Prepare Affidavit of Support Form I-864 for Family Green Cards

Almost all immigrants who are applying to obtain a Green Card through a family member must submit an Affidavit of Support. In filing the Affidavit of Support, Form I864 a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident (Green Card holder) accepts responsibility for financially supporting the foreign relative. This responsibility lasts until the foreign relative becomes a U.S. citizen or is credited with forty (40) hours of work under the Social Security Administration. Sponsors accept this responsibility by filing Form I864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act (Affidavit of Support). A majority of all immigrants who are applying to obtain a Green Card through a family member must submit an Affidavit of Support Form I864. The U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident who is sponsoring the immigrant must complete the Affidavit of Support and file it along with the immigrant petition (Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative).

The Affidavit of Support is used to show USCIS that the immigrant has adequate means of financial support throughout his or her status as a permanent resident and will not become a public charge. “Public Charge” is an immigration definition that describes someone who needs government assistance to survive, or will likely need government assistance to survive in the future. The sponsor must file an Affidavit of Support Form I864 even if he or she does not have adequate means to support the immigrant. In this case, the sponsor must also find an additional sponsor to support the immigrant. This additional sponsor could be a member of the sponsor’s household, another family member, or anyone who is willing to take responsibility for supporting the immigrant. Affidavit of Support creates a contractual obligation between the sponsor of the immigrant and the U.S. government.

Almost all immigrants who are applying to obtain a Green Card through a family member must submit a Form I864, Affidavit of Support. The Affidavit of Support is used to show USCIS that a Green Card applicant has a financial sponsor who meets certain legal requirements.

Having trouble figuring out exactly how to meet the Affidavit of Support requirement? You’re not alone. The Affidavit of Support is a complicated form that many sponsors have trouble completing. Figuring out who qualifies to act as a Co-Sponsor or Joint Sponsor and what forms they need to complete can make this process even more confusing. Since meeting the financial requirements is a critical part of successfully applying for a Green Card, it pays to take the time and effort to make sure that you are doing it right.