I-864 Petitioner just moved to US, new job, no pay stubs yet

[garebear397 69]

Wanted to get advice. We just made it past the USCIS stage of our spousal visa process, and now filling out the I-864. I (the petitioner) just started my new job in the US (living overseas with family the past 5 years) that is salaried and over the minimum income, but have yet to receive my first paycheck. Questions: 

 

- Should I only use myself as the sponsor (no co-sponsor)? Because technically I do make enough to cover the requirement, though I would only at this time have a signed offer letter that states my yearly salary. Though at the interview I would have a few more paychecks that my wife could show. 

- Or should I use a co-sponsor? I had previously asked my father to co-sponsor before I knew I would be moved up before my wife, so no problem there. And I was initially thinking to always include him even when I started my new job (basically just in case), but after reading the instructions better for the I864 I see it says "Form I-864A may only be used when a sponsor’s income and assets do not meet the income requirements of Form I-864." So that made me doubt my plan to include him regardless, since I do now technically earn enough. 

- If I do include my father as a co-sponsor, should I use the I-864A since currently I am living with him and my mom, until my wife moves up? 

 

Thanks for any help! 

 

 

 

Edited August 21 by garebear397
Signed offer letter, not "contract"

[pushbrk 12,872]

3 hours ago, garebear397 said:

Wanted to get advice. We just made it past the USCIS stage of our spousal visa process, and now filling out the I-864. I (the petitioner) just started my new job in the US (living overseas with family the past 5 years) that is salaried and over the minimum income, but have yet to receive my first paycheck. Questions: 

 

- Should I only use myself as the sponsor (no co-sponsor)? Because technically I do make enough to cover the requirement, though I would only at this time have a signed offer letter that states my yearly salary. Though at the interview I would have a few more paychecks that my wife could show. 

- Or should I use a co-sponsor? I had previously asked my father to co-sponsor before I knew I would be moved up before my wife, so no problem there. And I was initially thinking to always include him even when I started my new job (basically just in case), but after reading the instructions better for the I864 I see it says "Form I-864A may only be used when a sponsor’s income and assets do not meet the income requirements of Form I-864." So that made me doubt my plan to include him regardless, since I do now technically earn enough. 

- If I do include my father as a co-sponsor, should I use the I-864A since currently I am living with him and my mom, until my wife moves up? 

 

Thanks for any help! 

 

 

 

There are no "cosponsors" in immigrant visa cases.  You qualify based on current income but would need to wait until you have a pay stub for a full pay period, or maybe you have an offer letter stating annual salary, and a start date that has passed.

 

The I-864a is for a  household member combining income with you.  I suspect neither of you needs to combine income.  If you want your father to be the joint sponsor, submit two I-864 forms, one for you as sponsor, and another for Dad as "joint sponsor.  Become an A-Student of the I-864 AND....it's separate instructions PDF.

[garebear397 69]

14 hours ago, pushbrk said:

There are no "cosponsors" in immigrant visa cases.  You qualify based on current income but would need to wait until you have a pay stub for a full pay period, or maybe you have an offer letter stating annual salary, and a start date that has passed.

 

The I-864a is for a  household member combining income with you.  I suspect neither of you needs to combine income.  If you want your father to be the joint sponsor, submit two I-864 forms, one for you as sponsor, and another for Dad as "joint sponsor.  Become an A-Student of the I-864 AND....it's separate instructions PDF.

Yeah, fair enough "joint-sponsor" I should have said. Yeah I was only thinking of the I-864a since technically I live in the same physical house as my parents right now, until finding a new house. 

 

But I think I will go with just myself as the only sponsor. I do have a signed offer letter, with a start date already in the past. And can always provide more pay stubs when they come in for the interview. 

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

 

[pushbrk 12,872]

5 hours ago, garebear397 said:

Yeah, fair enough "joint-sponsor" I should have said. Yeah I was only thinking of the I-864a since technically I live in the same physical house as my parents right now, until finding a new house. 

 

But I think I will go with just myself as the only sponsor. I do have a signed offer letter, with a start date already in the past. And can always provide more pay stubs when they come in for the interview. 

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

 

Good plan.  The use of the I-864a is often misunderstood.  It's for combining income and/or the joint tax filing spouse of the joint sponsor, even if they have no income or their income isn't needed.  In your case, Dad would be joint sponsor (probably not needed) and Dad's wife, if any, would provide the I-864a.

[garebear397 69]

12 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

Good plan.  The use of the I-864a is often misunderstood.  It's for combining income and/or the joint tax filing spouse of the joint sponsor, even if they have no income or their income isn't needed.  In your case, Dad would be joint sponsor (probably not needed) and Dad's wife, if any, would provide the I-864a.

Ah ok ok. Thanks for the info! Yeah I think keeping it simpler here is the way to go.