I-864 options

[Hank63452 2]

Hi guys and gals, 

 

I am sponsoring my wife and stepchild. It says that for 2025, income requirement for 125% of family of 3 is about 33,000. Past 3 years I have made the following: 

2023 - 41,014$

2024 - 50,294$

2025 - 43,000$(roughly, not filed yet).

 

The numbers above are from line 9 of tax return. my income source is mainly from Uber/Lyft and some in cash. Is this enough or will I get denied?

 

right now I live in Philadelphia. I only have 3k in savings(over 2 months). I can save up to 10k but it’s only about 6 months old during the interview. I read that it needs to be 1 year at least. Should I continue to save?
 

how does I-864A work? If I file for family of 3 now then I can’t ask for my dad to file I-864A later?

Edited 5 hours ago by Hank63452
Added info

[Gabriel5454 32]

Do you live with your father?  He can only file the I-864A if he lives in the same location as you do.  Otherwise he needs to fill out the I-864 as a joint sponsor and qualify with enough income for himself and all dependents.

 

In previous times, if you submitted the I-864 without a joint sponsor and it was determined that the income is not sufficient, it would be returned to you with a recommendation to add a joint sponsor (or household member).  Nowadays however, I would perhaps lean on the side of caution and try to find a joint sponsor as soon as possible and perhaps initially add the joint sponsor, given how intensely Trump has been targeting people who receive (or are likely to receive) federal benefits.

[Hank63452 2]

40 minutes ago, Gabriel5454 said:

Do you live with your father?  He can only file the I-864A if he lives in the same location as you do.  Otherwise he needs to fill out the I-864 as a joint sponsor and qualify with enough income for himself and all dependents.

 

In previous times, if you submitted the I-864 without a joint sponsor and it was determined that the income is not sufficient, it would be returned to you with a recommendation to add a joint sponsor (or household member).  Nowadays however, I would perhaps lean on the side of caution and try to find a joint sponsor as soon as possible and perhaps initially add the joint sponsor, given how intensely Trump has been targeting people who receive (or are likely to receive) federal benefits.

Hi Gabriel, 

 

Thanks for the input. My dad usually sleeps at both his work and the place I live at. All his mail comes to the location I’m at. 
 

I forgot to add that my wife owns a home abroad and has 2 cars under her name. 
 

It’s getting more scary out there. But I have a clean record. I have asked around for joint sponsors but no definitive yes, my American friends have never dealt with this before so it’s completely new stuff for them. 

Edited 4 hours ago by Hank63452
Added ibfo

[pushbrk 14,250]

3 hours ago, Hank63452 said:

Hi Gabriel, 

 

Thanks for the input. My dad usually sleeps at both his work and the place I live at. All his mail comes to the location I’m at. 
 

I forgot to add that my wife owns a home abroad and has 2 cars under her name. 
 

It’s getting more scary out there. But I have a clean record. I have asked around for joint sponsors but no definitive yes, my American friends have never dealt with this before so it’s completely new stuff for them. 

Your father would only use the I-864a if he doesn't qualify on his own as s joint sponsor, and needs to combine income with you, in order for there to be enough income.  Line 9 is the total income you would report for 2025 and also what you would state as your current income, for a self-employed person.  I take it you are self-employed with Uber, not an employee.  Your income is sufficient on its own.  Yes, you can do the 864a from Dad later, if it becomes necessary.