Is there other reasons for needing a co-sponsor/secondary sponsor besides income requirements?

[teatime 0]

I was asked to become a co-sponsors/secondary sponsors for a relative's wife. I know for sure that he meet the income requirements as I've seen his tax forms before (and he even told me income wasn't a problem). He told me that he needs me to file as a secondary sponsors and that they did not tell him the reason for needing a secondary sponsor. How could they not tell you the reason? If this is official, reasons why something is needed must be stated, right? Is this common?

[christeen 966]

If her exceeds the 125% of poverty lformhismhousehold, there sold be no reason they wold need a co-sponsor... If they asked,it would be at the embassy stage and they should have been given a written request for such...

[teatime 0]

Her husband is a relative of mine and he makes at least 133% above poverty line enough to support about a household size of 5. The wife is from southeast asian (she's still there, they got married when he visited her in her country) and she does not work, but she have two kids with him. He does have a history of bad credits though, would this be a reason for why he would need me to co-sponsor for his wife?

[carolynhotstuff 252]

Credit history is not looked at by the embassy. If his income is very close to the poverty line for his family size then the embassy can ask for a co-sponsor. Has he sponsored anyone else in the past? If that person is not a US citizen now then he would have to include them in his household size. Your best bet is to ask him to sit down with you and show you his most recent tax return and paystubs. This will tell you his exact income. Remember he has to include himself, his wife, their children together and any children under 18 from a previous relationship even if they don't live with him.

[teatime 0]

Income isn't the problem. I know how much he makes and it is sufficient enough to support is wife and the children if they come here, which baffled me as to why I was asked to be a co-sponsor. I don't think he's being straight with me.

[kehills 217]

Wait, are you saying he makes 133% of the poverty guideline - that is, he makes $26,148, or are you saying he makes 133% of the minimum requirement for a family of four (him, her, two kids), which would around $38,766. (As you can see, they're very different numbers.)

[teatime 0]

He makes a little more than 40K a year that's why I'm saying that income isn't a problem, yet he's still asked me to be a co-sponsor which doesn't make sense to me. I read all the legal implication on being a sponsor/joint sponsor and do not want to be hook into any legal obligations in the future, even though, he assured be nothing will happen.

[NikLR 13,232]

Then don't do it. If he's making above the poverty guidelines and has for the last year or so, he should be fine.