I-864 VS I-864EZ Question!

[mr&mrs4ever 0]

I checked inside my Packet 3 which came last Saturday and there is a I-864EZ form included. I already have a sponsor for my wife (my Father) whom is well above the financial level needed for sponsorship. I've already received the I-864 he filled out and sent over. Plus received all required criteria from him and then some. Do I need also the I-864EZ or will his sponsorship suffice?

Edited March 22, 2012 by mr&mrs4ever

[Saylin 1,605]

I checked inside my Packet 3 which came last Saturday and there is a I-864EZ form included. I already have a sponsor for my wife (my Father) whom is well above the financial level needed for sponsorship. I've already received the I-864 he filled out and sent over. Plus received all required criteria from him and then some. Do I need also the I-864EZ or will his sponsorship suffice?

The I-864EZ is a shorter version of the I-864, but you have to meet criteria to use it. One of them being that the petitioner is the sole sponsor. Since you already have a joint sponsor, you're not eligible to use the I-864EZ, so just ignore it in your case.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Saylin - you got it wrong.

The petitioner can file either Form I-864 or I-864EZ. As long as his wife is the sole beneficiary and the only income is from a job, then he can use Form I-864EZ.

The Joint Sponsor cannot use From I-864EZ.

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To the OP: you must either file an I-864 or I-864EZ for your wife. The Joint Sponsor files his own separate I-864.

Edited March 22, 2012 by aaron2020

[mr&mrs4ever 0]

Ok well I am living in the Philippines for 2 years now and I make very little, also I have no W-2 for the last 2 years.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Ok well I am living in the Philippines for 2 years now and I make very little, also I have no W-2 for the last 2 years.

Form I-864EZ is just a shorter version of Form I-864. Just file Form I-864. Include an explanation that your income was below the threshold required to file, and that is why you did not file US tax returns.

[Saylin 1,605]

Saylin - you got it wrong.

The petitioner can file either Form I-864 or I-864EZ. As long as his wife is the sole beneficiary and the only income is from a job, then he can use Form I-864EZ.

The Joint Sponsor cannot use From I-864EZ.

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To the OP: you must either file an I-864 or I-864EZ for your wife. The Joint Sponsor files his own separate I-864.

When I've looked at the I-864EZ form and read the first question (where you have to check yes or no), b says:

"I am using only my own earned or retirement income, which is documented using IRS Form W-2."

I've always understood that to mean the petitioner is using only his own income (and no one else's, ie: no joint sponsor).

And on NVC's site here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3201.html it states in 2:

"Verify that you are claiming only your own employment to meet the affidavit of support requirements."

To me, again, that seems to convey you can only use your own income and no one else's.

[mr&mrs4ever 0]

I got paystubs from Paypal and can get a letter from my boss saying I have worked there for the last 6 months, everything prior to that was just consultations here and there.

[aaron2020 11,651]

When I've looked at the I-864EZ form and read the first question (where you have to check yes or no), b says:

"I am using only my own earned or retirement income, which is documented using IRS Form W-2."

I've always understood that to mean the petitioner is using only his own income (and no one else's, ie: no joint sponsor).

And on NVC's site here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3201.html it states in 2:

"Verify that you are claiming only your own employment to meet the affidavit of support requirements."

To me, again, that seems to convey you can only use your own income and no one else's.

In the big picture, it's not going to matter since he is not relying on his income.

As you have pointed out, Form I-864EZ is just a shorter version of Form I-864.

If using a Joint Sponsor disqualify the petitioner from using Form I-864EZ, then the instruction would state this.

Let's not confuse people by making this a big issue. It's not that much more work to fill out the I-864 than the I-864EZ. No problem if he files form I-864.

[mr&mrs4ever 0]

I'll definitely file it, but it won't really provide much of an extra leg to stand on will it? Maybe at least they will see I'm not a total bum;)

[Saylin 1,605]

In the big picture, it's not going to matter since he is not relying on his income.

As you have pointed out, Form I-864EZ is just a shorter version of Form I-864.

If using a Joint Sponsor disqualify the petitioner from using Form I-864EZ, then the instruction would state this.

Let's not confuse people by making this a big issue. It's not that much more work to fill out the I-864 than the I-864EZ. No problem if he files form I-864.

Oh, I know in their case it won't matter.

Keep in mind, government places don't always write things out clearly, such as "if using a joint sponsor, you're not eligible to file this form". The way they state in the criteria though, it sounds like the petitioner can only use his income and no one else's. There are a few other forms and questions like this that can easily be misinterpreted. They need to update some of these questions to make them extremely clear, so as not to confuse people, especially those in non-English countries.