An I-864 question

[jayup 0]

Hi all,

So I'm going to apply for my wife's visa soon. We're based out of Seoul, in South Korea, so from what I understand, that's going to be a big advantage for us. I haven't even submitted my I-130 yet, but I am trying to get all my ducks in a row. I'm really worried about this I-864 form. I'm an English teacher in Korea, so I don't make much money. Last year for taxes, I filed around $40000 dollars. I have maybe 20 or 25 thousand in savings. Will this be sufficient? I really don't want to have a co-sponser. I don't have any family and few friends back in the states.

I guess the real question is, first, is my financial situation sufficient for the form. If not, is there something else that can be done without a co-sponsor. And, last, can a friend co-sponsor with this form or does it have to be family? Thanks all in advance.

[Arrow 25]

Hi all,

So I'm going to apply for my wife's visa soon. We're based out of Seoul, in South Korea, so from what I understand, that's going to be a big advantage for us. I haven't even submitted my I-130 yet, but I am trying to get all my ducks in a row. I'm really worried about this I-864 form. I'm an English teacher in Korea, so I don't make much money. Last year for taxes, I filed around $40000 dollars. I have maybe 20 or 25 thousand in savings. Will this be sufficient? I really don't want to have a co-sponser. I don't have any family and few friends back in the states.

I guess the real question is, first, is my financial situation sufficient for the form. If not, is there something else that can be done without a co-sponsor. And, last, can a friend co-sponsor with this form or does it have to be family? Thanks all in advance.

if it is just one person you are sponsoring then yes it is more then sufficient.

[mlh 93]

If the income is from your work in Korea, it won't count as you won't have that income when you move back to the states. You'll either have to have a new job established than can provide a letter showing what your new income will be, or you'll need a co-sponsor. You can do a search on VJ, but I think you have to show 3 or 4 times the poverty level in savings, so the 20-25k won't be enough.

[jayup 0]

So income in Korea doesn't count even if I filed American taxes? Then, for the co-signer, is there anything that they have to have? A certain income level or relation? Also, I'll be enrolling in medical school when I go back, will that hurt/help in any regard? Thanks again

[j&ana 363]

If you are using foreign income. I think it is 5 x amount. If the saving is in a us bank account you might be able to use it but in that case I think you need 3 x the amount.

You will also need to prove domicile or intention to live in USA

Edited August 30, 2015 by j&ana

[Ryan H 3,812]

***Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to DCF Discussion.***

**Moderator hat off**

So income in Korea doesn't count even if I filed American taxes? Then, for the co-signer, is there anything that they have to have? A certain income level or relation? Also, I'll be enrolling in medical school when I go back, will that hurt/help in any regard? Thanks again

If the source of the income in Korea will not continue after you move to the US, then no, it does not count (filing with the IRS is not relevant). A joint sponsor (joint sponsor is the proper term, not co-signer and not co-sponsor) needs to meet the requirements for their applicable household size on the I-864P and they need to be a US Citizen or Green Card holder. Joint sponsors do not need to be related to the petitioner or beneficiary and do not have to reside in the same state. One caveat, if a joint sponsor is using assets to qualify, then the value of the assets must be greater than or equal to 5 times the difference between what is available before using assets and the qualifying figure for their household size.

An acceptance letter from a medical school will clearly help with the domicile issue. Although, showing that you have applied for admission will also show intent to re-establish domicile.

Edited August 30, 2015 by Ryan H

[jayup 0]

That's truly great news about the domicile issue. One final question, is there somewhere that I can see the dollar amount needed for various household size? I have a few friends that might be able to joint-sponsor (thanks for the proper terminology!), but I am not sure of the proper amount that they need to make in order to do so. Again, thank you all so much. This has been highly helpful.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

That's truly great news about the domicile issue. One final question, is there somewhere that I can see the dollar amount needed for various household size? I have a few friends that might be able to joint-sponsor (thanks for the proper terminology!), but I am not sure of the proper amount that they need to make in order to do so. Again, thank you all so much. This has been highly helpful.

Here are the 2015 poverty guidelines. http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864p.pdf

[jayup 0]

Thanks! Does the joint sponsor's income have to be 3x that as well? And if a 2 person household is sponsoring just my wife and I, do they need to qualify for a 4 person household? A bit confused now.

[jrp 4]

Thanks! Does the joint sponsor's income have to be 3x that as well?

Nobody's income needs to be "3x" anything, that 3x/5x stuff concerns the optional asset requirements, NOT the income requirements. Income requirements are 1x what's on I-864P. However, "[a] joint sponsor must be able to meet the income requirements for all the persons he or she is sponsoring without combining resources with the petitioning sponsor or a second joint sponsor."

And if a 2 person household is sponsoring just my wife and I, do they need to qualify for a 4 person household?

No, they would need to qualify for a 3 person household. They are not sponsoring you, they are sponsoring the immigrant in an imaginary household where the immigrant lives with them. In the case you just mentioned, the joint sponsor would have to have an income of $25,112. If their income were less than that, then they would have to report enough assets.

Also note that it says here that you yourself should report an income of $0 on the form.

Beyond that, study this because the info you get here is not really guaranteed.

Edited August 31, 2015 by jrp