I-134 Annual Income

[JaideeOGH 1]

Hi everyone,

I just have to say VJ and every single person who has posted or answered a question is awsome. I almost considered hiring a lawyer!

My questions is,

I graduated with my masters in Dec 2011. Prior to this, I was a full time student; I held a research position that paid a small stipend (Jan-April). I also had a grant to do research and write my thesis. This means I dont really have a true income for 2011.

I have been working full-time (and overtime) at a temp job since the beginning of 2012. With my base rate, I will be making about $18,720 (with the overtime, I'll make about $25,000). I live with family and don't pay rent.

Is 18,720 gross income enough to convince the embassy (of Ghana)?

How do I explain my scenario?

Edited February 29, 2012 by JaydeeOGH

[Sayha or bust. 71]

You will request a letter of employment from your employer which will show your start date and your annual income. You will need 18,387( 2 dependents) those are 2011 guidelines, 2012 should be out soon, could require a bit more income.

Edited February 29, 2012 by Sayha or bust.

[Beingme3 0]

Hi,

I also completed a Master's Degree in 2010 and lived overseas until 2011. You will have to get a co-sponsor because the Embassy in Ghana requires tax transcripts from two to three years prior, and if you were in school and not working than you wont have them, plus your current income is low. Definitely use a co-sponsor and you should be fine. I had a co-sponsor and we were approved. Good luck!

Hi everyone,

I just have to say VJ and every single person who has posted or answered a question is awsome. I almost considered hiring a lawyer!

My questions is,

I graduated with my masters in Dec 2011. Prior to this, I was a full time student; I held a research position that paid a small stipend (Jan-April). I also had a grant to do research and write my thesis. This means I dont really have a true income for 2011.

I have been working full-time (and overtime) at a temp job since the beginning of 2012. With my base rate, I will be making about $18,720 (with the overtime, I'll make about $25,000). I live with family and don't pay rent.

Is 18,720 gross income enough to convince the embassy (of Ghana)?

How do I explain my scenario?

[midge and isi 8]

Same here- get a co-sponsor. You still need to provide your tax transcripts for the 3 previous years.(and other supporting docs including I-134) The person who co-sponsors will also need to submit documentation. On the guides it has all the information you need to put this part together.

I wrote a letter stating I was a student so its clear that it wasn't from me not working but by default because I was in school (I may have gone over board and also included my sealed school transcripts) but I rather have had anything that they may have asked for.

(I noticed on your timeline you have a marriage date selected- not that that means its official) but I hope you arn't planning a wedding for that date because none of your other timeline is filled out- if you haven't gotten an interview date that date is not feasible. If you have a date please fill in your timeline!)

Best of luck!

[pushbrk 12,881]

Hi everyone,

I just have to say VJ and every single person who has posted or answered a question is awsome. I almost considered hiring a lawyer!

My questions is,

I graduated with my masters in Dec 2011. Prior to this, I was a full time student; I held a research position that paid a small stipend (Jan-April). I also had a grant to do research and write my thesis. This means I dont really have a true income for 2011.

I have been working full-time (and overtime) at a temp job since the beginning of 2012. With my base rate, I will be making about $18,720 (with the overtime, I'll make about $25,000). I live with family and don't pay rent.

Is 18,720 gross income enough to convince the embassy (of Ghana)?

How do I explain my scenario?

I would forget the Employer letter mentioned as it would probably indicate just an hourly rate, which when annualized, would be less than what you're actually making. Best way, IMO to show accurate current income is by using a recent pay stub with your YTD gross earnings showing. For instance, if it shows three months of pay and you've earned $6,000 in those three months, then your current earnings are $24,000 a year. Just divide by the number of pay periods included in the stub and then multiply by the number of pay periods in a full year. Fortunately, the I-134 doesn't request any information about past income but it IS a good idea to present at least one complete tax return to go with your actual evidence of "current" income. You could also include a C/V and College Diploma etc. to show you're just getting started but have good prospects. If your calculation doesn't end up being at least a couple thousand over the minimum, I would line up a cosponsor.

[K&E2009 71]

Instead of starting a new topic, I will ask on this one...

My US Fianceé is a teacher. She has been employed full time since August 2011. We have all her pay stubs, letter from employer and her tax transcripts.

We'll be ok, right...?!

[pushbrk 12,881]

Instead of starting a new topic, I will ask on this one...

My US Fianceé is a teacher. She has been employed full time since August 2011. We have all her pay stubs, letter from employer and her tax transcripts.

We'll be ok, right...?!

If you survive the severe punishment for hijacking this thread, I'll think you'll be OK unless she has half a dozen or more kids of her own.

[K&E2009 71]

If you survive the severe punishment for hijacking this thread, I'll think you'll be OK unless she has half a dozen or more kids of her own.

Haha, thanks. She doesn't have any kids.

[Sveta & Ron 23]

bank statements of deposits may work also imo

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

bank statements of deposits may work also imo

They can be used as supporting evidence but may not reflect income. My bank statments include monthly deposits of substantial amounts for reimbursement of expenses, while it shows as a deposit, it is not income. Also while you show an income tax return you may have legitimate income which is not shown on a tax return, workmans comp, child support, hazardous duty pay, etc are non taxable.

One presents a body of evidence which includes all of the above or more.

[JaideeOGH 1]

I submitted out I-129F this afternoon. I just logged our first step in today. I am anxious and excited. MM, We plan to have a court signing for legal.....if Jay is here by then. We wont get married.....customarily/church till January 2013 in Ghana.

Chao

Thanks for your guidance and advice.Could you please let us know who can help in the co-sponsorship(relative or non relative) and the kind of documentation the co-sponsor should give.

[midge and isi 8]

That is I think what most do. However if you just filed today- you prob wont be looking at an interview till end of this year early next year. I would be careful planning (deposits) anything in either country until visa is in hand. They will not be able to travel to the USA and then back to Ghana without AP which is not granted till marriage and filling.

I don't want to ruin your hopes but i think Jan 2013 is too close to plan to have the customary ceremony. Remember you have 90 days (6 months to use visa) to get married in the states and you can not be married in Ghana before that if you do you would need to change to a CR-1. In Ghana even if not legally married there can be cultural aspects to saying one is married. So I would just think about what you want to do and not worry about Immigration. If I was to do again, I would wait until AP is done and then go back after being legally set in the USA. That is one thing about the K-1 that is not as easy.

Anyone can be a co-sponsor that makes enough. They would need to provide the same docs you do. Tax transcript (3 years), letters from employer, anything else to show the assets, paystubs. Also something showing legal presence in the USA.

Hope that helps!