I-864, household and minimum income

[Cewseww6 16]

So our case is at the NVC and we're starting to prepare all the other paperwork. But I've got a few questions.

 

1. Filling out the I-864 for us, we are 3. My wife (US Citizen), me (beneficiary) and our child (dual citizenship) which means we are three in the household. But filling out the form, it calculates our household to four. Something to do with the part where the petitioner writes she's married. It's like, petitioner, petitioner's wife/husband, beneficiary and child. But I'm the husband and beneficiary. Tips on this one?

 

2. My wife has lived abroad with me for the past 8-9 years but has filed taxes in the US. However, the past three years we filed jointly with the 2555 form, excluding foreign income. But we do show we make enough money. However, this income will stop as we move, leaving the job behind. But we do have savings above 125% of the poverty rate for 3 people. It's like $28k and we have over $30k in the account plus other savings (stocks, bonds, cash) but it's all in our foreign account. Is it necessary to have a joint sponsor you think? We can have my in-laws to sponsor us, just a hassle to get the documents since they live in the US and we don't. Would rather not have to do that.

[ms_bobdog 501]

4 minutes ago, Cewseww6 said:

So our case is at the NVC and we're starting to prepare all the other paperwork. But I've got a few questions.

 

1. Filling out the I-864 for us, we are 3. My wife (US Citizen), me (beneficiary) and our child (dual citizenship) which means we are three in the household. But filling out the form, it calculates our household to four. Something to do with the part where the petitioner writes she's married. It's like, petitioner, petitioner's wife/husband, beneficiary and child. But I'm the husband and beneficiary. Tips on this one?

Put '0' for spouse

 

4 minutes ago, Cewseww6 said:

 

2. My wife has lived abroad with me for the past 8-9 years but has filed taxes in the US. However, the past three years we filed jointly with the 2555 form, excluding foreign income. But we do show we make enough money. However, this income will stop as we move, leaving the job behind. But we do have savings above 125% of the poverty rate for 3 people. It's like $28k and we have over $30k in the account plus other savings (stocks, bonds, cash) but it's all in our foreign account. Is it necessary to have a joint sponsor you think? We can have my in-laws to sponsor us, just a hassle to get the documents since they live in the US and we don't. Would rather not have to do that.

If you are using assets, you need 3X of the number listed for 125% of poverty rate for 3 people. Looks like you may need a joint sponsor.

[Cewseww6 16]

3 hours ago, ms_bobdog said:

Put '0' for spouse

 

If you are using assets, you need 3X of the number listed for 125% of poverty rate for 3 people. Looks like you may need a joint sponsor.

 

Thanks for the '0'

 

I was going to show assets on top of our cash savings.

Cash savings alone is over 125% of the poverty rate for 3 people. But I think its overkill since we meet the minimum requirement.

[aleful 1,905]

hi

 

I'd say have a joint sponsor, unless you have $78K or more in assets. as stated, your wife needs to show 3x the poverty guidelines

 

so just in case assets aren't considered enough, she should have a joint sponsor

 

 

[ms_bobdog 501]

32 minutes ago, Cewseww6 said:

 

Thanks for the '0'

 

I was going to show assets on top of our cash savings.

Cash savings alone is over 125% of the poverty rate for 3 people. But I think its overkill since we meet the minimum requirement.

Do you have 3X of $25,975? 

[Cewseww6 16]

41 minutes ago, ms_bobdog said:

Do you have 3X of $25,975? 

 

Isn't the minimum requirement $25,975 (125% of $20,780) for a household of 3 people? We have over $30k in cash savings. Maybe I don't understand the I-864 correct, but as far as I know, that should be sufficient.

 

If we need three times as much, then yes we will need a sponsor. 

[Cewseww6 16]

53 minutes ago, aleful said:

hi

 

I'd say have a joint sponsor, unless you have $78K or more in assets. as stated, your wife needs to show 3x the poverty guidelines

 

so just in case assets aren't considered enough, she should have a joint sponsor

 

 

I cannot find this information though. I can find that we fulfill the minimum requirement which is $25,975 for a household of 3, according to the I-864p document.

 

I want to remember reading somewhere that if one use assets only, they need to be 3x more than $25,975.

Am I missing something here?

[ms_bobdog 501]

4 minutes ago, Cewseww6 said:

 

Isn't the minimum requirement $25,975 (125% of $20,780) for a household of 3 people? We have over $30k in cash savings. Maybe I don't understand the I-864 correct, but as far as I know, that should be sufficient.

 

If we need three times as much, then yes we will need a sponsor. 

$25,975 is if you have current annual income amounting to that, which you won't. So you are using savings instead, and the requirement is 3X of $25,975. I thought it didn't sound like you have that amount, that's why I said you may need a joint sponsor.

[ms_bobdog 501]

The document is here: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-864instr.pdf

 

And the relevant portion is here:

Item Number 10. Total Value of Assets. In order to qualify based on the value of your assets, the total value of your assets must equal at least five times the difference between your total household income and the current Federal Poverty Guidelines for your household size. However, if you are a U.S. citizen and you are sponsoring your spouse or child age 18 years of age or older, the total value of your assets must only be equal to at least three times the difference. If the intending immigrant is a foreign national orphan who will be adopted in the United States after he or she acquires legal permanent residence, and who will, as a result, acquire citizenship under section 320 of the INA, the total value of your assets need only equal the difference.

[Cewseww6 16]

5 minutes ago, ms_bobdog said:

$25,975 is if you have current annual income amounting to that, which you won't. So you are using savings instead, and the requirement is 3X of $25,975. I thought it didn't sound like you have that amount, that's why I said you may need a joint sponsor.

Yes, thank you.

I had to re-read the form and realize that the $25,975 is income, and not asset.

Shoot... 

 

Thank you!!!

[pushbrk 12,883]

Income and assets are not the same thing.  If your petitioner doesn't have the income, then they need three times the income in LIQUID ASSETS, or a qualified joint sponsor.  If you "can't find" this, then STUDY the I-864 instructions THOROUGHLY again and again until you do.

[Cewseww6 16]

30 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

Income and assets are not the same thing.  If your petitioner doesn't have the income, then they need three times the income in LIQUID ASSETS, or a qualified joint sponsor.  If you "can't find" this, then STUDY the I-864 instructions THOROUGHLY again and again until you do.

Haha yeah just thought of that. Took me a while and I work in Finance!

 

 

But appreciate the answers and Im glad I asked!