AOS joint sponsor question

[andlolosays 11]

I been looking around for hours and can't seem to find a clear answer on this (if I'm blatantly missing it, I apologize now )

So my dad was going to be our joint sponsor for the i-864 since I (USC) lived in Thailand last year and in Australia this year. (fully intending to be in USA long term, by the way. Was only meant to be gone one year, but then met husband, turned into two...you know how it goes...)

Anyway, today we got our NOA2 YAY! But also last week, my dad lost his job. He's already earned over the $19,000 poverty requirement this year and is looking for a new job, but obviously wouldn't be able to include a letter of current employment if he's still unemployed by the time we need to send that in.

My question is - is the employment letter mandatory or optional? He has tax returns for last three years and pay stubs to prove he's earned over the poverty guideline this year already, but obviously if the employment letter is mandatory, that stuff doesn't matter.

Thanks guys!

[aleful 1,905]

hi

it's not mandatory but he can't be your joint sponsor because he currently isn't employed. he also has to put his current income on the form. you'll need to find someone else