K-1 Interview Documents from US Citizen

[andrewscos 0]

My fiancee and I both live and work in the Russian Federation. Much of this process seems The Moscow embassy website (https://moscow.usembassy.gov/iv-fiancee.html) is not very detailed about the documents necessary from the US citizen for the interview, but they state that she must bring to the interview:

Financial documents from a US citizen petitioner:

• Copy of original, signed tax returns for the last year (both W-2 and 1040). If copies of tax returns are unavailable, provide transcripts from the IRS.
• Form I-134 (Affidavit of Support)
• Bank statements
• Employment letter

So, if I break each of these down...

1. Copy of original, signed tax returns for the last year (both W-2 and 1040). If copies of tax returns are unavailable, provide transcripts from the IRS.

As I work in Russia for a Russian company, I did not receive a W-2. Do they just want the Russian equivalent? If I use transcripts, there are two types from the IRS (account and return, if I remember correctly). Which do they want?

2. Form I-134 (Affidavit of Support)

My Russian salary is well below the poverty line back home, so I will have a family member act as sponsor. Do I, as the US petitioner, still have to complete this form? What do I then write for question 2, "I am _____ years of age and have resided in the United States since_________" as I do not reside and have not resided in the US for more than two years.

3. Bank Statements

What kind of bank statements? All bank statements? Russian bank statements? US bank statements? Is it just to show current account balance, or must I show a detailed statement for the past X number of months?

4. Employment Letter

Again, I am employed by a Russian company, but as soon as she gets a visa, I will leave that company. What if I am transitioning between a Russian and US employer. Can I use a letter saying something along the lines of "He is going to begin work with us on this date" or must I have already begun employment for this to work?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer. I've tried posing these questions to the ustraveldocs people, but they haven't given me much of a reply, so if anyone can shed any light on these points, I'd be very appreciative.

[Laurel0708 21]

1-2. I don't think they just want the Russian equivalent of tax returns. The point of these papers is that you can prove you will be able to take care of your fiance once you move to the States. When you move to the States, you won't be working for Russia. So what you made in Russia is not what they want to see. You may need to find a joint sponsor who can fill out the I-134 and send their tax documents. You should fill out the I-134 as well and write a letter, perhaps attaching the Russian tax form to show you have done the right thing, explaining why you did not file taxes in the US.

3. As for bank statements, they want some proof as to how much money you have in the bank. Honestly, neither I nor my joint sponsor submitted these, but Russia may be stricter.

4. As long as you have a joint sponsor, then your work status is not as important. I was living and serving in Costa Rica. I had no income. I explained why and also said that I had begun working online in the summer of this year. However, because my job is online working as a freelancer, I don't have just one employer. Multiple people pay me. If you have a job prospect in the USA, by all means, submit this information.

However, if you are not able to meet the minimum requirement, then a joint sponsor who is living and working in the US will be the best option.

[A'n'L 735]

1) They do not care about your foreign earned income. Use tax transcripts ordered from IRS.

2) Yes, you'll need to complete the I134 as primary sponsor. If you were born in the US, write your DoB in that field.

3) Only necessary if you are trying to actually sponsor your fiancé by your own means, but you have a joint sponsor - so no need. It would've been US bank statements though. Again, they do not care about foreign assets.

4) Again, not necessary since you have a joint sponsor.