Larry and Marides

Old user is not the strongest. Don't be weak. Be assertive. It doesn't take much effort to write a letter of explanation. Actually, based on feedback it's actually better to submit the letter of assets explanation when submitting the initial documents. However, while a joint sponsor may seem like the path of least resistance, it is not always the most appropriate or sustainable solution. The reality is that many applicants simply do not have access to a joint sponsor, and more importantly, many don’t actually need one. The law provides clear pathways for petitioners to qualify based on their own income or assets, including retirement income, investment holdings, and other verifiable financial resources. The problem often arises when legal representatives fail to fully explore or advocate these alternatives—whether due to oversight, expedience, or a one-size-fits-all mentality. Fighting the current isn’t about being contrarian. It’s about asserting your eligibility within the framework of the law when your circumstances justify it. It's about ensuring the system works as intended, especially for those who don’t have the resources or support structures others might take for granted. Many have had cases derailed or delayed because attorneys defaulted to joint sponsorship rather than building a case around the petitioner’s actual financial capacity. So while opinions may vary, and some may view joint sponsorship as a quicker route, the deeper issue is whether legal professionals are acting in the best interest of the applicant—or simply taking the easy way out themselves. For those who can meet the requirements independently, that path is not just viable—it’s often the most prudent and empowering one. I have already taught 10 people how to write a proper letter of explanation, and they have been successful.

Teach people how to use assets instead of telling everyone to get a joint sponsor. I respect your experience and perspective, especially having successfully navigated both AOS and N-400 with legal representation. It's true that for many, hiring a competent immigration attorney can streamline the process—provided the attorney offers quality, personalized service. However, while a joint sponsor may seem like the path of least resistance, it is not always the most appropriate or sustainable solution. The reality is that many applicants simply do not have access to a joint sponsor, and more importantly, many don’t actually need one. The law provides clear pathways for petitioners to qualify based on their own income or assets, including retirement income, investment holdings, and other verifiable financial resources. The problem often arises when legal representatives fail to fully explore or advocate these alternatives—whether due to oversight, expedience, or a one-size-fits-all mentality. Fighting the current isn’t about being contrarian. It’s about asserting your eligibility within the framework of the law when your circumstances justify it. It's about ensuring the system works as intended, especially for those who don’t have the resources or support structures others might take for granted. Many have had cases derailed or delayed because attorneys defaulted to joint sponsorship rather than building a case around the petitioner’s actual financial capacity. So while opinions may vary, and some may view joint sponsorship as a quicker route, the deeper issue is whether legal professionals are acting in the best interest of the applicant—or simply taking the easy way out themselves. For those who can meet the requirements independently, that path is not just viable—it’s often the most prudent and empowering one.

This is how I overcame a 221g for joint sponsor using assets. Here is the letter of explanation I used. After 2 months spouses Visa was approved with no further explanation. I qualified on assets, despite my TAXABLE income only being 14,000 dollars. Note: Many will take the easy way out and encourage you to use a joint sponsor. Don't let them discourage you. Even if you've already submitted all the documentation, resubmit it alongside your letter to ensure the officer has everything clearly organized, such as: Updated bank/investment account statements. Any missing or supplemental evidence that further strengthens your case. [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Date] Consular Officer [Embassy/Consulate Name] [Address] [City, Country] Subject: Response to 221(g) Request – Demonstration of Financial Qualification Without Joint Sponsor Dear Consular Officer, I am writing to address the 221(g) notice issued on [date], requesting a joint sponsor for my Immigrant Visa application (Case Number: XXXXXXX). I respectfully assert that I qualify fully under the financial requirements outlined in 9 FAM 601.14 using my liquid assets, and as such, a joint sponsor should not be necessary. Financial Qualification Through Liquid Assets As per 9 FAM 601.14, I am permitted to meet the Affidavit of Support requirement by demonstrating ownership of liquid or readily convertible assets that exceed the income shortfall by the applicable multiplier (3x for spousal cases). My liquid assets far exceed the poverty guideline thresholds and income shortfall, as outlined below: Required Income (125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines): [$ Amount] My Liquid Assets: [$ Amount] This is equivalent to [X] times the required poverty level threshold. Asset Conversion Calculation: Required Assets (3x the income shortfall): [$ Amount] My Assets: [$ Amount], which exceeds this requirement by a significant margin. Details of Liquid Assets Bank Accounts: [Bank Name], Total Balance: [$ Amount] Documentation: [12 months of statements, bank certification letters] Investment Accounts: [Institution Name], Total Balance: [$ Amount] Documentation: [Statements and portfolio summaries] Other Assets (if applicable): [Details] Supporting Documentation I have attached the following documents for your review: Form I-864 Affidavit of Support (already submitted) Bank and investment account statements Letters from financial institutions verifying balances Any additional evidence of asset ownership Request for Reevaluation Given that my assets unequivocally meet the financial requirements without the need for a joint sponsor, I kindly request a reevaluation of my case. I hope this letter clarifies my financial eligibility and that my application may proceed without further delay. If additional information or clarification is required, I am available to provide it promptly. Please do not hesitate to contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address]. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Sincerely, [Your Full Name]

This is how I overcame a 221g for joint sponsor using assets. Here is the letter of explanation I used. After 2 months spouses Visa was approved with no further explanation. I qualified on assets, despite my TAXABLE income only being 14,000 dollars. Note: Even if you've already submitted all the documentation, resubmit it alongside your letter to ensure the officer has everything clearly organized, such as: Updated bank/investment account statements. Any missing or supplemental evidence that further strengthens your case. [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Date] Consular Officer [Embassy/Consulate Name] [Address] [City, Country] Subject: Response to 221(g) Request – Demonstration of Financial Qualification Without Joint Sponsor Dear Consular Officer, I am writing to address the 221(g) notice issued on [date], requesting a joint sponsor for my Immigrant Visa application (Case Number: XXXXXXX). I respectfully assert that I qualify fully under the financial requirements outlined in 9 FAM 601.14 using my liquid assets, and as such, a joint sponsor should not be necessary. Financial Qualification Through Liquid Assets As per 9 FAM 601.14, I am permitted to meet the Affidavit of Support requirement by demonstrating ownership of liquid or readily convertible assets that exceed the income shortfall by the applicable multiplier (3x for spousal cases). My liquid assets far exceed the poverty guideline thresholds and income shortfall, as outlined below: Required Income (125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines): [$ Amount] My Liquid Assets: [$ Amount] This is equivalent to [X] times the required poverty level threshold. Asset Conversion Calculation: Required Assets (3x the income shortfall): [$ Amount] My Assets: [$ Amount], which exceeds this requirement by a significant margin. Details of Liquid Assets Bank Accounts: [Bank Name], Total Balance: [$ Amount] Documentation: [12 months of statements, bank certification letters] Investment Accounts: [Institution Name], Total Balance: [$ Amount] Documentation: [Statements and portfolio summaries] Other Assets (if applicable): [Details] Supporting Documentation I have attached the following documents for your review: Form I-864 Affidavit of Support (already submitted) Bank and investment account statements Letters from financial institutions verifying balances Any additional evidence of asset ownership Request for Reevaluation Given that my assets unequivocally meet the financial requirements without the need for a joint sponsor, I kindly request a reevaluation of my case. I hope this letter clarifies my financial eligibility and that my application may proceed without further delay. If additional information or clarification is required, I am available to provide it promptly. Please do not hesitate to contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address]. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Sincerely, [Your Full Name]

Here is the exact example of the letter I used to overcome a 221g for joint sponsor. My tax return only showed 14000 income, but I had significant cash assets. My income appears low because I'm retired and using cash. [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Date] Consular Officer [Embassy/Consulate Name] [Address] [City, Country] Subject: Response to 221(g) Request – Demonstration of Financial Qualification Without Joint Sponsor Dear Consular Officer, I am writing to address the 221(g) notice issued on [date], requesting a joint sponsor for my Immigrant Visa application (Case Number: XXXXXXX). I respectfully assert that I qualify fully under the financial requirements outlined in 9 FAM 601.14 using my liquid assets, and as such, a joint sponsor should not be necessary. Financial Qualification Through Liquid Assets As per 9 FAM 601.14, I am permitted to meet the Affidavit of Support requirement by demonstrating ownership of liquid or readily convertible assets that exceed the income shortfall by the applicable multiplier (3x for spousal cases). My liquid assets far exceed the poverty guideline thresholds and income shortfall, as outlined below: Required Income (125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines): [$ Amount] My Liquid Assets: [$ Amount] This is equivalent to [X] times the required poverty level threshold. Asset Conversion Calculation: Required Assets (3x the income shortfall): [$ Amount] My Assets: [$ Amount], which exceeds this requirement by a significant margin. Details of Liquid Assets Bank Accounts: [Bank Name], Total Balance: [$ Amount] Documentation: [12 months of statements, bank certification letters] Investment Accounts: [Institution Name], Total Balance: [$ Amount] Documentation: [Statements and portfolio summaries] Other Assets (if applicable): [Details] Supporting Documentation I have attached the following documents for your review: Form I-864 Affidavit of Support (already submitted) Bank and investment account statements Letters from financial institutions verifying balances Any additional evidence of asset ownership Request for Reevaluation Given that my assets unequivocally meet the financial requirements without the need for a joint sponsor, I kindly request a reevaluation of my case. I hope this letter clarifies my financial eligibility and that my application may proceed without further delay. If additional information or clarification is required, I am available to provide it promptly. Please do not hesitate to contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address]. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Sincerely, [Your Full Name]

That's because you don't know what your doing. You always take the easy way out with the Joint Sponsor card. Stop disenfranchising people.

D

His advice is not good at all if you don't need a joint sponsor. Many will get a 221g because the consular officer will not let you explain your asset situation. It's easy to overcome a 221g joint sponsor when using assets . You have to simplify your assets in a letter of explanation, because they aren't accountants and will not decipher your bank records. So no, Olduser's advice is not good.

You can delete this quote now. Visa issued with assets only after responding to the 221g

All documents were submitted to CEAC well in advance.

No I won't ask for a joint sponsor and didn't need one. I didn't play their joint sponsor games. I resubmitted my 221g with a simplified explanation of my assets and also a citation of the assets policy. Boom! Visa approved.

No, I'm not playing their games. I didn't need a joint sponsor. They don't want to deal with 100 pages of financial paperwork. So they take the easy way. 221g. Well the 221g was overcome with a simplified 1 page explanation of my assets and a citation of the policy. Visa was approved on assets only.

Why is everyone so negative about assets. It can be overcome. The path forward is not to play their joint sponsor games. They don't want to go over 100 pages of assets. Resubmitted 221g with a simplified explanation of my assets. Visa approved with assets only.

Thank you for your encouragement. I stuck to my guns and won. 221g was overcome with assets only. Visa approved.

They aren't worried. They just want to take the easy route and just look at tax income only. They don't want to decipher a hundred pages of bank statements.

How? By submitting with the 221g a detailed simple explanation of my assets and citation of the section that mentions qualifying with assets. Visa approved with assets only. No

I didn't need a joint sponsor. Do some research before you assume. If you read my statement I am substantially qualified with assets. Also we got approved eventually with assets only after resubmitting the 221g with a detailed explanation of assets.

As the petitioner, my spouse’s visa was approved after responding to a 221(g) request for a joint sponsor. However, a joint sponsor was not provided because we qualified based on assets, as originally submitted. All supporting documents—including bank statements, brokerage account details, and the house deed (with no mortgage)—were uploaded alongside the I-864 Affidavit of Support. In our response to the 221(g), we included a cover letter with a clear and concise explanation of the total asset value. It is important to note that consular officers are not accountants; they do not typically analyze bank or brokerage statements in detail. Instead, they primarily focus on income as reported on tax returns, as it provides a straightforward way to assess financial eligibility. During the visa interview, the Filipino consular officer at Window 60 refused to discuss assets. He was dismissive and told my spouse to leave, stating that he was too busy to review the asset documentation. ADVICE FOR PETITIONERS QUALIFYING ON ASSETS: If you are using assets instead of income to meet the financial requirements, clearly explain your assets in simple terms. Use Part 11 (Additional Information) on the I-864 to provide a direct breakdown of your asset values. Additionally, cite the relevant sections of the guidelines that explain how assets can be used to qualify. This ensures clarity and reduces the chances of a misunderstanding or dismissal by the reviewing officer. Interview: Jan 22, 2025 Qualifying on assets. Refused 221g Joint Sponsor. Jan 22, 2025 Submitted 221g documents at VAC with a simplified explanation of assets and citing the relevant sections of the guidelines that explain how assets can be used to qualify. March 25th, 2025 Visa Issued.

As the petitioner, my spouse’s visa was approved after responding to a 221(g) request for a joint sponsor. However, a joint sponsor was not provided because we qualified based on assets, as originally submitted. All supporting documents—including bank statements, brokerage account details, and the house deed (with no mortgage)—were uploaded alongside the I-864 Affidavit of Support. In our response to the 221(g), we included a cover letter with a clear and concise explanation of the total asset value. It is important to note that consular officers are not accountants; they do not typically analyze bank or brokerage statements in detail. Instead, they primarily focus on income as reported on tax returns, as it provides a straightforward way to assess financial eligibility. During the visa interview, the Filipino consular officer at Window 60 refused to discuss assets. He was dismissive and told my spouse to leave, stating that he was too busy to review the asset documentation. ADVICE FOR PETITIONERS QUALIFYING ON ASSETS: If you are using assets instead of income to meet the financial requirements, clearly explain your assets in simple terms. Use Part 11 (Additional Information) on the I-864 to provide a direct breakdown of your asset values. Additionally, cite the relevant sections of the guidelines that explain how assets can be used to qualify. This ensures clarity and reduces the chances of a misunderstanding or dismissal by the reviewing officer. Interview: Jan 22, 2025 Qualifying on assets. Refused 221g Joint Sponsor. Jan 22, 2025 Submitted 221g documents at VAC with a simplified explanation of assets and citing the relevant sections of the guidelines that explain how assets can be used to qualify. March 25th, 2025 Visa Issued.

As the petitioner, my spouse’s visa was approved after responding to a 221(g) request for a joint sponsor. However, a joint sponsor was not provided because we qualified based on assets, as originally submitted. All supporting documents—including bank statements, brokerage account details, and the house deed (with no mortgage)—were uploaded alongside the I-864 Affidavit of Support. In our response to the 221(g), we included a cover letter with a clear and concise explanation of the total asset value. It is important to note that consular officers are not accountants; they do not typically analyze bank or brokerage statements in detail. Instead, they primarily focus on income as reported on tax returns, as it provides a straightforward way to assess financial eligibility. During the visa interview, the Filipino consular officer at Window 60 refused to discuss assets. He was dismissive and told my spouse to leave, stating that he was too busy to review the asset documentation. ADVICE FOR PETITIONERS QUALIFYING ON ASSETS: If you are using assets instead of income to meet the financial requirements, clearly explain your assets in simple terms. Use Part 11 (Additional Information) on the I-864 to provide a direct breakdown of your asset values. Additionally, cite the relevant sections of the guidelines that explain how assets can be used to qualify. This ensures clarity and reduces the chances of a misunderstanding or dismissal by the reviewing officer. Interview: Jan 22, 2025 Qualifying on assets. Refused 221g Joint Sponsor. Jan 22, 2025 Submitted 221g documents at VAC with a simplified explanation of assets and citing the relevant sections of the guidelines that explain how assets can be used to qualify. March 25th, 2025 Visa Issued.

It's not a battle at all. Responding to a 221g is simple. We got approved on assets an only after explaining the assets in simple terms.

Actually assets are not overlooked when responding to a 221g. The I-864 needs to be presented properly. As the petitioner, my spouse’s visa was approved after responding to a 221(g) request for a joint sponsor. However, a joint sponsor was not provided because we qualified based on assets, as originally submitted. All supporting documents—including bank statements, brokerage account details, and the house deed (with no mortgage)—were uploaded alongside the I-864 Affidavit of Support. In our response to the 221(g), we included a cover letter with a clear and concise explanation of the total asset value. It is important to note that consular officers are not accountants; they do not typically analyze bank or brokerage statements in detail. Instead, they primarily focus on income as reported on tax returns, as it provides a straightforward way to assess financial eligibility. During the visa interview, the Filipino consular officer at Window 60 refused to discuss assets. He was dismissive and told my spouse to leave, stating that he was too busy to review the asset documentation. ADVICE FOR PETITIONERS QUALIFYING ON ASSETS: If you are using assets instead of income to meet the financial requirements, clearly explain your assets in simple terms. Use Part 11 (Additional Information) on the I-864 to provide a direct breakdown of your asset values. Additionally, cite the relevant sections of the guidelines that explain how assets can be used to qualify. This ensures clarity and reduces the chances of a misunderstanding or dismissal by the reviewing officer. Interview: Jan 22, 2025 Qualifying on assets. Refused 221g Joint Sponsor. Jan 22, 2025 Submitted 221g documents at VAC with a simplified explanation of assets and citing the relevant sections of the guidelines that explain how assets can be used to qualify. March 25th, 2025 Visa Issued.