AOS Help - CO Might ask for Joint Sponsor - Moscow Consulate

[rainina 1]

Hi guys I received another Checklist today. Reading the text of the Checklist it appears that they are giving us a choice/suggestion to have a joint sponsor. The first page of this checklist is standard language.

******************************************************************************************************************************************************************

We have reviewed the documents which you submitted in support of an application for an immigrant

visa. Please review the information listed under each applicant's name and provide any documents

which are indicated as missing or need additional information. You must submit the required

information. Failure to provide the requested information will delay your immigrant visa interview.

******************************************************************************************************************************************************************

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

______F - FINANCIAL EVIDENCE:______________________________________

The NVC has received the information you have submitted in reference to

the Affidavit of Support. Please be advised that the Affidavit of Support

information you have provided does not appear to meet the minimum

income requirement according to the current poverty guidelines to sponsor

the intending immigrant(s) for this petition. The consular officer will make

a decision regarding this requirement at the time of your interview. In

order to avoid delays, you may wish to submit an additional Affidavit of

Support (Form I-864) for a/another Joint Sponsor to the National Visa

Center to assist in sponsoring the intending immigrants. To view the

current poverty guidelines, visit

http://www.uscis.gov...form/I-864P.pdf.

If you decide to use a Joint Sponsor to assist in sponsoring the intending

immigrants, please note that you the sponsor may not use Form I-864EZ

and will also need to submit Form I-864.

******************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Here is our situation. I work as a self employed private contractor. 2012 Tax return shows 11000 as an income. Household size is 3. I, Wife & Son. I filled out Asset portion of the I-864 and showed 6 figures in Stocks Holdings (stock brokerage statement sent to NVC). This is quiet sufficient considering the 5 times the difference requirement. Yet NVC is suggesting that its up to the Consular Officer if he/she accepts it. I do not have any blood relative in US. I would rather avoid having a CO/Joint Sponsor. Do you guys think we should take a chance and let the Consular officer decide during the interview? Or have a friend do a joint/CO Sponsorhip?

What is your experience with COs at the Moscow consulate are they lenient and considerate enough to look at my stock holdings that exceed the requirements?

I plan to discuss all this with lawyers soon. Meanwhile your insight is appreciated.

Thanks a bunch.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hi guys I received another Checklist today. Reading the text of the Checklist it appears that they are giving us a choice/suggestion to have a joint sponsor. The first page of this checklist is standard language.

******************************************************************************************************************************************************************

We have reviewed the documents which you submitted in support of an application for an immigrant

visa. Please review the information listed under each applicant's name and provide any documents

which are indicated as missing or need additional information. You must submit the required

information. Failure to provide the requested information will delay your immigrant visa interview.

******************************************************************************************************************************************************************

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

______F - FINANCIAL EVIDENCE:______________________________________

The NVC has received the information you have submitted in reference to

the Affidavit of Support. Please be advised that the Affidavit of Support

information you have provided does not appear to meet the minimum

income requirement according to the current poverty guidelines to sponsor

the intending immigrant(s) for this petition. The consular officer will make

a decision regarding this requirement at the time of your interview. In

order to avoid delays, you may wish to submit an additional Affidavit of

Support (Form I-864) for a/another Joint Sponsor to the National Visa

Center to assist in sponsoring the intending immigrants. To view the

current poverty guidelines, visit

http://www.uscis.gov...form/I-864P.pdf.

If you decide to use a Joint Sponsor to assist in sponsoring the intending

immigrants, please note that you the sponsor may not use Form I-864EZ

and will also need to submit Form I-864.

******************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Here is our situation. I work as a self employed private contractor. 2012 Tax return shows 11000 as an income. Household size is 3. I, Wife & Son. I filled out Asset portion of the I-864 and showed 6 figures in Stocks Holdings (stock brokerage statement sent to NVC). This is quiet sufficient considering the 5 times the difference requirement. Yet NVC is suggesting that its up to the Consular Officer if he/she accepts it. I do not have any blood relative in US. I would rather avoid having a CO/Joint Sponsor. Do you guys think we should take a chance and let the Consular officer decide during the interview? Or have a friend do a joint/CO Sponsorhip?

What is your experience with COs at the Moscow consulate are they lenient and considerate enough to look at my stock holdings that exceed the requirements?

I plan to discuss all this with lawyers soon. Meanwhile your insight is appreciated.

Thanks a bunch.

There is NO suggestion. It is ALWAYS "up to" the consular officer to issue the visa or not and to accept assets or not. There is no guarantee they will accept your assets, they do not have to.

I DO NOT recommend taking chances. The "guidleines" are just that, they are not GOALlines" While Moscow has not been a difficult consulate in this regard and your assets seem well documented, if they decide to deny the visa, you start all over and that sucks. You are taking chances with someone that does not know you and spends a total of 4.6 seconds reviewing your submission before making a decision. Their decision means you get a visa...or months of hassle. Do YOU want to chance that?

Joint sponsors do not need to be "blood relatives" ANY US citizen or Permanent Resident can be a joint sponsor (be sure to attach proof of US citizenship or Residency)

Jojnt sponsors have no obligation under an I-864 UNLESS your spouse becaomes a public charge and YOU do not reimburse the government IF they try to collect from you. Their risk is miniscule.

The drawback of being self employed and legitmately deducting allowed expenses and costs from your income is that it reduces your personal income. That was your reasoning, remember? But when you need that personal income you "deducted it" to save on tax payments. This is a common problem for self employed people. Some have suggested NOT claiming legitimate deductions and raising income (and taxes), paying the additional taxes to show more income. I would consider that bordering the realm of "retarded". Better to claim all legitimate deductions, pay as little tax as possible and get a joint sponsor.

Good luck

[rainina 1]

There is NO suggestion. It is ALWAYS "up to" the consular officer to issue the visa or not and to accept assets or not. There is no guarantee they will accept your assets, they do not have to.

I DO NOT recommend taking chances. The "guidleines" are just that, they are not GOALlines" While Moscow has not been a difficult consulate in this regard and your assets seem well documented, if they decide to deny the visa, you start all over and that sucks. You are taking chances with someone that does not know you and spends a total of 4.6 seconds reviewing your submission before making a decision. Their decision means you get a visa...or months of hassle. Do YOU want to chance that?

Joint sponsors do not need to be "blood relatives" ANY US citizen or Permanent Resident can be a joint sponsor (be sure to attach proof of US citizenship or Residency)

Jojnt sponsors have no obligation under an I-864 UNLESS your spouse becaomes a public charge and YOU do not reimburse the government IF they try to collect from you. Their risk is miniscule.

The drawback of being self employed and legitmately deducting allowed expenses and costs from your income is that it reduces your personal income. That was your reasoning, remember? But when you need that personal income you "deducted it" to save on tax payments. This is a common problem for self employed people. Some have suggested NOT claiming legitimate deductions and raising income (and taxes), paying the additional taxes to show more income. I would consider that bordering the realm of "retarded". Better to claim all legitimate deductions, pay as little tax as possible and get a joint sponsor.

Good luck

Thanks a lot for a well elaborated reply. You said 'starting all over'.

If I am not mistaken CO can issue a 221-G and asking for a CO/Joint Sponsor. This should not be considered starting all over right? even though it will cause delays.