i-864 affidavit of support question about joint bank account

[osakaken 0]

1) I am an American citizen that has been living in Japan for 15 years now. My fiance and I are getting married next week, and then we will begin the process of applying for a CR-1 visa for her. We plan to move back to the U.S. next year.

Because I can't use my income earned in Japan, we are going to try to use cash assets to qualify for the i-864.

I have a bank account in the U.S. which I have had for over 20 years, since I was a college student in the U.S. About 10 years ago, I added my mother's name to my account to make it easier for her to pay my bills, put money into my account, etc. Is having her name on my account going to be a problem if I want to use this bank account to prove my assets? The money is mine and my mother doesn't use it for her own purposes.

2) Also, I would like to double check my calculations. If I am doing it wrong, please tell me.

My household would be 2 people; me and my wife. The 2011 poverty line for a household of two is $14,710.

I am an American citizen with no income so my assets would need to equal $44,130 (14,710 x 3).

Is this correct? My confusion is from whether I have to use the poverty line ($14,710) or 125% of the poverty line (which would be $18,388)

Thank you for you help

[Ryan H 3,932]

It's 125% of the poverty line. That other figure you were looking at (100%) is only applicable for sponsors who are on active duty in the military.

[osakaken 0]

The i-864 instructions say

"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."

Is there some other reference that says 125%?

[Ryan H 3,932]

The 2011 poverty line for a household of two is $14,710.

I am an American citizen with no income so my assets would need to equal $44,130 (14,710 x 3).

Is this correct? My confusion is from whether I have to use the poverty line ($14,710) or 125% of the poverty line (which would be $18,388)

Is there some other reference that says 125%?

Carefully re-read the I-864P

In the center column where you are reading that 100% figure says this:

For sponsors who are on active duty in the US Armed Forces who are petitioning for their spouse or child

The last column says (in bold), 125% of Poverty Line, For all other sponsors

At the top of the page of the I-864P where it says 2011 Poverty Guidelines, there is an asterisk and the asterisk is the quote regarding active duty military that I just quoted.

If you are on active duty in the military, the column you look at is the center column where it says 100%. If you are not on active duty in the military, then it's 125%.

[Anh map 2,098]

The USCIS Poverty Guidelines are not the same as the general US Govt statistics. Refer to form I-864P. You can find a link below in my signature.

Also this I-864 FAQ link maybe helpful to you. >>> http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3183.html

[osakaken 0]

Thank you,

The i-864p document and the link to the i-864 FAQ were both helpful.

Does anyone have any thoughts on whether my mother being listed on my bank account is going to be a problem?

[Anh map 2,098]

Thank you,

The i-864p document and the link to the i-864 FAQ were both helpful.

Does anyone have any thoughts on whether my mother being listed on my bank account is going to be a problem?

It may cause a question. It does sound like you have a good explanation. One of my brothers did the same thing when he was in the merchant marine traveling around the globe.

The big thing is showing that it's your money. If there have been deposits, it would help to be able to prove that they came from you and/or were monies payable to you. For cash assets the "chain of custody" is important. What the CO does not want to see is a large deposit into the sponsor's account in the 6 - 12 months prior to the affidavit of support being filed. A situation where a friend or relative has plopped money into an account to meet the requirement. Show that it's your money.

[pushbrk 14,265]

Show that it's your money.

Or use a joint sponsor.