Calculation of Household Size for AOS

[Reuven 5]

Quick question about the joint sponsor. I understood that if I don't make enough to sponsor my spouse then we would need a joint sponsor and that sponsor, they're a household of 1, will have to make enough for 4 people, which includes them, our child, me and the immigrant (my spouse). So at least 125% of a household of four.

But one potential joint sponsor thinks that they only need to show enough for a household of three: themselves, the immigrant and the immigrant's child. While I won't have to be included in that since I am American and not a dependant of my spouse. That can't be right, can it?

[geowrian 22,337]

They are correct. He doesn't need to count you (the petitioner) in his household. He only includes the people in his household and those he is sponsoring. That's 3 in your case.

Edit: As noted below, the child doesn't need to be included unless he/she is immigrating as well.

Edited January 12, 2019 by geowrian

[Nitas_man 3,100]

7 minutes ago, Reuven said:

Quick question about the joint sponsor. I understood that if I don't make enough to sponsor my spouse then we would need a joint sponsor and that sponsor, they're a household of 1, will have to make enough for 4 people, which includes them, our child, me and the immigrant (my spouse). So at least 125% of a household of four.

But one potential joint sponsor thinks that they only need to show enough for a household of three: themselves, the immigrant and the immigrant's child. While I won't have to be included in that since I am American and not a dependant of my spouse. That can't be right, can it?

The sponsor only sponsors the immigrant(s)  not USC household members.

If your child is a USC the joint sponsor is sponsoring 1, the immigrant spouse.  If your child is not a USC the joint sponsor is sponsoring 2, the immigrant and non-usc child.

So the household size in this case is either 2 (sponsor + immigrant spouse) or 3 (sponsor + immigrant spouse + immigrant child if child not a USC) but you, the petitioner, are not sponsored.

Edited January 12, 2019 by Nitas_man

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.

[Reuven 5]

Our child is American, but is moving to the States for the first time. Does that count as "immigrating"? There's only one non-American, my spouse. This blows my mind, for months I've been looking for a joint sponsor that makes enough for all three of us. How did I make that mistake? Are you guys sure? That if I have a sponsor who is a household of 1, then they only need to make enough to cover a household of two, if they are sponsoring my spouse? That's just $20,575 (125% FPG).

Maybe I was confused because for me to not need a joint sponsor I would need to make enough to cover a household of three.

[geowrian 22,337]

2 minutes ago, Reuven said:

Our child is American, but is moving to the States for the first time. Does that count as "immigrating"? There's only one non-American, my spouse. This blows my mind, for months I've been looking for a joint sponsor that makes enough for all three of us. How did I make that mistake? Are you guys sure? That if I have a sponsor who is a household of 1, then they only need to make enough to cover a household of two, if they are sponsoring my spouse? That's just $20,575 (125% FPG).

Maybe I was confused because for me to not need a joint sponsor I would need to make enough to cover a household of three.

No. If he is already a USC then he doesn't need a sponsor and he is not part of the sponsor's household. He is moving to the US, not immigrating.

When the joint sponsor fills out the I-864, the household size should become more clear in the relevant section regarding household size. It should just be themself + the intending immigrant.