $100 a month for rent and food. This only works in Vietnam.

[ngoc 0]

You cannot have possibly meant that. If you net $10,000-$14,000 a year, and you save $900-$1000 a month, you are leaving yourself about $100 a month for rent and food. This only works in Vietnam.

ur absolutely correct. thanks for the correction. this the appropriate figures:

$1,500 monthly salary, $18,000 yearly

my expense is usually around $500 month.

Dalegg, does your fiance/spouse live in HCM?

[dalegg 143]

You cannot have possibly meant that. If you net $10,000-$14,000 a year, and you save $900-$1000 a month, you are leaving yourself about $100 a month for rent and food. This only works in Vietnam.

ur absolutely correct. thanks for the correction. this the appropriate figures:

$1,500 monthly salary, $18,000 yearly

my expense is usually around $500 month.

Dalegg, does your fiance/spouse live in HCM?

Your expenses are $500 per month? In Orange County, California? How do you do this? Do you live alone?

Edited May 5, 2006 by dalegg

[kvtran 0]

You cannot have possibly meant that. If you net $10,000-$14,000 a year, and you save $900-$1000 a month, you are leaving yourself about $100 a month for rent and food. This only works in Vietnam.

ur absolutely correct. thanks for the correction. this the appropriate figures:

$1,500 monthly salary, $18,000 yearly

my expense is usually around $500 month.

Dalegg, does your fiance/spouse live in HCM?

Your expenses are $500 per month? In Orange County, California? How do you do this? Do you live alone?

Maybe he is a hermit and lives in a cave and goes out hunting for animals to eat at night?

[ngoc 0]

Your expenses are $500 per month? In Orange County, California? How do you do this? Do you live alone?

Maybe he is a hermit and lives in a cave and goes out hunting for animals to eat at night?

Dalegg,

if u rent a room in orange county, its only about $300 and if u live with a family member, it could be lower. i cut down on most of my expenses: like DSL, cable, cellphone services, car ins, health ins, etc. my expense comes down to basically food & gas. well i understand some people cant live the way i live. but if u do something for so long, u will use to get to it.. my expense will go thru the roof when my wife gets here.

kvtran,

you are being too silly, no body does that.