Affidavit of Support - i-864 - Using sponsor's (spouse) current income + mine?

[emperorvinayak]

Hello all,

I'll be filing a family-based green card soon. I'm currently on my F-1 24 month STEM OPT extension. My spouse currently meets the income requirement. She is making USD 30,000 per year. This can be confirmed by her past 6+ months of paychecks and her employment offer/contract which I will be attaching.

The problem is:

1. She has only filed for one tax return in 2016 because she was a student prior and did not meet the income requirements to file for taxes.
2. That tax return is definitely below the poverty line because, again, she was enrolled in college and was only working part time.

I will be attaching a 2016 form 1098-T (tuition statement) if that helps.

Now I make $45,000 a year. Should I add myself as a source for household income to total $75K? I meet the requirements as in I have been living with her in joint residence as evidenced by a copy of our lease that I will be attaching. I have my offer letter and paystubs that I can attach.

The problem is that I will need to prove that my income source will continue from the same employer. What exactly does that mean? Will I not be able to switch employers after getting adjusted? What shall the wording of a letter from the employer be? Will simply stating that my employment will not be terminated solely because of adjustment of status change be enough?

Any advice on any of this will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

[dmike]

I am in the same boot here, my wife does not work, but we do have joint tax return for the last 3 years, but everything is through my income only,,,,,