Immigrant Visas

Sponsoring an Immigrant - the Affidavit of Support

Read this before submitting form I-864, the Affidavit of Support. Please use this checklist to assemble form I-864 documents. Due to heavy workload considerations, the consular section will not accept affidavits of support that are incomplete or have not been assembled correctly. (Note: This notice is for your personal reference. You do not need to return it with the completed I-864).

Who needs an I-864?

• Applicants for family-based immigrant visas, including orphans. (Self-petitioning widow/ers and battered spouses and children of U.S. citizens are exempt from this requirement.)
• Applicants for employment-based immigrant visas where a relative filed the immigrant visa petition or has a 5 percent or greater ownership interest in the business that filed the petition.

Checklist for preparing the I-864

Documents should be submitted in the following order:

I. Petitioner's documents:

• Form I-864. The petitioner in family-based cases, or the relative who either filed the petition or has ownership interest in the petitioning company in employment-based cases MUST complete an I-864 even if a joint sponsor submits an affidavit of support meeting the 125% income requirement according to US Poverty Guidelines.
• All pages in correct order, 1,2,3,4,5,6, and stapled together.
• Each page filled out completely.
• Part 7 signed by the petitioner (for employment-based cases, the relative).
• Complete federal tax returns (1040 forms) with all supporting schedules, including W2s, for the most recent tax year. The return must have all pages in the correct order and must be stapled together.
• If you did not have to file a tax return: Attach a notarized written explanation and a copy of the instructions from the Internal Revenue Service publication that shows you were not obligated to file.

II. Joint sponsor's documents (if required):

• Form I-864 completed by a joint sponsor if the petitioner's income does not meet the 125% income requirement according to US Poverty Guidelines. Note: The petitioner must also submit an I-864.
• All pages in correct order, 1,2,3,4,5,6, and stapled together.
• Each page filled out completely.
• Part 7 signed by the joint sponsor.
• Complete federal tax returns (1040 forms) with all supporting schedules, including W2s, for the most recent tax year. The return must have all pages in the correct order and must be stapled together.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal permanent resident (LPR) status.

III. Household members whose income and assets are to be considered:

• A separate form I-864A for each household member whose income and assets are to be considered.
• Each page filled out completely and stapled together.
• All tax, employment and asset documents must be assembled in the same manner as the sponsor's (see above) and attached to the correct I-864A.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or LPR status. Part 2 and part 5 completed by sponsor.
• Part 3 or part 4 and part 6 completed by the household member.

IV. Documents for the principal immigrant and accompanying dependents:

• Principal applicant: original signed and notarized I-864 and I-864A (if needed) and one complete set of supporting documents (tax records, employment letters, etc.) are needed for each principal immigrant. All accompanying dependents must be listed in part 3 of the I-864 and part 2 of the I-864A.
• Accompanying dependents: each dependent must have a signed original or a photocopy of the principal applicant's signed I-864 and I-864A (if needed). Copies may only be used for dependents whose names appear on the principal's original forms. Copies of supporting documents are not required for dependents applying for visas or adjustment of status together with the principal immigrant.

NOTE: All Immigration forms may be obtained online through the US Citizenship and Immigration Services Web site.