I'm typing up a letter to send over to my fiance for his interview explaining why I didn't earn over 125% of the poverty guidelines til 4 months ago. I'm going to tell him NOT to volunteer it, just to keep it with him in case the consular officer gets concerned about my short working history and questions it. Better safe than sorry. Can you guys tell me if this is good? Any corrections/suggestions?

Friday, February 16th, 2007

Dear Sir or Madam:

I would like to take the opportunity to explain my past income. I graduated from high school in 2003 and entered into college full-time. I was also a part-time missionary for approximately 2 years. I started working at my current job in October of 2006. It pays $26,000 per year – well over 125% of the poverty guidelines for a household of two. I now have medical and dental insurance, both of which I will add my fiancé to after we’re married. I have been secure in this job for nearly 4 months now and I have no plans on quitting any time soon. As of January 2007 I am no longer a student. I will resume my studies after we are settled in and financially stable.


Sincerely,


Angela [last name]


I'm not sure if that would actually accomplish anything if the consular officer were questioning my working history...?

I would remove "I have no plans on quitting any time soon." I would also remove "As of January 2007 I am no longer a student. I will resume my studies after we are ...."

Other than that, I think it looks good.

Okie dokie, round two:


Dear Sir or Madam:

I would like to take the opportunity to explain my past income. I graduated from high school in 2003 and entered into college full-time. I was also a part-time missionary for approximately 2 years. I started working at my current job in October of 2006. It pays $26,000 per year – well over 125% of the poverty guidelines for a household of two. I now have medical and dental insurance, both of which I will add my fiancé to after we’re married. I have been secure in this job for nearly 4 months.


Better?

Yep, definitely. I'm just wondering about the last sentence. It almost sounds better without it. You've been emplyed since October 2006, which sounds longer than "almost 4 months" - you know what I mean? Try it without that last sentence to see how it feels to you.

Maybe

"I started working at my current job in October of 2006 on a permanent position" or something like that and then eliminate the last sentence?

You guys are awesome. Here's round 3:

I would like to take the opportunity to explain my past income. I graduated from high school in 2003 and entered into college full-time. I was also a part-time missionary for approximately 2 years. I started working at my current job in a permanent, full-time position in October of 2006. It pays $26,000 per year – well over 125% of the poverty guidelines for a household of two. I now have medical and dental insurance, both of which I will add my fiancé to after we’re married.

It sounds OK to me.

ETA: Good luck!!!

Perfect!

Thanks! If a consular officer is questioning my working history do you think that would actually help?

Having not been through that part yet, I don't know, but it would sway me!

Do you also have a letter from your employer to add to this stating your start date, salary, position and that you are permanent full-time? Maybe ask them to elaborate on how great an asset you are, etc., etc.

Oh yeah, I've got the other stuff. Letter from employer, bank letter, tax return, blahblahblah. I've just read here that it's a good idea to include a letter explaining your cruddy work history just in case the consular officer questions it. I can't be at the interview with him to explain myself. Thanks!

Maybe I'm way off base here, but I thought that a co-sponsor needed to be involved if the USC did not exceed 125% of the poverty guidlines for the preceeding 3 years? Please correct me if I'm wrong...

Is there a co-sponsor involved, and I missed that part?

In any event, good luck with your Visa Journey...

Not from what I've read... it's just you need a co-sponsor if you're not making over 125% of the poverty guidelines now. The immigration attorney I spoke with before filing (Laurel Scott) told me I'd be fine as long as I held my job for at least 3 months to prove my dependability - and it's been 4 months.

Is there a co-sponsor... well... I'm a bit raw on this subject at the moment because there WAS a co-sponsor involved but... I'll just tell you the story. Ok, my fiance and I spent months asking everyone we could think of. We just wanted the comfort of knowing that, should they decide I'm not a good sponsor, we have a back up. Nobody would do it, not even my parents. In December one of my friends came along and volunteered. I showed her the I-134, explained things, told her what was involved, told her to take her time and think about it. She decided yes she'd do it and she'd start gathering her stuff ASAP.

Last week she still hadn't gotten her supporting documents together and I started to get worried, but I didn't want to push her and make her feel like I was breathing down her throat while she was doing me a favor. So I just sent her a hi how are you kind of e-mail with an oh by the way my fiance got his interview date, it's the 28th, I'm so excited, blahblahblah. She sent me an e-mail back saying sorry but I don't think I'll be able to get my stuff together in time. (She had nearly TWO MONTHS to fill out the I-134, dig up some pay stubs, get a letter from her bank and employer, dig up her tax returns, and mail them a few states south.) I e-mailed her back asking what was wrong and maybe I could help her gather the stuff she needed last minute. She never responded. I still haven't heard from her. I'm really, really trying not to be upset with her because I considered her to be a very good friend... but... ok, I'm not one to speak because here I am doing everything at the last minute myself, but 2 months is ample time to gather that stuff, if she changed her mind she should've been honest with me, and there's no reason for her to stop responding to my e-mails and cut off contact with me completely!

OK.

The Sponsor does NOT need to meet the 125% of PG for the preceeding 3 years.
Current income carries the most weight, and must be 125%+ or use a combination of income/assets or then default to a Joint Sponsor.

Thank you for clearing that up for us.

And great news for you Angilla!

Your final version looked good - you have some nice editors here on VJ

I wouldn't have your fiance submit this though unless the consular asked for it.

Definately agreed. It's just an if-the-officer-asks-bout-my-work-history-since-I-won't-be-at-the-interview sort of thing.