Help me make a case to my parents...

[nannygirl82 0]

I am... borderline. The problem is that my funding/income is generated from September-June. Meaning that while my 'annual' income for FY2005 is, according to my contract with the university, $18,000, the part that made it onto the tax forms (since the school contract starts in June) was $15K+, just shy of 125%. For FY2006, I'll have that plus a $6300 summer teaching job, which should put me around $24-25K. For this year (2006-2007), the stipend is up to $19K + health insurance.

So if I just ignored the tax return request and provided an income letter and a bank letter, I'd *probably* be okay as far as the government is concerned. But a co-sponsor would be helpful.

well we are in kind of the same situation...my 05 tax return was under the poverty line...long story basically i switched anny jobs and needed a breather before starting another one...so i have been at this job for over a year with a increase in pay starting november....i talked to my lawyer about this and he said i should be fine...my interview is in a weeks and i would be feeling better if i had a co-sponser....but after doing some research from what i gather is that they want to see what you are making present time...i think the tax record is kind of like a reference letter from previous jobs....they want to make sure you can hold a job and that you have income coming in...just my thoughts on this...but if it would make you feel better then a co-sponser is what you need to do...

as far as asking your parents.... well other people have given some great things to say,,,but you will know what to say when the time comes....

[chris4336 3]

I just want to say that I feel your pain, I'm in the situation as you, as a medical student, and its taking a lot of work on my part to convince my parents or friends...I understand their point, I would not feel comfortable promising to support someone that I had never met.

However, in response to those who suggested people in our situation should just wait, I think that is really unfair. I am going to be a physician in 3 years, making a good salary, and during those three years I will be recieving government loans to support me and my family (which will all be paid back with interest after graduation). Should I give up being a doctor just to satisfy the income requirment? Or have a relationship with my fiancee via Skype and MSN for the next 3 years? I know the government has to cover themselves, but I see a lot of students on this board with the same problems as me, and I just don't think its fair.

[Vipul and Jamie 0]

Hi everyone,

Vipul and I were in a similar position when thinking about applying for the visa. Vipul and I had met each other in May 2001. In May 2004, I was just beginning my final undergrad year. Relationships with my parents weren't good to say the least - i.e. they didn't approve of my relationship with Vipul at the time. In desperation (knowing very well the answer would be no) I asked my parents to cosponsor. Of course, they refused, and, for an otherwise independent gal, I was extremely embarrassed and discouraged. I researched hours on what Vipul and I could do, cried, thought of running away, you name it.

The solution? Vipul and I waited for a year to file the visa, and during that year I secured a stable job that would start after I graduated. By the time the interview rolled around (which is when you need such evidence), I had only been working in this job for approx. 3-4 mo. I had with me tax returns from the last 3 years (pitiful but there), a good job letter, paystubs, college transcripts, and a typed letter from myself explaining I was a student and my circumstances. We did get an RFE but it wasn't for the I-134, it was for the birth certificate (which was a stupid mistake on our part and easily fixed).

Looking back I'm glad we did what we did. It was hard but I'm glad we waited. We gained some confidence and respect from my family and my parents. I can't honestly say I would be willing to cosponsor someone that I didn't know either. Although you may be well above par financially and in all other aspects, it will not be you who your parents are cosponsoring. My advice would be (even though it may delay your graduation) possibly going part-time on your studies if you have to and get a stable job, or wait until you graduate. If you are sure you make 125% over the poverty guidelines safely then maybe you could file even sooner. Just my 2 cents.

Best wishes,

Jamie

**Just edited to say: We went through the New Delhi embassy. Just because they accepted our evidence for the I-134 doesn't mean all would view it the same way**

Edited October 26, 2006 by VipulandJamie