Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA (2024)

Most family-based immigrants and some employment-based immigrants use this form to show they have adequate means of financial support and are not likely to rely on the U.S. government for financial support.

Forms and Document Downloads

Form I-864 (PDF, 545.46 KB)

Instructions for Form I-864 (PDF, 314.55 KB)

Form Details

Edition Date

12/08/21. E. We will also accept the 12/08/21 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.

Dates are listed in mm/dd/yy format.

If you complete and print this form to mail it, make sure that the form edition date and page numbers are visible at the bottom of all pages and that all pages are from the same form edition. If any of the form’s pages are missing or are from a different form edition, we may reject your form.

If you need help downloading and printing forms, read our instructions.

Where to File

Go to our USCIS Lockbox Filing Locations Chart for Certain Family-Based Forms page for the filing address based on where you live.

For additional information, see the Special Instructionssection below.

Filing Fee

You can find the filing fee for Form I-864 by visiting our Fee Schedule page.

If you file outside the United States: There is no fee if you file with USCIS or the Department of State.

If you file within the United States: You must file with the Department of State; however, they charge a fee. For more information, please visit their website.

Checklist of Required Initial Evidence (for informational purposes only)

Please do not submit this checklist with your Form I-864. The checklist is an optional tool to use as you prepare your form, but does not replace statutory, regulatory, and form instruction requirements. We recommend that you review these requirements before completing and submitting your form.Do not send original documents unless specifically requested in the form instructions or applicable regulations.

If you submit any documents (copies or original documents, if requested) in a foreign language, you must include a full English translation along with a certification from the translator verifying that the translation is complete and accurate, and that they are competent to translate from the foreign language into English.

Filing Checklist

Did you provide the following?

For ALL sponsors:

  • A copy of your individual federal income tax return, including W-2s for the most recent tax year, or a statement and/or evidence describing why you were not required to file. Also include a copy of every Form 1099, schedule, and any other evidence of reported income. You may submit this information for the most recent three tax years, pay stubs from the most recent six months, and/or a letter from your employer if you believe any of these items will help you qualify.

For SOME sponsors:

  • If you are currently self-employed, a copy of your Schedule C, D, E, or F from your most recent federal income tax return which establishes your income from your business.
  • If you are sponsoring more than one intending immigrant listed on the same affidavit of support, photocopies of the original affidavit of support may be submitted for any additional intending immigrants listed. Copies of supporting documentation are not required for these family members.
  • If you are the petitioning sponsor and on active duty in the U.S. armed forces or U.S. Coast Guard and are sponsoring your spouse or child using 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, provide proof of your active military status.
  • If you are using the income of people in your household or dependents to qualify, a separate Form I-864A for each person whose income you will use. However, an intending immigrant whose income is being used must complete Form I-864A only if their spouse and/or children are immigrating with them.
  • Proof of each household member's residency in your household and relationship to you if they are not the intending immigrants or are not listed as dependents on your federal income tax return for the most recent tax year.
  • Proof that the intending immigrant’s current employment will continue from the same source if their income is being used.
  • A copy of each household member's individual federal income tax return, including W-2s and 1099s, for the most recent tax year, or evidence that they were not required to file. You may submit this information for the most recent three years if you believe it will help you qualify.
  • If you use your assets or the assets of a household member to qualify, documentation of assets establishing location, ownership, date of acquisition, and value. Evidence of any liens or liabilities against these assets.
  • A separate Form I-864A for each household member using assets other than for the intending immigrant.
  • If you are a joint sponsor, substitute sponsor, or the relative of an employment-based immigrant requiring an affidavit of support, proof of your U.S. citizenship status, lawful permanent resident status, or U.S. national status.
  • For U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals, a copy of your birth certificate, passport, or Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship.
  • For lawful permanent residents, a copy of both sides of your Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card(also known as a Green Card).

If your legal guardian is signing this Form I-864 for you, the legal guardian must present:

  • Proof of an appointment as legal guardian of your estate; and
  • A copy of an order from the appointing court or agency specifically allowing the legal guardian to make your income and assets available for the support of the sponsored immigrant.

Form Filing Tips

To ensure your Form I-864 is accepted at a lockbox, fill out the form completely and accurately, particularly these required fields:

  • Sponsor’s Family name
  • Sponsor’s Address
  • Sponsor’s Social Security Number
  • Sponsor’s Signature

Filing Tips:Review ourTips for Filing Forms by Mailpage for information on how to ensure we will accept your form.

Don’t forget to sign your form. We will reject any unsigned form.

Special Instructions

  • Give the completed form and supporting documents to the immigrant you are sponsoring to file with their Form OF-230 or Form I-485.
  • If the National Visa Center mailed you this form to complete, please follow the instructions they provided.

Related Links

Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA (2024)

FAQs

What is Affidavit of Support under Section 213a of the Act? ›

This form is required to show that an intending immigrant has adequate means of financial support and is not likely to become a public charge. The person completing this affidavit is the sponsor.

Who can fill out Affidavit of support? ›

A financial sponsor, including a petitioner, must be at least 18 years old and either a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident (LPR). The sponsor must also have a domicile (residence) in the United States.

How much money is needed for an Affidavit of support? ›

I-864P, 2024 HHS Poverty Guidelines for Affidavit of Support
Sponsor's Household Size100% of HHS Poverty Guidelines*125% of HHS Poverty Guidelines*
2$20,440$25,550
3$25,820$32,275
4$31,200$39,000
5$36,580$45,725
5 more rows
Mar 1, 2024

Who needs an Affidavit of support in the Philippines? ›

The Affidavit of Support serves as a legal document where one party agrees to financially support another, often in the context of visa applications or travel permissions. It can also be required in family law matters such as child custody.

What is section 213 A of the INA? ›

U.S. Department of Justice. Immigration and Naturalization Service. Purpose of this Form. This form is required to show that an intending immigrant has adequate means of financial support and is not likely to become a public charge.

How many times can I sponsor an immigrant? ›

In principle, there is no restriction on the number of people you can sponsor. However, the amount of minimum income required to sponsor a family member varies depending on the number of people you want to sponsor.

How much income is required for form I-864 sponsor? ›

2024 Minimum Annual Income Requirements for Most Sponsors: 125% of Federal Poverty Guidelines
Number of people in your household (including yourself and your spouse)*For sponsors in the 48 contiguous states, D.C., and U.S. territoriesFor sponsors in Alaska
8$65,900$82,400
For each additional person, add:$6,725$8,413
6 more rows

Should the Affidavit of support be notarized? ›

Many government agencies require the notarization of affidavits, as it adds an extra layer of security to documentation. While the USCIS does not strictly require the notarization of an affidavit of support, it is often recommended for the following reasons: It helps ensure the authenticity of your application.

What is the purpose of the Affidavit of support? ›

An Affidavit of Support, also called the Form I-864, is a document an individual signs to accept financial responsibility for the applicant who is coming to live in the United States. The person who signs the Affidavit of Support is also called the “sponsor.”

What are the risks of an Affidavit of support? ›

The Form I-864 Affidavit of Support is a legally enforceable contract, meaning that either a governmental agency or the sponsored immigrant can take the sponsor to court if the sponsor/petitioner fails to provide adequate support to the immigrant.

What documents do I need to send with Affidavit of support? ›

1) USCIS Form I-864 2) Most recent federal income tax return: IRS-generated transcript (preferred) or Form 1040 3) Proof of legal status in the United States (i.e. a copy of their U.S. passport, permanent resident card, or naturalization certificate).

How much income does an immigrant sponsor need to show? ›

$22,887 a year is the most common amount of money that a person needs to be a green card sponsor. This amount of money is for someone who is not an active duty member of the military. This amount also is accurate if the sponsor is only sponsoring one person.

How long is an Affidavit of support valid? ›

How long is Form I-864 valid for? As an affidavit of support, Form I-864 does not expire, unless the person who is being sponsored becomes a U.S. citizen, has worked 40 quarters of work in the U.S. (usually 10 years), or leaves the U.S..

How long does it take to process an Affidavit of support? ›

The processing time of the Affidavit of Support takes at least 6 weeks. After the NVC receives the documents from USCIS, they process them. The NVC will look at the sponsor's Affidavit of Support and supporting documents. The applicant must have paid the fees for the Affidavit of Support to receive processing.

Does an Affidavit of support expire? ›

No, the validity of the I-864, I-864 EZ, or I-864A is considered indefinite; beginning from the date the sponsor files it with either the National Visa Center, the U.S. embassy or consulate.

What is the purpose of the Affidavit of support for immigration? ›

An Affidavit of Support, also called the Form I-864, is a document an individual signs to accept financial responsibility for the applicant who is coming to live in the United States. The person who signs the Affidavit of Support is also called the “sponsor.”

What are the income requirements for Affidavit of support 2024? ›

2024 Income Requirements for Green Card Sponsors

The most common minimum annual income required to sponsor a spouse or family member for a green card is $25,550. This assumes that the sponsor — the U.S. citizen or current green card holder — is not on active military duty and is sponsoring only one relative.

What is defined in 8 CFR 213a-1? ›

§ 213a. 1 Definitions. As used in this part, the term: Domicile means the place where a sponsor has his or her principal residence, as defined in section 101(a)(33) of the Act, with the intention to maintain that residence for the foreseeable future.

What is the difference between joint sponsor and Affidavit of support? ›

The individual who is the petitioner of an immigrant petition will always need to sign an Affidavit of Support, even if a joint sponsor is required. A joint sponsor must be at least 18 years old, must live in the United States, and must be either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the United States.

References

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