Affidavit of Support Questions (Colombia)

[Templar21 0]

I filed for a Fiance Visa for my Colombian girlfriend a while back. My parents have agreed to be joint sponsors, but I have a couple of questions that have kind of confused me.

Can only one of my parents be a joint sponsor, or can they sponsor together? I ask because they file their taxes together every year, but the wording on some of the questions in the I-864 is confusing to me. Can they combine their income, as they file their income tax together, or must they operate as single entities? I read the part about household members contributing, but it says siblings, parents, or adult children.

Also, I am unsure what they should check in Section 1. When it says there can be two joint sponsors, do they mean me plus one? Or do they mean me... plus two others?

Finally, for anyone who has gone through this process at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, were you asked to provide an Affidavit of Support?

I apologize if my questions are convoluted. I am leaving for Bogota in a couple of weeks and it just seems like a mountain of documents I need... and I'm terrified of forgetting things or doing them wrong. I also have to go and file a Consular Report of Birth Abroad for my daughter... which just adds to the confusion. I keep forgetting who needs what and when... blah.

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

I filed for a Fiance Visa for my Colombian girlfriend a while back. My parents have agreed to be joint sponsors, but I have a couple of questions that have kind of confused me.

Can only one of my parents be a joint sponsor, or can they sponsor together? I ask because they file their taxes together every year, but the wording on some of the questions in the I-864 is confusing to me. Can they combine their income, as they file their income tax together, or must they operate as single entities? I read the part about household members contributing, but it says siblings, parents, or adult children.

Also, I am unsure what they should check in Section 1. When it says there can be two joint sponsors, do they mean me plus one? Or do they mean me... plus two others?

Finally, for anyone who has gone through this process at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, were you asked to provide an Affidavit of Support?

I apologize if my questions are convoluted. I am leaving for Bogota in a couple of weeks and it just seems like a mountain of documents I need... and I'm terrified of forgetting things or doing them wrong. I also have to go and file a Consular Report of Birth Abroad for my daughter... which just adds to the confusion. I keep forgetting who needs what and when... blah.

The Bogota consulate website says this: "Fiancée visa petitioners are encouraged to submit an I-134."

You would fill out an I-134 and one of your parents would fill out their own I-134. There is no combining of incomes for the I-134. Pick the parent with the most income. They will need to have enough to hit the 125% poverty level or higher for themselves, their spouse, any dependent children under 21, any other dependents, plus your fiancee.(http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864p.pdf) It doesn't matter if they file jointly. The tax transcripts and W-2s, employment letter and pay stubs show their individual income.

[Templar21 0]

Thanks, Jay-Kay. I appreciate the quick response and information!

[acuratlsd 11]

The Bogota consulate website says this: "Fiancée visa petitioners are encouraged to submit an I-134."

You would fill out an I-134 and one of your parents would fill out their own I-134. There is no combining of incomes for the I-134. Pick the parent with the most income. They will need to have enough to hit the 125% poverty level or higher for themselves, their spouse, any dependent children under 21, any other dependents, plus your fiancee.(http://www.uscis.gov...form/i-864p.pdf) It doesn't matter if they file jointly. The tax transcripts and W-2s, employment letter and pay stubs show their individual income.

Couldn't you use the I-864A to combine all of the incomes together to help out?

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

Couldn't you use the I-864A to combine all of the incomes together to help out?

No, as I explained a few times in other threads, for a K-1 you use the I-134. A co-sponsor can be used with an I-134, but they must fill out their own I-134 form and qualify to sponsor for their household size plus the intending immigrant all on their own. You can only have one co-sponsor with the I-134.

The I-864A can be used in conjunction with the I-864, if you are filing for a spousal visa or are are filing for adjustment of status after entering the US with a K-1 and marrying within the 90 days. These are two entirely different forms. You cannot combine the I-864A with the I-134. An I-864A only works in conjunction with the I-864 under the specific circumstances mentioned in the form instructions.

You will need the I-134 for the K-1 interview. Most consulates use this form for a K-1. It is not legally binding. After you are approved for the K-1, enter the US with it and get married within the 90 days, then you will file for AOS and an I-864 will be required from the petitioner/sponsor. The I-864 is the legally binding contract between the sponsor and the government.

Ask in the PI forums about using the I-864 and I-864A in Manila for a K-1. There are consulate specific situations. All rules do not apply across all consulates.

Edited February 7, 2012 by Jay-Kay

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

Thanks, Jay-Kay. I appreciate the quick response and information!

You are welcome. Good luck at the interview!