Affidavit of Support

[ara 0]

I was wondering about the Affidavit of Support. I make well over the 125% of poverty guidelines for one person in the household. I have no children of my own. I was going to give my husband the last 3 yrs of my tax returns. But for the last three years I have claimed my sister and her two kids on my taxes. They lived with me until just recently. Does the consulate count this as part of your household because it is on your tax return even though they don't live with me anymore. Should I email the Lagos embassy and ask them? Should I get a co-sponsor just in case?

Anyone have experience with this? Please point me in the right direction? Thanks.

[Rings 10]

If you claimed them on your most recent tax return then you will have to claim them on the Affidavit unfortunately. It says it on the instructions of that form. If you claimed them the last couple of years, but not the most recent year then you do not have to claim that you are supporting them... otherwise you have to have them sign a sworn affidavit stating that they do not live with you any longer and you should get it notarized.

[ara 0]

If you claimed them on your most recent tax return then you will have to claim them on the Affidavit unfortunately. It says it on the instructions of that form. If you claimed them the last couple of years, but not the most recent year then you do not have to claim that you are supporting them... otherwise you have to have them sign a sworn affidavit stating that they do not live with you any longer and you should get it notarized.

Rings,

If I get my sister to sign a sworn affidavit that I do not support her anymore is this enough? Should I get a co-sponsor to be on the safe side?

[Rings 10]

If you claimed them on your most recent tax return then you will have to claim them on the Affidavit unfortunately. It says it on the instructions of that form. If you claimed them the last couple of years, but not the most recent year then you do not have to claim that you are supporting them... otherwise you have to have them sign a sworn affidavit stating that they do not live with you any longer and you should get it notarized.

Rings,

If I get my sister to sign a sworn affidavit that I do not support her anymore is this enough? Should I get a co-sponsor to be on the safe side?

You should get the sworn affidavit, but if you do not meet poverty guidelines 125% while supporting her, youself, any other claimed individuals on your income tax and your new fiance/husband, then you should back yourself up with a co-sponsor because it is better to be safe than sorry.

The government sadly sees you as a number only. They do not care about your circumstances and affidavits are not strong material next to your income tax filings. If you can get a co-sponsor, then you should.

You can also look at the assets that you have and add those up (You need proof of the value of each asset on paper). Your total assets must equal 3 times (if you are a US Citizen and 5 times if you are not) the difference between the poverty guidelines and your household income.

If you cannot do this, then back it up with a co-sposor to protect yourself

[ara 0]

If you claimed them on your most recent tax return then you will have to claim them on the Affidavit unfortunately. It says it on the instructions of that form. If you claimed them the last couple of years, but not the most recent year then you do not have to claim that you are supporting them... otherwise you have to have them sign a sworn affidavit stating that they do not live with you any longer and you should get it notarized.

Rings,

If I get my sister to sign a sworn affidavit that I do not support her anymore is this enough? Should I get a co-sponsor to be on the safe side?

You should get the sworn affidavit, but if you do not meet poverty guidelines 125% while supporting her, youself, any other claimed individuals on your income tax and your new fiance/husband, then you should back yourself up with a co-sponsor because it is better to be safe than sorry.

The government sadly sees you as a number only. They do not care about your circumstances and affidavits are not strong material next to your income tax filings. If you can get a co-sponsor, then you should.

You can also look at the assets that you have and add those up (You need proof of the value of each asset on paper). Your total assets must equal 3 times (if you are a US Citizen and 5 times if you are not) the difference between the poverty guidelines and your household income.

If you cannot do this, then back it up with a co-sposor to protect yourself

Rings,

Thank you for the advice it is better to be safe than sorry. Thank you now I know what I need to do.