Household vs Sponsor help

[maddmoxxi478 0]

Hello, all. I apologize if this seems a dumb question but I'd like to get some advice before starting any procedures towards the US government. 

 

So, there are currently 4 people living in my household. And when I sponsor my immigrant fiance there will be 5 total. My question is about the income requirements, does MY individual income need to be able to sustain the 5 people (including my fiance), or does the entire household need to produce that total income together?

 

I was originally under the impression that only I (as the individual sponsor) would need to be able to make enough money annually to sustain myself and my fiance, but the whole "household" term now has me questioning everything. 

 

Sorry if this sounds confusing, and thank you in advance for any helpful responses.

[powerpuff 6,697]

If you claim any of them as your dependents on taxes then they’re part of your household and you count them.

[maddmoxxi478 0]

1 minute ago, powerpuff said:

If you claim any of them as your dependents on taxes then they’re part of your household and you count them.

I don't claim dependents on my taxes. but what I'm asking is if my income alone has to cover the other people in my household plus my fiance. So basically do I need to have an annual income of around 50k to make this work?

Everyone in my household has their own jobs and makes their own income without claiming any dependents. 

[powerpuff 6,697]

Then your household is you and your fiancé and you refer to the poverty guidelines for 2 people. Although doesn’t hurt to show more than the bare minimum they post 

[maddmoxxi478 0]

Just now, powerpuff said:

Then your household is you and your fiancé and you refer to the poverty guidelines for 2 people. Although doesn’t hurt to show more than the bare minimum they post 

Okay that helps a lot. I was worried that since there were all these people living in the house it counted towards MY "household". Thank you so much for your help! 

[powerpuff 6,697]

6 minutes ago, maddmoxxi478 said:

Okay that helps a lot. I was worried that since there were all these people living in the house it counted towards MY "household". Thank you so much for your help! 

No problem! I was asked at my interview about other people living in the house (they were not part of the household since nobody was on my now-husband’s taxes) so I just said they support themselves and that was it, he didn’t press it further. 

Edited July 21, 2023 by powerpuff
Clarity

[Chancy 6,241]

5 minutes ago, maddmoxxi478 said:

I apologize if this seems a dumb question but I'd like to get some advice before starting any procedures towards the US government.

 

Not a dumb question but maybe a bit premature if you haven't even filed any forms yet.  For K1, your income will first come into play only at the interview, maybe 18 to 24 months after submitting the I-129F petition.

 

Anyway, "household" in the context of the K1 process only includes your children and other tax dependents, if any.  Other than those, they don't count towards your household, even if they live in the same house as you.  And yes, you (the petitioner) will need to show evidence of enough income to sustain your beneficiary plus all your current household members.  The other people in your household are not required to contribute at all, although there is an option (not mandatory) for them to co-sponsor.

 

[maddmoxxi478 0]

1 minute ago, Chancy said:

 

Not a dumb question but maybe a bit premature if you haven't even filed any forms yet.  For K1, your income will first come into play only at the interview, maybe 18 to 24 months after submitting the I-129F petition.

 

Anyway, "household" in the context of the K1 process only includes your children and other tax dependents, if any.  Other than those, they don't count towards your household, even if they live in the same house as you.  And yes, you (the petitioner) will need to show evidence of enough income to sustain your beneficiary plus all your current household members.  The other people in your household are not required to contribute at all, although there is an option (not mandatory) for them to co-sponsor.

 

Oh interesting, I thought I had to provide proof of income at the time I filed the forms. I recently got a new job back in February so I was holding off on filing any forms until I could prove my sufficient income with tax returns. Because I thought THAT'S when I needed to show it. But going by what you said, it seems I can go ahead and start the paperwork without having to worry about showing proof of the sufficient income. Thanks! 

[IWander 589]

33 minutes ago, maddmoxxi478 said:

Oh interesting, I thought I had to provide proof of income at the time I filed the forms. I recently got a new job back in February so I was holding off on filing any forms until I could prove my sufficient income with tax returns. Because I thought THAT'S when I needed to show it. But going by what you said, it seems I can go ahead and start the paperwork without having to worry about showing proof of the sufficient income. Thanks! 

The financial forms are submitted at time of visa interview NOT with the original petition 

[SalishSea 17,818]

11 hours ago, maddmoxxi478 said:

Oh interesting, I thought I had to provide proof of income at the time I filed the forms. I recently got a new job back in February so I was holding off on filing any forms until I could prove my sufficient income with tax returns. Because I thought THAT'S when I needed to show it. But going by what you said, it seems I can go ahead and start the paperwork without having to worry about showing proof of the sufficient income. Thanks! 

You need to read and thoroughly research all of the forms for the process.   

[Mexis2020 18]

23 hours ago, maddmoxxi478 said:

Oh interesting, I thought I had to provide proof of income at the time I filed the forms. I recently got a new job back in February so I was holding off on filing any forms until I could prove my sufficient income with tax returns. Because I thought THAT'S when I needed to show it. But going by what you said, it seems I can go ahead and start the paperwork without having to worry about showing proof of the sufficient income. Thanks! 

Suggest you review the guides and flows here - long way off before financials will come up