Fill Out USCIS Form I-864 Online

What is Form I-864 used for

The affidavit shows the government that the intending immigrant has adequate financial support and is not likely to become dependent on public assistance. It is required for most family-based immigrants and for some employment-based immigrants where a relative filed the petition or has significant ownership in the petitioning company.

It is a real contract. If the sponsored immigrant receives means-tested public benefits, the agency that paid them can seek repayment from the sponsor, and it can sue if the sponsor does not repay. The obligation generally lasts until the immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen, is credited with 40 quarters of work, permanently departs, or dies.

Who files Form I-864

The petitioner in a family-based case must complete Form I-864 as the primary sponsor, even if their income alone does not qualify. Additional people can add support:

• The petitioning sponsor, who must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident, at least 18, and domiciled in the United States.
• A joint sponsor who independently meets the income requirement when the petitioner cannot.
• A household member whose income counts toward the total through Form I-864A.
• A substitute sponsor in certain cases where the petitioner has died.

How to fill out Form I-864

The core of the form is arithmetic: your household size and your income measured against the Federal Poverty Guidelines published in Form I-864P. Sponsors generally must show income at or above 125 percent of the guideline for their household size, with a lower threshold for certain active-duty military sponsors petitioning for a spouse or child.

Because signing creates an enforceable obligation, sponsors with borderline income, complex assets, or self-employment income may want an immigration attorney or accredited representative to review the affidavit before filing.

• Identify the intending immigrant and your relationship to them, and state your basis for filing, such as petitioner or joint sponsor.
• Calculate household size carefully. It includes yourself, dependents, the immigrants you are sponsoring, and certain others defined in the instructions.
• Report your current individual annual income and your total income from your most recent federal tax return, and attach that return with W-2s or a transcript.
• If income falls short, you can use qualifying assets, a household member's income via Form I-864A, or a joint sponsor's separate I-864.
• Sign the affidavit. An unsigned or incomplete affidavit leads to rejection or a Request for Evidence.

Filing tips

The current edition of Form I-864 is dated 10/17/24. Where you submit it depends on the case: affidavits go to USCIS with adjustment of status filings and to the National Visa Center in consular processing cases.

• Attach your most recent federal tax return or IRS transcript, including all W-2s and 1099s. You may add the two prior years, recent pay stubs, or an employer letter if they strengthen the case.
• Self-employed sponsors should include the relevant schedules from their return that establish business income.
• USCIS offers an optional online sponsor eligibility tool that estimates whether your income and assets meet the guidelines before you commit.
• Check current fee information with the USCIS fee schedule for USCIS filings; Department of State fees apply when the affidavit is processed through the NVC.