I-864 Advice

[MarkBero 0]

Hello. I have been an F-1 student since 2007, and started OPT before marrying my wife (a USC). We now live together and we need to file the I-864 but here are our issues:

1) My wife only just started a 1yr research fellowship, having just finished her 4-yr of medical school. So while she earns enough to support our household, it isn't exactly a permanent job. She also doesn't have any previous tax returns since she did not earn anything. She won't be applying for residencies until March next year.

2) I am on F1-OPT working as a postdoc researcher, which is always temporary by nature - ie: my term expires in July 2014, though can be renewed pending adequate performance. I make enough to sponsor the household too, but it's not exactly permanent.

3) My wife's father could co-sponsor us with his assets, but we don't know if that is necessary, and would rather not if options 1) or 2) would be acceptable.

My current thought is to proceed with 3), though getting by with 1) or 2) would be simpler. What are your thoughts? And thanks in advance!!!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

My thoughts--

List her current income. You are married. Yours can be included because you are in the US. Do you both have a way to prove the income since not on last year's tax return? Don't mention the duration. Mention the income.

At the interview if the officer doesn't like it, or asks if it is short term, then he will tell you to get a joint sponsor. At that time, pull out Dad's or go get one from Dad and mail it to the interviewer. It won't delay you long. Maybe the fact that she is a DOCTOR might make the officer forgo deep digging into the income's permanency.

In lieu of her 2012 tax return, she writes a signed statement why she was not required to file. (Earned zero income in 2012 because she was in medical school).

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

**** Moving from Bringing Family to AOS from Student visa as OP already is in the USA *****

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You need to show proof of current income, either paystubs or a letter from your employer. If you can do that, it should be okay.