Meeting poverty guideline and still asked for another co-sponsor

[why not1 5]

Today my husband had his Interview. It went well, all the questions were just verifying questions. They did want more proof of relationship, since it was a long time between the RFE and Interview. But they told my husband we needed another co-sponsor. Because me and my mother combined income was not enough. Our income was over by, $2,400. Has anyone else had this issue before. Were not denied they just want info to continue the processing. But if they made a mistake I don't want to burden anyone else with being a co-sponsor. Should I contact them or contact my senator and see if they made a mistake.

Edited November 21, 2012 by why not1

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Yes, I've read that this is happening more frequently at the American Embassy in Cairo recently.

Whether you actually meet the requirement doesn't seem to be what they're actually after. Don't wait to get this paperwork! I've read this happening before on here and in pm's from others where they get the visa approval, but then they say you don't meet the requirements in the sponsorship paperwork or affidavit of support and you're asked to get them additional paperwork. It's just another hoop to jump through. Then the couple waits, confused, or tries to argue they do meet the requirement only to find out 8 months later their paperwork was sent back to the States because the Embassy never received the required paperwork they asked for. Basically your visa gets cancelled and you're advised to send in a certified letter to cancel your prior paperwork so you can restart the application process all over again.

Email the Embassy everyday saying you're working on getting the additional cosponsor or joint sponsor paperwork and have an estimated time when that will be done. Otherwise, if they don't hear from you soon after telling you they require something else from you then you fall into the trap.

Edited November 21, 2012 by Dr. A ♥ O

[together4evr 360]

Congrats on your approval!!

Please update your timeline.

Also, as the post above.... get another sponsor instead of fighting their decision. Or if you have savings account you can send them in email. That may help

Good Luck

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

I have heard of it more and more too. The rule is that they cannot approve if you are under the poverty line, but above they can use their discretion. Often, when a co-sponsor or assets are used, they want you to be comfortably over.

[Cathi 5,748]

you cannot combine incomes with a co-sponsor. the co sponsor must meet the income requirements by herself.

[UmBrighton 2]

I imagine she is using a her Mom as a household sponsor

Sorry to hear about the additional wait to find a co-sponsor. But, it sounds like everything else went well for you! Hopefully you can find someone to be a joint sponsor so you can get the case movin' and approved soon!

They're probably asking for one since the combined income is so close to the minimum (like Penguin said). My hubby's interview is on Sunday...and out of everything...the thing that makes me worry the most, is the AOS!

Good luck and best wishes for a quick and speedy finish! And Happy Thanksgiving!

[why not1 5]

you cannot combine incomes with a co-sponsor. the co sponsor must meet the income requirements by herself.

When you live in the same household you can do a special sponsorship. They asked for another sponsor, besides.

[why not1 5]

Yes, I've read that this is happening more frequently at the American Embassy in Cairo recently.

Whether you actually meet the requirement doesn't seem to be what they're actually after. Don't wait to get this paperwork! I've read this happening before on here and in pm's from others where they get the visa approval, but then they say you don't meet the requirements in the sponsorship paperwork or affidavit of support and you're asked to get them additional paperwork. It's just another hoop to jump through. Then the couple waits, confused, or tries to argue they do meet the requirement only to find out 8 months later their paperwork was sent back to the States because the Embassy never received the required paperwork they asked for. Basically your visa gets cancelled and you're advised to send in a certified letter to cancel your prior paperwork so you can restart the application process all over again.

Email the Embassy everyday saying you're working on getting the additional cosponsor or joint sponsor paperwork and have an estimated time when that will be done. Otherwise, if they don't hear from you soon after telling you they require something else from you then you fall into the trap.

I had wondered about that. Because I know every Embassy does there own thing. Getting another sponsor is not an issue. And it is a matter of getting around this holiday and sending in the paperwork. So it will not take long. Thanks for your response.

[why not1 5]

I imagine she is using a her Mom as a household sponsor

Sorry to hear about the additional wait to find a co-sponsor. But, it sounds like everything else went well for you! Hopefully you can find someone to be a joint sponsor so you can get the case movin' and approved soon!

They're probably asking for one since the combined income is so close to the minimum (like Penguin said). My hubby's interview is on Sunday...and out of everything...the thing that makes me worry the most, is the AOS!

Good luck and best wishes for a quick and speedy finish! And Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving and wishing you luck on the upcoming interview. The man that interviewed my husband said just get the co-sponsor paper signed with the 2011 income tax return, that is all. So he pretty much told him that we did not need much, just a little something extra.

I have heard of it more and more too. The rule is that they cannot approve if you are under the poverty line, but above they can use their discretion. Often, when a co-sponsor or assets are used, they want you to be comfortably over.

Then this will be like an extra assurance. I think with the economy the way it is... be over with a backup plan is just smart...

[zahrasalem 114]

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving and wishing you luck on the upcoming interview. The man that interviewed my husband said just get the co-sponsor paper signed with the 2011 income tax return, that is all. So he pretty much told him that we did not need much, just a little something extra.

Then this will be like an extra assurance. I think with the economy the way it is... be over with a backup plan is just smart...

I was well over the poverty line on my own, but I still got a family co-sponsor anyway (who was 10 times above the poverty line) and submitted it with mine, just in case, as you never know with USCIS and I didn't want to give them a chance to give me an RFE for it.

At the interview, the CO never mentioned if we did or didn't need our co-sponsor, so I don't really know if they used it in our case.

Edited November 22, 2012 by zahrasalem

[Louza 10]

Today my husband had his Interview. It went well, all the questions were just verifying questions. They did want more proof of relationship, since it was a long time between the RFE and Interview. But they told my husband we needed another co-sponsor. Because me and my mother combined income was not enough. Our income was over by, $2,400. Has anyone else had this issue before. Were not denied they just want info to continue the processing. But if they made a mistake I don't want to burden anyone else with being a co-sponsor. Should I contact them or contact my senator and see if they made a mistake.

Had the same scenario happening with me at the US Embassy in Cairo & despite the income being above the poverty line the CO told me I would need a co-sponsor. My husband managed to find one & the embassy received the paperwork 5 days after my interview. My interview was October 31st & I still didn't get my passport back & every time we call the DOS they tell my husband, "the case is pending AP". The only additional info the visa specialist willingly gave my husband was as long as 2 weeks have passed & the embassy didn't ask for additional documents from him (the petitioner) or the co-sponsor we should take that as a good sign. And as others here have said find a co-sponsor & send out the documents to them asap because they seem to take their sweet time. Also if you want to follow up with the embassy don't bother, I find that their responses to emails are so vague & frustrating & useless! Call the DOS directly for updates.

Good luck to you

[kristen_maroc 126]

I was well over the poverty line on my own, but I still got a family co-sponsor anyway (who was 10 times above the poverty line) and submitted it with mine, just in case, as you never know with USCIS and I didn't want to give them a chance to give me an RFE for it.

At the interview, the CO never mentioned if we did or didn't need our co-sponsor, so I don't really know if they used it in our case.

We did this too-- and we were just AT the limit for the interview. We had a co-sponsor lined up, but they never asked us for the document, so we didn't end up even using it or showing them the documents (or telling them we had them).

It seems so arbitrary sometimes-- sorry you are going through this!