Combine Incomes for Affidavit of Support

[MoozB]

My sister who lives with me is sponsoring her husband. However, her income is not enough. Can we fill out separate I-864 affidavit of support and combine our incomes to meet the income requirement if my income is not also enough?

[newacct]

No. The petitioner cannot combine incomes with a joint sponsor. A sponsor (either the petitioner or a joint sponsor) can only combine incomes with their household member (which in some cases can include the intending immigrant). So your sister can combine incomes with people in her household, including her dependents, relatives living in the same residence as her, as well as her intending immigrant husband, if his income will continue from the same source after he immigrates. If her household income is enough, a joint sponsor is not needed. If you act as a joint sponsor, you can combine incomes with your household members (your spouse and dependents, and relatives living in the same residence as her). If your household income is still not enough after including your household members, you cannot be a joint sponsor.

[MoozB]

No. The petitioner cannot combine incomes with a joint sponsor. A sponsor (either the petitioner or a joint sponsor) can only combine incomes with their household member (which in some cases can include the intending immigrant). So your sister can combine incomes with people in her household, including her dependents, relatives living in the same residence as her, as well as her intending immigrant husband, if his income will continue from the same source after he immigrates. If her household income is enough, a joint sponsor is not needed. If you act as a joint sponsor, you can combine incomes with your household members (your spouse and dependents, and relatives living in the same residence as her). If your household income is still not enough after including your household members, you cannot be a joint sponsor.

You mentioned that my sister can combine incomes with people in her household, including her dependents, relatives living in the same residence as her. Is my sister not considered as my relative? And we do live in the same apartment. Please clarify

[MoozB]

You mentioned that my sister can combine incomes with people in her household, including her dependents and relatives living in the same residence as her. We do live togherMy sister and I live in the same apartment. Would she be considered as a household member? Can you please clarify?

[newacct]

Since you live in the same residence as your sister, and you are her sibling, she can count you in her I-864 Part 5 item 7, so you will be part of her household size. Then, you and her can fill out I-864A for you to act as her "household member". That way, your income will be counted as part of her household income on her I-864 Part 6 (e.g. Person 1).

[MoozB]

Since you live in the same residence as your sister, and you are her sibling, she can count you in her I-864 Part 5 item 7, so you will be part of her household size. Then, you and her can fill out I-864A for you to act as her "household member". That way, your income will be counted as part of her household income on her I-864 Part 6 (e.g. Person 1).

Thank you for your clarification.