Income requirement confusion

[Jenn and Fuat 2]

I thought I had a good grasp of the I-134 requirement, and was under the assumption that to do this without a sponsor I need to make 125% above the poverty line for a household of two ( me and my fiance). Now I'm confused and have a few questions.

I was just reading another thread that said I must make 3 x 125% of the poverty line and NOT the 125% listed on the guide sheet. Now I can't find that thread to ask about this.. so I apologize if this is in the wrong place.

Do I need to make the 125% of the poverty line for a household of two ( this would be $26,325) or do I need to make 3 x the 125%.. which would mean I would need to make $78,975 to do this without a co-sponsor?

If I need to make 3 x 125% then I have another question.. In 2006 and 2007, I made less than that but in 2008 I made more than 3 x 125% .. for 2009 I will make less than the 3 X 125% as my company will not be giving bonuses this year. I'm going to be a little short of the requirement if I need to make 3 x 125 %. If we are lucky enough to get through all this before having to file 2009 taxes ( I don't think we will be that lucky).. would we be ok if I met the requirement in 2008, but not the two years previous to that?

and.. are they looking at GROSS income or NET income for the year?

Now I am really confused. That other post has made me think I am going to need a sponsor.

[pushbrk 12,975]

I thought I had a good grasp of the I-134 requirement, and was under the assumption that to do this without a sponsor I need to make 125% above the poverty line for a household of two ( me and my fiance). Now I'm confused and have a few questions.

I was just reading another thread that said I must make 3 x 125% of the poverty line and NOT the 125% listed on the guide sheet. Now I can't find that thread to ask about this.. so I apologize if this is in the wrong place.

Do I need to make the 125% of the poverty line for a household of two ( this would be $26,325) or do I need to make 3 x the 125%.. which would mean I would need to make $78,975 to do this without a co-sponsor?

If I need to make 3 x 125% then I have another question.. In 2006 and 2007, I made less than that but in 2008 I made more than 3 x 125% .. for 2009 I will make less than the 3 X 125% as my company will not be giving bonuses this year. I'm going to be a little short of the requirement if I need to make 3 x 125 %. If we are lucky enough to get through all this before having to file 2009 taxes ( I don't think we will be that lucky).. would we be ok if I met the requirement in 2008, but not the two years previous to that?

and.. are they looking at GROSS income or NET income for the year?

Now I am really confused. That other post has made me think I am going to need a sponsor.

The income requirement is 1.25 times the poverty line for the household size.

If using assets like savings or stock to qualify, $3 in assets can replace one dollar in income shortfall. So, with no income, you would need three times the income requirement in liquid assets.

Always read carefully and interpret "literally".

[Jenn and Fuat 2]

I thought I had a good grasp of the I-134 requirement, and was under the assumption that to do this without a sponsor I need to make 125% above the poverty line for a household of two ( me and my fiance). Now I'm confused and have a few questions.

I was just reading another thread that said I must make 3 x 125% of the poverty line and NOT the 125% listed on the guide sheet. Now I can't find that thread to ask about this.. so I apologize if this is in the wrong place.

Do I need to make the 125% of the poverty line for a household of two ( this would be $26,325) or do I need to make 3 x the 125%.. which would mean I would need to make $78,975 to do this without a co-sponsor?

If I need to make 3 x 125% then I have another question.. In 2006 and 2007, I made less than that but in 2008 I made more than 3 x 125% .. for 2009 I will make less than the 3 X 125% as my company will not be giving bonuses this year. I'm going to be a little short of the requirement if I need to make 3 x 125 %. If we are lucky enough to get through all this before having to file 2009 taxes ( I don't think we will be that lucky).. would we be ok if I met the requirement in 2008, but not the two years previous to that?

and.. are they looking at GROSS income or NET income for the year?

Now I am really confused. That other post has made me think I am going to need a sponsor.

The income requirement is 1.25 times the poverty line for the household size.

If using assets like savings or stock to qualify, $3 in assets can replace one dollar in income shortfall. So, with no income, you would need three times the income requirement in liquid assets.

Always read carefully and interpret "literally".

Ah.. so I only need 3 x125% if I am using assets instead of income? I tried to find the thread, to see if I was reading it properly but had closed the window and then couldn't find it again.

Thanks!!

[k.loveh 0]

I thought I had a good grasp of the I-134 requirement, and was under the assumption that to do this without a sponsor I need to make 125% above the poverty line for a household of two ( me and my fiance). Now I'm confused and have a few questions.

I was just reading another thread that said I must make 3 x 125% of the poverty line and NOT the 125% listed on the guide sheet. Now I can't find that thread to ask about this.. so I apologize if this is in the wrong place.

Do I need to make the 125% of the poverty line for a household of two ( this would be $26,325) or do I need to make 3 x the 125%.. which would mean I would need to make $78,975 to do this without a co-sponsor?

If I need to make 3 x 125% then I have another question.. In 2006 and 2007, I made less than that but in 2008 I made more than 3 x 125% .. for 2009 I will make less than the 3 X 125% as my company will not be giving bonuses this year. I'm going to be a little short of the requirement if I need to make 3 x 125 %. If we are lucky enough to get through all this before having to file 2009 taxes ( I don't think we will be that lucky).. would we be ok if I met the requirement in 2008, but not the two years previous to that?

and.. are they looking at GROSS income or NET income for the year?

Now I am really confused. That other post has made me think I am going to need a sponsor.

Do the same income requirements apply to all immigrant visa applicants even if they use the I-134?

No. The 125 percent minimum income requirement, the most recent year's tax return and other requirements only apply when an I-864 is needed. Applicants using the I-134 will need to show that their sponsor's income is 100 percent of federal poverty guidelines as required under Section 212(a)(4) of the INA.

Source: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/ty....html#Immigrant

Edited October 10, 2009 by k.loveh

[pushbrk 12,975]

I thought I had a good grasp of the I-134 requirement, and was under the assumption that to do this without a sponsor I need to make 125% above the poverty line for a household of two ( me and my fiance). Now I'm confused and have a few questions.

I was just reading another thread that said I must make 3 x 125% of the poverty line and NOT the 125% listed on the guide sheet. Now I can't find that thread to ask about this.. so I apologize if this is in the wrong place.

Do I need to make the 125% of the poverty line for a household of two ( this would be $26,325) or do I need to make 3 x the 125%.. which would mean I would need to make $78,975 to do this without a co-sponsor?

If I need to make 3 x 125% then I have another question.. In 2006 and 2007, I made less than that but in 2008 I made more than 3 x 125% .. for 2009 I will make less than the 3 X 125% as my company will not be giving bonuses this year. I'm going to be a little short of the requirement if I need to make 3 x 125 %. If we are lucky enough to get through all this before having to file 2009 taxes ( I don't think we will be that lucky).. would we be ok if I met the requirement in 2008, but not the two years previous to that?

and.. are they looking at GROSS income or NET income for the year?

Now I am really confused. That other post has made me think I am going to need a sponsor.

Do the same income requirements apply to all immigrant visa applicants even if they use the I-134?

No. The 125 percent minimum income requirement, the most recent year's tax return and other requirements only apply when an I-864 is needed. Applicants using the I-134 will need to show that their sponsor's income is 100 percent of federal poverty guidelines as required under Section 212(a)(4) of the INA.

Source: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/ty....html#Immigrant

Consulates have broad latitude in evalluating the public charge concern. Most but not all, go by the I-864 guidelines. They are certainly not required to follow the guideline quoted above.