Affidavit of support (Form I-864)

What Form I-864 is

Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, is a legally binding contract in which a U.S. sponsor agrees to financially support an immigrant to prevent them from becoming a "public charge." The obligation continues until the immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen, earns 40 qualifying work quarters, leaves the United States permanently, or dies.

When I-864 is required

Form I-864 is generally required for:

• Most family-based immigrant visa cases
• Some employment-based cases when a relative of the petitioner owns a significant interest in the employer

The I-864 is signed by the petitioner (sponsor). If the sponsor does not meet the income threshold alone, a joint sponsor or household member may also file a supporting form.

Who does NOT need a standard I-864

These categories generally do not use the standard I-864 model:

• Refugees and asylees adjusting status
• Diversity visa applicants
• Self-petitioning immigrants (EB-1 extraordinary ability, VAWA, some special immigrants)
• EB-5 investors
• Certain humanitarian categories

Always check the official instructions for your specific pathway. Do not assume I-864 is or is not required without checking.

The sponsor's income requirement

The sponsor's income must meet at least 125% of the U.S. federal poverty guideline for the household size (including the intending immigrant). For active-duty military, the threshold is 100%.

Poverty guidelines change annually. The current thresholds are published by USCIS and HHS.

Joint sponsors and household members

If the primary sponsor does not meet the income threshold:

• A joint sponsor may file a separate I-864 taking on the full sponsorship obligation independently
• A household member may contribute their income using Form I-864A

Joint sponsors must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents who are at least 18 and domiciled in the United States.

Dynamic items: verify with official sources

What can vary by case, post, or month

These notes come from the research module behind this guide. Use them as flags; verify official instructions for your case before relying on general guidance.

Clearly required

• use only where the governing official instructions require it

Conditional

• I-864A, I-864EZ, exemptions, substitute sponsors, and employment-based relative-ownership cases

Dynamic (may change)

• current poverty-guideline references and filing mechanics

Unresolved

• bilingual DOS FAQ alignment was not fully compared in this pack