Brainstorming on ways to meet the minimum requirements to petition for fiance visa

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

1) I currently have a second job as a waitress where I earn money in tips in addition to the hourly wage. I'm trying to find out how many hours I would need to work in addition to my full time job, but I'm not sure how that works when it comes to tips.

----How do I go about filling out the I-134 when tips are involved?

2)I would eventually like to have my own my own jewelry store once I get in to metalworking. At the moment I'm just making jewelry from beads and wire. I was thinking of taking some of my things around to different stores in the area to see if they may be interested and if they are, maybe I could go ahead and get my busines started by doing consignment until I become more skilled in the area of metalworking.

----I had read before if you were self-employed, you use your assets. Problem is, I don't own a house or car, so is there anyway I could just show my earnings?

Thanks so much and feel free to leave any suggestions! We're still keeping our eyes open for co-sponsors, but I want to have a back up just in case.

Let's do this backwards and see if it helps.

You need, now, to make $18,300 or so, that's the new guideline or close to it (please don't make me go look it up) That's for two people, you and your fiance. You make $15,000 at your full time job. So you need to make $3,300 per YEAR at your part time job to qualify. Divided by 12 equals $275 per month. Do you make $275 per month at your part time job? HAVE you made, to date, since you started there $275 per month or more? Including wages and tips? That should be simple enough to answer

Either of your last two formulas will work. The OP hasn't even filed a petition yet. I think she's trying to figure out whether to file now or later because she doesn't want to tell Daddy what she's doing until after her fiance is here. The variable not being considered is that there's no guarantee that a documented income of $18,300 or even $20,000 will satisfy the Consular Officer when the time comes.

True enough, consulates vary. I have absolutely zero knowledge of Venezueal and its consulate. I probably didn't even spell it correctly.

I did not feel I was being condescending. I felt you were somewhat defeatist.

At any rate, everyone has job changes, promotions, raises, pennies from heaven, anything can change what one's income is for the year and it is neigh on impossible for anyone to tell you in February what they will make at the end of the year when the shoe drops on December 31, but you can get a pretty good idea at any time, and you should be able to support a reasonable calculation. I would never suggest that you make a false statement, it isn't necessary. If you haven't filed the petition yet, you are probably 6-8 months from needing to fill out the I-134. Nothing wrong with considering it now, but by September you will have a pretty good idea of what you will make for the year. I may just be an optimist (I have been called worse, heck, I have been called worse already today) but if I needed only to make up $3,300 between now and September, I would be sleeping pretty good and worrying about other things. I mean I could make more than that on tips delivering pizza. So it is not insurmountable by any means.

As far as whether you tell your parents, well I guess that is a personal thing, but you are embarking on some, really, pretty grown up things here, getting married and filing visa petitions. I mean this ain't kid stuff. It's really big league grown up stuff. But you have time and I am not going to concern myself with that issue. I can only say I would never have felt I couldn't tell my parents and I know for sure my kids would tell me. But I think I responded to this earlier and maybe I am not able to understand that situation. I know my parents helped me as a young man and we are helping our children now...call me crazy.

[GJen 9]

As far as whether you tell your parents, well I guess that is a personal thing, but you are embarking on some, really, pretty grown up things here, getting married and filing visa petitions. I mean this ain't kid stuff. It's really big league grown up stuff. But you have time and I am not going to concern myself with that issue. I can only say I would never have felt I couldn't tell my parents and I know for sure my kids would tell me. But I think I responded to this earlier and maybe I am not able to understand that situation. I know my parents helped me as a young man and we are helping our children now...call me crazy.

Telling my parents is a whole 'nother issue! I just want to assure myself I can do this without their help, just in case they aren't too fond of the idea upon hearing it.

I did not feel I was being condescending. I felt you were somewhat defeatist.

Well it's safe to say I did feel defeated. Like everything was out of reach and that a co-sponsor was the only way. (We're still gonna keep our eyes open for one and definitely call the consular to make sure they accept this, just in case)

At any rate, everyone has job changes, promotions, raises, pennies from heaven, anything can change what one's income is for the year and it is neigh on impossible for anyone to tell you in February what they will make at the end of the year when the shoe drops on December 31, but you can get a pretty good idea at any time, and you should be able to support a reasonable calculation. I would never suggest that you make a false statement, it isn't necessary. If you haven't filed the petition yet, you are probably 6-8 months from needing to fill out the I-134. Nothing wrong with considering it now, but by September you will have a pretty good idea of what you will make for the year. I may just be an optimist (I have been called worse, heck, I have been called worse already today) but if I needed only to make up $3,300 between now and September, I would be sleeping pretty good and worrying about other things. I mean I could make more than that on tips delivering pizza. So it is not insurmountable by any means.

You're right. There's always a chance I could get a raise after my yearly review. I'll make sure to be on my best behavior at work! You helped me to look more at the little things instead of the big picture which was overwhelming me to say the least. Now I know I'll just need to work 11 hours at minumum wage in addition to my full time job and that would actually get me little over the minimum requirements. Not only that, but of course working those extra hours will help increase my savings expontentially! Which is great since it will be $1 to $3! So... YAY!

You're right! It's not insurmountable!

Edited February 20, 2009 by GJen

[Sinergy 3]

For tips, it depends on whether the tips are cash in hand or included with a paycheck. Cash in-hand tips are reported on your income tax return, next year or quarterly if you wish. Until you can show you reported tips to the IRS, you would have a hard time documenting them on an affidavit of support. Self-employed works the same way. You report earnings quarterly by filing with the IRS. Anybody can use assets, not just self-employed people. On the I-134, you state only income that can be documented.

I see what you're saying. My question is do they predict my yearly salary(and therefore if I meet the minimum requirements) based on the taxes I filed from the last year? Because with my full time job, it's easy to foresee the amount of money I'll have made at the end of the year. With my part time job as a waitress, everything depends on tips.

I thought I made that clear in my answer by telling you the circumstances under which tips could be considered. You may assume that under any other circumstances, they will not be considered. What part of that is confusing you?

Honestly, if your this burnt out on helping ppl that you result in nasty replies...maybe you need a break from VJ.

[Sinergy 3]

Gary & Alla and Pushbrk

Is it just me or are the two of you ganging up on me in a very condescending and demeaning manner?

You couldn't possibly understand the situation with my father and I'm so sorry for having to be explained the same thing to ten times in a row, everyone learns differently. I guess it just took that tenth time for it to finally make sense to me.

If this is "tough love", I suggest you draw the line before typing snide comments.

They are, even i see it, best adv for you, ignore their snotty insults and read the adv others offer you. Theres no other way around it.

[Sinergy 3]

I also moved this as it is a K1 discussion not embassy

[pushbrk 12,898]

For tips, it depends on whether the tips are cash in hand or included with a paycheck. Cash in-hand tips are reported on your income tax return, next year or quarterly if you wish. Until you can show you reported tips to the IRS, you would have a hard time documenting them on an affidavit of support. Self-employed works the same way. You report earnings quarterly by filing with the IRS. Anybody can use assets, not just self-employed people. On the I-134, you state only income that can be documented.

I see what you're saying. My question is do they predict my yearly salary(and therefore if I meet the minimum requirements) based on the taxes I filed from the last year? Because with my full time job, it's easy to foresee the amount of money I'll have made at the end of the year. With my part time job as a waitress, everything depends on tips.

I thought I made that clear in my answer by telling you the circumstances under which tips could be considered. You may assume that under any other circumstances, they will not be considered. What part of that is confusing you?

Honestly, if your this burnt out on helping ppl that you result in nasty replies...maybe you need a break from VJ.

And maybe you need to go hump somebody else's cyberleg.

By the way, this is a discussion about how to calculate current income for the I-134. It was properly placed in the right forum already. It has nothing to do with qualifying to file a petition as described in the title. She's not asking about borrowing the filing fee.

[Sinergy 3]

For tips, it depends on whether the tips are cash in hand or included with a paycheck. Cash in-hand tips are reported on your income tax return, next year or quarterly if you wish. Until you can show you reported tips to the IRS, you would have a hard time documenting them on an affidavit of support. Self-employed works the same way. You report earnings quarterly by filing with the IRS. Anybody can use assets, not just self-employed people. On the I-134, you state only income that can be documented.

I see what you're saying. My question is do they predict my yearly salary(and therefore if I meet the minimum requirements) based on the taxes I filed from the last year? Because with my full time job, it's easy to foresee the amount of money I'll have made at the end of the year. With my part time job as a waitress, everything depends on tips.

I thought I made that clear in my answer by telling you the circumstances under which tips could be considered. You may assume that under any other circumstances, they will not be considered. What part of that is confusing you?

Honestly, if your this burnt out on helping ppl that you result in nasty replies...maybe you need a break from VJ.

And maybe you need to go hump somebody else's cyberleg.

By the way, this is a discussion about how to calculate current income for the I-134. It was properly placed in the right forum already. It has nothing to do with qualifying to file a petition as described in the title. She's not asking about borrowing the filing fee.

awww your panties are in a wad

stop insulting VJ members, and things will go alot better for you.

and since the OP hasnt even filed for the petition yet, the same info being asked for the I-134 will pertain to the K1, so i moved it, not to mention, if you read the topic, it states requirments for fiance visa petition

Edited February 20, 2009 by Sinergy

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

As far as whether you tell your parents, well I guess that is a personal thing, but you are embarking on some, really, pretty grown up things here, getting married and filing visa petitions. I mean this ain't kid stuff. It's really big league grown up stuff. But you have time and I am not going to concern myself with that issue. I can only say I would never have felt I couldn't tell my parents and I know for sure my kids would tell me. But I think I responded to this earlier and maybe I am not able to understand that situation. I know my parents helped me as a young man and we are helping our children now...call me crazy.

Telling my parents is a whole 'nother issue! I just want to assure myself I can do this without their help, just in case they aren't too fond of the idea upon hearing it.

I did not feel I was being condescending. I felt you were somewhat defeatist.

Well it's safe to say I did feel defeated. Like everything was out of reach and that a co-sponsor was the only way. (We're still gonna keep our eyes open for one and definitely call the consular to make sure they accept this, just in case)

At any rate, everyone has job changes, promotions, raises, pennies from heaven, anything can change what one's income is for the year and it is neigh on impossible for anyone to tell you in February what they will make at the end of the year when the shoe drops on December 31, but you can get a pretty good idea at any time, and you should be able to support a reasonable calculation. I would never suggest that you make a false statement, it isn't necessary. If you haven't filed the petition yet, you are probably 6-8 months from needing to fill out the I-134. Nothing wrong with considering it now, but by September you will have a pretty good idea of what you will make for the year. I may just be an optimist (I have been called worse, heck, I have been called worse already today) but if I needed only to make up $3,300 between now and September, I would be sleeping pretty good and worrying about other things. I mean I could make more than that on tips delivering pizza. So it is not insurmountable by any means.

You're right. There's always a chance I could get a raise after my yearly review. I'll make sure to be on my best behavior at work! You helped me to look more at the little things instead of the big picture which was overwhelming me to say the least. Now I know I'll just need to work 11 hours at minumum wage in addition to my full time job and that would actually get me little over the minimum requirements. Not only that, but of course working those extra hours will help increase my savings expontentially! Which is great since it will be $1 to $3! So... YAY!

You're right! It's not insurmountable!

I am not sure why this topic has grabbed my attention, other than I hate to see someone so down over something so trivial (seemingly to me) Look, you need to make $18,300, call it $18,500 for icing on the cake. At a full time job thats $8.90 an hour! Heck, MINIMUM wage in Vermont is $8.06. McDonalds here advertises $10 per hour. Cashiers normally make $10-11 and hour. My wife had a brief, seasonal job doing some data entry work for Vermont Teddy Bear Co. and got $11 an hour on a basically "walk-in" job (it was only for two weeks but that's not the point) The point is I find it impossible to believe you couldn't find a job paying $9 an hour between now and September. I find it hard to believe you don't make much that already, (are you using GROSS WAGES in your calculations?) I would expect high school kids working afternoon jobs to make that much. (per hour)

You may be best off just to find a new job. Or, I mean how much less than $8.90 an hour are you making (don't answer me here, just think about it) All you need is a raise at your current job that would be reflected in some check stubs before you file the I-134.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

For tips, it depends on whether the tips are cash in hand or included with a paycheck. Cash in-hand tips are reported on your income tax return, next year or quarterly if you wish. Until you can show you reported tips to the IRS, you would have a hard time documenting them on an affidavit of support. Self-employed works the same way. You report earnings quarterly by filing with the IRS. Anybody can use assets, not just self-employed people. On the I-134, you state only income that can be documented.

I see what you're saying. My question is do they predict my yearly salary(and therefore if I meet the minimum requirements) based on the taxes I filed from the last year? Because with my full time job, it's easy to foresee the amount of money I'll have made at the end of the year. With my part time job as a waitress, everything depends on tips.

I thought I made that clear in my answer by telling you the circumstances under which tips could be considered. You may assume that under any other circumstances, they will not be considered. What part of that is confusing you?

Honestly, if your this burnt out on helping ppl that you result in nasty replies...maybe you need a break from VJ.

And maybe you need to go hump somebody else's cyberleg.

By the way, this is a discussion about how to calculate current income for the I-134. It was properly placed in the right forum already. It has nothing to do with qualifying to file a petition as described in the title. She's not asking about borrowing the filing fee.

Oh classy, tres classy.... Against TOS to insult VJ members, and reported as such.

Seriously pushbrk, maybe you do need a break from VJ. It is obviously getting to you.

[pushbrk 12,898]

For tips, it depends on whether the tips are cash in hand or included with a paycheck. Cash in-hand tips are reported on your income tax return, next year or quarterly if you wish. Until you can show you reported tips to the IRS, you would have a hard time documenting them on an affidavit of support. Self-employed works the same way. You report earnings quarterly by filing with the IRS. Anybody can use assets, not just self-employed people. On the I-134, you state only income that can be documented.

I see what you're saying. My question is do they predict my yearly salary(and therefore if I meet the minimum requirements) based on the taxes I filed from the last year? Because with my full time job, it's easy to foresee the amount of money I'll have made at the end of the year. With my part time job as a waitress, everything depends on tips.

I thought I made that clear in my answer by telling you the circumstances under which tips could be considered. You may assume that under any other circumstances, they will not be considered. What part of that is confusing you?

Honestly, if your this burnt out on helping ppl that you result in nasty replies...maybe you need a break from VJ.

And maybe you need to go hump somebody else's cyberleg.

By the way, this is a discussion about how to calculate current income for the I-134. It was properly placed in the right forum already. It has nothing to do with qualifying to file a petition as described in the title. She's not asking about borrowing the filing fee.

awww your panties are in a wad

stop insulting VJ members, and things will go alot better for you.

and since the OP hasnt even filed for the petition yet, the same info being asked for the I-134 will pertain to the K1, so i moved it

You're the one wearing the panties. No financial documentation is filed with the petition. Nothing on the I-134 goes in the petition filing. You'll see the other organizers moving the I-134 related questions to the Embassy forum. You're as wrong about this as you were yesterday saying it's against terms of service to give immigration advice in PM's. Get over yourself and stop humping my cyberleg.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

pusbrk, seriously, back off with the insults. You had one thread made invisible yesterday, what is your goal? Get suspended?

[pushbrk 12,898]

pusbrk, seriously, back off with the insults. You had one thread made invisible yesterday, what is your goal? Get suspended?

Who is insulting whom here?

[Sinergy 3]

For tips, it depends on whether the tips are cash in hand or included with a paycheck. Cash in-hand tips are reported on your income tax return, next year or quarterly if you wish. Until you can show you reported tips to the IRS, you would have a hard time documenting them on an affidavit of support. Self-employed works the same way. You report earnings quarterly by filing with the IRS. Anybody can use assets, not just self-employed people. On the I-134, you state only income that can be documented.

I see what you're saying. My question is do they predict my yearly salary(and therefore if I meet the minimum requirements) based on the taxes I filed from the last year? Because with my full time job, it's easy to foresee the amount of money I'll have made at the end of the year. With my part time job as a waitress, everything depends on tips.

I thought I made that clear in my answer by telling you the circumstances under which tips could be considered. You may assume that under any other circumstances, they will not be considered. What part of that is confusing you?

Honestly, if your this burnt out on helping ppl that you result in nasty replies...maybe you need a break from VJ.

And maybe you need to go hump somebody else's cyberleg.

By the way, this is a discussion about how to calculate current income for the I-134. It was properly placed in the right forum already. It has nothing to do with qualifying to file a petition as described in the title. She's not asking about borrowing the filing fee.

awww your panties are in a wad

stop insulting VJ members, and things will go alot better for you.

and since the OP hasnt even filed for the petition yet, the same info being asked for the I-134 will pertain to the K1, so i moved it

You're the one wearing the panties. No financial documentation is filed with the petition. Nothing on the I-134 goes in the petition filing. You'll see the other organizers moving the I-134 related questions to the Embassy forum. You're as wrong about this as you were yesterday saying it's against terms of service to give immigration advice in PM's. Get over yourself and stop humping my cyberleg.

me get over MYSELF??? obviously your panties are still in a wad bc i got your EGO thread removed as it shouldve been.

pusbrk, seriously, back off with the insults. You had one thread made invisible yesterday, what is your goal? Get suspended?

Who is insulting whom here?

YOU, have insulted the OP, myself and well insult members on a daily basis on VJ.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

pusbrk, seriously, back off with the insults. You had one thread made invisible yesterday, what is your goal? Get suspended?

Who is insulting whom here?

Unless "hump someone else's cyberleg" is the way you talk to people where you live/come from, that was a very insulting thing to say to Synergy.

[pushbrk 12,898]

pusbrk, seriously, back off with the insults. You had one thread made invisible yesterday, what is your goal? Get suspended?

Who is insulting whom here?

Unless "hump someone else's cyberleg" is the way you talk to people where you live/come from, that was a very insulting thing to say to Synergy.

I see. Actually humping my cyberleg is ok but asking her to stop is an insult. Now I get where you're coming from.