Another (annoying) I-864 question...

[kali1229 6]

Hi all,

Well, right now I'm at the NVC stage (finally!) and have paid the AOS bill. Now, last year I didn't make enough to meet the poverty levels (by $2,000 ) and need a co/joint sponsor. I don't really have anybody that can help me out in that area as well, I don't have basically any family here and I don't have friends that can help me out. I live with my mom and my step dad. They are willing to sign anything that I need but I'm afraid that they won't qualify. I understand when a co-sponsor is used they fill out the I-864 and a household member fills out I-864a. They do not claim me on their taxes nor I them.

How does the I-864a work? Is their income supplemental to mine?

[Ryan H 3,795]

I-864A is filled out by joint sponsor when combining income from joint-sponsor that lives in the same household as primary sponsor.

[pushbrk 12,209]

Hi all,

Well, right now I'm at the NVC stage (finally!) and have paid the AOS bill. Now, last year I didn't make enough to meet the poverty levels (by $2,000 ) and need a co/joint sponsor. I don't really have anybody that can help me out in that area as well, I don't have basically any family here and I don't have friends that can help me out. I live with my mom and my step dad. They are willing to sign anything that I need but I'm afraid that they won't qualify. I understand when a co-sponsor is used they fill out the I-864 and a household member fills out I-864a. They do not claim me on their taxes nor I them.

How does the I-864a work? Is their income supplemental to mine?

First, you do not qualify based on last year's income unless you are self employed. If your "current income" is sufficient, no need for a joint sponsor. Since your step father is the head of his household, he doesn't combine income with you. He combines income with your mother, if needed to qualify for their own household size plus your spouse.

[kali1229 6]

So I-864a isn't an option?

Edited June 27, 2011 by kali1229

[pushbrk 12,209]

So I-864a isn't an option?

Sure. So is a sex change operation. I was advising you on the correct course of action for your circumstances. Why would you want to use the I-864a option? How do you see it benefiting you?

[redtapenightmare 3]

Hi all,

Well, right now I'm at the NVC stage (finally!) and have paid the AOS bill. Now, last year I didn't make enough to meet the poverty levels (by $2,000 ) and need a co/joint sponsor. I don't really have anybody that can help me out in that area as well, I don't have basically any family here and I don't have friends that can help me out. I live with my mom and my step dad. They are willing to sign anything that I need but I'm afraid that they won't qualify. I understand when a co-sponsor is used they fill out the I-864 and a household member fills out I-864a. They do not claim me on their taxes nor I them.

How does the I-864a work? Is their income supplemental to mine?

I am in the same boat! I was living in Costa Rica all of 2010, and my income didn't reach the 125% of poverty level. However, now that I'm back in the states and working at more than 125% of poverty level, I should be ok. From what I understand, they only demand that your CURRENT income is above the 125% threshold. You can provide past income tax forms to make a stronger case about your financial stability, but as long as you are currently meeting the reqs, you should be find.

Fill out the I-864 independently of your other family memebers if you are meeting the 125% limit.

[Edwin87 0]

well it doesn't hurt to add a 864A. i didn't know if i had to earn more than the poverty level for the past three years. i didn't meet the poverty level in 2008 because i didn't have a job but for 2009 and 2010 I did. To make sure that i didn't have any problem with that i asked my stepfather to be my co-sponsor and the only thing that went wrong was that i didn't provide evidence of my relationship with my stepfather. so i sent my mom's marriage certificate, and family pictures.

[GregYohn 0]

Bogota turned us down, since I had not met the 2010 income requirements, even though my job since 8/2010 has an annual income of over 30000 for a family of 3. We will try again, but this time include my wife's 1/4 ownership of her home before I built a GREAT patio, bedroom, and new bathroom addition. A 20,000,000 COP investment should impress Bogota! We even have a solar hot water shower!

I am in the same boat! I was living in Costa Rica all of 2010, and my income didn't reach the 125% of poverty level. However, now that I'm back in the states and working at more than 125% of poverty level, I should be ok. From what I understand, they only demand that your CURRENT income is above the 125% threshold. You can provide past income tax forms to make a stronger case about your financial stability, but as long as you are currently meeting the reqs, you should be find.

Fill out the I-864 independently of your other family memebers if you are meeting the 125% limit.

[Done--Really 331]

Who owns the other 3/4's ?? It is highly unlikely that they will accept 1/4 ownership unless it can be easily liquidated, and with 1/4 ownership, it will be pretty hard to convince me of that, let alone the embassy.

[GregYohn 0]

In order to qualify based on the value of your assets, the total value of your assets must equal at least five times the difference between your total household income and the current poverty guidelines for your household size. However, if you are a U.S. citizen and you are sponsoring your spouse or minor child, the total value of your assets must only be equal to at least three times the difference.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864instr.pdf

[Done--Really 331]

We all know that about assets--but what has that got to do with 1/4 ownership in a home that on the surface is probably totally illiquid unless the other 3/4 owners want to sell.

[redtapenightmare 3]

Bogota turned us down, since I had not met the 2010 income requirements, even though my job since 8/2010 has an annual income of over 30000 for a family of 3. We will try again, but this time include my wife's 1/4 ownership of her home before I built a GREAT patio, bedroom, and new bathroom addition. A 20,000,000 COP investment should impress Bogota! We even have a solar hot water shower!

Did Bogota explicitly say that they turned you down because your 2010 income wasn't enough or are you just assuming that was why? I have researched for hours this subject, and I haven't ever heard of that happening.

[Done--Really 331]

I'm with you Red--I think there is more to the story

[pushbrk 12,209]

In order to qualify based on the value of your assets, the total value of your assets must equal at least five times the difference between your total household income and the current poverty guidelines for your household size. However, if you are a U.S. citizen and you are sponsoring your spouse or minor child, the total value of your assets must only be equal to at least three times the difference.

http://www.uscis.gov.../i-864instr.pdf

Correct, but read further in the instructions where "liquid" is explained. You've given the can without reading and considering the how.

[GregYohn 0]

My wife's mother, brother, and sister own the other portions of the home. Still expecting that showing another letter from my employer and a currect YTD check stub may be sufficient proof of my income, if I show up in Bogota to ask for my 2011 and 2010 income from my current employer be used.

Who owns the other 3/4's ?? It is highly unlikely that they will accept 1/4 ownership unless it can be easily liquidated, and with 1/4 ownership, it will be pretty hard to convince me of that, let alone the embassy.