In the United States, choosing to sponsor a family member’s immigration is not just a personal choice, but also a financial one. This is because anyone who sponsors a potential immigrant needs to assume complete financial liability for the person until the individual becomes a U.S. citizen or permanently leaves the country.
Accordingly, income requirements for sponsoring an immigrant in Wheaton exist. Set by federal law and enforced by U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) during the application process for visas and green cards, respecting these minimum limits is incredibly important to the outcome of your case. If you have questions about these requirements or are concerned you may not have the financial means to meet them, speaking with a knowledgeable immigration lawyer could help clarify your options and determine whether sponsorship is the right decision for your situation.
For most prospective immigrant sponsors in Wheaton, the minimum income requirement is 125 percent of the amount set by the federal poverty line for the sponsor’s household size. To clarify, in 2021, this amount was $21,775 for a household of 2, increasing by $5,675 for each additional person living at a residence.
Unfortunately, anyone who does not reach this threshold will usually not be able to sponsor a potential immigrant, regardless of whatever other criteria might make them a good candidate. However, there is one exception to this standard. The minimum requirement for an active-duty military servicemember to sponsor a family member is 100 percent of the amount set by federal poverty line standards, which, in 2021, was $17,420.
If you are unsure about whether your income reaches the minimum threshold for sponsoring a potential immigrant, a seasoned attorney in Wheaton could assess your finances and outline your options.
It is important to recognize that, in this immigration context, household income refers to specific assets. In the most straightforward situations, the measurement of household income used for determining sponsorship eligibility is drawn solely from whatever amount the prospective representative reported on his or her last federal income tax return. However, if this number is not sufficient to meet the minimum requirements for sponsorship, an applicant can use other forms of income to raise his or her total earnings.
For instance, supplemental income could include the taxable finances of everyone in a household, any other adult family members, and housemates who contribute towards rent, utilities, groceries, or other necessities. However, one large stipulation is that these individuals must also agree to assume financial liability for the potential immigrant being sponsored.
Meanwhile, if necessary, a potential sponsor could even use stocks, bonds, and special savings accounts as forms of income. Finally, in rare situations, USCIS might allow a prospective sponsor to work with a co-sponsor to meet the minimum income requirements.
If you have multiple forms of income that you need factored into your application for sponsoring a potential immigrant, our detail-oriented lawyers in Wheaton could examine all your assets and determine which apply to your case.
Knowing that you have enough income to meet the minimum standards for sponsorship is just the first step of this process. You will also need to provide substantial documentation to USCIS and navigate a lengthy application procedure.
When it comes to understanding and meeting income requirements for sponsoring an immigrant in Wheaton, assistance from an experienced immigration representative could significantly boost your chances of a positive case outcome. Call today to schedule your initial consultation.
