Co-sponsor who has been sponsored in the past

[amzż 3]

Sorry if I missed a similar thread somewhere but I looked at found nothing like it.

I will be a sponsor for my husband on CR1 visa. My current income and last year's are enough (about 5k more than the required minimum); however, I had a very low income in previous years (2 of them would be included on I-864). I do realize that USCIS looks closely on the current situation but I want to have a co-sponsor just in case. They may say that I go to school, live alone, had a low income in previous years etc - and I don't want to get RFE.

I asked my brother if he could be the co-sponsor. He makes enough money to support himself, his wife, and my husband if that would be needed. However, he is still a Green Card holder (he will be applying for citizenship this year) hence he was sponsored in the past. He never needed any financial help from his sponsor and he has been doing very well financially for last few years. I also know that the co-sponsor can be LPR and I think anyone with this status has must have been sponsored before. I just want to be sure before I do anything.

My question is if he can be the co-sponsor even though he had one in the past. I believe that the obligations of the sponsor end when the alien gets his/her citizenship, leaves the country etc. My brother hasn't done any of these; he hasn't worked 40 quarters either. But, as I stated above, he does have enough income to support his family and mine.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Edited July 26, 2012 by amzż

[AandJ 3]

Hi!

I cannot say with 100% sureness because my husband hasn't had the interview and got his visa in hand yet BUT we passed through NVC and got our case complete having a joint sponsor who is a LPR. He was sponsored when he immigrated over 20 years ago and there seemed to be no problem. On the i-864 in the direction it basically just says they need to submit proof of their status: Proof of permanent resident status includes a photocopy of both sides of the "green card," Form I-551, Alien Registration Receipt Card/Permanent Resident Card; or a photocopy of an unexpired temporary I-551 stamp in either a foreign passport or a DHS Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Document.

It hasn't been a problem for us, so I doubt it will be for you guys! The only thing...do you live with your brother? Will he be the co-sponsor or a joint sponsor? Just make sure you check the correct box on the i-864 when it asks that!

Best of luck!

[amzż 3]

Thank you for your reply!

I'm a little confused because I didn't know there was a difference between co-sponsor and joint sponsor. Do you know how they differ?

My brother and I live in separate places. In this case, if there is a difference between co- and joint sponsor, which one would my brother be? I will be the main one, and his income will be put on I 864 just in case.

Thanks again!

UPDATE:

I just read somewhere that it is a residency issue! A co-sponsor must live in the same place where the main sponsor - someone said. So in our case, my brother will be a joint sponsor, is that right?

Edited July 26, 2012 by amzż

[Ryan H 3,810]

Thank you for your reply!

I'm a little confused because I didn't know there was a difference between co-sponsor and joint sponsor. Do you know how they differ?

My brother and I live in separate places. In this case, if there is a difference between co- and joint sponsor, which one would my brother be? I will be the main one, and his income will be put on I 864 just in case.

Thanks again!

UPDATE:

I just read somewhere that it is a residency issue! A co-sponsor must live in the same place where the main sponsor - someone said. So in our case, my brother will be a joint sponsor, is that right?

Your brother will be a joint sponsor.

[AandJ 3]

Yes, as Ryan says, he would be the joint sponsor. So, you can't just put his income on your i-864. He has to fill out his own (which you mail in with yours) and provide the pay stubs, tax receipts or taxes, proof of LPR, etc - just like you. The only good thing is that you only have to pay the Affidavit of Support fee ($88) once!

[amzż 3]

Great news about the one time fee!

I put my thoughts into wrong words: I do know we need separate I-864 and other documents. I just wanted to make sure if he can really be the joint sponsor.

Thanks to both of you for your help!

[pushbrk 12,569]

Sorry if I missed a similar thread somewhere but I looked at found nothing like it.

I will be a sponsor for my husband on CR1 visa. My current income and last year's are enough (about 5k more than the required minimum); however, I had a very low income in previous years (2 of them would be included on I-864). I do realize that USCIS looks closely on the current situation but I want to have a co-sponsor just in case. They may say that I go to school, live alone, had a low income in previous years etc - and I don't want to get RFE.

I asked my brother if he could be the co-sponsor. He makes enough money to support himself, his wife, and my husband if that would be needed. However, he is still a Green Card holder (he will be applying for citizenship this year) hence he was sponsored in the past. He never needed any financial help from his sponsor and he has been doing very well financially for last few years. I also know that the co-sponsor can be LPR and I think anyone with this status has must have been sponsored before. I just want to be sure before I do anything.

My question is if he can be the co-sponsor even though he had one in the past. I believe that the obligations of the sponsor end when the alien gets his/her citizenship, leaves the country etc. My brother hasn't done any of these; he hasn't worked 40 quarters either. But, as I stated above, he does have enough income to support his family and mine.

Any advice would be appreciated.

If your current income is sufficient, NVC will not give you an RFE for the I-864. If you wish to obligate your brother to the government by providing an unneeded I-864 from him, the fact that he was previously sponsored will not be relevant.

[JohnR! 5,495]

My current income and last year's are enough (about 5k more than the required minimum); however, I had a very low income in previous years (2 of them would be included on I-864). I do realize that USCIS looks closely on the current situation but I want to have a co-sponsor just in case.

You don't need a joint sponsor. What really counts is how much money you make currently.