Financial Information for Interview

[Michael.Nichols 0]

Hi,

I noticed in the Russian FAQ that people said their fiance in Russia would need to bring the sponsors w-2's for the interview, but the Moscow website says this

Financial documents from the petitioner – a US citizen: please note, that Affidavit of Support (form I-134) is not required, but may be requested. Please submit financial documents to show that the applicant will not become a public charge in the United States. Such documents may include, but are not limited to:

* Most recent year tax returns (form 1040) or tax transcripts from IRS

* Copy of bank account

* Earnings and leave statement

* W-2 forms

* Letter from employer

My w-2 for last year puts me below the poverty line (I'm a full time graduate student) but I graduate in May and will get a job and be above the poverty line by the time she has her interview. So I was hoping to send the earnings statement and letter from employer, as the website says "it may include...w-2 forms or tax returns" Have the requirements changed over the past few years?

[jkelly07 120]

if you have tax transcripts you don't need w-2,you need w-2 for the year 2010,if you filed your 2010 taxes, send in that tax return,the new poverty guigelines for two people is 18,387---for three people 23,163 it's 4,775 for each added person

[slim 1,525]

My w-2 for last year puts me below the poverty line (I'm a full time graduate student) but I graduate in May and will get a job and be above the poverty line by the time she has her interview. So I was hoping to send the earnings statement and letter from employer, as the website says "it may include...w-2 forms or tax returns" Have the requirements changed over the past few years?

Don't worry about being below the poverty line as a student. Most students are below the poverty line. They realize once you get a "real" job and start making that good money you'll have no problem taking care of your beneficiary.

Your plan as outlined above sounds fine. Send what you have but make sure there's evidence you're going to make more money this year. The employer letter and pay statements should be fine.

However, if you're not going to be working until at least May, you may want to get a co-sponsor in the mean time since the interview could be sooner than May. Just in case, I'd have someone (rich uncle, maybe?) co-sponsor her on an I-134. If you're going to be working by then or if a company's already made you an offer, that should suffice. If not, go with the co-sponsor.

[Michael.Nichols 0]

Don't worry about being below the poverty line as a student. Most students are below the poverty line. They realize once you get a "real" job and start making that good money you'll have no problem taking care of your beneficiary.

Your plan as outlined above sounds fine. Send what you have but make sure there's evidence you're going to make more money this year. The employer letter and pay statements should be fine.

However, if you're not going to be working until at least May, you may want to get a co-sponsor in the mean time since the interview could be sooner than May. Just in case, I'd have someone (rich uncle, maybe?) co-sponsor her on an I-134. If you're going to be working by then or if a company's already made you an offer, that should suffice. If not, go with the co-sponsor.

Thanks a lot for the advice. I really wanted to get the process started now so that she can be here soon after we graduate. I better start job hunting!

[Sergi9 110]

Thanks a lot for the advice. I really wanted to get the process started now so that she can be here soon after we graduate. I better start job hunting!

I also wonder if anyone has any feedback on financial part of interview in Moscow. With one of ten folks unemployed in the states, does an extended period of unemployment or just getting out of school seem to be harder to overcome ?

[slim 1,525]

I also wonder if anyone has any feedback on financial part of interview in Moscow. With one of ten folks unemployed in the states, does an extended period of unemployment or just getting out of school seem to be harder to overcome ?

I can't speak about any recent changes but there's a clearly defined set of things they're looking for.

Do you have income? Y/N

Is that income over poverty level? Y/N

Can it be verified through the IRS and/or banks? Y/N

That's pretty much it. As long as you can answer yes to those questions, even if you were a student or unemployed, then you'll be fine. Anothing thing is you don't have to show stocks, retirement funds, property lists, etc. Just let them know you make money, your money is enough to support two people, and that's it.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hi,

I noticed in the Russian FAQ that people said their fiance in Russia would need to bring the sponsors w-2's for the interview, but the Moscow website says this

Financial documents from the petitioner – a US citizen: please note, that Affidavit of Support (form I-134) is not required, but may be requested. Please submit financial documents to show that the applicant will not become a public charge in the United States. Such documents may include, but are not limited to:

* Most recent year tax returns (form 1040) or tax transcripts from IRS

* Copy of bank account

* Earnings and leave statement

* W-2 forms

* Letter from employer

My w-2 for last year puts me below the poverty line (I'm a full time graduate student) but I graduate in May and will get a job and be above the poverty line by the time she has her interview. So I was hoping to send the earnings statement and letter from employer, as the website says "it may include...w-2 forms or tax returns" Have the requirements changed over the past few years?

CURRENT income is what is asked for on the I-134 and is far more important than last years income. Go ahead and include your tax return and w-2. If you can show CURRENT income above the poverty line at the time of the interview, you will be fine. Neither Moscow nor Kiev are very "strict" about this. But the more the merrier (by "not very strict" I mean if you show current pay stubs, employer letter, etc., you will be fine)