Sponsor income not enough

[AussieBoy87 14]

Hi all,

 

Applying for IR1 visa. Just got approved, so case is heading over to the NVC.

 

But I've been reading up on the income requirements. My wife is my sponsor (she's the American), and she's been studying for the past few years meaning she's had basically zero income.

 

Does this mean we'll need a co-sponsor (not a problem to get), or is my income sufficient to use through the application? (My earning will be very sufficient.)

 

Alternatively, we own a house together and the equity in that may satisfy some sort of assets test?

 

Seems crazy that they wouldn't consider the entire household income rather than just hers alone. 

 

[AnJay 137]

Your income doesnt matter. Its not crazy, its rules. You wether agree, or dont immigrate, simple.  American citizen have obligations and income of your american spouse should meet guidelines. Or your american spouse can immigrate to your country. Seems like your life more stable, than hers. 

[geowrian 22,338]

Will your income continue from the same source upon immigrating to the US? If so, it can be counted. If not, it cannot be counted.

 

Assets can be considered. For the spouse of a USC, this is at a 3:1 ratio ($3 assets = $1 income). That said, I would generally not suggest relying on the equity in a house alone to satisfy this requirement. You must not only show ownership and the current net value of the asset (an appraisal may or may not be appropriate), but it would have to both be convertible to cash within 1year AND not cause hardship to make use of those funds. If this is a primary home, selling the home would probably be a hardship.

[AussieBoy87 14]

2 minutes ago, AnJay said:

Your income doesnt matter. Its not crazy, its rules. You wether agree, or dont immigrate, simple.  American citizen have obligations and income of your american spouse should meet guidelines. Or your american spouse can immigrate to your country. Seems like your life more stable, than hers. 

lol calm down buddy, just asking a question about procedure. 

 

1 minute ago, geowrian said:

Will your income continue from the same source upon immigrating to the US? If so, it can be counted. If not, it cannot be counted.

 

Assets can be considered. For the spouse of a USC, this is at a 3:1 ratio ($3 assets = $1 income). That said, I would generally not suggest relying on the equity in a house alone to satisfy this requirement. You must not only show ownership and the current net value of the asset (an appraisal may or may not be appropriate), but it would have to both be convertible to cash within 1year AND not cause hardship to make use of those funds. If this is a primary home, selling the home would probably be a hardship.

Yep, fair enough.

 

Sounds like we'll use a co-sponsor. No problem. Thank you!