K-1 Train Pulled Off On The Siding

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Well, Alla had her Embassy interview today. It is good news, bad news. First the good...

The visa was granted with conditions. Alla said there were 70 people at the Embassy and they called her at around noon. The male officer was polite and friendly. He asked, what Alla called, "...interesting and normal questions." Here they are:

How did you meet your fiancé? We meet on internet.

How many times did your fiancé visit you? Three

How long did he stay the last time? One year.

One year! He must love you very much. Where did you live? Kazan'

Did he work here? Yes, he taught English for children.

How did he find the Russian winter? Very well. He liked it.

Where will you live in America? Ohio

How is the weather in Ohio? Seems to me much like Kazan'.

This is where things began to turn...

"I see on his tax form he did not make much money last year. (I didn't, of course, I was living in Kazan' and earning Russian wages.) Tell your fiancé he needs to send us an I-864 with a co-sponsor and your visa is granted."

Well, this is where I'm at a loss. My current income is well over the 125% threshold. Of course, my 1040 was light, I lived in Russia at earned about $200 a month. I gave them a letter of employment that clearly stated my annual income was well over the minimum and also demonstrated this with pay records for this year. I am also shocked they asked for an I-864. I have never heard this request at the Embassy level before. I thought this would be needed when we got to AOS. I am concerned as I really have no family I can ask. I have friends, but I don't know how they would feel about being asked to sign such a strong contract. I am hoping, if I can convince one, they can withdrawal their I-864 and I can replace one for me only when we go to adjust status. I am wondering if the officer failed to look at all of my documents. Maybe they only looked at the 1040 and failed to look deeper to see the tax form is not telling the true financial tale but only a three month story. Looks like my year in Russia is penalizing me now...

On a side note...

Alla had her medical at IOM. She reported only professional behaviour, although the doctor that examined her son was "very serious."

[Nagishkaw 510]

CONGRATULATIONS, JEFFERY AND ALLA!

I hope you can clear up the sponsorship mess so you can bring your sweetheart home.

[LvivLovers 39]

Congrats on the conditional approval! Do you have savings or other assets you can show in addition to income?

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

No, not enough to make an impact, only income which exceeds the 125% threshold. The Embassy seems to be focused on what I earned in Russia instead of what I'm earning here and now.

Congrats on the conditional approval! Do you have savings or other assets you can show in addition to income?

[LvivLovers 39]

No, not enough to make an impact, only income which exceeds the 125% threshold. The Embassy seems to be focused on what I earned in Russia instead of what I'm earning here and now.

Congrats on the conditional approval! Do you have savings or other assets you can show in addition to income?

Yeah. I'm surprised by that also. I thought most of all they would be concerned about your current situation as that is the one that matters going forward. Unfortunately, I think each officer has their own ideas on these things. Same goes for wanting an I-864 instead of I-134.

[eekee 182]

That seems incredibly bizarre and wrong. Does the officer think your US income would magically shrink to the Kazan' level? I really don't understand. i hope it all gets sorted out soon.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

I don't get it either.

That seems incredibly bizarre and wrong. Does the officer think your US income would magically shrink to the Kazan' level? I really don't understand. i hope it all gets sorted out soon.

[Satellite 1]

The process at the embassy level is a crapshoot. Give them that I-864 co-sponsor or she doesn't come to the US. It is as simple as that. If you are going to bring them the same evidence, the same officer will reject it again. Asking for an advisory opinion (supervisor intervenes) or a formal reconsideration (congressman intervenes) can take many months to process with unpredictable results.

[LvivLovers 39]

I agree. Unfortunately, whether they are right or wrong, you'll probably need to give them what they want.

Only other thing I can think of...Did you also present documentation from previous tax years? If you can show a clear pattern prior to Kazan and after Kazan, maybe they would consider that enough evidence. It usually isn't required to show more than 1 year but you can if it helps prove your case. You could try emailing the embassy and asking if this would be enough.

[*JG* 2]

All in all, I am happy for you. I know you are smart and resourceful and will figure out how to overcome the issue. Of note, we were also asked for the I-864. I was prepared.

I wish you luck on finishing this journey.

[Don E 0]

Big congrats on the good news part!!! On the other part, I think the idea of sending an email is worth a shot. If you can show them a history of pre-Kazan good income and make certain they understand your present income situation, maybe they'll reconsider. Like you, I'm wondering if they failed to look that closely at your financial documentation. A well constructed email sure won't hurt. If that doesn't fly, then I don't see a good alternative other than giving them what they asked for. As far as asking a friend to be the co-sponsor, I can understand your uneasiness. But, couldn't you have a "side" contract with that friend to guarantee that you would be responsible for (either by paying for or by paying back at a later date) any potential expenses incurred as a result of the sponsorship?

Best of luck to you!!!

[*JG* 2]

I think they looked at it. The thing seems to be they give the most weight to the most recent tax return(s). While I see what you are saying about current pay and paystubs, you may have to fight to get them to pay attention to them.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

I sent a rather polite and lengthy e-mail just prior to making this post. I told the Embassy I would be happy to show income prior to Kazan' if need be.

I have really only two friends I feel close enough to ask such a favour. It's such a huge thing to ask anyone, I'll see what happens in the next few days.

[slim 1,525]

Keep us posted on the e-mail.

Did you have more than one year of tax info? Did you establish the pattern for them to see?

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Yeah, I showed them that I earned this prior to Kazan' and returned to a similar level post Kazan'. Now for some light at this tunnel...

My friends all turned me down and an aunt as well. Too scared with the economy. So...

I just had to totally humiliate myself. I asked my 25 year old son to be his daddy's future wife's co-sponsor. Of course, he agreed. So, I can give them a I-864 now. He is well over the 125% threshold.

I'll see what the e-mail states from the Embassy and they can have an AOS if they need it.

Keep us posted on the e-mail.

Did you have more than one year of tax info? Did you establish the pattern for them to see?