Do we need a co-sponsor?

[Der Bücherwurm 1]

Is a co-sponsor really necessary? We will do the DCF from Dubai. I (the American) have been living and working abroad for 4 yrs. now. Do wages earned abroad count toward the proof of ability to support? If not then I guess we will have to have a co-sponsor. But does the co-sponsor have to be in the U.S.? And can his relatives already in the U.S. be our co-sponsor or does it have to be my relatives?

[t0+ 1]

Because you're living and working abroad it gets somewhat complicated. I hope this helps:

Is a co-sponsor really necessary? Yes, if you don't meet the requirements on your own.

Do wages earned abroad count toward the proof of ability to support? Normally no. There are exceptions, I beleive if you can convince them that the wages will continue after you establish domicile in the US, they will consider them. Also true if you are "in the employment of the Government of the United States, or of an American institution of research recognized as such by the Attorney General, or of an American firm or corporation engaged in whole or in part in the development of foreign trade and commerce of the United States, or a subsidiary thereof, or of a public international organization in which the United States participates by treaty or statute, or is authorized to perform the ministerial or priestly functions of a religious denomin ation having a bona fide organization within the United States, or is engaged solely as a missionary by a religious denomination or by an interdenominational mission organization having a bona fide organization within the United States"

But does the co-sponsor have to be in the U.S.? Yes, unless the income earned abroad meets the definition in quotes above.

And can his relatives already in the U.S. be our co-sponsor or does it have to be my relatives? The joint sponsor doesn't have to be related to either of you. They just have to meet the requirements. So it can be either your relatives or his.

[Der Bücherwurm 1]

Thanks a bunch.