Joint Sponsor OR Contract with Household Member?

[AuSomeGee 5]

Hello

Please find my query below (all constructive comments appreciated and thanks in advance)

Background

I am a US Citizen sponsoring my Australian husband to immigrate to the US.

Our I-130 is currently at NVC with both CASE # and IIN assigned. Just awaiting initial correspondence from NVC.

The following applies to us:

• We both live together in Australia
• I have been in AUS for 6 years
• We have a almost 2 yr old daughter together who is a recognised US Citizen (Valid US Passport and Social Sec Number)
• Moving to US to be with my family and my mother has health issues (I previously donated my kidney to her - 2008)

• I was self employed (Child Care) for the past 6 months and have recently stopped working and currently a stay at home mum
• Husband currently works full time
• We will both need to look for work in US upon arrival.
• US residence will be with immediate family (sister / brother in law / 2 nephews) upon arrival in US - looking to get notarized letter from sister confirming residence availability
• Approx USD$50K in savings

Query

For AOS we were looking to either Joint Sponsor or Contract with Household Member to ensure support is covered.

The person who will be the Joint Sponsor would also be the Contract Household Member, so the query is not person related, more about which is typically the better option given our situation and if people have been in this situation to choose - what was there experience?

Thanks again for your time and comments.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

You will need a Joint Sponsor.

You cannot use a household member since you do not live with a qualified household member.

In addition, have you filed US tax returns on your Aussie earnings as required? You will need them or have a valid reason why you were not required to file.

[AuSomeGee 5]

Hi aaron2020

Thanks for the feedback.

In relation to qualified household member, and excuse my ignorance, but if the household member (brother in law) is part of the US based residence we will be living with, do they not qualify? Is it based only on current household (AU based) and not intended US household?

Just trying to get our heads around all this and appreciate your time/comments.

And for US tax returns, yes, filed as required - all good on that front.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Current household.

The US does not consider future anything. It's all about what is current.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Furthermore, a JS does not include you in his/her household. A Household Member would need to include you which raises the required 125% poverty line by $4k-$5k.

[AuSomeGee 5]

Awesome.

Thanks for the clarification and info.

:-)