Co Sponsor and Letter of Employment

[Matmat 8]

Hi everyone,

Today my fiancee and I had good news: we received the NOA2, a bit earlier than expected!

We are starting to gather the pieces that will be needed for the next steps.

I have some concerns about the Affidavit of Support: my fiancée does not meet the requirements of income based on her most recent Tax Return, so we will have to use a co-sponsor.

First, I read some threads about K1's denied because the co-sponsor wasn't accepted, even though they met all the requirements. Apparently the CO's aren't obliged to accept a co-sponsor because the I-134 isn't legally binding. This worries me. How do we make sure that the co-sponsor will be approved?

Should we use a I-864 (apparently, legally binding) instead or along with the I-134? Or, are there other details that matter for the approval of a co-sponsor?

My second question is about current employment of the co-sponsor: most of our friends are freelancers, work multiple non-steady, non-full-time jobs. Several friends could easily meet the requirements with their recent Tax Returns (well above 125% of Poverty Guidelines), but I am not sure they can provide regular "employee" pay stubs or letters of employment, or a least not stating a yearly fixed income or contract. Is that a problem?

Do we absolutely need to find someone with a steady fixed-income job?

Thanks a lot,

-Mat

[BaBamSam 239]

Hey Mat! France seems to accept co-sponsors regularly, but have a read through the embassy reviews to get a better sense of that.

Self-employment is a fine option if the tax returns demonstrate income above the threshold. You have to use an I-134 for the K-1. Usually family of the USC looks stronger than friends.

[rm love dc 10]

Congratulations! i

[Matmat 8]

Hey Mat! France seems to accept co-sponsors regularly, but have a read through the embassy reviews to get a better sense of that.

Self-employment is a fine option if the tax returns demonstrate income above the threshold. You have to use an I-134 for the K-1. Usually family of the USC looks stronger than friends.

Thanks a lot!

I will look into the embassy reviews. I really don't want to risk anything at this point!

So, for self-employment, you would just skip the pay stubs and letter of employment? Only submit tax returns along with the affidavit?

I am afraid that family isn't really an option on this one. Let's just say my fiancee's parents would have a hard time understanding...

[BaBamSam 239]

Thanks a lot!

I will look into the embassy reviews. I really don't want to risk anything at this point!

So, for self-employment, you would just skip the pay stubs and letter of employment? Only submit tax returns along with the affidavit?

I am afraid that family isn't really an option on this one. Let's just say my fiancee's parents would have a hard time understanding...

You don't have to justify any reason for the family, just wanted to point out that it looks stronger.

I'm a freelancer and I'm going to submit tax returns, an affidavit, and pay stubs from recent gigs. I'm having a co-sponsor additionally with a steady income. This is all secondary to my fiance self-sponsoring, but that's an option only allowed at London.

[Matmat 8]

You don't have to justify any reason for the family, just wanted to point out that it looks stronger.

I'm a freelancer and I'm going to submit tax returns, an affidavit, and pay stubs from recent gigs. I'm having a co-sponsor additionally with a steady income. This is all secondary to my fiance self-sponsoring, but that's an option only allowed at London.

I see... Good plan! Good luck to you!

Maybe I should look into having 2 co-sponsors, to be safe?

[Matmat 8]

Does anyone else have more ideas / experience on this?

Thanks!

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Does anyone else have more ideas / experience on this?

Thanks!

For the self-employed, they go by line 22 of the most recent 1040. They do not have an employer to get a letter of employment from, nor pay stubs. They should include a complete copy of their tax return with all forms, schedules and 1099s. They can provide the last 3 years worth of taxes if they think it would help establish their stable, ongoing income as to prove to the CO that the beneficiary will not become a public charge.

[QueenOfBlades 224]

Congrats! I'm using a co-sponsor as well. You mentioned self-sponsor at London, how much do you usually need to self-sponsor?