What is intending immigrant means

By Ilona Bray , J. Form Ia , issued by U. Remember, the main petitioner will have to prepare and sign an I Affidavit of Support promising to reimburse any U. By signing the Ia, a household member or dependent can make his or her income available to the main sponsor as well, so as to promise full support to the intending immigrant and thus help that person successfully get a U. Form Ia is a contract between the U. As an example of when it might be used, let's say the main U.

Her year old daughter lives in her house and has a regular job. If the mother-sponsor's income is insufficient to satisfy U. This is no small favor. The household member joins the sponsor in being liable to the U.

In literal terms, this means that both the sponsor and the household member agree to reimburse any government agencies who provide the immigrant with need-based financial assistance within a certain number of years. The liability is "joint and several. Instead, either person can be held responsible for the whole amount owed, if need be. A mere roommate cannot sign an Ia. This obligation can be undertaken only by an actual relative of the petitioner spouse, adult child, parent, or sibling , who is living in the same principal residence.

Or, even if not living in the same house, a relative or other person whom the sponsor has lawfully claimed as a dependent on his or her most recent federal return can sign Form Ia. Not all household members will be willing to sign onto such an obligation.

But in one important situation, it is in their own interest. The intending immigrant, if living in the U. The intending immigrant can be a household member if either married to or living in the same principal residence as the sponsor and able to show that his or her income will continue from the same source even after becoming a green card holder.

This requirement can be a problem for immigrants who are currently working without legal authorization. Note also that, in some cases where an immigrating spouse or other relation already lives in the U. A sponsor completes Form I, Affidavit of Support, on behalf of the intending immigrant. Generally, the sponsor must:. At the time of applying for a green card, the following immigrants are required by law to submit Form I completed by the sponsor:.

As mentioned, most all family-based and even some employment-based immigrants must have an I sponsor. There are some exemptions for certain people in these categories. The following types of intending immigrants do not need to file Form I Did you know minor mistakes on your Form I Affidavit of Support can cause costly delays and rejections?

Prepare your I quickly and correctly with CitizenPath. The attorney-reviewed software guides you through the affidavit and provides help to answer questions like this one. And personalized filing instructions help you to submit the affidavit today knowing that you did everything right! No credit card or signup required to try it. Reestablish U. Get Help with Form I I Petition for Alien Relative. I Application for Travel Document.

I Adjustment of Status Application. I Remove Conditions on Residence. I Application for Employment Authorization. I Affidavit of Support. N Application for Naturalization. N Application to Replace Citizenship Document. Apply For Citizenship N Replace Citizenship Document N