Advice about the affadavit of support/length of employment required?

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Hi Everyone! My boyfriend has been a cheerleading instructor in the United States for the past 5 plus years and has been self employed. Unfortunately, this has not paid him very highly because he has persued this career for a love of the sport, not the financial benefits.

We are compiling all the forms and documents together, needed to file the I-129F. I am going out to New Jersey in the United States to be with him this summer for three months and we're going to start the ball rolling and mail off the package then. However, I have some concerns about the Affadavit of Support needed and additional documents needed. I have been looking on the USCIS website and through the VJ website and it looks as though the 125% above the poverty line is needed only as his present financial status (not what he has earnt in past years).

Is it worth my boyfriend seeking permanent employment, so we have 'better records' on paper of employment - and if so, would it be ok that he would only be employed for 6-8 months by the time my visa interview comes up? Or shall he just carry on with his self employed job now and when it comes round to doing his tax returns in april 2009, for the past year, show that instead. What do you think will be the best?

Oh and can anyone advise as to what additional documents of proof of his earnings are needed for my interview? Ie - pay slips, bank statements etc... and how many months worth?

[Otto 83]

Couple of things - if he's self employed, he'll need to show the past 3 years worth of tax returns. Secondly, if he's able, it'd be a good idea to be 'permanently' employed (for as long as possible) to show he can support both of you - or - continue on as you are now but secure a co-sponsor.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hi Everyone! My boyfriend has been a cheerleading instructor in the United States for the past 5 plus years and has been self employed. Unfortunately, this has not paid him very highly because he has persued this career for a love of the sport, not the financial benefits.

We are compiling all the forms and documents together, needed to file the I-129F. I am going out to New Jersey in the United States to be with him this summer for three months and we're going to start the ball rolling and mail off the package then. However, I have some concerns about the Affadavit of Support needed and additional documents needed. I have been looking on the USCIS website and through the VJ website and it looks as though the 125% above the poverty line is needed only as his present financial status (not what he has earnt in past years).

Is it worth my boyfriend seeking permanent employment, so we have 'better records' on paper of employment - and if so, would it be ok that he would only be employed for 6-8 months by the time my visa interview comes up? Or shall he just carry on with his self employed job now and when it comes round to doing his tax returns in april 2009, for the past year, show that instead. What do you think will be the best?

Oh and can anyone advise as to what additional documents of proof of his earnings are needed for my interview? Ie - pay slips, bank statements etc... and how many months worth?

You are correct. CURRENT income is used. If he has an employment letter and a few check stubs, he is good to go. There is no qualification that he must have the job for any given length of time. I think if he has been there long enough to have 2 or 3 check stubs you would have no problem. If he has regular employement at the time of your interview, he will not have to give thre years tax returns (actually, even if self employed, he only needs one year for the interview but will have to declare for three years for the AOS). I would say you have enough time to decide this. If you will start the process in July you will likely have an interview late this year.

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Hi Everyone! My boyfriend has been a cheerleading instructor in the United States for the past 5 plus years and has been self employed. Unfortunately, this has not paid him very highly because he has persued this career for a love of the sport, not the financial benefits.

We are compiling all the forms and documents together, needed to file the I-129F. I am going out to New Jersey in the United States to be with him this summer for three months and we're going to start the ball rolling and mail off the package then. However, I have some concerns about the Affadavit of Support needed and additional documents needed. I have been looking on the USCIS website and through the VJ website and it looks as though the 125% above the poverty line is needed only as his present financial status (not what he has earnt in past years).

Is it worth my boyfriend seeking permanent employment, so we have 'better records' on paper of employment - and if so, would it be ok that he would only be employed for 6-8 months by the time my visa interview comes up? Or shall he just carry on with his self employed job now and when it comes round to doing his tax returns in april 2009, for the past year, show that instead. What do you think will be the best?

Oh and can anyone advise as to what additional documents of proof of his earnings are needed for my interview? Ie - pay slips, bank statements etc... and how many months worth?

You are correct. CURRENT income is used. If he has an employment letter and a few check stubs, he is good to go. There is no qualification that he must have the job for any given length of time. I think if he has been there long enough to have 2 or 3 check stubs you would have no problem. If he has regular employement at the time of your interview, he will not have to give thre years tax returns (actually, even if self employed, he only needs one year for the interview but will have to declare for three years for the AOS). I would say you have enough time to decide this. If you will start the process in July you will likely have an interview late this year.

Thank you so much for your advice. I think it'll be easier if he has 'employment' so we can offer a few pay stubbs instead. Thankyou! Oh and does anyone know exactly what the 125% above the poverty line is now. For 2 people, would that mean the petitioner has to earn $20,000+? And what documents shall we prepare to prove this aside from pay stubs? Bank statements etc...?

Edited February 15, 2009 by RUSSandRACHEL

[TayL 0]

The 2008 US Poverty Guidelines.

That's direct from the US Department of State, though if you're planning on filing later than next month, there's a chance it may change between now and then, as the pattern seems to be to change it in March, though I'm not positive and someone else might have more experience in when they change it.

From that, for a household of two (which includes you, the beneficiary), he has to make $17,500 USD.