Figuring # of household members

[mugs 0]

Hi all,

My wife (a U.S. citizen) is the petitioner for her Chinese daughter (over 21 unmarried). We have been approved by the NVC and have paid the fees for the I-864 and DS-230 but haven't submitted them yet. My wife doesn't make enough for the I-864 so I want to submit it with her as either a household member or joint sponsor.

What's the difference between doing the I-864 as a household member or joint sponsor? Which looks better or carries more weight?

Of course I'm also trying to see if I would make enough. As I'm looking at the guidelines would the "sponsors household size" (my wife and I) be two? I'm assuming it's not three (her daughter hasn't come over yet and so she is not counted in as a household member, right?).

Would it be two whether I was represented on the application as a household member or joint sponsor?

Is the 125% of poverty line amount ($18,387) the total for both of us added together or do we each have to make that amount?

Thanks for your help!

[Inky 1,110]

The petitioner has to file I-864 regardless of if they do not make the % because they are the petitioner. They can use a joint sponsor but that person needs to meet the requirement for their house + the intending immigrant. They do not add the incomes together. The house hold size is 3 including the immigrant.