Do you think this will be okay?

[brightskte 18]

I'm the petitioner and I'm going to visit my fiance next Saturday. I wanted to have my I-134 done so that I can give it to him. But I wanted to know your opinions on if you think I should go ahead and bring a co-sponsor's documentation with me anyways.

I currently work part-time, and my yearly salary is somewhere around $18,400. I've been told elsewhere on the forum that for the K-1 we do the I-134 so I would only need to show that I make 100% of the poverty level. I thought this was only for military and I was under the impression that I would need to make over 125%. I'm unsure about this since I'm getting mixed answers and what I thought from the beginning seems to not be the case.

Now, with him included my household size would be 2, and under the 2009 poverty guidelines that would mean that 100% of the poverty level is $14,570 and 125% would be $18,213. If I only have to prove that I make 100% then I should be okay, but if I have to prove that I make 125% then I think I'm cutting it a little close to not use a co-sponsor.

What do you all think?

[Sam and Ben 2]

Unless you are military, as far as I know, it is 125%. If you're cutting close enough to question, better to get a co-sponsor than find yourself wishing you had, no?

[brightskte 18]

Unless you are military, as far as I know, it is 125%. If you're cutting close enough to question, better to get a co-sponsor than find yourself wishing you had, no?

See that's what I thought. But when I posted a similar thread I kept getting answers that it was only 100%. Seemed weird since everything else I had read said 125%.

I'm definitely going to use a co-sponsor if it IS 125%(and I'm 99.9% sure it is) because I just don't want to risk it. My mom makes well over the poverty level so I'll use her. But by the time I can get her on the ball about getting her info I'll have to leave for Canada. So I'll just have to mail it to him instead.

Thanks for confirming my thoughts, though!

[Sam and Ben 2]

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-864P.pdf

The guidelines are supposed to be the same for the I-134.

Also, different consulates have different requirements... so if you're finding conflicting answers, that may be why.

Edited October 31, 2009 by Sam and Ben

[Hugglebuggles 60]

The I-134 only requires the petitioner to meet the 100% threshold, not 125%. However, here is the kicker. Most consulates, including Montreal, look for the petitioner to reach the 125% mark, as that will be required come AOS time (with the I-864), taking place a couple months later. If the petitioner can't show they make 125% of the poverty level now, how can they show it then? The I-134 doesn't technically follow the same guidelines as the I-864, but many IO's look for the same criteria. As far as Montreal goes, there have been people who have been successful showing only 100% of the poverty level, while others have been asked for a co-sponsor. It's really up to the discretion of the officer at the interview.

You have enough to surpass the 100% level, and even enough to pass the 125% level, although not by much. Personally I don't think a co-sponsor is really needed, unless you want the added security that your I-134 won't be a problem and delay the visa approval.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Sorry to double post, but if you want something concrete to confirm the 100% guideline look here:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/ty...types_2994.html

"Do the same income requirements apply to all immigrant visa applicants even if they use the I-134?

No. The 125 percent minimum income requirement, the most recent year's tax return and other requirements only apply when an I-864 is needed. Applicants using the I-134 will need to show that their sponsor's income is 100 percent of federal poverty guidelines as required under Section 212(a)(4) of the INA. "

[Sam and Ben 2]

I guess for myself, I'd always rather play it safe than sorry.

125% is concretely required for AOS in a couple months' time... and is quite often required by the IO, at least through Montreal.

[brightskte 18]

I think I'll play it safe. Just in case. They may not ask for an additional co-sponsor, but then they might. I'd hate to send Mathew to his interview unprepared. I just really need to go full time at work. They I wouldn't have to worry about this.

Thanks fo much for the information. It really helped.

[brightskte 18]

I just printed off my employment verification letter with salary included and it states that my yearly salary is $26,732. Of course, my tax statements wont show that since I've been here a year and a half, and my change in pay is due to a recent raise that I got. So with that in mind, do you think they'll request a co-sponsor from him during interview?

[Sam and Ben 2]

I just printed off my employment verification letter with salary included and it states that my yearly salary is $26,732. Of course, my tax statements wont show that since I've been here a year and a half, and my change in pay is due to a recent raise that I got. So with that in mind, do you think they'll request a co-sponsor from him during interview?

Do you have access to weekly/bi-weekly pay stubs that could help attest to that amount?

[brightskte 18]

Not this year since the payraise that would bring me to that amount didn't kick in until the last month. According to my paystub from last time it shows me making $14k this year.

I think I'll probably just have a co-sponsor anyway so it wont look like I had my employer forge a letter stating a higher salary than what I've been paid. Next years stubs will show the almost 27k amount though, but that's next year. Doesn't help me now!!!