Temporary Denial- Today's Interview

[PhoenixBlaque 51]

Hi everyone!

 

So, we received a temporary denial today at the interview.  The consular officer stated that I need a joint sponsor.  The thing is, I make twice what the minimum is for my family size.  I don't understand it.  Apparently, I efficiently front loaded our information and the officer didn't ask for much except to see our pictures. 

 

Has anyone else gone through this?

Why isn't my income sufficient?

After I submit the joint sponsor, how long will it take for them to review (I'm planning to submit the sponsor information tomorrow at the latest)?

The officer kept the passports- is that a good sign?

 

I'm slightly devastated.  I sent my current job salary information back to them and asked additional questions.  I don't know if they'll respond though.

[Paul & Mallory 1,398]

Is your current job/salary new? If it's not new (you've been there well over a year), did you provide enough evidence showing the length of your salary/job?

[VNN 147]

7 minutes ago, PhoenixBlaque said:

Hi everyone!

 

So, we received a temporary denial today at the interview.  The consular officer stated that I need a joint sponsor.  The thing is, I make twice what the minimum is for my family size.  I don't understand it.  Apparently, I efficiently front loaded our information and the officer didn't ask for much except to see our pictures. 

 

Has anyone else gone through this?

Why isn't my income sufficient?

After I submit the joint sponsor, how long will it take for them to review (I'm planning to submit the sponsor information tomorrow at the latest)?

The officer kept the passports- is that a good sign?

 

I'm slightly devastated.  I sent my current job salary information back to them and asked additional questions.  I don't know if they'll respond though.

Just curious, what is your adjusted gross income on 2017 tax form? 

[PhoenixBlaque 51]

3 minutes ago, Paul & Mallory said:

Is your current job/salary new? If it's not new (you've been there well over a year), did you provide enough evidence showing the length of your salary/job?

Yes, less than a year. I think they looked at net, maybe?

[VNN 147]

2 minutes ago, PhoenixBlaque said:

Yes, less than a year. I think they looked at net, maybe?

• Tax return gives them some idea what your adjusted gross income is - this income that may be used to support additional household member.  For example, many people with 1099-MISC file their tax forms with 60k but after deduction, their reported incomes are 30k-40k due to their high expenditures.
• Current earning is very important but they may look to determine if it is a stable one.

[laowainelson 26]

6 minutes ago, PhoenixBlaque said:

Yes, less than a year. I think they looked at net, maybe?

You don't have to publish your exact income but what's your family size and FPL level relative to the number of members of your household?

I believe it will be processed very fast, in a matter of weeks as NVC is in charge of this, not USCIS. You should be rescheduled for next month if you submit the joint sponsor information asap.

[Unlockable 7,314]

6 minutes ago, PhoenixBlaque said:

Yes, less than a year. I think they looked at net, maybe?

That may be it. Employment longevity (or lack there of) could have played a role in the decision.

[PhoenixBlaque 51]

That's the thing- they didn't say we needed a second interview.

 

Family size if 3. 125% of FPL is really low. Less than $27K

[pushbrk 12,893]

3 hours ago, laowainelson said:

You don't have to publish your exact income but what's your family size and FPL level relative to the number of members of your household?

I believe it will be processed very fast, in a matter of weeks as NVC is in charge of this, not USCIS. You should be rescheduled for next month if you submit the joint sponsor information asap.

A few weeks is correct but NVC will not be involved in evaluating anything once the case has been sent to the Consulate.  A Consular Officer will do the evaluation.

[pushbrk 12,893]

3 hours ago, RTLE said:

• Tax return gives them some idea what your adjusted gross income is - this income that may be used to support additional household member.  For example, many people with 1099-MISC file their tax forms with 60k but after deduction, their reported incomes are 30k-40k due to their high expenditures.
• Current earning is very important but they may look to determine if it is a stable one.

Current income for an "employed" person does not come from a tax return.  Tax returns are about the past.

[VNN 147]

8 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

Current income for an "employed" person does not come from a tax return.  Tax returns are about the past.

I understand but it should have some merits to the decision, otherwise, they can simply ask proof of current income instead of asking 3 years tax return to be submitted 

[pushbrk 12,893]

Just now, RTLE said:

I understand but it should have some merits to the decision, otherwise, they can simply ask proof of current income instead of asking 3 years tax return to be submitted 

They ask for both, but the tax return still says nothing about "current income".  Current income is documented with a current pay stub or/and an employer letter.  You could have made six figures in 2017, and the two years before that, but if you lost your job last week, your "current income" is ZERO.  Consular Officers make a judgment based on the totality of circumstances, including PAST income.  That's why "information" from THREE tax returns is required, but only ONE tax return or transcript is required to be submitted.

[Jon&Margz 132]

Did you send the WHOLE tax return or just the first couple of pages (summary)?   I initially sent just the "summary" and received an RFE on "income".  I then sent the entire tax return with a letter of explanation.  I'm a business owner so I have Business income and Personal income.   They approved after the 2nd set of documents I sent.   PS - make sure you send CURRENT year income verification (2018).  A tax return shows income for 2017.  

[pushbrk 12,893]

36 minutes ago, Jon&Margz said:

Did you send the WHOLE tax return or just the first couple of pages (summary)?   I initially sent just the "summary" and received an RFE on "income".  I then sent the entire tax return with a letter of explanation.  I'm a business owner so I have Business income and Personal income.   They approved after the 2nd set of documents I sent.   PS - make sure you send CURRENT year income verification (2018).  A tax return shows income for 2017.  

Terminology is important.  There are no questions about "current year" income.  It's "current income".  For a self employed person like yourself, "current income" comes from line 22 of the 1040 for 2017.  For an employed person, current income comes from a pay stub.

 

This issue came up at interview, not at NVC, so how much of the tax return the OP sent is not relevant.  If too little was sent, they would have asked for a complete tax return, not a joint sponsor.

[PhoenixBlaque 51]

So I went through my documents and it's my fault.  My business expenses took a chunk out of my AGI.  I think I misinterpreted a question on the I864.  My sponsor is completing forms now.  I'm submitting in the morning and I hope they'll review it quickly... 😕

Edited September 21, 2018 by PhoenixBlaque