A USCIS Form I-864 Affidavit of Support is required for many immigrant visa categories in order to show that the sponsoring petitioner (“Sponsor”) and/or applicant has adequate means of financial support and that person or person(s) immigrating and being sponsored are not likely to become a “public charge”. A public charge is someone that will need to rely on public financial assistance to survive such as U.S. government welfare.
A Form I-864 is a contract between the Sponsor and the U.S. Government. By signing the Form I-864, the Sponsor is declaring under penalty of perjury that he or she will financially provide for the intending immigrant(s).
The following immigrants are required to submit a Form I-864 completed by the Sponsor in order to qualify for an immigrant visa:
- All immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, parents, children under the age of 21);
- All family-based preference immigrants (unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens 21 years and above, spouses and unmarried sons and daughters of lawful permanent residents, married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens);
- Certain employment-based preference immigrants.
For more information or questions on filing an I-864 Affidavit of Support, contact us at info@enterimmi.com and speak with one of our experienced U.S. immigration attorneys.