spousal support

[teg 6]

Hello out there. I never thought I would write on here because it seemed everything was flowing smoothly for us but now we are having some issues. The problem of the matter is I graduated from college last year and started a job that makes well above the Federal Poverty Guidelines, but I only worked July until present. My 2011 income tax reflects below the poverty guidelines I know this so I submitted this years pay stubs and a letter from my employer which verifies that I make 3X the poverty guidelines. The consulate says they have reviewed my evidence and still considers my income below the Federal Poverty Guidelines therefore I need a Co-Sponsor. I refuse to do this because I married my husband and he is my responsibility and I am not going to burden my family with this. Also they wouldn't be able to add to the income and last I make above the poverty guidelines. Is there something I am not seeing when it deals with the poverty guidelines? I took two years off work to earn my bachelors degree in English Education and the rest of the time I have worked. According to the instructions on the form I-864 EZ it states “You may include evidence supporting your claim about your expected income for the current year if you believe that submitting this evidence will help you establish ability to maintain sufficient income… For example, you may include a recent letter from your employer, showing your employer’s address and telephone number, and indicating your annual salary. You may also provide pay stub(s) showing your income for the previous six months.” They stated they reviewed all my evidence, but this does not seem to be accurate. I am sorry to say that I actually e-mailed my congressmen today because I feel I have done everything by the book, but obviously I am not getting things done correctly. Thanks for any help or solutions. My husband passed his second interview but the income is keeping us from moving forward. I also understand that I can wait to fie my 2012 income tax and have further evidence but when you have been doing this process over two years it just gets to be depressing to think about more time and when will that time be "the time".

[MIBEN 83]

As bad as the situation sounds, they processed the I-184 and because you did not work the entire year technically you are not above the guidelines for sponsoring a spouse with your 2011 tax return. You could wait for the next year's taxes, an option you don't agree with and I completely understand but they are telling you that until you find a co-sponsor your spouse is not eligible to be issued the visa. If you read the instructions the purpose of the form is to show that that they (immigrant) have adequate means of financial support and that they will not likely to become a public charge. They say that you MAY not that you are required to add previous years tax returns if you like as an option to show that you can provide that support but you don't have that, they also say send employment statements but there is no guarantee you will be employed unless under contract nor that they will consider that information as sufficient. The only requirement is the most recent tax return the rest is optional, we provide it in hope that it will convince them and support your Affidavit of Support. Do you have assets or does he have income that will continue after he immigrates those can be used as income as well.

I say email the consulate but I have dealt with Casa and they don't make it a habit to respond in detail, start looking for a co-sponsor their decision has been made or call your Congressman and see if they can be of any assistance. I can imagine your frustration because you are making enough you just don't have a full year's wages documented through tax returns.

Good luck,

[teg 6]

Thank you so much I guess I will have to wait until I file my 2012 income tax.

[roadster600 0]

Im terribly sorry to hear that i thought im the only one with the Sponsorship dilemma but that makes the two of us, me and my wife are 24 years old college students and she's a us citizen but no JOb and she's been looking for a sponsor since August but no Luck and my papers needs to be submitted by JULY 2013 if not we are back to ZERO,,I hope things works out for the two of you guys

[teg 6]

I believe everything will work out. It is just about TIME haha.

[hamigirl710 112]

As bad as the situation sounds, they processed the I-184 and because you did not work the entire year technically you are not above the guidelines for sponsoring a spouse with your 2011 tax return. You could wait for the next year's taxes, an option you don't agree with and I completely understand but they are telling you that until you find a co-sponsor your spouse is not eligible to be issued the visa. If you read the instructions the purpose of the form is to show that that they (immigrant) have adequate means of financial support and that they will not likely to become a public charge. They say that you MAY not that you are required to add previous years tax returns if you like as an option to show that you can provide that support but you don't have that, they also say send employment statements but there is no guarantee you will be employed unless under contract nor that they will consider that information as sufficient. The only requirement is the most recent tax return the rest is optional, we provide it in hope that it will convince them and support your Affidavit of Support. Do you have assets or does he have income that will continue after he immigrates those can be used as income as well.

I say email the consulate but I have dealt with Casa and they don't make it a habit to respond in detail, start looking for a co-sponsor their decision has been made or call your Congressman and see if they can be of any assistance. I can imagine your frustration because you are making enough you just don't have a full year's wages documented through tax returns.

Good luck,

So am I correct to say that even though I will have a job promotion starting January 2013 I will still need a co sponsor unless I wait until after I file my 2013 taxes? Uggh I was hoping that I would not need a sponsor but it looks like I am going to be in the same boat as the OP. Thank God my mom lives with me and says she will be a joint sponsor but I really did not want to involve her.

[The Mean Lady 604]

So am I correct to say that even though I will have a job promotion starting January 2013 I will still need a co sponsor unless I wait until after I file my 2013 taxes? Uggh I was hoping that I would not need a sponsor but it looks like I am going to be in the same boat as the OP. Thank God my mom lives with me and says she will be a joint sponsor but I really did not want to involve her.

Best to file ASAP in february.

With luck, you will get your NOA2 right around that time so you won't be waiting long.

Edited November 11, 2012 by KDubovik

[MIBEN 83]

To Teg call the Embassey and find out exactly how to proceed, don't just wait assuming they will accept the 2012 tax return as thee fix all. It would be bad if you wait and they still don't issue the visa. Hamigirl every case stands on its own, your case may be approved but be prepared and with a co-sponsor if one is not needed then no issues. Another thing they look at is your work history and spending habits listed on your bank statements. I was asked for statements from each bank that showed when I opened the account, how much I deposited and balances right before the interview. They don't just focus on how much you earn but also how much you keep. Good luck to both of you..

[The Mean Lady 604]

I will be screwed if they ask me to see that

To Teg call the Embassey and find out exactly how to proceed, don't just wait assuming they will accept the 2012 tax return as thee fix all. It would be bad if you wait and they still don't issue the visa. Hamigirl every case stands on its own, your case may be approved but be prepared and with a co-sponsor if one is not needed then no issues. Another thing they look at is your work history and spending habits listed on your bank statements. I was asked for statements from each bank that showed when I opened the account, how much I deposited and balances right before the interview. They don't just focus on how much you earn but also how much you keep. Good luck to both of you..

[teg 6]

Thank you for your input. I have contacted my congressmen and I have e-mailed the consult and have asked them about non-taxable income for 2011 because that would put me over the poverty guidelines. I am waiting for a reply. I keep trying to think of things that would help, but I am running out of ideas and the consulate doesn't define what they will or will not take as evidence.

[hamigirl710 112]

Thank you for your input. I have contacted my congressmen and I have e-mailed the consult and have asked them about non-taxable income for 2011 because that would put me over the poverty guidelines. I am waiting for a reply. I keep trying to think of things that would help, but I am running out of ideas and the consulate doesn't define what they will or will not take as evidence.

Please let us know what they tell you as it will help many of us still waiting. Best of luck to you and inshallah you find an answer.

[teg 6]

Today I received an email from my congressman wanting me to sign a release of information from the consulate. I hope this gets things settled before Christmas because I would really like to celebrate a Christmas with my husband after missing two already.