Should I add a joint sponsor if I only met the income requirement in 2022, but not 2021, and not 2020? Or... would it hurt us?

[ah-no 27]

Hello! My income in 2020 according to my tax transcript was just under 1,000 dollars, the next year was around 20,000, both below the minimum. In 2022, it shot up to be way way above the minimum, and I have at least 6 months of paystubs from 2023 showing that it has continued. 

We are considering trying to go to Israel for processing and I know they are super hardcore there, or so I've heard. Should I add a joint sponsor? My mother is totally willing to do so, but I'm wondering if it could actually *hurt* our case.

Bonus question: if we did add her, would we need her original signed affidavit document at the interview, or would a copy suffice?

[Mike E 11,741]

If you have a willing joint sponsor, have that I-864 ready to show at the interview

[ah-no 27]

21 minutes ago, Mike E said:

If you have a willing joint sponsor, have that I-864 ready to show at the interview

Do I need to submit it also?

[Mike E 11,741]

33 minutes ago, ah-no said:

Do I need to submit it also?

I would not.

 

I am certain NVC will warn you that you do not meet the requirements. The CO makes the final decision though. Your evidence is good. 

[Lil bear 4,263]

5 hours ago, ah-no said:

Do I need to submit it also?

Not unless you get an RFE from the NVC telling you to upload it.
 

If you get the standard letter telling you that you don’t meet the requirements and ADVISES you to get a joint sponsor and to take the paperwork to the interview.. then do just that.
 

As stated the IO makes the decision 

[ah-no 27]

2 hours ago, Lil bear said:

Not unless you get an RFE from the NVC telling you to upload it.
 

If you get the standard letter telling you that you don’t meet the requirements and ADVISES you to get a joint sponsor and to take the paperwork to the interview.. then do just that.
 

As stated the IO makes the decision 

So the gameplan should be as follows: 

- submit without joint sponsor

- if RFE, submit join sponsor 

- if advised, bring all joint sponsor docs to interview 

- even if not advised, bring to interview 

 

 

I was thinking they could make us go back and submit it and delay our case during the interview  

Edited September 16, 2023 by ah-no

[Lil bear 4,263]

10 hours ago, ah-no said:

So the gameplan should be as follows: 

- submit without joint sponsor

- if RFE, submit join sponsor 

- if advised, bring all joint sponsor docs to interview 

- even if not advised, bring to interview 

 

 

I was thinking they could make us go back and submit it and delay our case during the interview  

No The officer will take the paperwork and assess. It doesn’t go back to submitting via CEAC 

[pushbrk 13,011]

On 9/16/2023 at 1:11 PM, Mike E said:

I would not.

 

I am certain NVC will warn you that you do not meet the requirements. The CO makes the final decision though. Your evidence is good. 

NVC only warns when the latest tax return doesn't show enough income.  In this case, it does.  This petitioner has well qualified income from 2022, that can be documented with a current pay stub.  No need to subject a relative or friend to disclosing and documenting their private and financial information and signing a daunting contract.