The Form I-864 Affidavit of Support is one of the most important documents in any family-based immigration case. It's a legally binding contract where the US sponsor agrees to financially support the immigrant so they do not become a public charge. Understanding the income requirements, when a joint sponsor is needed, and what documents to include can make the difference between a smooth approval and a denial. This guide explains everything sponsors need to know.
Who Must File the I-864
Any US citizen or lawful permanent resident who sponsors a family member for a green card must file an I-864. This applies to all family-based cases and some employment-based cases where the employer is a relative or the immigrant owns a significant share of the sponsoring company. The sponsor must be at least 18 years old, domiciled in the United States, and meet the income requirements.
Income Requirements
The sponsor's household income must be at least 125% of the federal poverty guidelines for their household size. For sponsors on active duty in the US military petitioning a spouse or child, the requirement is 100%. Household size includes the sponsor, the sponsored immigrant, any dependents, and any other immigrants sponsored on the same affidavit. If your income falls short, you can use assets, a joint sponsor, or both.
When You Need a Joint Sponsor
A joint sponsor is a second person who agrees to share financial responsibility for the immigrant. You need a joint sponsor when your income or assets do not meet the requirement. The joint sponsor must independently meet the income requirement for their own household size plus the immigrant. The joint sponsor does not have to be related to the sponsor or the immigrant, but they must be a US citizen or permanent resident.
Documents You Need to Include
A complete I-864 package includes the following:
- ✓Completed Form I-864 with all required signatures.
- ✓Most recent federal tax return with W-2s and supporting schedules.
- ✓Proof of current employment and income (pay stubs, employer letter).
- ✓Proof of US citizenship or permanent residency (passport, birth certificate, or green card).
- ✓Proof of domicile in the United States.
- ✓Evidence of assets if using assets to qualify.
Using Assets to Qualify
If your income is below the requirement, you can use the net value of your assets to make up the difference. Assets can include bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and real property, but not your primary residence. The value of assets must be at least five times the difference between your income and the required amount (three times for spouses of US citizens).
"The Affidavit of Support is a promise the government takes seriously. Get the numbers right the first time."
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✓Not including the most recent tax return and W-2s.
- ✓Miscalculating household size, which changes the income requirement.
- ✓Forgetting to include proof of US citizenship or residency.
- ✓Using the wrong poverty guideline for the household size.
- ✓Not having a joint sponsor ready when income falls short.
Get Help With the Affidavit of Support
The I-864 is one of the most commonly mishandled forms because the income calculations are detailed. A trained document preparer can help you determine whether you meet the requirement, gather the right documents, and decide if a joint sponsor is needed. If you want to learn to prepare the I-864 professionally, our immigration form preparer training covers every section in detail.
Esmeralda Maya — Founder & Lead Instructor at DoPapers.com
Esmeralda Maya is a Colombian-born entrepreneur, educator, and the founder of DoPapers, an online training platform designed to teach bilingual professionals how to complete U.S. immigration forms and start their own document preparation businesses. After immigrating to the United States in 1985, she earned a degree from Florida State University and initially pursued a career in education. In 2005, she pivoted to the legal document services industry, establishing Forms Preparation Service LLC in West Palm Beach, Florida. Over the next two decades, Maya leveraged her firsthand experience navigating the complex immigration system to develop comprehensive educational courses, transitioning her brick-and-mortar consulting expertise into the scalable digital curriculum now offered through DoPapers.
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