i-864

[mjf5240 0]

Hello, I have a couple of questions about the i-864.

My I-130 for my wife has been approved recently and I just received a new case number from the NVC. The next step is the i-864. I've been living in Taiwan for the last three years and haven't made any money in the U.S. since then. I make over the needed amount in Taiwan but I don't think that will translate and show in my taxes. What are my best options?

Am I able to do the i-864 EZ and use my own income? Is this possible since I'm not living in the U.S.?

Or is my best option to find a sponsor in the U.S. who makes enough money?

I found this information: The issue is that we don't want to be split a part for that long. We would rather do the process here.

But what if your sponsor – or perhaps the two of you -- have been living in another country, and are applying for the green card in order that you be able to move to the United States and both live here?

You’ll need to proceed carefully to deal with the domicile requirement. Ideally, the sponsoring relative should plan to return to the United States by the time the Form I-864 is submitted. When will this occur? It usually happens some months before or at your consular interview, as the last step in the immigration process.

Another issue is that, if the sponsor is giving up a job overseas, he or she will need to find a new job in the United States to replace the lost income. Filing an Affidavit of Support showing a source of income that will no longer be in place when you are living in the United States is not going to be enough to meet the U.S. government Poverty Guidelines, as required of financial sponsors. (See the article, “Applying for a Family-Based Green Card: How Much Financial Support Do You Need?)

[M&Ms 8]

I'd suggest to have a joint sponsor to be submitted with your I-864

[mjf5240 0]

So I'm thinking I will have to reestablish US domicile. I will go back to the US in 3 weeks by myself for a quick visit. Can I open a bank account and start to transfer money from Taiwan to the U.S. to prove that I have funds? I can also have a friend in San Diego charge us rent to live with him and his wife and also set up some job opportunities to show the embassy. As far as money goes, I'm not sure what to do. A joint sponsor is the best idea?

[M&Ms 8]

You don't have to go back home to open an account. You always can open an account online. Also regarding the rent, you can just have a letter stating that you'll be living with family and/or friends until you find the right job for both of you.

[mjf5240 0]

Thanks M&M, I will be in the states anyways so it will be easy to open a bank account. Thanks for the rent advice, I will talk to my friend in San Diego about that.

[mjf5240 0]

What about my taxes? I haven't worked in the U.S. for the last 3 years.

[M&Ms 8]

Taxes are required to be filed even if you haven't worked in the US for all USC. I file my taxes yearly with a CPA back home. Since you're going to the US for a visit, maybe you should visit an accounting firm to help you file your taxes for the entire period you lived out of it.

[mjf5240 0]

Sorry, I'm a little confused about the i-864. My brother will sponsor my wife and I. Is he the only one who needs to fill out the i-864 or do we also have to fill one out? We should send in just 1 or 2 of these forms?

[aleful 1,905]

hi

both of you, as the petitioner you are required to file the affidavit of support, regardless if of the amount of income you make

you are the primary sponsor regardless, your brother will be your joint sponsor

[mjf5240 0]

Thank you aleful. Another question I have now is do I need to send in my tax returns from Taiwan (where i've been working the last 3 years) and tell how much money i've been making here? Or do I only have to submit U.S. tax returns. I see on the i-864 it says my current annual income is ______. This is jsut the amount I've made in a year in Taiwan?

[mjf5240 0]

Also, I am seeing on some websites that part 7 of the document needs to be signed in front of a public notary. Is this true? Sorry for all the questions but this is confusing!

[aaron2020 11,651]

As a US citizen, you are required to file US tax returns on your worldwide income even if nothing is earned in the US. Your Taiwan tax returns do not meet the requirements for the I-864. Even with a Joint Sponsor, you will need to file US tax returns for the last 3 years to meet the I-864 requirements.

Thank you aleful. Another question I have now is do I need to send in my tax returns from Taiwan (where i've been working the last 3 years) and tell how much money i've been making here? Or do I only have to submit U.S. tax returns. I see on the i-864 it says my current annual income is ______. This is jsut the amount I've made in a year in Taiwan?

It's zero. You can not count your Taiwan income since it will stop once you return to the US.

Also, I am seeing on some websites that part 7 of the document needs to be signed in front of a public notary. Is this true? Sorry for all the questions but this is confusing!

No.

[mjf5240 0]

I currently have everything I need to complete the i-864 except my tax returns for the last 2 years. I do have a U.S. tax return from 2014 but am missing 2015 and 2016. I'm going back to the U.S. in a couple of weeks, is it possible for me to file when I'm home quickly? Has anyone else had to do this and maybe has some advice for me? I'm not sure what to do, maybe contact a CPA in my home town? Any advice? Thanks in advance.

[mjf5240 0]

Or any idea of what information I will need from the country I'm currently living in (Taiwan)? Do I need to bring home all my tax information from here to show my CPA?