Co-Sponsor

[eternalcompanion 3]

Since my petitioner has only an income of around $25,000 annually (19k for retirement pension and 6k for part time job), we intend to get a co-sponsor to be sure of an approval with regard the income requirement. We have two choices; a couple who are members of the church we belong and very much willing to be co-sponsors but are not blood relatives or the petitioner's only one surviving auntie (sister of his deceased mother) but in her late 80's, who is also willing to be a co-sponsor. Who do you think is best to be a co-sponsor? A younger couple who are not blood relatives or a blood relative in her late years? Both have enough income and assets.

[Hank_ 9,174]

You have two children already, or does he have children living at home? $25,000 is good for up to three people.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864p.pdf

Co-sponsors are always a ####### shoot with a K-1 at USEM, there is nothing that specifies that the co-sponsor needs to be a relative. If you do the co-sponsor route complete the I-864 also.

[sjr09 155]

You have two children already, or does he have children living at home? $25,000 is good for up to three people.

http://www.uscis.gov...form/i-864p.pdf

Co-sponsors are always a ####### shoot with a K-1 at USEM, there is nothing that specifies that the co-sponsor needs to be a relative. If you do the co-sponsor route complete the I-864 also.

[Tahoma 2,292]

Your petitioner's income is sufficient for a household size of three people.

What is your petitioner's household size? Count your petitioner, yourself, your petitioned children, his unmarried children under 21 years old, and any other dependents your petitioner claimed on his federal income tax return.

If your petitioner's household size is larger than three people, then I would go with the church couple who offered to joint sponsor, even though they are not relatives. An 80 year old aunt might not be seen by the consular officer as someone who would be a viable sponsor a few years from now.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Age for dependents: Must be under age 19 or under 24 and a full-time student for at least 5 months. They can be any age if they are totally and permanently disabled.

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p929/ar02.html

Edited November 19, 2012 by Hank_

[Tahoma 2,292]

Age for dependents on a federal income tax return: Must be under age 19 or under 24 and a full-time student for at least 5 months. They can be any age if they are totally and permanently disabled.

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p929/ar02.html

Fixxored...

Edited November 19, 2012 by Tahoma

[Hank_ 9,174]

Other types of dependents are called leeches!

[Tahoma 2,292]

Other types of dependents are called leeches!

I try not to paint everyone with the same brush for reasons which should be obvious.

[eternalcompanion 3]

You have two children already, or does he have children living at home? $25,000 is good for up to three people.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864p.pdf

Co-sponsors are always a ####### shoot with a K-1 at USEM, there is nothing that specifies that the co-sponsor needs to be a relative. If you do the co-sponsor route complete the I-864 also.

I have a 20 yr old daughter coming with me. He has no dependent. Total of 3 households. I am worried with the part time income, meaning unstable. Having a co-sponsor i think may help, for back up.

[eternalcompanion 3]

Your petitioner's income is sufficient for a household size of three people.

What is your petitioner's household size? Count your petitioner, yourself, your petitioned children, his unmarried children under 21 years old, and any other dependents your petitioner claimed on his federal income tax return.

If your petitioner's household size is larger than three people, then I would go with the church couple who offered to joint sponsor, even though they are not relatives. An 80 year old aunt might not be seen by the consular officer as someone who would be a viable sponsor a few years from now.

We are only a household of 3. He has no dependent. My 20 yr old daughter is coming with me. I'm just worried that the CO will look at the part-time job as an unstable income so I decided to have a co-sponsor. And i will have the couple sign the I-864 not I-130 right?

[eternalcompanion 3]

Will a scanned copy of I-864 and its supporting documents will do or do they have to send the originals? My interview is on the 10th of December. Kudos to both of you Hank and Tahoma. You are doing a great & wonderful job of helping VJ members in their journey.

[Hank_ 9,174]

There is no need for a co-sponsor as your fiance's income is adequate for a family of three, part time job or not, if he has been doing this job for a time and it shows on his latest tax return all is good. Never DO-DO when DO will DO.

[ca_babe 129]

There is no need for a co-sponsor as your fiance's income is adequate for a family of three, part time job or not, if he has been doing this job for a time and it shows on his latest tax return all is good. Never DO-DO when DO will DO.

[eternalcompanion 3]

There is no need for a co-sponsor as your fiance's income is adequate for a family of three, part time job or not, if he has been doing this job for a time and it shows on his latest tax return all is good. Never DO-DO when DO will DO.

He only started with his part time job last November of 2011 and he has no tax return yet for 2012 showing his part time job. We will only submit his pay stubs for the year and the certificate of employment. We have the tax transcripts for 2009, 2010 and 2011 (without the part time job yet) and we will also submit the appraiser of his house and lot for back up. I like the way you said it. "Never DO-DO when DO will DO."

[Tahoma 2,292]

We are only a household of 3. He has no dependent. My 20 yr old daughter is coming with me. I'm just worried that the CO will look at the part-time job as an unstable income so I decided to have a co-sponsor. And i will have the couple sign the I-864 not I-134 right?

The joint sponsor can fill out either an I-134 or an I-864. Traditionally, Manila is looking for an I-134, but has accepted I-864's. An I-864 is a better idea because it is legally binding and it's also the form a joint sponsor would provide for you when you adjusted your status.

Will a scanned copy of I-864 and its supporting documents will do or do they have to send the originals? My interview is on the 10th of December. Kudos to both of you Hank and Tahoma. You are doing a great & wonderful job of helping VJ members in their journey.

The I-864 must be an original, not a copy. The supporting documents can be scanned/copies.

He only started with his part time job last November of 2011 and he has no tax return yet for 2012 showing his part time job. We will only submit his pay stubs for the year and the certificate of employment. We have the tax transcripts for 2009, 2010 and 2011 (without the part time job yet) and we will also submit the appraiser of his house and lot for back up. I like the way you said it. "Never DO-DO when DO will DO."

His 2011 income will not be enough for a household of three to exceed 125% of the poverty line. However, the good news is that the consular officer will also look at his current sustained income based upon his current paycheck stubs. His current sustained income exceeds 125% of the poverty line for his household size.

I always advocate playing it safe when it comes to incomes which are close to the poverty guidelines. That's why I would recommend:

1. Attempt to submit your joint sponsor's I-864 and it's supporting documents to the Filipino pre-screener. If that doesn't work, attempt to submit them to the consular officer. Also, make sure the consular officer knows that your fiancé's current sustained income exceeds 125% of the poverty level for 2012.

2. Let the consular officer know about your potential to get a job in the U.S. Do you have a college education, a work history, or any special skills?

3. If your fiancé has any liquid assets, he can document those assets and use them to strengthen his case. Liquid assets are assets which can be converted into cash within one year. Money in the bank? Money market accounts? Retirement accounts? Submitting a professional appraisal of his house and proof of the outstanding balance on his mortgage will help if he has a lot of equity in his house.

4. Have your fiancé attend your interview.

The other thing you could do is to postpone your interview until January 2013 until after your fiancé has filed his 2012 income tax return. Then you can use his 2012 income tax return during your interview. However, it still might be a good idea to use a joint sponsor. Keep in mind that Manila accepts joint sponsors for K-1 cases maybe 50% of the time.

PS...I don't think your joint sponsors can combine their incomes. You need to have only one qualifying joint sponsor.