Affidavit of Support - This year's tax return is under, but current income is over

[muffin17 7]

Hi,

I'm a graduate student and since most of my income was scholarship last year, my tax return for this year is under 125% of the poverty level. However, my current income is above the poverty level (crude calculation by multiplying my income after taxes by 12). Will this be sufficient for the affidavit of support? I realize it would be best to have a co-sponsor, but I'd still like to know. Thanks!

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

The income requirement is gross income, before taxes. You can multiply your hourly rate by hours worked a week and then multiply the weekly amount by 52 weeks. That will give you your current annual income amount. List that and provide letter from employer and/or recent pay stubs. You can include a statement that you were a graduate student last year, but now have a job that meets the income requirement. The CO can be understanding about recent graduates beginning their careers. If they don't accept it, then have a co-sponsor on the back-burner just in case.

[baron555 934]

Hi,

I'm a graduate student and since most of my income was scholarship last year, my tax return for this year is under 125% of the poverty level. However, my current income is above the poverty level (crude calculation by multiplying my income after taxes by 12). Will this be sufficient for the affidavit of support?

Yes, current income is key. All former students have this issue and USCIS and the Embassy understands that.

I realize it would be best to have a co-sponsor, but I'd still like to know. Thanks!

Not if your current income is sufficient.

[muffin17 7]

Thanks! I was worried about it, but you've helped put me at ease.