Filling out I-864 right after getting a new job

[klester 0]

Hi guys,

I'm wondering if I should use a co-sponsor or not for my I-864.

My wife is in Japan, where we spent the last two years together. I made a steady income while I lived in Japan. I returned to the US in April of this year and didn't have a job until the beginning of May (this week). As a result, I currently make enough money to support my wife, but I don't have any paycheck stubs or anything. I want to send in the I-864 as soon as possible, of course.

I CAN get a letter from my manager showing my current salary, start date, etc on company letterhead. I (of course) have my tax returns from last year, but of course it will show the income I made in Japan.

If all I have is a letter from employer stating my start date and current salary (etc), and my tax returns showing my income last year (which was all earned in Japan), will this be enough to satisfy the I-864? Or should I use a co-sponsor?

[speedwell 224]

An official letter saying that you are an employee in good standing, your start date, and the annual salary is indispensable. You should also provide IRS transcripts of your US tax returns from 2010 and 2011, and a copy of your full return from 2012, including all forms and schedules and items you sent in support of it. That should be sufficient.

You did file US taxes for 2010, 2011, and 2012, didn't you?

[klester 0]

An official letter saying that you are an employee in good standing, your start date, and the annual salary is indispensable. You should also provide IRS transcripts of your US tax returns from 2010 and 2011, and a copy of your full return from 2012, including all forms and schedules and items you sent in support of it. That should be sufficient.

You did file US taxes for 2010, 2011, and 2012, didn't you?

Of course I did.

I was just wondering if lack of a US income in 2011-2012 and no paystubs yet (as I just started) were a deal breaker, or if I could get by no problem with the employment letter and tax info.

[speedwell 224]

The lack of income is the main problem. Yes, they will think about that when they calculate how much you made. The new job might not cut the mustard yet. If you have a joint sponsor lined up, I would go ahead. Your new job should at least reassure the joint sponsor that they are not likely to be called upon to do anything. Good luck.

[ainsn 8]

I'm kind of in the same situation. I was a full-time student in 2010 and 2011 so I didn't work/file taxes. I worked for a few months in early 2012 and then moved to Bangladesh to live with my husband for the rest of the year. Now I'm back in the states working full-time. I submitted my I864 a couple of weeks after getting hired, so my packet only had my 2012 tax returns (minimal income), a couple of current pay stubs, and an employment letter. NVC is currently reviewing my AOS packet, so I'll let you know if they approve it or send me a checklist.

[ainsn 8]

Of course I did.

I was just wondering if lack of a US income in 2011-2012 and no paystubs yet (as I just started) were a deal breaker, or if I could get by no problem with the employment letter and tax info.

Refer to my previous post above -- that's all I submitted and my AOS packet was approved! I think you'll be fine with what you have if it understandably fits the rest of your relationship timeline/milestones. Good luck!