I-864 Statement of Support As Part of I-485

[mitchh]

I called NCSC and got a number of questions answered but some that were not. He recommended I make an InfoPass appointment (I am the I-130 applicant, not the I-485 applicant) but I think that will go nowhere fast. He also recommended I talk to an immigation attorney or take advantage of other "resources," which is why I am here.

Questions on the I-864:

1) my employment, and thus my income, has been shaky from about May 2012 to March 2013 (when I repatriated to the USA to look for work) and up to now, April 2014. I am that worried about whether I, alone as the sponsor and spouse of I-485 applicant, meet the minimum income standards. My wife (the I-485) and I have reported income regularly to the IRS as joint married filers, but I am led to believe my wife's income cannot be used in the I-864 support statement!!! Is that true??

2) To bolster the pledges of support, I want to add a richer relative to the mix, maybe even two. They are willing, and I want NOTHING left to chance. I am told they submit separate I-864 forms with supporting documents. And I suppose they must mail those to me, where I assemble the multiple I-864s and put it in the package, right?

3) (a) As the proof of income and assets, can I use IRS Form 1040 Tax Return Transcripts rather than copies of the forms themselves? (b) as far as cash on hand in bank (savings/checking) accounts, what are people submitting? Statements over 1, 2, 3, or more months? I don't want some officer looking for a way to deny rather than approve the application

[rayb]

Mitch,

1. If your wife does not currently have valid visa status or an EAD (Work Authorization), her income cannot be used for self-petitioning.
2. A relative co-sponsor is quite normal and acceptable. That co-sponsor should provide you a completed I-864, proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency, copy of most recent Federal income tax return, W2 and/or 1099 forms and employment verification letter.
3. IRS transcripts are acceptable (and preferred) as substitute for copies of income tax returns.

--Ray B

I called NCSC and got a number of questions answered but some that were not. He recommended I make an InfoPass appointment (I am the I-130 applicant, not the I-485 applicant) but I think that will go nowhere fast. He also recommended I talk to an immigation attorney or take advantage of other "resources," which is why I am here.

Questions on the I-864:

1) my employment, and thus my income, has been shaky from about May 2012 to March 2013 (when I repatriated to the USA to look for work) and up to now, April 2014. I am that worried about whether I, alone as the sponsor and spouse of I-485 applicant, meet the minimum income standards. My wife (the I-485) and I have reported income regularly to the IRS as joint married filers, but I am led to believe my wife's income cannot be used in the I-864 support statement!!! Is that true??

2) To bolster the pledges of support, I want to add a richer relative to the mix, maybe even two. They are willing, and I want NOTHING left to chance. I am told they submit separate I-864 forms with supporting documents. And I suppose they must mail those to me, where I assemble the multiple I-864s and put it in the package, right?

3) (a) As the proof of income and assets, can I use IRS Form 1040 Tax Return Transcripts rather than copies of the forms themselves? (b) as far as cash on hand in bank (savings/checking) accounts, what are people submitting? Statements over 1, 2, 3, or more months? I don't want some officer looking for a way to deny rather than approve the application