Need help: General question about I-864 procedure

[doubleyellowlines 0]

I have been living abroad (Turkey) for the last 4 years. I will be petitioning an immigrant visa for my wife soon.

I am not making enough money here, in terms of US poverty line standards. And I am not able to locate someone to be a co-sponsor. I have assets (a house in Turkey, worth 100K, but selling of the house will most likely take time)

I am thinking of going back to US and start working at a job, to take care of the I-864 issue.

However, I did NOT file my taxes for the last four years! (I will be mailing my 1040's for the last four years altogether in a few days to IRS and keep a copy thereof for interview purposes. I will certainly write a statement saying why I did not pay my taxes- was making less than $9K a year, for which IRS does not require taxes to be filed.)

In this case, even though I will be working at a job few months down the road in US and before my wife's interview at the embassy: How can I prove that I am making money over the required poverty line? Can a salary/employment letter from my employer suffice it?

Or what shall I do?

Temporarily seperating from my family is the last resort, but if it comes down to it and I'd have to go back to US for employment, how will I take care of the I-864 issue as someone who did not pay taxes for the last few years?

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

It is current salary that is most important, not past income. So as long as you were not required to file, or have now backfiled taxes, you will be fine.

That being said, looking at VJ, it seems embassies have gotten pickier recently about income and proving it is sustainable/ permanent income. So you may want to contact your local US embassy and check with them what they will accept- some embassies are ok with a month's paystubs and a letter from the employer, others want to see at least 6 months worth of paystubs.

Sponsoring on assets is another option- it is what we did. However, most embassies will want to see the assets be US based, so you'd need to sell the house in Turkey and transfer your money to a US account before being able to use that.

[doubleyellowlines 0]

It is current salary that is most important, not past income. So as long as you were not required to file, or have now backfiled taxes, you will be fine.

That being said, looking at VJ, it seems embassies have gotten pickier recently about income and proving it is sustainable/ permanent income. So you may want to contact your local US embassy and check with them what they will accept- some embassies are ok with a month's paystubs and a letter from the employer, others want to see at least 6 months worth of paystubs.

Sponsoring on assets is another option- it is what we did. However, most embassies will want to see the assets be US based, so you'd need to sell the house in Turkey and transfer your money to a US account before being able to use that.

Thanks for your reply!

So, it boils down to what is OK with the local US embassy - whether a month's or 6 month's paystubs, or letter from the employer would do it.

(If only I could reach anyone from the immigration unit of Ankara embassy..phone calls, e-mails etc, NO ANSWER from the embassy!!)

I am aware about having to transfer the money that will come from the sale of the house.

Anyhow, thanks again! I understand that this is a specific info that I somehow have to learn from the embassy!

Has anyone else been in a similar situation?

Thanks!!