Step 4: Complete 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.” The petitioner must complete Form I-864; however if the petitioner’s income is insufficient, a joint-sponsor may agree to also complete an I-864 on the applicant’s behalf.
An Affidavit of Support is legally enforceable. The sponsor's financial responsibility usually lasts until the applicant either becomes a U.S. citizen, or can be credited with 40 qualifying quarters of work (usually 10 years) under the Social Security Act.
By signing Form I-864, the petitioner (including any joint sponsor(s)) is agreeing to use their resources, if necessary, to financially support the beneficiary and any dependent(s). If the beneficiary and dependent(s) receive any designated federal, state, or local means-tested public benefits, under U.S. law the agency providing the benefit “shall request reimbursement” from the signatory of the I-864.
NOTE: Please review the following information very carefully. Failure to complete and submit the correct form(s) will delay the processing of your case.
In most cases, the petitioner must:
a) Complete an Affidavit of Support form and;
b) Gather evidence of their finances and other supporting documents (See Step 5).
There are several types of Affidavit of Support forms (I-864, I-864EZ, I-864W, and I-864A). For detailed information about Affidavit of Support requirements and forms, please visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service’s (USCIS) website.
You can also find answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) here. Use the information found in these FAQs and on this webpage with, not instead of, the detailed instructions for the Affidavit of Support forms on USCIS’s website.
Please be advised: Customer Service Representatives at NVC cannot advise you as to which Affidavit of Support form you should complete.
2024 Poverty Guidelines Calculator
Please use the following poverty guidelines calculator to assist in determining if you meet the minimum income for sponsorship and which Form I-864(s) to submit, in relation to the following table below. This will also assist you on which financial documents you may need to obtain in Step 6. Results should be used for informational purposes only.
Please enter a value between 2 and 20 on the text field corresponding to the number of family members in your household. The minimum income requirement will appear in the row below.
For the 48 Contiguous States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands:
| Sponsor's Household Size | 100% of HHS Poverty Guidelines | 125% of HHS Poverty Guidelines |
| - | For sponsors on active duty in the U.S. armed forces who are petitioning for their spouse or child | For all other sponsors |
| 2 | $20,440 | $25,550 |
| 3 | $25,820 | $32,275 |
| 4 | $31,200 | $39,000 |
| 5 | $36,580 | $45,725 |
| 6 | $41,960 | $52,450 |
| 7 | $47,340 | $59,175 |
| 8 | $52,720 | $65,900 |
| 9 | $58,100 | $72,625 |
| 10 | $63,480 | $79,350 |
| 11 | $68,860 | $86,075 |
| 12 | $74,240 | $92,800 |
| 13 | $79,620 | $99,525 |
| 14 | $85,000 | $106,250 |
| 15 | $90,380 | $112,975 |
| 16 | $95,760 | $119,700 |
| 17 | $101,140 | $126,425 |
| 18 | $106,520 | $133,150 |
| 19 | $111,900 | $139,875 |
| 20 | $117,280 | $146,600 |
For Alaska
| Sponsor's Household Size | 100% of HHS Poverty Guidelines | 125% of HHS Poverty Guidelines |
| - | For sponsors on active duty in the U.S. armed forces who are petitioning for their spouse or child | For all other sponsors |
| 2 | $25,540 | $31,925 |
| 3 | $32,270 | $40,338 |
| 4 | $39,000 | $48,750 |
| 5 | $45,730 | $57,163 |
| 6 | $52,460 | $65,575 |
| 7 | $59,190 | $73,988 |
| 8 | $65,920 | $84,400 |
| 9 | $72,650 | $92,813 |
| 10 | $79,380 | $101,226 |
| 11 | $86,110 | $109,639 |
| 12 | $92,840 | $118,052 |
| 13 | $99,570 | $126,465 |
| 14 | $106,300 | $134,878 |
| 15 | $113,030 | $143,291 |
| 16 | $119,760 | $151,704 |
| 17 | $126,490 | $160,117 |
| 18 | $133,220 | $168,530 |
| 19 | $139,950 | $176,943 |
| 20 | $146,680 | $185,356 |
For Hawaii
| Sponsor's Household Size | 100% of HHS Poverty Guidelines | 125% of HHS Poverty Guidelines |
| - | For sponsors on active duty in the U.S. armed forces who are petitioning for their spouse or child | For all other sponsors |
| 2 | $23,500 | $29,375 |
| 3 | $29,690 | $37,113 |
| 4 | $35,880 | $44,850 |
| 5 | $42,070 | $52,588 |
| 6 | $48,260 | $60,325 |
| 7 | $54,450 | $68,063 |
| 8 | $60,640 | $75,800 |
| 9 | $66,830 | $83,538 |
| 10 | $73,020 | $91,276 |
| 11 | $79,210 | $99,014 |
| 12 | $85,400 | $106,752 |
| 13 | $91,590 | $114,490 |
| 14 | $97,780 | $122,228 |
| 15 | $103,970 | $129,966 |
| 16 | $110,160 | $137,704 |
| 17 | $116,350 | $145,442 |
| 18 | $122,540 | $153,180 |
| 19 | $128,730 | $160,918 |
| 20 | $134,920 | $168,656 |
Complete Affidavit of Support Form
If… |
Then… |
You filed an I-130 Petition for an Alien Relative, and all three of the following are true:
1. You filed a Form I-130 petition for your relative; 2. There is only one applicant on the Form I-130 petition; and 3. The income you are using to qualify is based entirely on your salary or pension and is shown on one or more Forms W-2 provided by your employer(s) or former employer(s). |
You, the sponsor (petitioner), must complete Form I-864EZ.
|
You filed an I-130 Petition for an Alien Relative, and you meet the minimum income requirement |
You, the sponsor (petitioner), must complete Form I-864.
|
You completed a Form I-864, you do not meet the minimum income requirement, and you are using a joint sponsor to meet the minimum income requirement |
You, the sponsor (petitioner), and the joint sponsor must complete Form I-864.
|
You completed a Form I-864, you do not meet the minimum income requirement, and you are using a household member to meet the minimum income requirement |
You, the sponsor (petitioner), and the joint sponsor must complete Form I-864A.
|
You filed an I-130 Petition for an Alien Relative and the applicant has earned or can be credited with at least 40 qualifying quarters under the Social Security Act. |
The applicant must complete Form I-864W. The applicant must also submit their earnings and benefits statement from the Social Security Administration.
|
You filed an I-130 Petition for an Alien Relative and are sponsoring a child who will become a U.S. citizen immediately upon entry under the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 (CCA). |
You, the sponsor (petitioner), must complete Form I-864W. |
You filed an I-600 Petition and you are sponsoring a natural or adopted child, other than a stepchild, who is under 18 years old. |
You, the sponsor (petitioner), must complete Form I-864W. |
You filed an I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant and are a self-petitioning widow(er). |
The applicant must complete Form I-864W. |
You filed an I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant and are a self-petitioning battered spouse or child. |
The applicant must complete Form I-864W. |