I-134 Help, Please

[camtex 2]

Hey everyone! We have our interview in a couple of weeks and I have some I-134 anxiousness and need some help. Our interview is in Bogota, Colombia.

 

I've been self-employed for 7 years but this last year I also started working a W-2 job full time. I am planning on bringing 3 years of transcripts (23' will not be filed yet) which as I know other self-employed people have mentioned before, obviously maximizing deductions for filing purposes drives down bottom-line net income and the returns are just a lot more confusing than a straightforward W-2 income earner.

 

So, my basic question is... do we think that showing current W-2 income (in form of pay stubs) that meet the income requirement will be enough, even though the job just started in August and I have NEVER had W-2 income before? I am also listing bank accounts as assets and bringing 6 months of statements just as buffer. I just don't want this to be a hangup spot! I have someone that would be a joint sponsor with easy W-2 income but I would rather not add even more docs/confusion if it isn't necessary.

[powerpuff 6,697]

Current income is what matters, even if past tax returns are below poverty guidelines. You should be just fine. For added peace of mind, consider also having HR write up an employment verification letter listing your salary, position, hire date etc.

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

4 minutes ago, camtex said:

do we think that showing current W-2 income (in form of pay stubs) that meet the income requirement will be enough, even though the job just started in August and I have NEVER had W-2 income before? I am also listing bank accounts as assets and bringing 6 months of statements just as buffer. I just don't want this to be a hangup spot! I have someone that would be a joint sponsor with easy W-2 income but I would rather not add even more docs/confusion if it isn't necessary.

I don't think you will need a joint sponsor if your CURRENT income is sufficient.  CURRENT income is king, not past income on tax forms.  Good luck.

CURRENT annual income is calculated as follows:

Gross income from last pay period multiplied times number of pay periods per 12 months = Current annual income. 

[IWander 589]

13 minutes ago, camtex said:

Hey everyone! We have our interview in a couple of weeks and I have some I-134 anxiousness and need some help. Our interview is in Bogota, Colombia.

 

I've been self-employed for 7 years but this last year I also started working a W-2 job full time. I am planning on bringing 3 years of transcripts (23' will not be filed yet) which as I know other self-employed people have mentioned before, obviously maximizing deductions for filing purposes drives down bottom-line net income and the returns are just a lot more confusing than a straightforward W-2 income earner.

 

So, my basic question is... do we think that showing current W-2 income (in form of pay stubs) that meet the income requirement will be enough, even though the job just started in August and I have NEVER had W-2 income before? I am also listing bank accounts as assets and bringing 6 months of statements just as buffer. I just don't want this to be a hangup spot! I have someone that would be a joint sponsor with easy W-2 income but I would rather not add even more docs/confusion if it isn't necessary.

They don't care about before, they care about today 

[camtex 2]

Thanks everyone! This is super helpful, I'm not sure why I fixated on this part as the most stressful! I'll get a letter from HR to add to the current pay stubs

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

***Hijack comment split out to a new topic***

-VJ Moderation

[1journey 8]

On 1/13/2024 at 10:58 AM, camtex said:

Hey everyone! We have our interview in a couple of weeks and I have some I-134 anxiousness and need some help. Our interview is in Bogota, Colombia.

 

I've been self-employed for 7 years but this last year I also started working a W-2 job full time. I am planning on bringing 3 years of transcripts (23' will not be filed yet) which as I know other self-employed people have mentioned before, obviously maximizing deductions for filing purposes drives down bottom-line net income and the returns are just a lot more confusing than a straightforward W-2 income earner.

 

So, my basic question is... do we think that showing current W-2 income (in form of pay stubs) that meet the income requirement will be enough, even though the job just started in August and I have NEVER had W-2 income before? I am also listing bank accounts as assets and bringing 6 months of statements just as buffer. I just don't want this to be a hangup spot! I have someone that would be a joint sponsor with easy W-2 income but I would rather not add even more docs/confusion if it isn't necessary.

 

Hello,

 

I'm curious to know how your interview went in Bogota. Was what you provided sufficient to pass the interview?

 

 

 

[camtex 2]

On 2/25/2024 at 8:06 PM, 1journey said:

 

Hello,

 

I'm curious to know how your interview went in Bogota. Was what you provided sufficient to pass the interview?

 

 

 

Everything went great, we had all of our evidence, the original and updated evidence from the filing to the present day. Nothing more was requested and they didn't ask any questions about the income beyond what I do for work. I provided a letter with my annual base salary from HR showing I was active, in good standing, date of hire, etc.... along with pay stubs. They also requested last year's tax filing, I gave a transcript but I believe this is just to verify that you have actually filed in the last year. As others have said, they care much more about the 'now' of income. Let me know if you have other questions!

[1journey 8]

On 2/29/2024 at 6:23 AM, camtex said:

Everything went great, we had all of our evidence, the original and updated evidence from the filing to the present day. Nothing more was requested and they didn't ask any questions about the income beyond what I do for work. I provided a letter with my annual base salary from HR showing I was active, in good standing, date of hire, etc.... along with pay stubs. They also requested last year's tax filing, I gave a transcript but I believe this is just to verify that you have actually filed in the last year. As others have said, they care much more about the 'now' of income. Let me know if you have other questions!

 

We were approved on 2/27 and still have not received the email they indicated after the interview. How long does it take? We are having the visas delivered to another location outside of Bogota. I know it may take a few weeks to get them, but I figured we would have received the email by now. Thank you.