Affd. of Support Evidence - Benefit information?

[meauxna 15]

Here's an interesting inteview report, concerning finances. Note the Consular post.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=44244&hl=

Finally O just gave her everything and she picked through it and tossed back the rest in a messy pile. She took the evidence of relationship photos, the I-134s, the DS-156, DS-156k, DS-230 part II, passport photos, birth cert, and police cert. She didn't accept the letter from my employer, my statement about finances, the extra stuff attached to the I-134 for me and for co-sponsor. (Which pissed me off because I carefully put it together to paint a better picture of the financial situation than just my tax return from last year shows!) She also gave him a DS-157 to fill out, but we had already filled it out, which was good, so O noticed that and turned it in.

...they will be able to issue the visa by Friday, they say

[Bruce n Jen 0]

Here's an interesting inteview report, concerning finances. Note the Consular post.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=44244&hl=

Finally O just gave her everything and she picked through it and tossed back the rest in a messy pile. She took the evidence of relationship photos, the I-134s, the DS-156, DS-156k, DS-230 part II, passport photos, birth cert, and police cert. She didn't accept the letter from my employer, my statement about finances, the extra stuff attached to the I-134 for me and for co-sponsor. (Which pissed me off because I carefully put it together to paint a better picture of the financial situation than just my tax return from last year shows!) She also gave him a DS-157 to fill out, but we had already filled it out, which was good, so O noticed that and turned it in.

...they will be able to issue the visa by Friday, they say

Sorry, but I have to laugh at that - we worry and go through so much to make it just right. That's why I've been persistent on this issue.

Not if you have personal accident insurance.

Cass (bebop the great)

AND you lose 2 weeks pay.

Cass, you can certainly do as you wish on this issue - but I would not put all your hopes on this insurance issue. It has no cash value, it's not something you'd put on a bank loan etc. It is not an asset. I think you're fishing. Good luck!

[CutienPurg 0]

Say you make $2000 per month. You're out of work 2 weeks, so you only get paid $1000. How ya gonna make up the missing $1000? Duh? Forget the bills, where ya going to get the missing $1000? Sheesh, this is simple math.

So you've made the point on why NOT to get sick or have an accident but you keep missing the point as to how you'll pay for it if you DO!!!!

[Jersey Girl 2]

Cass, why ARE you fishing? Isn't it better to find a co-sponsor? Has your case been transerred yet to Vancouver? There may be Consulate reviews that could help.

(If I were fishing, I'd mention jewelery or a valuable stamp collection. These are tangible assets that can easily be turned into cash.)

[CutienPurg 0]

I dont think at any point Cass indicated her income alone wouldn't suffice (unless I missed something). I think she is simply trying to build a more solid foundation. She seems to me to be a thinker and in that tries to prepare for the unexpected.

Now , that being said and since we have this can of worms open for debate, can we consider this from the DoS page....

General Information & Frequently Asked Questions Affidavit of Support (Form I-864)

Can free housing be counted as income?

Yes. Sponsors who receive housing and other benefits in place of salary may count those benefits as income. The sponsor may count income that is not subject to taxation (such as housing allowance), as well as taxable income. The sponsor would have to prove the nature and amount of any income that is not included as wages or salary or other taxable income. Evidence of such income can be shown through notations on the W-2 Form (such as Box 13 for military allowances), Form 1099 or other documents that show the claimed income.

[Augustajim 0]

Guess this posses another question for me? What if finances are not an isuue? Say you make in excess of $70,000 a year, do you still have to go to all of the problems of locating, stock options, life insurance, 401K, roths, IRA.s, Home, property, saving, you get the point. Is there a cut off where you can sheesh I make enough money?

Jim

[meauxna 15]

Guess this posses another question for me? What if finances are not an isuue? Say you make in excess of $70,000 a year, do you still have to go to all of the problems of locating, stock options, life insurance, 401K, roths, IRA.s, Home, property, saving, you get the point. Is there a cut off where you can sheesh I make enough money?

Jim

If your salary is sufficient, you are not required to detail asset information.

[rebeccajo 14]

Can free housing be counted as income?

Yes. Sponsors who receive housing and other benefits in place of salary may count those benefits as income. The sponsor may count income that is not subject to taxation (such as housing allowance), as well as taxable income. The sponsor would have to prove the nature and amount of any income that is not included as wages or salary or other taxable income. Evidence of such income can be shown through notations on the W-2 Form (such as Box 13 for military allowances), Form 1099 or other documents that show the claimed income.

The key wording is 'in place of salary'. Such as being given a free apartment when you manage an apartment building, or a parsonage to live in when you are a preacher. In these types of arrangements the salary is usally relative to the arrangement - free place to live in exchange for low earnings.

Traditionally, benefits are something in addition to salary. Not in place of it.

Edited December 2, 2006 by rebeccajo

[CutienPurg 0]

Can free housing be counted as income?

Yes. Sponsors who receive housing and other benefits in place of salary may count those benefits as income. The sponsor may count income that is not subject to taxation (such as housing allowance), as well as taxable income. The sponsor would have to prove the nature and amount of any income that is not included as wages or salary or other taxable income. Evidence of such income can be shown through notations on the W-2 Form (such as Box 13 for military allowances), Form 1099 or other documents that show the claimed income.

The key wording is 'in place of salary'. Such as being given a free apartment when you manage an apartment building, or a parsonage to live in when you are a preacher. In these types of arrangements the salary is usally relative to the arrangement - free place to live in exchange for low earnings.

Traditionally, benefits are something in addition to salary. Not in place of it.

I understand the housing in place of salary concept. What isn't clear to me is what is meant by other benefits.

An employee's benefit statement will show the dollar amount assigned to each benefit.

In your opinion what items would fall under the heading of "and other benefits in place of salary" from the sentence "Sponsors who receive housing and other benefits in place of salary may count those benefits as income."?

[meauxna 15]

In your opinion what items would fall under the heading of "and other benefits in place of salary" from the sentence "Sponsors who receive housing and other benefits in place of salary may count those benefits as income."?

I don't know what other kinds of things employers would offer in lieu of salary, but if someone were being compensated that way, they'd probably know.

I think the key phrase in there is "in place of salary".

[Augustajim 0]

So what is the Salary cutoff where you can stop filling out that form? It seems it wants all of that information.

Jim

[meauxna 15]

So what is the Salary cutoff where you can stop filling out that form? It seems it wants all of that information

Ah, for the I-134?

I'll defer to someone who has completed that one (I skipped straight to the I-864). I'm sure you don't need to include asset info if your salary is sufficient.

Remember that the I-134 (and many other forms you'll encounter) are for purposes other than just 'finace', so some of the questions seem a bit odd for what you are doing.

[rebeccajo 14]

So what is the Salary cutoff where you can stop filling out that form? It seems it wants all of that information.

Jim

For your particular situation, read up on the Chinese consulate.

The typical requirement is that you meet the poverty level.

[meauxna 15]

The typical requirement is that you meet the poverty level.

r-jo, I think he wants to know, how do you avoid filling the asset info in on the I-134 forum itself. He meets the income & doesn't want to include asset info.

[rebeccajo 14]

The typical requirement is that you meet the poverty level.

r-jo, I think he wants to know, how do you avoid filling the asset info in on the I-134 forum itself. He meets the income & doesn't want to include asset info.

Oh, ok. my bad.

That might be consulate subjective.

If you make enough money, my take on 'other assets' would be just fill in the approximate truth. Unless your consulate is tough to get through - then you might want to attach some bank statements or a bank letter. You could do the same for Keogh's, IRA's, pensions, etc.

As far as real estate goes, I had an appraisal of my home to attach to the application but that was only because I'd recently refinanced. If you don't have one, and you want to put a value down for your home, attach the declaration page from your homeowners policy and use the value the home is insured for. If you have a mortgage, attach your most recent statement. Do the simple math and enter the equity on the I-134.

I didn't bother with cars and other personal property. I don't think there's even a line for that anyway....

Edited December 3, 2006 by rebeccajo