Living/working overseas and filing I-864 (Affidavit of Support)

[dandydee 15]

I have a question regarding the I-864 if anyone has any insight! I am an American/Australian citizen and am currently residing in Australia with my Australian husband. We've applied for the I-130 (IR1/CR1) and are waiting for the response. Once we have to file with the NVC, specifically with the I-864, I'm worried about what to do to show that I can financially support my husband once back in the USA. I'm a registered nurse here in Australia and will be working as one once we're back in the USA. Will it be enough that I move back 1-2 months before we file with the NVC (and the I-864) to start working in the USA thereby showing domicile?  Or do I have to have worked in the USA for a certain amount of time before they'll be happy with my income/ability to support my husband? So I believe my options are:

 

1. Stay in Australia and file complete IR1/CR1 process here, however not sure if this would be ok when trying to prove domicile?

 

2. Move to the USA approx 1-2 months before we'd have to file with NVC so that I can make income IN the USA therefore improving our chances of being approved

 

Any advice would be great! Thank you!

[heyusa 118]

you can stay and include evidence showing your  "intent of reestablishing domicile"  - such as different arrangements you have made/ are making prior to your move in order to live in the USA (looking for jobs, housing, etc.. also if you have, you can include copies of US bank accounts, driver's license, voter's registration etc.)

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

The answer above is correct when it comes to establishing domicile, but the financials are a different matter; you will need savings, a co-sponsor or, as you plan, move back before your husband.

[dandydee 15]

Great, thank you all for your help @Dee elle @Penguin_ie @heyusa!  I did see something about just showing your intent to re-establish domicile.  So far I'm in the (long and complicated) process of transferring my nursing registration to the state we're moving to and plan to open a US bank account to start shifting funds over.  I'll be staying with cousins in the beginning so I'll get a letter from them along with setting up a DL, phone number, etc.

 

My father may be able to be a joint sponsor - is this correct that the joint sponsor should 3x the poverty line in savings?  So about $60,000 USD?