A Joint Sponsor is someone who agrees to financially support an immigrant applicant, typically for a visa or green card application, through the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864). This form is required by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to ensure that the sponsored immigrant will not become a public charge, meaning they won’t rely on government assistance for their financial support.
The Joint Sponsor is someone who is willing to take legal responsibility for financially supporting the immigrant in case the primary sponsor (usually the petitioner) cannot meet the financial requirements alone. Joint sponsors must meet specific eligibility criteria, including being a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, having sufficient income or assets to support the immigrant, and being willing to accept legal responsibility for financially supporting the immigrant until they become a U.S. citizen or until they have worked 40 quarters in the U.S. (which typically amounts to about 10 years).
The Joint Sponsor must submit their own Form I-864 along with supporting documentation demonstrating their ability to financially support the immigrant. This process helps ensure that immigrants entering the U.S. have adequate financial support and won’t become dependent on public assistance programs. Learn more about joint sponsors in this post.
How to Fill Out Affidavit of Support – Form I-864
Filling out the Affidavit of Support, Form I-864, is a crucial step in the immigration process for those sponsoring an immigrant’s visa or green card application. Here’s a general guide on how to fill out the form:
- Download the Form: Obtain the latest version of Form I-864 from the official website of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Provide Your Information: Enter your personal information in Part 1, including your full name, address, date of birth, social security number (if applicable), and phone number.
- Sponsor Information: If you are the sponsor, provide information about your immigrant petition or application in Part 2. This includes the immigrant’s name, their relationship to you, and the USCIS form you filed or are filing for them.
- Principal Immigrant’s Information: Enter information about the principal immigrant you are sponsoring in Part 3. This includes their full name, date of birth, country of birth, and other relevant details.
- Household Size: In Part 4, indicate the number of immigrants you are sponsoring (including the principal immigrant) and any dependents or other members of your household.
- Income and Assets: Part 5 requires you to provide information about your income and assets. You’ll need to calculate your household’s income and compare it to the Federal Poverty Guidelines to ensure it meets the minimum requirements to sponsor the immigrant(s). If your income alone doesn’t meet the requirements, you may need to include the income of household members or assets.
- Contract Sponsor’s Information: If someone else is contracting with the government to provide support for the sponsored immigrant(s), they will need to complete Part 6.
- Sponsor’s Statement, Contact Information, and Signature: In Part 7, you’ll need to read the sponsor’s statement carefully, provide your contact information, and sign and date the form. By signing, you’re certifying that the information provided is accurate and that you understand the obligations of sponsoring an immigrant.
- Interpreter’s Contact Information and Signature (if applicable): If you used an interpreter to assist you in completing the form, they’ll need to provide their contact information and sign in Part 8.
- Preparer’s Contact Information and Signature (if applicable): If someone else helped you fill out the form, they’ll need to provide their contact information and sign in Part 9.
- Checklist: Review the checklist at the end of the form to ensure you’ve completed all necessary sections and included any required supporting documents.
- Supporting Documents: Gather any required supporting documents, such as proof of income, tax returns, and evidence of assets, and submit them along with the completed Form I-864.
- Review and Submit: Before submitting the form, carefully review all information to ensure accuracy and completeness.
- Submission: Submit the completed Form I-864 and supporting documents to the appropriate USCIS office as instructed in the form’s filing instructions.
It’s crucial to follow the instructions provided with the form and ensure that all information provided is accurate and up-to-date. If you’re unsure about any part of the form or the sponsorship process, you may want to seek assistance from an immigration attorney or accredited representative. More details on Form I-864 instructions can be found here.