URGENT: Do I need a co-signer for my I-134?

[Dodobird 0]

My fiancé has a question:

I have a question about the income threshold for needing a cosigner for the I-134, as an American marrying a foreign national. I'm a graduate student and my income (for this and the next three years) is $28,000--I have a letter from the fellowship office to this effect. I also have about $55,000 in savings. One problem might be my 2009 income which was approximately 28,000 grross but appears on my income tax as only about $4,800 in adjusted gross income because the rest was earned outside the United States (before I started graduate school). I need to know if I'm going to need a cosigner for the I-134?

[Samoray 165]

My fiancé has a question:

I have a question about the income threshold for needing a cosigner for the I-134, as an American marrying a foreign national. I'm a graduate student and my income (for this and the next three years) is $28,000--I have a letter from the fellowship office to this effect. I also have about $55,000 in savings. One problem might be my 2009 income which was approximately 28,000 grross but appears on my income tax as only about $4,800 in adjusted gross income because the rest was earned outside the United States (before I started graduate school). I need to know if I'm going to need a cosigner for the I-134?

You will need a co-sponsor, and he/she will fill and sign the form I-134 and provide the income tax proof and everything.

[Samoray 165]

seem like you will not need a co-sponsor after reading your post more than once

Seems fine to me without a co-sponsor but you should send a letter explaining why it show 4,800 only on the taxes of 2009

but maybe someone else has another opinion

Good Luck

[pushbrk 12,892]

My fiancé has a question:

I have a question about the income threshold for needing a cosigner for the I-134, as an American marrying a foreign national. I'm a graduate student and my income (for this and the next three years) is $28,000--I have a letter from the fellowship office to this effect. I also have about $55,000 in savings. One problem might be my 2009 income which was approximately 28,000 grross but appears on my income tax as only about $4,800 in adjusted gross income because the rest was earned outside the United States (before I started graduate school). I need to know if I'm going to need a cosigner for the I-134?

Document your current income and savings, and you should qualify nicely on your own.

[carton025 38]

Based on the information you have provided, No, you will not need a co-sponsor. The US poverty level for a household of 2 is right around $18,500. I am sure someone here will correct me if I am blatantly incorrect. But, I think you should include the letter from your employer, supposedly, guaranteeing your income for the next "x" number of years. You might also include an explanation for the differences in income for the previous year.

[CJ&Jum 0]

Agreed, remember that proof of income is different than a filed tax return. As you pointed out, you had income obtained outside of the U.S. In the I-134 affidavit documents, they do not ask specifically for U.S. income. Just document your total income and you have well enough funds to support. There should be no issue.

Document your current income and savings, and you should qualify nicely on your own.

[C and Lore 3]

You should be fine.

There was once I was considering to transfer within my company to a posting in another country. So I did some research on tax laws and how they would affect me as a US citizen. The United States government requires that if you work in the country as an alien or if you are a US citizen/permanent resident that you file a income tax with the IRS for all wages earned. There are tax treaties between different countries that affect the outcome after that but with your tax returns you should be able to show the TOTAL gross income. When they consider your affidavit of support they consider your total earnings plus any additional funds you gain via child support, social security, etc. If you send your tax returns with your affidavit of support you should be able to show sufficient funds (provided you showed all income on your filings.) In addition I would definitely include a letter substantiating why the difference in US income vs IRS filings and also your bank accounts showing the $55k in savings as they will help them understand why you earn enough to support your beneficiary.