I-864 Sponsorship Question

[kitsonk 1]

If I am reading everything properly, I as petitioner (USC) for my spouse (UKC) have to be the sponsor for the I-864.

I haven't resided in the US since 2006 and the challenge we will have is that it is going to be tough for me to re-establish my domicile in the US prior to the interview, as our plan is to relocate to the US and take our time before being employed again. We know the area of the country we want to settle in, but once we arrive, are going to take 6 weeks visiting family and friends across the US before actually arriving where we plan to settle.

We do have substantial assets and by the time we apply for the I-864, we will have sold our primary residence and be living in rented accommodation.

Given that, will having substantial liquid assets be sufficient to be a "sole" sponsor, with clear demonstration we have making plans to relocate to the US, or would we still need a joint sponsor?

[Penguin_ie 5,984]

You should be fine- we had a similar situation and it was no problem.

I was asked at the interview what I planned to work as once we arrived in the USA, and said I was hoping to be a SAHM for several years, and that was no issue.

[Ian H. 207]

You would need at least $60k in assets if you are a household of 2, plus the evidence that you will reestablish your domicile. Also the assets have to be able to be converted into cash within one year without considerable harm to you as the owner(s).

Edited November 23, 2014 by Ian H.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

If I am reading everything properly, I as petitioner (USC) for my spouse (UKC) have to be the sponsor for the I-864.

I haven't resided in the US since 2006 and the challenge we will have is that it is going to be tough for me to re-establish my domicile in the US prior to the interview, as our plan is to relocate to the US and take our time before being employed again. We know the area of the country we want to settle in, but once we arrive, are going to take 6 weeks visiting family and friends across the US before actually arriving where we plan to settle.

We do have substantial assets and by the time we apply for the I-864, we will have sold our primary residence and be living in rented accommodation.

Given that, will having substantial liquid assets be sufficient to be a "sole" sponsor, with clear demonstration we have making plans to relocate to the US, or would we still need a joint sponsor?

If you want to read what London says about domicile, here is the link. http://london.usembassy.gov/faq_i864_domicile.html

Edited November 24, 2014 by Nich-Nick

[kitsonk 1]

You would need at least $60k in assets if you are a household of 2, plus the evidence that you will reestablish your domicile. Also the assets have to be able to be converted into cash within one year without considerable harm to you as the owner(s).

Thank you. That wouldn't be a challenge. We will have already sold our UK based residence and will be taking that equity (which will be substantial) to the US to purchase a home.

The challenge for us, I think is what is considered "reestablishing" our domicile, as it would be hugely convenient for us to go over together. We plan to arrive at my parents in Phoenix, purchase a car and then travel around visiting family and friends until we arrive in Seattle 6 weeks later. We both have worked really hard over the last 8 years in the UK and can check-out for 3 months without needing to earn anything so that we can come out the otherside living in the right place, with the right jobs and is the main reason for moving back to the US. So we really won't have any of the signs of reestablishment that are listed on the London Consulates website (other than we plan to have already sold our property).

Also, both of us are just a bit worried that our timelines might be extended a bit because we are a same gendered couple and back 10 years ago, Simon got refused entry to the US twice and denied a visitors visa. I suspect, even though we have all the paperwork from the port of entry now and the refusals were because they didn't believe he was a genuine visitor, they might take time in processing. That means we would rather stay together until the visa comes through.

[awaywego 28]

There are things one can't set up until one has an address. What about things that one does when moving to a new city? For example, I would not move somewhere without a place to live. You and your spouse plan to buy a house, but this takes time. Where where will you stay in the meantime, and what arrangements can you show for this? Will you do (have you done) some work before the move to minimize the time between arriving in the city and moving into your own home, and what can you show for this? Et cetera.

Two more links on domicile for you, in case they might help:

USCIS I-864 FAQ: link

scroll down for a letter with ideas of evidence: link