I’m the spouse of a US citizen and we filed i130 and i485 in February. We received a RFE recently that, from what I understood, asks us to redo i864. It’s likely because my spouse’s (USC, sponsor) total income for 2024 (the most recent tax year when in Feb - his 2025 taxes weren’t filed yet and extension was requested) was below the 125% poverty line for a household of 2, even though his current income (as reported on i864) exceeds that.
I was thinking if I’d be able to combine my future income for the 125% line (I, the beneficiary/intending immigrant). My income in 2025 won’t be continued, but I recently received (and committed) to a PhD offer (5 years) and will start in this fall. The offer promises a stipend that exceeds the income requirement (the stipend is an extra besides tuition remission, if that matters). But, apparently, I haven’t paid taxes for it (cuz this income will only begin this fall), and I don’t even have any paystubs (for the same reason).
My questions are:
- Can I use this future income of mine for i864 income requirement? What evidence should I submit?
- Should I file the i864a form, or should I just keep myself in i864? (I’m the beneficiary/ intending immigrant; I’m the spouse of USC who’s my sponsor, and we don’t have children or other dependents. Did not have i864a in the initial filing.) Asking this because in the RFE, it says “the household member, [MY NAME], on form i864a … must submit: … (in short, tax evidence for 2025)”.
Greatly appreciate any guidance!