Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support): Income Rules, Joint Sponsor, and Checklist
Form I-864 is the “financial sponsorship” form used in many family green card cases.
It shows the U.S. sponsor has enough income (or assets) so the immigrant is not expected to rely on certain public benefits.
If the sponsor’s income is not high enough, a joint sponsor may file a separate I-864.
Marriage-based? Start here:
Marriage Green Card Guide.
Official forms and overviews:
USCIS: Form I-864 •
State Dept: Affidavit of Support
On this page
- What is Form I-864?
- Is the I-864 a legal contract?
- Who needs an I-864?
- How much income is required (125% rule)?
- 2025 income chart (100% vs 125%)
- Household size (why it matters)
- Joint sponsor vs household member (I-864A)
- If income is short: using assets (the multiplier rule)
- Documents checklist
- Common mistakes that delay cases
- Step-by-step plan
- FAQ
What is Form I-864?
The I-864 is the Affidavit of Support. The person who signs it is the sponsor.
In most family cases, the sponsor is the petitioner (the U.S. citizen or green card holder who filed the I-130).
What it does:
- Shows financial ability using income and sometimes assets.
- Creates a support obligation that can last for years.
- Helps NVC/consulates or USCIS decide whether the case meets the financial sponsorship requirement.
Is the I-864 a legal contract?
Yes. The Affidavit of Support is legally enforceable.
The sponsor’s responsibility usually lasts until the immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen
or earns 40 qualifying quarters of work credit (often about 10 years).
If the immigrant receives certain “means-tested” public benefits, the agency may seek reimbursement from the sponsor.
Source:
State Dept: Affidavit of Support
Who needs an I-864?
Most family-based immigrants need an Affidavit of Support. Some employment-based immigrants also need it in certain situations.
The details depend on the case type and the government process (consular processing vs adjustment of status).
If the petitioner does not meet the income requirement, a joint sponsor may also complete an I-864.
Source:
State Dept: Affidavit of Support
USCIS overview (includes family + some employment-based):
USCIS: Affidavit of Support
How much income is required (the 125% rule)
Most sponsors must show income of at least 125% of the HHS Poverty Guidelines for their household size.
Some sponsors on active duty in the U.S. armed forces petitioning for a spouse or child may use 100%.
Best practice: Use the most current poverty guideline resource right before you submit.
Affidavit of Support calculator
See the 2025 chart below for a fast reference.
2025 income chart (100% vs 125%)
These are the 2025 minimum income amounts shown on the State Department’s Affidavit of Support page.
(Most sponsors use 125%. The 100% column is for certain active-duty sponsors petitioning for a spouse or child.)
$26,437 at 125% (and $21,150 at 100%).
Source table + calculator:
State Dept: 2025 Poverty Guidelines (AOS support)
| Household size | 48 states + D.C. (100%) | 48 states + D.C. (125%) | Alaska (100%) | Alaska (125%) | Hawaii (100%) | Hawaii (125%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | $21,150 | $26,437 | $26,430 | $33,037 | $24,320 | $30,400 |
| 3 | $26,650 | $33,312 | $33,310 | $41,637 | $30,650 | $38,312 |
| 4 | $32,150 | $40,187 | $40,190 | $50,237 | $36,980 | $46,225 |
| 5 | $37,650 | $47,062 | $47,070 | $58,837 | $43,310 | $54,137 |
| 6 | $43,150 | $53,937 | $53,950 | $67,437 | $49,640 | $62,050 |
| 7 | $48,650 | $60,812 | $60,830 | $76,037 | $55,970 | $69,962 |
| 8 | $54,150 | $67,687 | $67,710 | $84,637 | $62,300 | $77,875 |
Larger household? Use the official calculator/table to confirm:
State Dept: calculator.
Household size (why it matters)
Your “household size” is used to find the correct income threshold.
If you use the wrong household size, your case may be delayed or rejected.
Simple way to think about it:
- Count the sponsor.
- Count the immigrant(s) being sponsored.
- Count dependents claimed on taxes (and others the form requires you to include).
- Count any prior immigrants you sponsored if the support obligation is still active.
If your numbers are close, double-check the official instructions and/or get help—small errors can cause big delays.
Joint sponsor vs household member (I-864A)
If the petitioner’s income is not enough, you may have options. The right option depends on who is helping and where they live.
| Option | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Joint sponsor | A separate sponsor agrees to support the immigrant and files a separate I-864. The petitioner still files an I-864 too. |
| Household member (I-864A) | A household member’s income/assets are added using Form I-864A (a contract between sponsor and household member). |
| I-864EZ (simplified) | In limited situations, a sponsor may qualify to use Form I-864EZ (a simplified version). |
Official guidance and forms:
If income is short: using assets (the multiplier rule)
If the sponsor’s income is below the required amount, assets may be used to cover the gap in some cases.
The government looks at the net value (value minus loans/liens) and whether the asset can be converted to cash.
Plain-English rule: Assets must usually equal a multiple of the income “shortfall.”
- Usually: assets = 5× the difference between your income and the required amount.
- Sponsor of a spouse or child of a U.S. citizen: assets may be 3× the difference.
- Certain orphan cases: assets may be 1× the difference.
Important: Assets and domicile issues can get complicated. If you are close to the line, consider a joint sponsor plan to avoid delays.
Documents checklist (plain and practical)
The government wants proof of who the sponsor is and proof of the sponsor’s financial picture.
Requirements vary by case and by process, but this is a useful starting checklist.
Sponsor identity and status
- Proof the sponsor is a U.S. citizen or green card holder.
- Proof the sponsor is living in the U.S. (domicile evidence may matter).
Financial proof (typical examples)
- Most recent federal tax return or IRS transcript.
- W-2s and/or 1099s (as applicable).
- Pay stubs (recent) and/or an employment letter.
- If using assets: proof you own the asset and proof of value (and any loans/liens).
Tip: Try to make dates, addresses, and names consistent across the I-130, I-864, and supporting documents.
Common mistakes that delay cases
- Petitioner did not file I-864 (even when using a joint sponsor).
- Wrong household size (which changes the income threshold).
- Using old poverty guideline numbers instead of the current year table/calculator.
- Not proving current income (tax returns alone may not show current income clearly).
- Missing signatures or missing pages (common “checklist” rejection issues).
- Unclear joint sponsor plan (who is sponsoring which immigrant).
(2) correct household size, and (3) current poverty guideline year before you submit.
State Dept: Affidavit of Support
Step-by-step plan (fast but safe)
- Pick the process: consular processing or adjustment of status.
See the comparison. - Confirm the right I-864 form type: I-864, I-864EZ, and/or I-864A.
- Calculate household size and the income threshold.
- Check the current guideline source:
USCIS I-864P
(or use the State Dept table/calculator). - Build the financial evidence set (tax, income proof, assets if needed).
- If needed, build the joint sponsor plan (separate I-864 + documents).
- Final review: signatures, dates, correct household size, correct poverty guideline year.
Want us to review the I-864 before you submit?
We can confirm household size, income threshold, and the cleanest joint sponsor / household member strategy—so you avoid avoidable delays.
FAQ
Do I always need an I-864 in a family case?
Often yes, but there are exceptions in some situations. For example, some applicants may not need an I-864 if they can be credited with
40 qualifying quarters of work. Some special categories also have exceptions.
The safest approach is to confirm the rule for your exact case before you pay fees or submit documents.
Source:
State Dept: Affidavit of Support (exceptions overview)
If I use a joint sponsor, does the petitioner still file I-864?
In most cases, yes. The petitioner files an I-864, and the joint sponsor also files a separate I-864 if needed.
Source:
State Dept: Affidavit of Support
Where do I find the current income guideline numbers?
Use USCIS’s I-864P poverty guidelines page and confirm you are using the current year.
You can also review the State Department’s table/calculator for quick reference.
What is Form I-864A?
I-864A is used when a household member agrees to make their income and/or assets available to help meet the I-864 requirement.
Official form page:
USCIS: I-864A
What is Form I-864EZ?
I-864EZ is a simplified affidavit of support that only applies in limited situations.
Official form page:
USCIS: I-864EZ
Related pages:
I-130 •
Consular vs AOS •
Immediate Relatives
General information only. Not legal advice.