Tweet
I-864 - Does the immigrant income "weigh" as much as a US citizen joint sponsor's?
Hello,
My wife is an American citizen, and I am a Chilean national. We filed for my family-based Green Card recently and received an RFE regarding the Affidavit of Support. We believe it was because her 2022 income was about $20,800, and we used her liquid assets totaling $17,600 to meet the minimum guidelines. Even though we live together and I work here legally, I didn't add my income because I thought it would not be necessary, but now I know USCIS expects more than the stated requirements.
Some background info:
- My income in 2022 was about $20k as well, so together, we would add up to $40,000.
- I have signed a full-time contract from Aug 2023 to Jul 2024, paying $66,000. This is the same employer I have been working for part-time during 2022.
- I have an EAD expiring Jan 4, 2024
My questions are:
1. Is my income as the principal immigrant and household member as "valid" as a potential joint sponsor's who is a US citizen? Technically, I understand it is, but I wonder if anyone knows if, in reality, it has the same weight for my application or if we should try to get a US citizen joint sponsor.
2. If my income is as valid and we file together, totaling $40k, we would be very much over the $25k requirement for a 2-person household. Would it hurt my application if we included, also, our liquid assets? Would it make any difference?
Thank you for your time!
My wife is an American citizen, and I am a Chilean national. We filed for my family-based Green Card recently and received an RFE regarding the Affidavit of Support. We believe it was because her 2022 income was about $20,800, and we used her liquid assets totaling $17,600 to meet the minimum guidelines. Even though we live together and I work here legally, I didn't add my income because I thought it would not be necessary, but now I know USCIS expects more than the stated requirements.
Some background info:
- My income in 2022 was about $20k as well, so together, we would add up to $40,000.
- I have signed a full-time contract from Aug 2023 to Jul 2024, paying $66,000. This is the same employer I have been working for part-time during 2022.
- I have an EAD expiring Jan 4, 2024
My questions are:
1. Is my income as the principal immigrant and household member as "valid" as a potential joint sponsor's who is a US citizen? Technically, I understand it is, but I wonder if anyone knows if, in reality, it has the same weight for my application or if we should try to get a US citizen joint sponsor.
2. If my income is as valid and we file together, totaling $40k, we would be very much over the $25k requirement for a 2-person household. Would it hurt my application if we included, also, our liquid assets? Would it make any difference?
Thank you for your time!
