Did I delay my case by adding a joint sponsor?

[DK999 14]

Like many others on this forum, I entered "0" income on my AOS because my income isn't US-based nor will it continue upon repatriating (side note: where is it stated to do this? I've just kinda blindly followed this advice).

 

Then, as expected, I get the "income doesn't meet blah blah blah..." message, and so as was suggested here, I added a joint sponsor in case it was brought up at the eventual interview. Then, I got a message saying I'd messed up by combining two docs into one pdf. So I fixed it. 

 

So my question is, did I inadvertently delay my own case by weeks by uploading something that I didn't even technically need to upload before the interview? 

 

Just trying to understand this whole process...slowly but surely. 

[Crazy Cat 41,599]

Not uploading the joint sponsor information could have delayed your case after the interview.  By being proactive, you possibly avoided a delay.  I would not dwell on things you cannot change.  That is now water under the bridge.  

[DK999 14]

1 minute ago, Crazy Cat said:

Not uploading the joint sponsor information could have delayed your case after the interview.  By being proactive, you possibly avoided a delay.  I would not dwell on things you cannot change.  That is now water under the bridge.  

Got it, thanks. Not bummed about it, just trying to understand how this whole system ticks. Do you know the answer to the question about entering "0" for income on the AOS?

[Crazy Cat 41,599]

Just now, DK999 said:

Got it, thanks. Not bummed about it, just trying to understand how this whole system ticks. Do you know the answer to the question about entering "0" for income on the AOS?

If your income will not continue after relocating to the US, the correct entry is $0.  I can tell you, from personal experience, that NVC sent us an RFE back in early 2017.  It delayed our case by 3 months. 

[Crazy Cat 41,599]

Form I-864 Affidavit of Support | Reunite with Your Family in 2023 (immi-usa.com)

 

"If you as the sponsor live outside of the U.S., you cannot count the foreign income towards the requirement unless you can demonstrate that you will have the same earnings when you move to the U.S. or have another job that meets the financial requirements."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

On a practical note:  The US wants to make sure that you, as a sponsor, can support the new immigrant.  The US wants to see stable, sufficient income continuing after the immigrant arrives.  Thus, income which will not continue after arrival is not counted.

Edited May 15, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[pushbrk 12,812]

7 hours ago, DK999 said:

Like many others on this forum, I entered "0" income on my AOS because my income isn't US-based nor will it continue upon repatriating (side note: where is it stated to do this? I've just kinda blindly followed this advice).

 

Then, as expected, I get the "income doesn't meet blah blah blah..." message, and so as was suggested here, I added a joint sponsor in case it was brought up at the eventual interview. Then, I got a message saying I'd messed up by combining two docs into one pdf. So I fixed it. 

 

So my question is, did I inadvertently delay my own case by weeks by uploading something that I didn't even technically need to upload before the interview? 

 

Just trying to understand this whole process...slowly but surely. 

Nothing inadvertent.  You filed without a joint sponsor knowing you didn't qualify on your own.  You then waited for them to indicate you needed a joint sponsor before providing an affidavit from one.  Yes, you caused a delay, but not inadvertently.

[DK999 14]

3 hours ago, pushbrk said:

Nothing inadvertent.  You filed without a joint sponsor knowing you didn't qualify on your own.  You then waited for them to indicate you needed a joint sponsor before providing an affidavit from one.  Yes, you caused a delay, but not inadvertently.

I did qualify with liquid assets, which I included in my AOS. But the prevailing advice is add a joint sponsor just in case. 
 

I find this to be another head- scratching example of NVC giving plain and clear “requirements” which apparently might not matter based on the whims of a case officer. 

[pushbrk 12,812]

6 minutes ago, DK999 said:

I did qualify with liquid assets, which I included in my AOS. But the prevailing advice is add a joint sponsor just in case. 
 

I find this to be another head- scratching example of NVC giving plain and clear “requirements” which apparently might not matter based on the whims of a case officer. 

You didn't mention the liquid assets.  Not sure what you mean  by prevailing advice, but it would be contrary to MY advice to add a joint sponsor if you clearly qualify without one.  The message YOU would have gotten could simply be ignored.  Did you ask for advice HERE?

 

[FPS81 3]

11 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

If your income will not continue after relocating to the US, the correct entry is $0.  I can tell you, from personal experience, that NVC sent us an RFE back in early 2017.  It delayed our case by 3 months. 

Hi，can you elaborate what was your RFE in 2017 for? thanks.

[DK999 14]

1 hour ago, pushbrk said:

You didn't mention the liquid assets.  Not sure what you mean  by prevailing advice, but it would be contrary to MY advice to add a joint sponsor if you clearly qualify without one.  The message YOU would have gotten could simply be ignored.  Did you ask for advice HERE?

 

I recall seeing several threads where people qualify with liquid assets, receive the message about income not enough, but they were still advised to add a joint sponsor—or at least have the joint sponsor paperwork signed and ready for the interview. 
 

If you were more than qualified with liquid assets and received that message, what would you advise? 

[SteveInBostonI130 3,408]

30 minutes ago, DK999 said:

I recall seeing several threads where people qualify with liquid assets, receive the message about income not enough, but they were still advised to add a joint sponsor—or at least have the joint sponsor paperwork signed and ready for the interview. 
 

If you were more than qualified with liquid assets and received that message, what would you advise? 

Ignore the warning message, get DQ'd.  Line up a joint sponsor just in case (have them fill out the I-864 and sign it, but do not submit it).  

 

Go to the interview.  Worst case the CO will state you do not qualify on your own and want a joint sponsor, you submit the already completed joint sponsor app, bob's your uncle.

[pushbrk 12,812]

19 hours ago, DK999 said:

I recall seeing several threads where people qualify with liquid assets, receive the message about income not enough, but they were still advised to add a joint sponsor—or at least have the joint sponsor paperwork signed and ready for the interview. 
 

If you were more than qualified with liquid assets and received that message, what would you advise? 

I would advise ignoring it.  Here's the deal.  VJ is not a "democracy" where you take the majority opinion.  Some opinion are more valuable than others.  That message would be received anybody qualifying with assets alone, no matter how many millions.   If you are comfortably (30% or more) over the 3X income requirement you need, ignore the message, by doing nothing.  But, do read it carefully and take the word "may" and the phrase, "Consular Officer will decide" literally.

Edited May 16, 2023 by pushbrk