The Complete Guide to Form I-864, Affidavit of Support

Did you know that a financial sponsor is essential for a successful green card application? Whether it’s your petitioner, a family member, or a friend, they must submit Form I-864, the Affidavit of Support. This guide is your complete resource for the I-864, explaining its requirements, answering common questions, and providing clear instructions on how to fill it out properly.

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What is the I-864, Affidavit of Support?

The Form I-864, Affidavit of Support is primarily used in family-based green card applications to demonstrate that the sponsor has sufficient financial means to support the immigrant to ensure they do not become dependent on U.S. government assistance.

It is a legally binding contract, meaning that once the sponsor signs and the green card is approved, the sponsor becomes legally obligated to financially support the immigrant. In this case, the sponsor is the person who filed the petition on behalf of the immigrant.

This form must be filed with USCIS if you are a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident planning to sponsor a spouse or family member coming to live in the United States.

The financial responsibility only terminates if the sponsored immigrant:

• Becomes a U.S. citizen
• Is “credited with 40 quarters of work,” which typically equates to about ten years.
• Permanently departs the United States, abandoning their permanent resident status.
• Passes away.

Am I Financially Responsible for My Immigrant Spouse After Divorce?

If you submit an I-864 for marriage green card, a divorce does not dissolve you of financial obligation. Therefore, it is not something to be taken lightly – you should carefully consider if you are willing to sponsor the immigrant long-term.

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Who Is Required To Submit Form I-864?

The U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who filed the I-130 on behalf of the immigrant is responsible for submitting Form I-864. In addition to the petitioner, the following individuals may also be required to submit an Affidavit of Support:

1. Joint Sponsor: A joint sponsor is a person who agrees to share the financial responsibility of sponsoring an immigrant. The joint sponsor must meet the income requirement independently (125% of the poverty guideline), and this can be any U.S. citizen/U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident. A joint sponsor is commonly used when the primary sponsor does have the financial resources.
2. Substitute Sponsor: A substitute sponsor is a family member who steps in when the original petitioner has passed away. A substitute sponsor must:
   • be either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident
   • be at least 18 years old
   • live in the U.S.
   • meet the financial threshold of a sponsor listed under INA 213A.
   • be related to the immigrant in some way, such as a spouse, parent, child, sibling, in-law, grandparent, etc.
   • assume the legal and financial obligations as the original sponsor.

Immigrant Categories Requiring Form I-864:

Immediate Relatives

This includes sponsors for spouses, parents, children, and siblings. It doesn’t matter if the sponsor’s income is in the millions; everyone must still submit an Affidavit of Support to show that the immigrant will not become a public charge.

Family Preference

All immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen who fall under one of the following preference categories are required to submit Form I-864:

• First Preference: Unmarried adult sons or daughters (21 or older) of U.S. citizens
• Second Preference: Unmarried sons or daughters and spouses of permanent residents, as well as their unmarried children
• Third Preference: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, along with their spouses and unmarried minor children
• Fourth Preference: Siblings of adult U.S. citizens, along with their spouse and unmarried minor children
• Select Employment-Based Preference: Some immigrants in certain employment-based categories would need to file if a U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative filed their petition, or their relative has “significant ownership interest 5% or more in the entity that filed the petition.” 

Who is Exempt From Filing Form I-864

There are exclusions where an individual does not need to file Form I-864, Affidavit of Support. To qualify for the exclusion, they would need to demonstrate one of the following:

• Have worked or can be credited with 40 qualifying quarters (as defined in Title II of the Social Security Act) 
• Are the child of a U.S. citizen, and if admitted for permanent residence on or after February 27, 2001, would automatically acquire citizenship under Section 320 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended by the Child Citizenship Act of 2000

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I-864 Income Requirements for 2025

There is an income requirement that the sponsor, joint sponsor, or substitute sponsor has to meet. It is based on the U.S. poverty level guidelines and the number of individuals living in the household. To qualify, you need to show income equal to or higher than 125% of the U.S. poverty level for your household.

A household includes you and any dependents and relatives living with you, along with the immigrant you are petitioning. 

Below are the 2025 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 contiguous States. The exceptions to this rule are if you don’t live in the 48 contiguous states and are not on active military duty.

2025 Poverty Guidelines (125% of HHS)

Poverty Guidelines for 48 Contiguous States

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Poverty Guidelines for Alaska

Poverty Guidelines for Hawaii

Exceptions for Military Members

If you are on active duty in the U.S. Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, or Coast Guard and you are petitioning your immediate family member, you will only need to demonstrate an income at 100% of the poverty level for your household size. Typically, sponsors need to demonstrate at least 125% of the poverty level, but not for active duty members.

How to Fill out I-864 if Unemployed or Low-Income?

If you have no income or it is below the minimum requirement, you can:

• Add a joint sponsor: This can be any U.S. citizen who meets the income requirements and agrees to take on the financial responsibility.
• Count Assets: Savings, property, stocks, or other valuable assets can be used.
• Use Immigrants’ Assets/Income: In some cases, the immigrant’s own income or assets may be counted toward meeting the Affidavit of Support requirements, provided the income will continue after obtaining permanent residence or the assets are readily available to support them.

How to Fill Out Form I-864: Step-by-Step Instructions

You must follow specific instructions when filling out your I-864. Failure to do so may result in your application being rejected or a significant waiting time to fix the mistakes.

Part 1: Basis for Filing Affidavit of Support

The first section of the form has you establish why you are filing the affidavit of support. You must select one of the following options

• If you are the petitioner and filing it for your immigrant relative, check box 1.a.
• If you filed an alien work permit on behalf of your relative, check box 1.b. and indicate what your relationship to them is.
• If you filed an alien worker permit for the immigrant relative, but do not personally employ them, but are in charge of over 5 percent, then check box 1.c.
• If you are one of two or the only joint sponsor, you will select box 1.d. or 1.e.
• Finally, if the original petitioner is deceased and acts as the substitute sponsor, check 1.f.

Part 2: Information About The Sponsor

The second section asks for details about the sponsor, including their:

• name
• mailing address
• date of birth
• and phone number.

According to VisaNation, one tricky question asked in part two is about the country of domicile. The core requirement for a financial sponsor is that they must be domiciled in the United States.

Many U.S. citizens live abroad and want to sponsor a relative. You can still do this, but you cannot list the foreign country as your domicile. You will need to prove your stay abroad is temporary.

There are exceptions, which are listed below in the Frequently Asked Questions section. If you are a member of the United States military, be sure to include that in this section.

Part 3: Information About the Principal Immigrant

Section three asks questions about basic questions about the principal immigrant, including name, address, A-number, USCIS account number, and nationality.

Part 4: Information About the Immigrants You Are Sponsoring

Part 4 is all about the family members being sponsored.

In question one:

• if you (the sponsor) are sponsoring the principal immigrant listed in Part 2, you should check “Yes.”

• If you are acting as a joint sponsor (meaning another sponsor already covered the principal immigrant), you check “No.”

You will also specify whether you are sponsoring any other additional family members, fill out the names and personal details of each family member in addition to the principal immigrant (if applicable).

Be sure not to include a family member if they have not been listed on the principal immigrant’s visa petition (based on the approved Form I-130).

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Part 5: Sponsor’s Household Size

The purpose of part 5 is to determine your household size, which informs the government what the minimum income requirement should be for the financial sponsor/s.

Ensure you carefully read each option and if appropriate include any dependent children if you have sponsored other people on a previous Form I-864 who are now lawful permanent residents. Also, include if you have siblings, parents, or adult children living in your residence whose income is combined on Form I-864A.

Part 6: Sponsor’s Employment and Income

Part 6 is where you provide details about:

• your employment
• occupation
• employer
• and annual income
• assets/income of the immigrant (if applicable)
• and information about anyone else who is combining their income with yours to sponsor the immigrant relative.

If using income from others, their name, relationship, and income must be listed, and they may need to complete a Form I-864A. The form requires calculating the “Current Annual Household Income” by totaling all individual incomes listed. This total is what will be compared against the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Important: Be aware that you will need to provide copies of federal income tax returns, so always be accurate in your answers.

Part 7: Use of Assets to Supplement Income

This section should only be completed if the sponsor’s total household income listed in Part 6 is insufficient. It allows the sponsor to demonstrate financial ability by listing the value of their assets, their household members’ assets, and the principal immigrant’s assets.

Scroll down to Frequently Asked Questions to learn how to calculate your assets’ necessary value to meet the financial requirements.

Parts 8-11: Sponsor/Interpreter/Preparer’s Contact, Statement, Contact Information, Declaration, Certification, Signature, and Additional Information.

Part 8 contains the sponsor’s legally binding contract, which outlines their financial support obligations , the consequences of not fulfilling them , and the specific conditions under which these obligations will end. This section also includes the sponsor’s contact information, a statement certifying the accuracy of the information provided, and the sponsor’s signature.

Part 9 is to be completed by an interpreter, if one was used, and requires their contact information and a signed certification of their fluency and the accuracy of the interpretation.

Similarly, Part 10 is to be completed by a preparer, if one assisted, and includes their contact information and a signed declaration that the affidavit was prepared at the sponsor’s request using information the sponsor provided.

Finally, Part 11 provides additional space for any information that could not fit in the other sections of the form.

What Supporting Documents are Needed for the I-864?

While the exact supporting documents may vary depending on your case, here is what all sponsors are required to submit:

• Proof of U.S. Status: The sponsor must submit proof of their U.S. citizenship, U.S. national status, or lawful permanent resident status.
• Federal Income Tax Return: The sponsor must attach a photocopy or an IRS-issued transcript of their federal income tax return for the most recent tax year.
• Optional Additional Tax Returns: If the sponsor believes it will help their case, they have the option to submit tax returns for the three most recent years
• Form I-864A for Household Members: If the sponsor is using the income of other household members to meet the financial requirements, each of those individuals must complete and sign a Form I-864A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member, to be filed with the I-864
• Any W-2s or statements
• Form 1099 or any statements of reported income
• Evidence of income/assets

You may be required to submit these documents from multiple past years. If you are self-employed, be prepared to provide copies of your Schedule C, D, E, or F. You should go through the required document list before submitting your application.

Making an error when filing your Affidavit of Support can cause substantial delays and often rejections if not filed properly. For that reason, it is always advisable to have an experienced immigration lawyer carefully review your case and submit the appropriate documentation to USCIS.

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I-864 Processing Times and Fees

How Long Does the I-864 Take to Process in 2025?

The I-864 doesn’t have its own independent processing time. It’s reviewed as part of the overall green card application.

In other words, factors such as background checks, National Visa Center (NVC) backlogs, or embassy delays can affect how quickly your I-864 is processed. To avoid unnecessary delays, it is crucial to complete the I-864 accurately, since errors or missing information often trigger Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and can prolong your case.

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 Form I-864 Cost

The cost to file Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, depends on whether you are adjusting status from inside the U.S. or applying from abroad

• $0 if filing within the U.S. with USCIS for adjustment of status
• $120 if filing with the National Visa Center (NVC) for consular processing.

How Long is an Affidavit of Support Valid?

The I-864 affidavit is valid until the immigrant:

• Becomes a U.S. citizen
• Has earned (or can be credited with) 40 quarters of work in the U.S. (about 10 years of qualifying work, as tracked by the Social Security Administration)
• or leaves the U.S. permanently.

An Affidavit of Support will be considered insufficient if the sponsor fails to meet the poverty guidelines or if the consular officer cannot verify the stated income.

Separately, the I-864 form itself will be rejected if its edition date is outdated when you file, which requires you to submit the petition again using the most current version of the form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find answers to the most commonly asked questions about I-864 Form.