Questions on filing i-864 (After 221g at Mumbai consulate)

[Raikot 0]

Hi all,

Good day. Hope your holiday break is going well. I was hoping you could help test my understanding as I file i-864 for my parents.

Context: I’m applying IR5 visa for both my parents and I’ve current household size of 3 (would be 5 with both my parents). Current household income is $36.4k including my spouse (as per 2018) - I had $50k the last 2 years (in 2016 & 2017) but in 2018, ran into some losses. I believe my own income may not be sufficient to support household of 5.

1. What is the minimum income requirement for AOS (i-864)?
   • Is this the right estimate as on this link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-864p
   • Based on above, a family size of 5 (including 2 intending immigrants), only needs income of $37.7k – is this correct? and that means my own income is not sufficient?
2. What relationship between the petitioner and the joint sponsor is required?
   • Does it need to be a blood relationship?
   • If not, what should the cover letter include assuming the relationship is a distant cousin?
3. Joint sponsor has family income of $46k (family size of 5 including intending immigrants) but both the earning members are self-employed as partners in a business.
   • Is it necessary to fill both i-864 and i-864a, if sponsor has filed joint income tax return?
   • If so, how do we report income of sponsor on i-864 and that of household member on i-864A, given difficult to assign income to either? Should we just split total earned income 50%?
4. Can I use my parents’ assets to meet the income requirements (outside USA though)?
5. Am I missing any supporting documentation required for self-employed sponsors? Income tax return (Form 1040), Schedule-C (profit and loss from business), Business ID. Do we need form 1099?

Thanks