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The immigration system is often overwhelming to navigate for those hoping to gain residency in the United States. If you are seeking permanent residency through family sponsorship, you may have several questions about the requirements. When you elect a sponsor, income requirements are among the qualifications you will need to consider.

Fortunately, you do not have to go through this process alone. A skilled family immigration attorney could help you understand important details about required paperwork, filing expectations, and your legal rights. Our representatives at Godoy Law Office are ready to explain everything you need to know about income requirements for sponsoring an immigrant in Aurora and support you in seeking sponsorship.

Understanding Financial Sponsorship for an Immigrant

Some immigrants can obtain permanent residency in the United States through sponsorship from certain family members. Eligible family members include immediate relatives, such as parents, spouses, or unmarried children under 21. Preference relatives are also appropriate, which include unmarried children over 21, married children of any age, and siblings.

Additionally, the visa applicant needs to find a financial sponsor who lives in the United States. This person could be the family member petitioning for the residency or another individual. The financial sponsor must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) and have a home in the United States.

The financial sponsor in Aurora must also meet certain income requirements. This policy is intended to ensure that the new immigrant has sufficient financial security when he or she arrives in the country.

What is the Financial Sponsor’s Required Income?

Minimum income requirements for a financial sponsor vary based on the sponsor’s geographic location, his or her military status, and household size, as well as U.S. Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Poverty Guidelines. For instance, sample minimum income requirements include:

  • $17,420 for a 2-member household, including an active-duty military sponsor
  • $21,775 for a 2-member household, including the sponsor (non-military)
  • $21,960 for a 3-member household, including an active-duty military sponsor
  • $27,450 for a 3-member household, including the sponsor (non-military)
  • $26,500 for a 4-member household, including an active-duty military sponsor
  • $33,125 for a 4-member household, including the sponsor (non-military)

A full list of income requirements is available on U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) website. To determine if a potential sponsor qualifies, he or she consult this resource or seek assistance help from one of our dedicated legal representatives.

When submitting Form I-864 to financially sponsor a potential immigrant, the representative will need to send information to demonstrate their income, such as federal tax return documents, his or her most recent W-2s, and other documents that could assist with qualification, including a letter from a trusted employer.

What to Do When a Petitioner Does Not Meet the Income Requirements

If the sponsoring relative or petitioner does not satisfy USCIS’s income standards for an immigrant in Aurora, there are other options available. The visa applicant could find someone else (a joint sponsor) who agrees to financially support the new immigrant. He or she may also use another household member’s income to establish minimum financial requirements.

These financial sponsors will have to complete an Affidavit of Support and submit evidence to prove their income and legal U.S. residency. A hardworking attorney in Aurora could help with either of these aspects of establishing the income requirement for immigrant sponsorship.

Call our Attorneys about Income Requirements for Sponsoring an Immigrant in Aurora

The immigration and visa application process may be complicated, but Godoy Law Office wants you to feel confident that you are on the right track as you seek sponsorship for U.S. residency. Learn more about the income requirements for sponsoring an immigrant in Aurora and how you could benefit from hiring an immigration attorney.

Our seasoned representatives could explain the requirements in detail, assess your potential sponsor’s financial situation, and discuss any procedural hurdles you will need to overcome during your application process. Reach out today to schedule your first consultation.

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