I-864 joint sponsor advisable?

[ReconditeGrape 0]

I currently make well above the requirement for two people (~$37k annually) and have a letter from my employer and some paystubs to verify this. My employment, however, only started in September, and in previous years I was a college student and did not have nearly the same income. In 2009, with alternative sources of income, I barely cleared the requirement (something like ~$21k), and in 2008 and 2007 I earned virtually nothing.

I see that technically, the I-864 instructions only require us to submit our taxes from the previous year (I assume this is 2009?), and only suggest that we may submit additional tax information "if you believe additional returns may help you to establish your ability to maintain sufficient income". Do you think that my short record earning income at the level necessary for sponsorship makes it advisable for me to get a joint sponsor?

(For what it's worth, I also have a bank balance of ~$35k, which isn't enough to meet the requirement on its own... but might help make the case that my financial resources are sufficient?)

Thanks for your help and advice!

[jkelly07 120]

the new 2011 poverty guidelines for two people is 18,387 and for each addititional person it's 4,775, that want the most recent tax.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You don't need a co-sponsor. You make enough currently, and also did last year. You have proof of your current employment.

Worst that can happen is that they would send you an RFE for a co-sponsor, but that won't happen, since you make enough (just telling you to ease your mind - worst case scenario isn't so bad). Good luck.

[Schwez 0]

You will be fine. No need to supply evidence for more than most recent year.

We got RFE'd as my wife fell below the 125% requirement. We had her father go in as a joint sponsor.

Took a day to get another I-864 filled out for him, and copies of his tax information together.

Mailed it all with the RFE letter from DHS. The EAD and AP approval arrived in the mail just over 30 days later.

It was a bit of a worry at first but all worked out ok.

[ReconditeGrape 0]

Thanks everyone! Sounds like I was being unduly nervous about my chances.

Do you think that it would still be advisable for me to include my bank balance (~$35k), or would adding documentation for that be more trouble than it's worth? The form says that we don't have to list assets if our income already clears the cutoff, but I'm wondering whether it might salve any concerns either during the processing stage or (more likely) the interview. My pathetically low income from 2008 and 2007 in response to question 25 is still making me a little worried, although it sounds like I really shouldn't be.

[Anh map 2,098]

Thanks everyone! Sounds like I was being unduly nervous about my chances.

Do you think that it would still be advisable for me to include my bank balance (~$35k), or would adding documentation for that be more trouble than it's worth? The form says that we don't have to list assets if our income already clears the cutoff, but I'm wondering whether it might salve any concerns either during the processing stage or (more likely) the interview. My pathetically low income from 2008 and 2007 in response to question 25 is still making me a little worried, although it sounds like I really shouldn't be.

It can't hurt to demonstrate the savings balance.

As a recent college grad it makes sense that your prior years' income was low. You've started your career and have a solid income. That should be all that you need.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

the new 2011 poverty guidelines for two people is 18,387 and for each addititional person it's 4,775, that want the most recent tax.

Just a correction here. They poverty guidelines are still the same. They did raise them but appear to have removed them and the 2010 have been re-added so it appears the "increase" no longer applies (or someone's stuffed up).

Thanks everyone! Sounds like I was being unduly nervous about my chances.

Do you think that it would still be advisable for me to include my bank balance (~$35k), or would adding documentation for that be more trouble than it's worth? The form says that we don't have to list assets if our income already clears the cutoff, but I'm wondering whether it might salve any concerns either during the processing stage or (more likely) the interview. My pathetically low income from 2008 and 2007 in response to question 25 is still making me a little worried, although it sounds like I really shouldn't be.

Stop stressing. My husband was only over by barely $1K because he was a full-time student but we had zero issues and listed no assets. His previous years was the same (2008) but his 2007 was definitely over.

Just include your 2009 return, letter from employer (showing still employed) and a few paystubs if you feel like and you'll be fine.

**Edit - in the event they decide you ARE deficient your $35K bank balance is also great. You would take the amount you're "down" and times it by three to get the amount you need in assets. Dividing your $35K in 3 that's around a $10K deficiency (roughly) and you're definitely not down by that much.

Edited February 7, 2011 by Vanessa&Tony