I-864 for Joint Sponsor

[lirpa11 16]

In our checklist we received just prior to Christmas, the NVC suggested we have a joint sponsor. We are in the process preparing the I864 for the joint sponsor and I have a few questions please.

1) Do we complete the Joint sponsor's details at 1 and then only tick box 1d? 1d says I am the only joint sponsor. Or do we tick another box? Please note - if we can use a household members income as well, will a separate box be ticked?

So background, I am the main sponsor/petitioner. My brother in law will be a joint sponsor, and if able can we count his wife's income as she is a household member? Does this result in more than one joint sponsor or not?

2) Household size. The household includes my sister, my brother in law, two young children, and my husband (the beneficiary). so 5 people. Is this correct? I am not included as I am the USC petitioner, Is the wife included even though she has a job and earns money as well?

3) Part 6 says this, "Income you are using from any other person who was counted in your household size". Does this mean the wife's income could be included to sponsor my husband, increasing their total income? Would she complete the Form I864A?

If the joint sponsor makes just over what the poverty guidelines ask for, is it ok (better) to include another household members income as well?

4) Would the answer to part 6, item 10 (My current Annual Household Income) be the total income from the joint sponsor and the wife? This is what is compared to the poverty guidelines?

5) Total income at part 6, 13a. If the sponsor completed form 1040, would the total income be what was listed at item 22 of the tax form?

6) Also, I note the questions ask what the sponsor makes for the current tax year. This can depend on number of hours worked etc. What does one put down?? Is an estimate of with reasoning of the estimated amount and recent evidence like pay stubs?

I'm sorry if my questions are confusing. I am extremely confused at the moment as well. We were hoping to get a CC before Christmas, however we got a checklist and suggested to have a joint sponsor. We are also doing this from Australia, and I will be leaving my husband in Australia and returning to USA alone in a few weeks and would like to limit the time we have to spend apart.

Thanks for your help, it is very much appreciated.

[lirpa11 16]

OH ANOTHER QUESTION PLEASE!

we have been suggested to have a joint sponsor and it states the the CO will make a decision. Does this mean we can bring the joint sponsor form I864 and the household member's form I864A (if applicable) to the interview rather than submit to NVC? Or does it need to be submitted to NVC before the interview?

We have assets in Australia (mainly property) which we are using for sponsor. We are using our main resident in Australia which is currently for sale, and an investment property. We have more than what they ask for in assets but were still suggested to have a joint sponsor.

[lirpa11 16]

Also, how does tax filing status come into this? (Married filing separately/married filing jointly etc). I have lived abroad since I was 17 and filed taxes as a foreigner so the whole US tax thing is still a bit complicated to me. Add to the fact I am trying to get the I864 right and it's even more confusing.

[Stressed Out 81]

Your brother will file his own I-864 form checking "I am the only joint sponsor" while his wife will file a separate I-864A form and check "I am not the intending immigrant. I am....spouse of the sponsor" or something like that. I-864a is easy to fill out.

Correct, you're not to be included in the household size. His wife WOULD be included in the "persons NOT sponsored" section as his spouse as the household size is used to determine how much money they have to earn together to support 5 people under one roof.

Correct, he would fill in his wife's details in that first box and she would later confirm these entries on her I-864a. This income and your brother's are combined in the "total household income" to determine whether they exceed the poverty threshold for a 5 person household.

I'd say it's an estimate, but he should go according to stuff like paystubs that he can copy and submit as proof of income to go along with the form.

I never went through NVC as we did DCF, so we skipped that step, so I'm unsure whether that's a real "checklist" being a so-called suggestion or if they're actually requesting that from you before forwarding your case to the embassy.

I'm a bit confused regarding your last question...not sure what exactly you're asking, haha.

[lirpa11 16]

Thanks for answering, that helps heaps! I think I understand it and can explain it to them then.

The last question I was just wondering if tax filing status matters at all in relation to the forms or is it irrelevant?

[Stressed Out 81]

I don't imagine that posing any problems as it's more a personal decision whether you want to file jointly or separately. Some people just don't need their spouse knowing everything about them financially I guess. Good luck to you two! Hope you won't be separated long...

[fancy 0]

Also, how does tax filing status come into this? (Married filing separately/married filing jointly etc). I have lived abroad since I was 17 and filed taxes as a foreigner so the whole US tax thing is still a bit complicated to me. Add to the fact I am trying to get the I864 right and it's even more confusing.

If you are married then I would suggest you file as Married/jointly your taxes, because when it is time to do your I 751 application which is the Removal of Conditions of Status for your 10 year greencard, then immigration is looking for Bonefide marriages meaning that you need to send a lot of proof that you have been since your marriage a real couple , example are : leases or a mortgage signed by both of you , bills in both your names as a married couple credit cards etc....showing that you have joint responsibility.....

[lirpa11 16]

Thanks stressed out. I was worried it may affect the forms, thanks for the reply fancy. I've always filed as married since we are married. I was just unsure if joint or separate fling affects the I864