Can we send joint sponsor's I-864 form later?

[hm139 55]

My husband and I have finally reached the NVC stage for his CR1 visa. I moved back to the US last year just after we got married. Because my salary while I was in Chile (reflected on my 2017 tax return) was so low, my best friend offered to sponsor us. But right now she happens to be out of the country and won't be back for another month. I should have gotten her to sign the I-864 form before she left but I didn't think of it. I'm now employed making 50k/year. I have pay slips and my contract to prove this. Can I go ahead and send in our NVC package without the joint sponsor? Or should I wait for my friend to come back and sign her I-864? I don't want to delay our case by another month while we wait for her, but I also don't want to jeopardize our case by not having the necessary joint sponsor. Any advice?

[Amisharjil 26]

I would suggest get a joint sponsor. Its safe to have more documents rather than less

[hm139 55]

You didn't really answer my question. We have a joint sponsor already. I just don't have her signed form. My question is basically, can I send our package to NVC now without her I-864 and then my spouse would bring her I-864 to the interview?

[geowrian 22,337]

Yes you can send it. NVC may or may not send a checklist back for a joint sponsor. Or (more likely IMO), they would accept it and let the CO make the decision. The CO at the embassy/consulate makes the final call on the public charge concern.

You can have an I-864 from a joint sponsor prepared at the embassy in case it is needed.

[hm139 55]

Thank you for this reply. I think that is what we will go ahead and do, with fingers crossed. There is not a ton of info about the Santiago embassy out there but it does not seem to be one of the more difficult ones. I just had no idea when our case would get to this stage and my friend went on her vacation and I should have gotten the form from her before! 

[Ann&James 179]

If it is convenient you can have your friend (joint sponsor) send a signed scanned copy of the I864 to you to submit to nvc. The original can then be taken to the interview.

[hm139 55]

15 hours ago, Ann&James said:

If it is convenient you can have your friend (joint sponsor) send a signed scanned copy of the I864 to you to submit to nvc. The original can then be taken to the interview.

This is brilliant! Would never have occurred to me. Thank you!

[Diane and Chris 651]

19 hours ago, Amisharjil said:

I would suggest get a joint sponsor. Its safe to have more documents rather than less

That was not the question she was asking. Please read the OP’s message and question before answering. 

[Ann&James 179]

3 hours ago, hm139 said:

This is brilliant! Would never have occurred to me. Thank you!

You're welcome.