Partner visa income requirements

Hello,

I met my Ducth partner in the Netherlands Dec 2023. Prior to this my partner was working and living outside of an EU in several countries as a diving instructor for several years

So over last few years he hasnt paid taxes in NL but abroad - he doesnt have copies of these anymore having closed the accounts

Further, he rents his apartment that he knows, the rental is 1450 and as he gives a yearly contract it ends in June 2025. This is his only source of income tecnhically from NL.

At the moment, he is looking for seasonal work in SE Asia.

On speaking to IND, I asked if I can provide my income proof as an HSM. IND said they will get back to me, and someone did call me and said that the "sponsor income is for those partners coming to NL, since you (me) are already here and have a stable and sustainable income, your income will be considered too"

We were super happy and went nd made the application. Now everywhere I turn, everyone is saying sponsor meeting income requirement is mandatory. did the IND really just misinform me? Otherwise, we won't have made the application at all.