Yes... BUT, if the joint sponsor files a joint tax return, then he needs to subtract out the spouse's contribution AND include a note to explain what portion was subtracted out and why.


Yes, that's true... IF you are actually using their additional income. The problem is that many joint sponsors use only their income but indicate on the I-864 the total income as reported on the joint tax return. That's not correct.

Ian

Hello everyone, I need a little help with my wife's I-864.

My wife does not meet the income requirements to sponsor me using the I-864EZ

On the I-864 it asks

Part 3. Information on the immigrant(s) you are sponsoring.
8. I am sponsoring the principal immigrant named in Part 2 above.
[] Yes [] No (Applicable only in cases with two joint sponsors)

My father-in-law is my joint sponsor. Do we tick yes or no?

This is for your wife's I-864, so take the joint sponsor out of the equation.

Is your name in Part 2? If so, then "yes", she is your sponsor.

Rene

Ok great, thank you!

Are you asking about your wife's I-864 or your father-in-law's I-864?

Either way, same answer. You've only mentioned one immigrant and one joint sponsor, and the 'No' answer is "Applicable only in cases with two joint sponsors" ....

Regards, JEff

Also, the agent I spoke with at the embassy said that he would approve my file based on my father in law's income.

The I-864 has a space to detail my personal assets if my sponsor does not meet the poverty requirements. My wife doesn't, should we list my assets? Or should I just leave it blank as they will approve it on my father-in-law's income. I don't want to confuse matters.

My wife's. We've answered Yes. I was just confused as I didn't know if she was eligible to 'sponsor' me as her income isn't enough.

She is your sponsor no matter what her income is. The law says so. (And which is why the frequently misused term "co-sponsor" does not apply.)

Regards, JEff

Thanks for clarifying

Your assets are also considered your wife's assets. If your assets are not going to be enough to overcome the I-864P guideline, then you do not need to list them. If they ARE enough, then you can list them, provide proof of the value, and drop the joint sponsor.

Keep in mind that your assets must equal 3x what is lacking in income.

Joint sponsor's assets must equal 5x what is lacking in income.

Rene

I aggree - don't bother unless your assets will be enough to eliminate the need for a joint sponsor.

What is the nature of your assets? Cash in the bank is ideal, it can be downhill after that.

Regards, JEff

My assets, cash in savings, are well and above the 3 x poverty guidelines but the embassy is happy with my father-in-law as a joint sponsor and have already accepted his I-864.

Would it confuse matters to add my assets?

No it would not confuse matters. And even though the embassy is happy with your father-in-laws I-864, he might be happy to have them give it back to you as unnecessary. (Which they will be required to do.)

Regards, JEff

If you add your assets to your wife's I-864, the ConOff will no longer accept a joint sponsor. A joint sponsor cannot be used if the I-864 requirements are met by the sponsor.

If you would rather use a joint sponsor than qualify on your own (most people would want to qualify on their own and not involve a joint sponsor, I would think), then don't list your assets, and continue using the joint sponsor.

Rene

Thank you Jeff and Rene for your excellent advice. I'm not going to enter my assets because my officer told me everything was ok, and if everything is ok, that means it is ok. I'll never have to rely on my father-in-law for financial support anyway so it's a trivial matter. If there's any problems with this submission, heaven forbid, then I'll resubmit my wife's i-864 with my assets on it.

Courier is collecting tomorrow, wish me luck!