Appraisals in Support of Immigration Applications

Real estate appraisals are accepted as primary support of a home’s value across a range of immigration related programs including Green Card applications and Humanitarian Parole. Appraisals can be used to show financial support as part of supporter or sponsor financial due diligence along with typical documentation such as tax returns, employer letters, and proof of assets.

The least expensive way to show the value of your home for the various immigration programs is to submit your current value estimate as determined by the local property tax authority (this is usually free). In Palm Beach County you can use the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser website www.pbcgov.org/papa/ to look up your property and find their current estimate of your home’s market value. However, the tax authority in Palm Beach County charges taxes in arears, and the value you see is usually the estimated value as of January 1st of the PRIOR year. For a variety of reasons (including being an older value), tax assessor estimates can be lower than the current fair market value. If you believe your home is worth significantly more than the tax authority estimate, you can support your application by including an appraisal.

An appraisal can also provide assurance that an applicant is not likely to become a public charge. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USICS) defines a public charge as “an alien who has received one or more benefits, as defined under the rule, for more than 12 months within any 36 month period”. Determination of inadmissibility on these grounds requires assessment of six factors which are Age, Health, Family Status, Education and Skills, Affidavit of Support, and Financial Status (income, assets and resources).

As of Jan 6, 2023 the CHNV program requires submission of a Declaration of Financial Support if you are a potential supporter of a: Ukrainian or their immediate family member as part of Uniting for Ukraine; or Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, or Venezuelan or their immediate family member as part of the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans.

A shortfall in required income needed to satisfy a financial status requirement can be made up by “significant assets” that can be converted to cash within 1 year. This includes equity values for real estate determined by a recent valuation from a licensed appraiser.

Touchstone Real Estate Services provides appraisals that meet or exceed the standards required. We are used to working with short delivery windows and we charge reasonable fees. Call today for a free quote 561-301-3750.

Nadine Heitz is an attorney with Heitz Immigration Law in Lake Worth Beach and assisted the writer in preparation of this article. If you need legal advice associated with your immigration case, she can be reached at nadine@heitzimmigrationlaw.com or by calling 561-290-0101.