I-864 Sponsor and Joint Sponsor - 2025 Evidence

[ArtUK 2]

Hi all,

I’m grateful to share that our I-130 was approved on 17 December 2024. My wife (a U.S. citizen) and I (a UK citizen) currently live in the UK with our children, and we’re planning to relocate to the U.S. My wife and children are all U.S. citizens, so I’m the only one immigrating.

 

I understand the domicile requirements for the petitioner. My wife has maintained substantial ties to the U.S. and plans to move ahead of me in June this year to re-establish our life there. We have evidence to support this (household goods shipping, children enrolled in preschool, health and dental care arranged, dog importing to US, etc.). She has also filed U.S. tax returns for 2022, 2023, and 2024, although her income in those years is below the I-864 threshold. So we have enlisted the help of my father-in-law (her father) as a joint sponsor. He earns well above the required level and is also providing us with accommodation in the U.S.

 

One point I’m unclear on, since the 2025 tax year is not yet filed, do we need to submit any evidence showing current (2025) income for either my wife or my father-in-law, given that 2025 tax transcripts won’t yet be available? If so, what form should that evidence take?

 

For context, my father-in-law previously owned a business which he sold, and he now works a few days a week as an independent contractor for his former business partner. I’d appreciate guidance on what documentation would typically be uploaded for a joint sponsor in this situation during the current tax year. I am thinking 1099's from last 6 months and maybe a letter from his old business? 

 

Thanks in advance for any and all help! 

[appleblossom 5,661]

33 minutes ago, ArtUK said:

and plans to move ahead of me in June

 

Can't help with what your FIL should submit I'm afraid (somebody else will be along for that shortly I'm sure), but just to say I wouldn't make any plans for her to move ahead of you, as you could well have your visa by then if you submit everything to NVC quickly. There's a good chance you'll all be moving at the same time. 

 

Best of luck. 

[pushbrk 14,232]

Sounds like the joint sponsor is now self employed.  The current income you will state for him is the in 2023,number labeled "Total Income" from his latest tax return, 2024, unless his change to self employment happened during 2025.  If he became self employed, then he has no income related to his work.  He only has business revenue.  Details matter in this.  Perhaps he has other income or sufficient liquid assets to qualify, but there is not enough information about his exact circumstances to properly advise as to how to complete the affidavit and/or what additional documentation to apply.

 

When and how did this status change?  Was he always self employed when he owned the business.  Often the answer to that question would be no, but from what you say, he is self employed as a contract worker now.

[ArtUK 2]

11 hours ago, appleblossom said:

 

Can't help with what your FIL should submit I'm afraid (somebody else will be along for that shortly I'm sure), but just to say I wouldn't make any plans for her to move ahead of you, as you could well have your visa by then if you submit everything to NVC quickly. There's a good chance you'll all be moving at the same time. 

 

Best of luck. 

Thanks for the advice! Hoping we can make good progress on this NVC stage! DS-260 is straight forward for me its just this affidavit of support but we'll get there!