Affidavit of Support (Petitioner vs. Joint)

[suziebytes 0]

Is there any benefit of filing the Affidavit of Support together with my spouse?  

My concern is that my income isn't a regular income with a W-2. I am a landlord and also do Airbnb hosting. It's essentially considered self-employed, so I'm not sure how much merit this will have. My husband is also a self-employed person, but will also be getting a salaried job. We figure it might look stronger if we are doing the Affidavit of Support together so that we appear much more financially stable.  We want to avoid having any questions about financial capabilities which may further delay the process.  

 

• If he is the joint sponsor for himself, does he also just submit his 2019 tax return (I need to figure out what the German equivalent of a transcript maybe)
• Is there anything else that he should submit? 

 

Also, it states that landlords do not have to submit documents, but would Airbnb fall under this as well or should I just submit the city business license since short term rentals require a business license with the city?

 

Thoughts on this? 

 

 

[SteveInBostonI130 3,489]

Yes, if your combined incomes exceed the requirements.

 

You submit 1 AOS as a couple.  Your husband is not a joint sponsor.

[pushbrk 13,174]

7 hours ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

Yes, if your combined incomes exceed the requirements.

 

You submit 1 AOS as a couple.  Your husband is not a joint sponsor.

This answer is correct, but let me add that the intending immigrant's income cannot be shown unless it will continue from the same source once in the USA.  Their assets CAN be used.  Consult the I-864 instructions on how to use intending immigrant's assets.

 

Note also that as a self employed person, your income may not be what you think it is.  Unless it appears on the total income line of the 2019 tax return, it is not "income".  Revenue and income are not the same thing.  "Landlords" often show a negative number for total income.  Be careful.

[suziebytes 0]

On 10/28/2020 at 11:36 PM, pushbrk said:

This answer is correct, but let me add that the intending immigrant's income cannot be shown unless it will continue from the same source once in the USA.  Their assets CAN be used.  Consult the I-864 instructions on how to use intending immigrant's assets.

 

Note also that as a self employed person, your income may not be what you think it is.  Unless it appears on the total income line of the 2019 tax return, it is not "income".  Revenue and income are not the same thing.  "Landlords" often show a negative number for total income.  Be careful.

Thank you for your response. I see that on page 5 of 10 there is an area to add in my spouse's income, however, upon looking through the remainder of the I-864 for I do not see any mentioning re: sources.  When you say that his assets need to continue being shown from the same source once approved for his Green Card and residing in the USA, do you mean that he will not be allowed to transfer said assets/funds to a USA banking institution and/or me should we convert one of my accounts into a joint account? 

 

[pushbrk 13,174]

Assets and income are not the same thing.  You cannot show income that will not continue from the same source, but you can list and document any liquid assets.  The information I'm giving you does not come from the form.  It comes from the INSTRUCTIONS.  Now is the time to become an A-Student of those instructions.  Download them the same place you downloaded the form.