Stewart

You cannot be a sole sponsor no matter how much you earn unless your current income is continuous in the US.

Those who quit their job in a foreign country and move back to the US have to use assets (3 times poverty line) or find a joint sponsor.

My husband had filed 1040 and 2555 together each year while he resided in Japan.

Yes, the total income and adjusted gross income become $0 when you use 2555.

However, you shouldn't worry about it for now because you are not qualified to be a sole sponsor anyways (again, unless your income is continuous in the US.)

I was also told by the DCF consul that foreign income would not count, unless you can show that this income will continue after you move back to the U.S. (e.g. with letter of employment). So the other alternative is showing assets (basically liquidable assets - savings/checking, stocks, bonds, money market) that is three times 125% Poverty Level (18,212 x 3 = $54,636 for household size of 2) and/or getting joint sponsor.

Good luck, and God bless.

I'm USC married to a Japanese woman last summer. We got scheduled for visa interview (DCF U.S. Embassy in Tokyo) a few weeks ago. I'm currently a graduate student/self-employed Japanese translator. During our visa petition, the consular officer said that income in Japan is not applicable to future income in the U.S. and said I needed to show around $54,000 in assets (125% Poverty Level * 3). I'm able to meet this requirement. And I can also show that I can continue to work for Japanese clients while in the U.S.

My concern is that in 2007, my income level did not meet 125% PL (being a grad student). They did for 2008 and 2009. And I can meet the assets requirement.

So I plan to show:

- Past 3 years tax transcripts (or is just showing 2009 tax return sufficient?)

- Letters from clients saying work will continue to come while I'm in the U.S.

- Past 6 months pay stubs from clients

- Assets (bank statements, stocks, etc.)

Anything else helpful to show?

My questions:

- Should I ask my dad to be a joint sponsor just in case? I'm concerned about the 2007 income when it did not meet 125% PL.

- When do they determine that a joint sponsor would be needed? At the visa interview with my wife when I present the I-864 info?

I would rather not involve my dad unless absolutely necessary. So is it possible to withhold this info unless they ask for it?

Is it possible they'll ask for this AFTER the visa interview, e.g. by calling me?

Thanks for all your help!

=====================================

09/07/2006 - Met in school

12/08/2006 to 12/2008- Getting to know each other. She had to return to Japan. LDR.

01/03/2009 - Proposed. She said yes!

07/04/2009 - Got married to Tokyo. I moved to Tokyo.

04/26/2010 - Filed 1-130 at U.S. Embassy in Tokyo(6 months after receiving Japanese spouse visa in October 2009)

05/14/2010 - 1-130 got approved

06/28/2010 - Visa interview scheduled

Hi,

I'm USC married to a Japanese woman last summer. We got scheduled for visa interview (DCF U.S. Embassy in Tokyo) a few weeks ago. I'm currently a graduate student/self-employed Japanese translator. During our visa petition, the consular officer said that income in Japan is not applicable to future income in the U.S. and said I needed to show around $54,000 in assets (125% Poverty Level * 3). I'm able to meet this requirement. And I can also show that I can continue to work for Japanese clients while in the U.S.

My concern is that in 2007, my income level did not meet 125% PL (being a grad student). They did for 2008 and 2009. And I can meet the assets requirement.

So I plan to show:

- Past 3 years tax transcripts (or is just showing 2009 tax return sufficient?)

- Letters from clients saying work will continue to come while I'm in the U.S.

- Past 6 months pay stubs from clients

- Assets (bank statements, stocks, etc.)

Anything else helpful to show?

My questions:

- Should I ask my dad to be a joint sponsor just in case? I'm concerned about the 2007 income when it did not meet 125% PL.

- When do they determine that a joint sponsor would be needed? At the visa interview with my wife when I present the I-864 info?

I would rather not involve my dad unless absolutely necessary. So is it possible to withhold this info unless they ask for it?

Is it possible they'll ask for this AFTER the visa interview, e.g. by calling me?

Thanks for all your help!

=====================================

09/07/2006 - Met in school

12/08/2006 to 12/2008- Getting to know each other. She had to return to Japan. LDR.

01/03/2009 - Proposed. She said yes!

07/04/2009 - Got married to Tokyo. I moved to Tokyo.

04/26/2010 - Filed 1-130 at U.S. Embassy in Tokyo(6 months after receiving Japanese spouse visa in October 2009)

05/14/2010 - 1-130 got approved

06/28/2010 - Visa interview scheduled