Confusion on Required Income

[mattinoh63 4]

Question -   

 

I was living in PH for the entire year of 2015 and returned to USA Nov 2016, I did not file a return in 2015 as I was simply living off the money from a 401K that I closed and paid taxes for in 2014.  I did file a return in 2016, however, I only worked a partial month, so my AGI was only $3400.  I filed in 2017 and my AGI was $74,200.  I am being told that I have to get a co-sponsor due to no income in 2015 and limited in 2016.  I don't have the ability to get a co-sponsor.  I do own my home outright, I own vehicles outright and have $50K in a savings account.  So, I am confused....  I need to continue working 2 years before I can bring my wife to USA... even though I am currently well above the required income and my lifetime SSA earning statement shows me being at $70K or more for all but the 2 years in lived in PH.   Help!  I really don't want to wait 2 years....

[geowrian 22,337]

Who told you that you need a joint sponsor....the CO at the embassy or NVC? What exactly did they say? What evidence of your income did you provide? Are you self-employed or do you earn income via an employer / W-2?

Edited August 23, 2018 by geowrian

[mattinoh63 4]

I am being told by RapidVisa that I have to have a co-sponsor because my lack of income for 2015/2016....  they are claiming they have 5 recents rejections for the same reason?  I am finding this hard to believe, and I have regretted using their service from day 1...   live and learn!

 

[mattinoh63 4]

Sorry, I did not completely answer your questions.  I have a full time permanent job, I have tax return for 2016 and 2017, I have my lifetime earnings statement from SSA printed.  The "service provder" is telling me that I "MUST" have a co-sponsor!

[geowrian 22,337]

Just now, mattinoh63 said:

I am being told by RapidVisa that I have to have a co-sponsor because my lack of income for 2015/2016....  they are claiming they have 5 recents rejections for the same reason?  I am finding this hard to believe, and I have regretted using their service from day 1...   live and learn!

1 minute ago, mattinoh63 said:

Sorry, I did not completely answer your questions.  I have a full time permanent job, I have tax return for 2016 and 2017, I have my lifetime earnings statement from SSA printed.  The "service provder" is telling me that I "MUST" have a co-sponsor!

Ah...so you haven't even filed yet?

Also...yeah, RV is hit or miss. Lots of success stories. Quite a few others who regretted going with them as well. I'm not attacking them as they aren't a scam or anything like that, but they basically go down a checklist on a screen like anybody could do.

 

The CO makes the public decision based on the totality of the circumstances. Current income is king. The rest is just showing proper documentation of it (pay stubs, employment letter, etc.).

If you weren't required to file taxes for a year, then you can provide a signed statement as to why (i.e. no income or income below the filing threshold).

 

With your current income level, plus the fact that the I-864 won't be needed at NVC for ~6-10 months after filing, I would be very surprised if they wanted a joint sponsor. Again it depends on one's specific circumstances, but $70k+ in income is well over what others have used to sponsor somebody.

[mattinoh63 4]

Yes, we have filed, I have already paid the fees to NVC and now am at the stage of filing the Affidavit of Support.  I have argued with them enough that they have "flagged" my account, whatever that may mean    I can document my lack of income based on the SSA statement and it will obviously show income since I was a 17 y/o fresh faced Marine until 2015 when I went to PH.....   so 30 years of being above the poverty guidelines.  I am hoping this "provider" is just trying to cover their butts because of some stupid refund policy.  

 

[geowrian 22,337]

4 minutes ago, mattinoh63 said:

Yes, we have filed, I have already paid the fees to NVC and now am at the stage of filing the Affidavit of Support.  I have argued with them enough that they have "flagged" my account, whatever that may mean    I can document my lack of income based on the SSA statement and it will obviously show income since I was a 17 y/o fresh faced Marine until 2015 when I went to PH.....   so 30 years of being above the poverty guidelines.  I am hoping this "provider" is just trying to cover their butts because of some stupid refund policy. 

Ok, gotcha. You're at the NVC stage. I would be very surprised if they had any issue in your case so long as you provide necessary documentation: pay stubs, an employment letter, tax return for at least the most recent tax year, and a letter as to why you were not required to file for 2015.

 

Also, ty for your service.

[pushbrk 12,888]

7 hours ago, mattinoh63 said:

Yes, we have filed, I have already paid the fees to NVC and now am at the stage of filing the Affidavit of Support.  I have argued with them enough that they have "flagged" my account, whatever that may mean    I can document my lack of income based on the SSA statement and it will obviously show income since I was a 17 y/o fresh faced Marine until 2015 when I went to PH.....   so 30 years of being above the poverty guidelines.  I am hoping this "provider" is just trying to cover their butts because of some stupid refund policy.  

 

Sounds to me like you have the provider's issue pegged quite well.  Use your own judgment.  For Manila, this kind of thing is seldom an issue.  If it were India, I would get a joint sponsor.  For Manila, what you've done plus a recent pay stub to document very sufficient current income should carry the day.  Ultimately, this is your decision.  If a Consular Officer ends up asking for a joint sponsor, there will simply be a delay, while you provide one.

[mattinoh63 4]

On 8/23/2018 at 7:09 PM, pushbrk said:

Sounds to me like you have the provider's issue pegged quite well.  Use your own judgment.  For Manila, this kind of thing is seldom an issue.  If it were India, I would get a joint sponsor.  For Manila, what you've done plus a recent pay stub to document very sufficient current income should carry the day.  Ultimately, this is your decision.  If a Consular Officer ends up asking for a joint sponsor, there will simply be a delay, while you provide one.

We received email stating all documents were approved on Sep 25 and then another with interview on Nov 5.  Thank you for assisting.  

[ahm12 83]

On ‎8‎/‎23‎/‎2018 at 9:58 AM, mattinoh63 said:

Question -   

 

I was living in PH for the entire year of 2015 and returned to USA Nov 2016, I did not file a return in 2015 as I was simply living off the money from a 401K that I closed and paid taxes for in 2014.  I did file a return in 2016, however, I only worked a partial month, so my AGI was only $3400.  I filed in 2017 and my AGI was $74,200.  I am being told that I have to get a co-sponsor due to no income in 2015 and limited in 2016.  I don't have the ability to get a co-sponsor.  I do own my home outright, I own vehicles outright and have $50K in a savings account.  So, I am confused....  I need to continue working 2 years before I can bring my wife to USA... even though I am currently well above the required income and my lifetime SSA earning statement shows me being at $70K or more for all but the 2 years in lived in PH.   Help!  I really don't want to wait 2 years....

You have enough income. My cousin was student for 2014, and 2015 and barely made $8000 a year. for 2016 he made $60,000. His wifes visa was approved without the need of any co sponser.  

[pushbrk 12,888]

9 hours ago, mattinoh63 said:

We received email stating all documents were approved on Sep 25 and then another with interview on Nov 5.  Thank you for assisting.  

You're welcome but NVC does not make the final decision regarding affidavit of support issues.  A Consular Officer in Manila will do that at the interview.  I still think you are fine though.