Poverty Guidelines, Gross or Adjusted Income?

[Dogwood_Poet 16]

Sorry if this question has been answered elsewhere, but are the poverty guidelines based on your gross income or adjusted gross you report on your taxes?

I gross over the 125% mark by a few thousand, but part of my income is from self-employment, so after my business deductions I am under the 125% line. My gross income has been steady over the past several years, so will that make a difference as well? I have letters from my employer and from the main company I contract with verifying my current income as well

I had a joint-sponsor, but his friends have talked him out of it, saying he is risking everything he owns for the next 10 years, so I am going to have to go it alone.

Thanks for everyones advice, these boards have been a great help!

[riblet 0]

I looked into this and couldn't find the answer... but it seems to me that it would have to be based on gross income. But if you are that close I would try to keep looking for a joint sponsor just in case.

Good luck!

[Dogwood_Poet 16]

Thanks, I am negotiating a raise that would bring my salaried job over the line, plus I have copies of check stubs from the past several years to verify my income, so I will just have to rely on those.

My former sponsor's friends have told him he is at risk for ANYTHING my wife does, not just any government support payments. I do not read the guidelines for joint sponsorship that way. But he thinks if we default on a debt or get sued he is responsible for those as well. And he is looking at the 10-year clause, not the fact that Kathlene can become a citizen in three years.

I agree that I think they are counting gross income, I just was getting a joint sponsor to hedge my bets, so to speak, so I guess I will just go it alone and hope my proof of steady employment and slowly rising income will make the cut.

And if I get the raise before her interview, I will send proof of that as well.

As for another joint sponsor, I do not see that happening without causing a MAJOR family rift. So we will proceed on our own for now.

[Dogwood_Poet 16]

If I send copies of paychecks, letters from my employer and major contractor I do most of my independent work with, W-2s and 1099s showing gross over the 125% line for the past several years, should I be OK?

I have close to a five year history with both my employer and the company I do most of my contract work with, so they should be able to see I am gainfully employed and my income is rising from year to year.

Also, what I am most worried about, if they do not approve Kathlene's visa due to my income, do I have another chance to get approved or do we have to start back at square one?

I know we probably will not have a problem, but I guess I am nervous about making sure we do everything right!

(Sorry to be such a worry wart!)

[Niels Bohr 72]

You will be okay. You can also write a small letter and give it to the Consul explaining your situation as well, and make the interviewer aware that your wife will be okay for the next three or whatever years. Also, explain that she's capable of handling a job if she's given a position.

Somebody here wrote a letter to the Consul because he doesn't have the income required to support his wife. His wife got approved for the K-3 Visa.

[riblet 0]

I was thinking about it, and since the Poverty Guidelines are what we are told is enough, how can they say no based on you making more than that minimum? So I think you will be okay.

Also, don't worry, you won't be back at square one if they find you don't make enough - you would be able to try to work something out without starting over. I believe that the NVC would let you know if there is a problem with the I864, so at least that is sooner rather than later.

Good luck!