AOS Question - Have a Joint Sponsor, still include Petitioner's Assets?

[IRFUN 59]

Apologies if this has been discussed to no end. I couldn't narrow down on the keywords to search for. 

A brief intro: I'm part of the January 2022 cohort and currently at the NVC stage waiting for fees to process, coming across an issue that I'm seeking advice on. 

My wife and I live abroad and since my foreign income does not qualify for the I-864, should I include my assets while filling in the form and attaching evidence or simply rely on my Joint Sponsor who is well-qualified?
 

• I would need to transfer my USD to a US bank account 
• The USD cash portion would barely be enough to qualify (just around 60K, I believe)
• But I also have some US-based investments and Roth (totaling to around 30K, at present moment)

 

Obviously the goal would be to avoid an RFE, but I know I'm blessed to be at the NVC stage where processing time is about a month. 

Any advice or suggestions are welcome! 🙏

Edited February 21, 2023 by IRFUN

[powerpuff 6,687]

~~ Topic moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures ~~

[pushbrk 12,870]

19 hours ago, IRFUN said:

Apologies if this has been discussed to no end. I couldn't narrow down on the keywords to search for. 

A brief intro: I'm part of the January 2022 cohort and currently at the NVC stage waiting for fees to process, coming across an issue that I'm seeking advice on. 

My wife and I live abroad and since my foreign income does not qualify for the I-864, should I include my assets while filling in the form and attaching evidence or simply rely on my Joint Sponsor who is well-qualified?
 

• I would need to transfer my USD to a US bank account 
• The USD cash portion would barely be enough to qualify (just around 60K, I believe)
• But I also have some US-based investments and Roth (totaling to around 30K, at present moment)

 

Obviously the goal would be to avoid an RFE, but I know I'm blessed to be at the NVC stage where processing time is about a month. 

Any advice or suggestions are welcome! 🙏

Since Consular Officers evaluate the totality of circumstances, I would recommend stating and documenting your assets, even if you have a Joint Sponsor.  Sounds like you minimally qualify, so ALSO having a "Joint Sponsor" is a good idea.

[IRFUN 59]

3 hours ago, pushbrk said:

Since Consular Officers evaluate the totality of circumstances, I would recommend stating and documenting your assets, even if you have a Joint Sponsor.  Sounds like you minimally qualify, so ALSO having a "Joint Sponsor" is a good idea.

Thanks for the suggestion @pushbrk. Have you seen cases where the petitioner & applicant solely rely on a Joint Sponsor to qualify?

[pushbrk 12,870]

1 hour ago, IRFUN said:

Thanks for the suggestion @pushbrk. Have you seen cases where the petitioner & applicant solely rely on a Joint Sponsor to qualify?

Of course, but I don't recommend leaving out information that can help your case.  Note the form says the asset section is optional IF the income IS sufficient.  Yours is not.

 

Edited February 22, 2023 by pushbrk

[IRFUN 59]

3 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

Of course, but I don't recommend leaving out information that can help your case.

Noted. 🙏

1. Are you aware of any tax implications or reporting requirements for transferring your own overseas money to the U.S.?
2. I-864: Even though I'll fill in "0" for my current individual annual income, do I still need to supply Evidence of Income? 
3. If so, I may have a little difficulty as A) my company doesn't use pay stubs and B) I haven't notified my employer of my intent to move back to the U.S. and doing so may affect my job security which means I may not be able to safely attain a letter from my employer. In this scenario, would a Tax Withholding Statement suffice?
 

[pushbrk 12,870]

5 minutes ago, IRFUN said:

Noted. 🙏

1. Are you aware of any tax implications or reporting requirements for transferring your own overseas money to the U.S.?
2. I-864: Even though I'll fill in "0" for my current individual annual income, do I still need to supply Evidence of Income? 
3. If so, I may have a little difficulty as A) my company doesn't use pay stubs and B) I haven't notified my employer of my intent to move back to the U.S. and doing so may affect my job security which means I may not be able to safely attain a letter from my employer. In this scenario, would a Tax Withholding Statement suffice?
 

I'm not a tax guy, but no, you do not have to provide evidence of zero current income.

[IRFUN 59]

Just now, pushbrk said:

I'm not a tax guy, but no, you do not have to provide evidence of zero current income.

Excellent. This is great information and surprisingly logical. 

[TBoneTX 45,260]

1 hour ago, IRFUN said:

This is great information and surprisingly logical. 

That's why savvy VJ members "listen to pushbrk."