I-134 Freelancer Question

[TheAndies 50]

Hi everyone!

We literally just found out my fiance's interview date (he's currently with me here in NY and is heading back to London on Saturday). I wanted to send him home with the i-134 and corresponding documents but I have a few questions that I haven't been able to find answers to.

I've built a career over the past decade as a freelancer. I'm currently a freelancer at a major corporation on a permanent basis making well over the 125% poverty guidelines, but started the first week of August 2014. I have all my pay stubs up to this week (and will forward the remaining to my fiance up to his interview date, as I receive them weekly via email - so he can print them out for more proof). I've asked for a letter of employment and was wondering if my job title + "permanent freelancer" is going to be an issue with the paperwork? I work full time hours and get paid weekly, and again it's a permanent freelance position. Also, does my employment letter have to be the original or can it be a copy?

Also, will 26 or so pay stubs be enough to prove my employment?

I just want to make sure everything is covered. My fiance will also be bringing proof of his own financial information, as he has a very healthy savings account which could more than likely be used to show self support. Adding this point as I wanted to make sure all the facts are covered.

Thank you so much. I don't think we would have been able to do this without all your guidance and help!

[CowBoE 429]

Hi everyone!

We literally just found out my fiance's interview date (he's currently with me here in NY and is heading back to London on Saturday). I wanted to send him home with the i-134 and corresponding documents but I have a few questions that I haven't been able to find answers to.

I've built a career over the past decade as a freelancer. I'm currently a freelancer at a major corporation on a permanent basis making well over the 125% poverty guidelines, but started the first week of August 2014. I have all my pay stubs up to this week (and will forward the remaining to my fiance up to his interview date, as I receive them weekly via email - so he can print them out for more proof). I've asked for a letter of employment and was wondering if my job title + "permanent freelancer" is going to be an issue with the paperwork? I work full time hours and get paid weekly, and again it's a permanent freelance position. Also, does my employment letter have to be the original or can it be a copy?

Also, will 26 or so pay stubs be enough to prove my employment?

I just want to make sure everything is covered. My fiance will also be bringing proof of his own financial information, as he has a very healthy savings account which could more than likely be used to show self support. Adding this point as I wanted to make sure all the facts are covered.

Thank you so much. I don't think we would have been able to do this without all your guidance and help!

I'm not sure HR will put "permanent employee" or "permanent freelancer".

Employees are hired and let go easily based on individual and company performance.

In our company, their stand employment verification letter doesn't use the word "permanent".

It says something to the effect of...

"xxx (employee) has worked full-time for yyy (company) since MM/DD/YYY as a zzz (position),

and he/she is in good standing.

HIs/her's current annual salary is $xxx,xxx"

I think any (recent) letter from the employer that contains...

1) your pay

2) your employment duration

3) your good standing with the company

on a company letterhead and signed by HR (or equivalent) should be good.

I also included 6 months of paystubs, and equivalent amount of bank statements

to show the current asset amount and the historical pay and other deposits.

When you get the employment verification letter, I would send in the original,

but keep a copy of it.

Edited January 22, 2015 by DualityOneness

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I think what you have is probably good enough for London, however It sounds like you are self-employed. I just wanted to point out that the I-134 instructions say

C. If self-employed:

1. Copy of last income tax return filed; or

2. Report of commercial rating concern.

Maybe it's just me but I find "permanent freelancer" puzzling. Full time contactor maybe? Maybe I have just read too many IRS publications on contractor vs employee, and self-employed in general. Then again, maybe that is hip NY lingo and I am talking like a boring IRS agent.

And to your other question-- anything signed is best an original whether it be from you, a doctor, an employer, etc

[TheAndies 50]

Thanks to the both of you for the advice and your help! I know the permanent freelancer term can be confusing, the word "permalancer" is also used a lot. I'm treated like a full time employee, just lacking the corporate benefits package and my contract is open ended, which is where the "permanent" comes into play. I also have the "work from home" benefit with most positions I've had - which is super helpful with a fiance on the other side of the Atlantic. Anyway, I'm going to meet with my accountant and speak to him about tax returns and all that fun stuff.

Just out of curiosity, if my fiance were to present his savings account bank statement along with the i-134 at the interview would that count for anything? How substantial would that bank account have to be to come into play (if it would come into play at all)?

Thanks again!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I know of beneficiaries who reported around $40k (in USD) that were approved to sponsor themselves with no 1-134. Boiler thinks way less would do it, but those people did so in maybe 2007. There is no published amount.

Another US girl last year had a fiancé who had $8,000 cash and continuing income from phone apps that continue to sell. He was approved.

If you have just one thing that says you are over the poverty level, that is enough for London. More does not get you more approved. You said you were well over. A letter from the business saying you are a full time contractor for them and earn $x Per week or month should be good enough. Does your last (2013) tax return also show over the limit on Line 22 of the 1040. Take that as backup. Pay stubs as 3rd backup, but they will be happy with only the letter I think. London is easier than what the K1 forums talk about. They get your head thinking the interview is going to be hard. Some consulates are.

[TheAndies 50]

Thank you so much for all your information. I think I'm just working myself into a tizzy over this thing. I don't want to be denied because I didn't have all our financial (or my financial) bases covered, you know what I mean? I'm (hopefully) getting my employment letter today, will send him all of my paystubs and will try to dig up my 2013 tax returns or get copies from my accountant. I'm also going to have my fiance bring his bank statements to show his savings as well. Just to make sure we're completely covered.

Thanks again for all your help!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thank you so much for all your information. I think I'm just working myself into a tizzy over this thing. I don't want to be denied because I didn't have all our financial (or my financial) bases covered, you know what I mean? I'm (hopefully) getting my employment letter today, will send him all of my paystubs and will try to dig up my 2013 tax returns or get copies from my accountant. I'm also going to have my fiance bring his bank statements to show his savings as well. Just to make sure we're completely covered.

Thanks again for all your help!

I know what you mean. I was the same way, but there wasn't much London experience posted in the UK FORUM when my fiance went through. I provided the kitchen sink of income proofs because of all the talk in the K1 forums by other inexperienced persons...3 tax returns, two letters of income, pay stubs, multiple financial accounts, stocks, investments.

I was at the interview and the document collecting lady looked at the pile of proofs and took out one of the income letters which was over the poverty level and handed the rest back. The actual interviewing guy only saw a tiny fraction of my money. He never even discussed the I-134 or income. He asked a few simple questions like how did we meet and approved.

Since that time, I have read a gazzilion London interview experiences.

They have approved on 100%

They are happy with one proof and love employer letters.

They don't need an I-134 from the fiancé if she has no income. One from another sponsor will do.

They allow the beneficiary to sponsor himself.

They don't require a tax return (or three) if there is other proof.

They have allowed a scanned I-134 from someone who begged.

Over and over they show a lot of flexibility so you really don't need to fear them so much.

[TheAndies 50]

I know what you mean. I was the same way, but there wasn't much London experience posted in the UK FORUM when my fiance went through. I provided the kitchen sink of income proofs because of all the talk in the K1 forums by other inexperienced persons...3 tax returns, two letters of income, pay stubs, multiple financial accounts, stocks, investments.

I was at the interview and the document collecting lady looked at the pile of proofs and took out one of the income letters which was over the poverty level and handed the rest back. The actual interviewing guy only saw a tiny fraction of my money. He never even discussed the I-134 or income. He asked a few simple questions like how did we meet and approved.

Since that time, I have read a gazzilion London interview experiences.

They have approved on 100%

They are happy with one proof and love employer letters.

They don't need an I-134 from the fiancé if she has no income. One from another sponsor will do.

They allow the beneficiary to sponsor himself.

They don't require a tax return (or three) if there is other proof.

They have allowed a scanned I-134 from someone who begged.

Over and over they show a lot of flexibility so you really don't need to fear them so much.

You're amazing. Thank you for your help. I got my employment letter yesterday and printed out all my pay stubs. I still have to find my tax returns but I'm sending my fiancé home today (boo) with everything. Will keep everyone posted with how it works out in a few weeks. Though I'm sure I'll have another question or two before the interview. Maybe

Thanks again!