Hoping Someone Can Answer This

[bbannist 0]

Hi there,

This is my first post here and I am hoping that someone might be able to help answer my questions. I have glanced around on the board (as well as online) for some answers but haven't managed to find exactly what I am looking for. Perhaps someone out there has the answers or has gone through a similar experience.

I am a US citizen who has been living with my spouse in Germany for the past year and a half. We are getting ready to file paperwork for the spousal visa, so that we can move to the US. I assumed that, when one is married, one could just file paperwork and bring their spouse over. I was unaware that it was all so complicated.

I am mainly having problems due to finances. My problem is that I have not worked properly since I have been here in Germany, mainly due to the fact that I do not speak German. I am in the midst of taking German lessons, to meet residency requirements, but I have had no income here in Germany and only the meager income of a rental property I own in the US, which is only enugh to pay the mortgage on the property. My wife works part time and we do not have to pay any rent or bills where we live (with my father in law), so we get along just fine here financially, although I am anxious to get back to work (the main reason I want to go back to the US).

My problem is that I have just discovered the fact that I just recently discovered the Affifavit of Support. As I have not worked for the past 1.5 years - and cannot work until I get back to the US - my last 2 US tax returns would not show enough to support my wife, although I can easily support her if I go back to the US. I read in someone else's something about a co-sponsor. I am wondering more about this...

If possible, can someone answer the following questions:

As I currently live outside the US, is it possible to get a sponsor (someone in my family) who can say on paper that they will support both my wife and myself until I go back to work (as soon as we move to the US) or does it have to be a "co-sponsor", with myself still being required to provide support?

The US requires the past 3 US tax returns, but can I provide more to show that I have been working all of the years prior to leaving the US? Or would it only matter that I have had no income for the past 1.5 years?

I am hoping to not be separated from my wife during this process, but I am wondering if it is possible to have someone else sponsor us or if I have to move back to the US before her, to ensure that Immigration will see I can support her and will approve us.

If anyone has any answers, similar stories or support to offer, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!

[Ryan H 3,834]

If possible, can someone answer the following questions:

As I currently live outside the US, is it possible to get a sponsor (someone in my family) who can say on paper that they will support both my wife and myself until I go back to work (as soon as we move to the US) or does it have to be a "co-sponsor", with myself still being required to provide support?

The US requires the past 3 US tax returns, but can I provide more to show that I have been working all of the years prior to leaving the US? Or would it only matter that I have had no income for the past 1.5 years?

A joint sponsor is responsible for the intending immigrant, not you as well (you as the primary sponsor are also responsible for the intending immigrant).

The extra tax returns you are thinking of submitting, don't bother, they are irrelevant to what your current income situation is and your current situation is all that is relevant.

[caly 48]

It's always a "co-sponsor" (or joint sponsor) because even though you don't made enough (or don't make any money at all in some cases), the petitioner is the primary sponsor.

You only need tax documents for 1 year, but you can submit tax information for the past 3 years if you think it will help you qualify. That being said, they seem to only care about current income. As long as your co-sponsor(s) make enough to cover their household and your wife, it shouldn't matter that you don't currently work.

You have 3 options available to you at this point:

1. You can move back to the US and get a job and then provide paystubs when the time comes to file your I-864
2. Sponsor on assets (you would need the equivalent of 3 times the income requirements for your household)
3. Find a co-sponsor/joint sponsor who qualifies

Anyone can be the joint sponsor as long as they are an LPR/US Citizen and meet the income requirements based on the poverty guidelines.

[bbannist 0]

Thank you so much for your help! That is a weight off my shoulders!