Request For Initial Evidence - Income

[Jontanna 0]

Hello Everyone,

 

My husband and I have been quietly lurking on these forums for over a year now and we couldn’t be more grateful for all the advice which has helped us get this far.

 

Today we hit our first bump in the road and received a “Request for Initial Evidence” in the mail. It has two bullet points with identical wording to this one I found here on VisaJourney:

 

 

My previous 3 years of tax returns were under the 125% limit, but I did include a tax transcript from the IRS for the most recent year, so I’m unsure why the first bullet point is requesting supporting tax documentation for the most recent year. I was under the impression this is included in a tax transcript?..

 

I included a signed letter from my current employer stating that I now earn around $10,000 over the 125% limit (full-time and permanent). I also included 5 most recent (weekly) paystubs. I understand that the second bullet point is a fairly generic response to let us know that, regardless of my current employment, they’re not quite convinced my income is stable enough. I’ve only worked there since October.

 

I’m able to supply an updated letter from my employer (I’ve even gotten a small raise since filing) and even more paystubs as proof. I can also file taxes for 2017, now that we’re in the New Year. On top of this, we’re able to get a joint sponsor once they’ve filed their taxes for 2017. This sponsor will then have 3 years of tax returns, all well above the 125% limit.

 

My question here is:  Can we do ALL of the above?... Attempt to prove that my income is sufficient, while also supplying a joint sponsor as a safety net?... Or can we only do one or the other? The reason I ask is because I’m sure I once read on here that you’re not meant to supply a joint sponsor unless your income isn’t sufficient.

 

The reason I’d like to do both, if possible, is because we’re now worried sick about whatever we send back not being good enough and my husband being denied/deported. But at the same time, I don’t want them to overlook our joint sponsor because it got buried under all of MY supporting evidence.

 

I hope at least some of this has made sense... Like I said, I’m quite worried right now so I’m rambling a little. The thought of my husband potentially being taken away is very scary.

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

For some adjudicators the 3 months job time is not enough. Send ALL pay stubs, tax transcripts from 2017 and another employer letter.
I would not include the joint sponsor. Organize all supporting documents neatly and add a cover letter listing all items you are submitting,
add a short letter narrating why the evidence is enough to satisfy the requirements.
Example of employer letter :
 

Obtaining an employment verification letter from the US citizen sponsor’s current employer is highly recommended when providing evidence and proof of income for your Affidavit of Support.

The employment verification letter should be original and printed on company letterhead. The letter should be signed by your supervisor or human resource person and should include a contact phone number.

The letter should state the following: starting date with the company, current employment status (full time, part time, contract, etc.), position title, annual salary or hourly wage. If you are paid by the hour, convert to annual salary.

Here is a sample letter, which you can provide to the employer when making this request.

Sample Letter from Employer:

Date: (January 1 20xx)

Re: Employment verification for (sponsor’s full name)

To Whom It May Concern:

This letter is to confirm that (sponsor’s full name) has been employed with us since (employment start date). (sponsor’s full name) is currently working with us as a (sponsor’s job title). His/Her annual salary is ($00,000). This is a full-time position.

Please feel free to contact us if you need additional information or verification.

Sincerely,

(Supervisor’s printed name)

(Supervisor’s title)

(Company name)

Phone: (company or supervisor’s phone number)

Email: (company or sponsor’s email address

 

[Jontanna 0]

Thankyou very much for your response,

 

I will gather everything you suggested. Will I have any issues submitting a 2017 tax transcript, even though my "most recent tax year" on my I-864 was 2016? (we filed in December, you see).

 

Also, is it really not advisable to also include a joint sponsor for peace of mind?... It would make me feel a lot safer, but I don't want it to cause a problem if it's not what you're meant to do.

 

Thanks again.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

6 hours ago, Jontanna said:

Thankyou very much for your response,

 

I will gather everything you suggested. Will I have any issues submitting a 2017 tax transcript, even though my "most recent tax year" on my I-864 was 2016? (we filed in December, you see).

 

Also, is it really not advisable to also include a joint sponsor for peace of mind?... It would make me feel a lot safer, but I don't want it to cause a problem if it's not what you're meant to do.

 

Thanks again.

If you submit 2017 taxes then I would submit a new I-864 also with the correct filled out section regarding the past 3 years income.
I suppose you could add a joint sponsor and attach a note that you would prefer they accept your income and that you have complied
with the income requirements and are adding more evidence but that you also are submitting  joint sponsor documents.
Make sure they don't get it mixed up and have each clipped separately.