using savings account for sponsorship

[agpfn 0]

Hello. 

 

My income is $19,000/year.  I live in the US, and my husband in NZ. With two children, we're a household of 4. Therefore, I dont meet the 125% poverty guidelines for sponsorship ($31,375) and I do not have a co-sponsor - I've asked the few people in my life and they're not interested in helping. 

 

If I understand correctly, we can use our savings/cash as long as it's 3x the difference. So that's $37,125

 

My husband sends me $1,200 a month which I put into savings, in addition to some of my own cash each month. 

 

This is acceptable, correct? It's okay for him to send me his own money, to count towards our sponsorship assets (savings account)? I'm assuming they will ask where I got this $40,000 over the course of two years (Long lonely wait in-between visits  )

 

 

[britishandusa 446]

1 hour ago, agpfn said:

Hello. 

 

My income is $19,000/year.  I live in the US, and my husband in NZ. With two children, we're a household of 4. Therefore, I dont meet the 125% poverty guidelines for sponsorship ($31,375) and I do not have a co-sponsor - I've asked the few people in my life and they're not interested in helping. 

 

If I understand correctly, we can use our savings/cash as long as it's 3x the difference. So that's $37,125

 

My husband sends me $1,200 a month which I put into savings, in addition to some of my own cash each month. 

 

This is acceptable, correct? It's okay for him to send me his own money, to count towards our sponsorship assets (savings account)? I'm assuming they will ask where I got this $40,000 over the course of two years (Long lonely wait in-between visits  )

 

 

You should probably get a second job or pick up more hours. Barely meeting the requirement is a very tight squeeze. They prefer to see people who can surpass the 125% requirement. 

[agpfn 0]

4 minutes ago, britishandusa said:

You should probably get a second job or pick up more hours. Barely meeting the requirement is a very tight squeeze. They prefer to see people who can surpass the 125% requirement. 

 

Are you telling me I will most likely be denied with $19,000 annual income + $40,000 in savings account? Would more money in savings make a difference? 

The both of us are capable of putting $20,000 in savings in 12 months, and we will do it another year if that is the difference between accepted or denied. 

 

"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."

 

So this does not include cash in a savings account? 

 

And just to put the math in this post

$31,375 (125% poverty) 

$19,000 (my annual income) 

---------------

$12,375  (the difference) 

           x3 

---------------

$37,125 (Total value of assets required to sponsor your spouse) 

 

And I have just over $40,000 in my savings account. 

 

 

[Villanelle 4,122]

Your math is correct. 

 

For assets they like to see youve had the money for at least 1 year, plus you can document where it came from. You should be fine. 

[britishandusa 446]

4 hours ago, agpfn said:

 

Are you telling me I will most likely be denied with $19,000 annual income + $40,000 in savings account? Would more money in savings make a difference? 

The both of us are capable of putting $20,000 in savings in 12 months, and we will do it another year if that is the difference between accepted or denied. 

 

"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."

 

So this does not include cash in a savings account? 

 

And just to put the math in this post

$31,375 (125% poverty) 

$19,000 (my annual income) 

---------------

$12,375  (the difference) 

           x3 

---------------

$37,125 (Total value of assets required to sponsor your spouse) 

 

And I have just over $40,000 in my savings account. 

 

 

It’s just recommended; if you have barely made it over the requirements, they can scrutinized. What you have is doable but it can be a risk since it’s just barely over the requirement but not impossible.

[ms_bobdog 501]

Actually, even if you have well surpassed the requirements, it is still a judgement call by the CO. So there is really no 'guarantee' whatsoever. Getting a standby joint sponsor is always a good option though.

[agpfn 0]

2 minutes ago, ms_bobdog said:

Actually, even if you have well surpassed the requirements, it is still a judgement call by the CO. So there is really no 'guarantee' whatsoever. Getting a standby joint sponsor is always a good option though.

Okay thanks. 

 

My parents are deceased, and I have no siblings. My grandfather is retired, and won't put his assets on the line for me. And the only friend I do have does not meet our 125% requirements for a 4 person household. That's why we went with the cash/asset option. 

[pushbrk 13,260]

3 hours ago, ms_bobdog said:

Actually, even if you have well surpassed the requirements, it is still a judgement call by the CO. So there is really no 'guarantee' whatsoever. Getting a standby joint sponsor is always a good option though.

This is correct.  However, you can also use the liquid assets of the immigrant spouse in addition to those of the petitioner.  Start by becoming an A-Student of the I-864 itself AND its instructions.