Need advice on IR1 visa Section 221(g) letter regarding financial evidence

[Chiemi 1]

Hello VJ folks,

 

I am desperate now for your knowledgeable advice...

I just had my IR1 interview at Tokyo embassy and the officer issued me a 221g letter requesting additional evidence for my US husband's financial stability.

 

Our background:

• we have lived together in Japan from 2021 until February 2025. 
• My husband resumed earning US income in August 2024, but he had no US income for the previous in 2021, 2022, or 2023.
• On the I-864, we submitted only his 2024 tax transcripts,which shows about $14,000 so lower than the poverty guideline.

 

At the interview, his last year's income was my only concern. However, he is currently employed in US with stable income for 2025, so I was hoping that the officer would approve my visa considering the total circumstance. 

We also submitted a letter explaining why his 2024 income is below the poverty guideline: he did not work for the full year, but he has returned to the same company where he was employed for nearly 10 years. 

We understand that having a joint sponsor is usually the most straightforward solution, but unfortunately, we do not have one at this time and we also lack assets sufficient to meet the guideline.

My questions are:

• Would his earlier tax transcripts (2018, 2019, 2020), when he had stable income, help establish financial stability?
• Alternatively, could we wait until the next tax season and submit his 2025 tax transcript as additional evidence?

We have already waited a very long time to reach this stage, and we are very worried about having to start over. I know that finding a joint sponsor would be the simplest option, and we will continue to try, but I would also like advice on what evidence we can provide in the meantime.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. I have attached a copy of the 221(g) letter for reference.

Thank you sincerely for your help.

I have attached the 221g letter.

 

 

[TBoneTX 47,790]

Thread is shifted from the CR-1 Case Progress subforum to the CR-1 Process forum.

[Crazy Cat 45,067]

7 hours ago, Chiemi said:

Would his earlier tax transcripts (2018, 2019, 2020), when he had stable income, help establish financial stability?

I don't think so, but you can try.  CURRENT annual income is king.  Did you include evidence of current annual income (income expected over the next 12 months)? Current annual income is calculated as:

Gross income for last pay period multiplied by the number of pay periods in 12 months.  Example, if his gross pay is $2000 every 2 weeks,  then $2000 x 26 = $52,000 current annual income.

If you did include this, you need a well-qualified joint sponsor.  A joint sponsor can be an US citizen or Green Card holder domiciled in the US.

 

If he is self employed, you will need a joint sponsor.

[Chiemi 1]

@Crazy Cat

Thank you so much for your comment.

Yes, we have included the current annual income, which is well above the guideline, along with most recent pay stubs. 

I agree with you that finding a joint sponsor is the best course of action.