Sponsoring my husband from Canada

[daisylynn]

I don't even know if this is where to post, but I need some big time help! I am an American citizen. I married a Canadian citizen almost 4 years ago and moved to Canada. I became a permanent resident of Canada. My husband and I are talking about moving back to the states but everything I've come across says I have to sponsor him or he has to be sponsored by an employer. Is that true? I can't sponsor him (from what I've found) because I'm not employed (in the US or in Canada.) Is there any other way for us to move to the states?? Does anyone have a useful site? Thanks so much!!!

[a_usc]

In order for you to be able to sponsor him, you don't necessarily have to be employed. In the process of sponsoring him you will need to show your ability to support him financially in US. This means that you must have a certain annual income (read poverty guideline to find how much) or should have certain amount in cash, assets, stocks, etc (you will need to read instructions on I-864 to find how much cash or cash equivalent), or you find another person (who is a USC or a permanent resident of US) who is willing to provide that financial support.

Even if you are unemployed, you may still have some assets (not all assets count)/savings/bonds that can be used to qualify the min income requirement. If you don't have any of these either, then you will need to find a person who will provide a joint sponsorship. In this case you and the joint sponsor, both will need to file I-864 (Affidavit of support). The joint sponsor doesn't need to be related to you or the immigrant.

Hope this helps.

[cherr1980]

Although is not a "must" to be employed, you MUST have a residence in the US since you suppose that are bringing somebody, in this case your husband to live in the US.

Even if you do not qualify to sponsor him financially (since you are not working in the US), you can find somebody (family, close friends, etc) to sponsor him and they must be residents in the US as well. Sponsor is not that has to pay for him, is a person that must be reliable for him, financially talking.

You can go to www.uscis.gov that is the official website of US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Good luck,

[daisylynn]

Thanks! I definitely don't have enough $ to qualify to sponsor him. My mom could but I didn't think she was able to since she isn't blood related to him. Glad to know she can! I will look into that. Thanks again!!

[poohsmum]

your mom can be a joint sponsor for him and then as long as she mets the requirments your ok good luck

[ocworker]

Originally Posted by a_usc

In order for you to be able to sponsor him, you don't necessarily have to be employed. In the process of sponsoring him you will need to show your ability to support him financially in US. This means that you must have a certain annual income (read poverty guideline to find how much) or should have certain amount in cash, assets, stocks, etc (you will need to read instructions on I-864 to find how much cash or cash equivalent), or you find another person (who is a USC or a permanent resident of US) who is willing to provide that financial support.

Even if you are unemployed, you may still have some assets (not all assets count)/savings/bonds that can be used to qualify the min income requirement. If you don't have any of these either, then you will need to find a person who will provide a joint sponsorship. In this case you and the joint sponsor, both will need to file I-864 (Affidavit of support). The joint sponsor doesn't need to be related to you or the immigrant.

Hope this helps.

If her husband has certain amount in cash, assets, stocks, saving and meet the requirements, he can file the I-186A without a co-sponsor thou.

[a_usc]

Originally Posted by ocworker

If her husband has certain amount in cash, assets, stocks, saving and meet the requirements, he can file the I-186A without a co-sponsor thou.

Obviously he can... and that is what I meant when I said that if you have enough cash/assets/stocks, etc you can use them to qualify. Since they are married I assume its not like 'I have enough cash/assets' or 'You enough have cash/assets'... I think its more like 'We have enough cash/assets'. At least that's the way for us (my husband and I). And if it is 'We have...', then it makes more sense to have the sponsor use the cash/assets and file I-864, rather than have the immigrant use them in an I-864A

[ocworker]

Originally Posted by a_usc

Obviously he can... and that is what I meant when I said that if you have enough cash/assets/stocks, etc you can use them to qualify. Since they are married I assume its not like 'I have enough cash/assets' or 'You enough have cash/assets'... I think its more like 'We have enough cash/assets'. At least that's the way for us (my husband and I). And if it is 'We have...', then it makes more sense to have the sponsor use the cash/assets and file I-864, rather than have the immigrant use them in an I-864A

Well, did you mean that if the sponsored immigrant has enought cash / assets but the sponor does not; the sponsored immigrant could transfer / convert cash / assets under the sponor?

otherwise, how should it be done using I-864 w/o I-864A?

anyhow, interesting thinkings and i did not think about it (or i just always go by the instructions.. hehehe)

[a_usc]

Hmm I guess I didn't give it much thought either also my thinking was shadowed by our scenario. In our case... my husband had a fairly decent Savings account and after we got married he added my name to that account and also on his car title . But I guess you are right - it may be different for the OP... her husband may have cash/assets in his name only.