Can I use Form I-864EZ?

A few petitioners can use an easier version of Form I-864 called the I-864EZ. To be eligible to use I-864EZ, you must meet all of the following requirements: Be the petitioner who filed the original Form I-130 on behalf of the intending immigrant; Have listed only one immigrant on Form I-130 (without any derivative spouses or children); and Be able to show sufficient income to support the intending immigrant based solely on your salary and pension, which amount is shown on the W-2 Form(s) provided by your employer or former employer. However, even if you meet these requirements, it doesn't mean you must use I-864EZ. If you meet the criteria to use Form I-864EZ, you may submit Form I-864 instead. You make the choice. CitizenPath only provides a service to prepare Form I-864 . Our service makes it easy to complete and ensures you do everything correctly. Learn more about the criteria to use Form I-864EZ .

Which supporting documents do I send with the form?

The list of supporting documents submitted with Form I-864 for your situation is based on your answers in the form. For an exact list, please refer to the USCIS instructions or the CitizenPath filing instructions that you receive after preparing the Affidavit of Support Package .

FORM I-864 GUIDE

Form I-864 Guide: Affidavit of Support Requirements, Income, and Sponsors

This guide explains who must file Form I-864, how household size and income are calculated, and what options exist if income is not high enough.

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Who Needs to File Form I-864 (and who does not)
Types of Sponsors: Primary, Joint, and Household Members
Household Size: Common Source of I-864 Mistakes
I-864 Income Requirements and Poverty Guidelines
Evidence to Submit with Form I-864
Common I-864 Mistakes & RFEs
How CitizenPath Helps You File an I-864 Application Correctly

What is Form I-864?

Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, is a legally binding contract between a sponsor and the U.S. government. By signing it, the sponsor promises to financially support the intending immigrant at a minimum income level.

It is one of the most important documents in a family-based green card case. It proves that a U.S. sponsor has the financial ability to support an immigrant and prevent reliance on public benefits.

Legally, it helps the green card beneficiary overcome the public charge ground of inadmissibility.

Who Needs to File Form I-864 (and who does not)

In practice, almost all family-based green card applicants require Form I-864. This form is the financial backbone of family immigration and is required in the vast majority of cases. In rare cases, employment-based applicants require an Affidavit of Support also.

Categories That Must File

At the time of applying for a green card, the following immigrants are generally required to submit a Form I-864 completed by the sponsor:

All immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21 years of age);
All family-based preference immigrants (sons and daughters of U.S. citizens; spouses and unmarried sons and daughters of lawful permanent residents; and brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens); and
Employment-based preference immigrants in cases only when the petitioner is a relative of the immigrant or the relative has a significant ownership interest (5% or more) in the entity that filed the petition.

Form I-864 Filing Exceptions

Form I-864 is not required only in specific, limited situations. These fall into two broad categories:

Public Charge Exemptions
If the immigrant is exempt from the public charge requirement, Form I-864 is not required. These exemptions are narrow and apply to specific humanitarian or special immigration categories. See the public charge exemptions →
Statuatory Exemptions
Some applicants qualify for a direct exemption from the Affidavit of Support requirement, such as:
- Applicants who already earned or can be credited with 40 qualifying quarters of work in the United States
- Certain children who automatically become U.S. citizens
- Other narrowly defined categories listed in immigration regulations

Make it easy and file correctly: CitizenPath walks you through each question, checks for errors, and produces ready-to-file forms plus tailored instructions. It's free to try: Affidavit of Support Package →

Types of Sponsors: Primary, Joint, and Household Members

Choosing the correct type of sponsor is essential when completing Form I-864. Every case has a primary sponsor, but some situations also require a joint sponsor or a household member to help meet the income requirements. Understanding which sponsor role applies ensures the right forms are used, income is counted correctly, and the affidavit meets USCIS requirements without delays.

Primary Sponsor

The primary sponsor is the petitioner (person who filed Form I-130 or I-129F). This sponsor must file Form I-864, even if income is zero or insufficient. If you want to see if your income is sufficient to sponsor before getting started, you can check your qualifications with our free Visa Sponsor Income Calculator →

Joint Sponsor

A joint sponsor may help when the primary sponsor does not meet income requirements. A joint sponsor:

Files a separate Form I-864
Must independently meet income or asset requirements
Uses their own household size, not the petitioner’s

Learn more about being a joint sponsor on Form I-864 →

Household Member

A household member is a closely related relative who pools their income with yours to support the household. Typically, the household member participates by including a supplemental Form I-864A. This is common when spouses live together or when income is pooled within one household. Learn more about contributing as a household member on Form I-864 →

Household Size: Common Source of I-864 Mistakes

Household size is not simply everyone living at the same address. It directly affects the income threshold and must be calculated carefully. Generally, household size includes:

The sponsor
The sponsor’s spouse
Dependent children claimed on taxes
Any immigrants being sponsored

Make it easy and file correctly: CitizenPath walks you through each question, helps you calculate household size and household income, and produces ready-to-file forms plus tailored instructions. It's free to try: Affidavit of Support Package →

I-864 Income Requirements and Poverty Guidelines

Most sponsors must show income of at least 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. Active-duty military members sponsoring a spouse or child may qualify at 100%. Take note of important distinctions:

USCIS evaluates current income, not just past tax returns
Tax transcripts are used to verify income history
Employment changes may require additional proof

To see if income qualifies, sponsors can use CitizenPath’s free Visa Sponsor Income Calculator before preparing the affidavit.

Using Assets When Income Is Not Enough

When income falls short, assets may be used to cover the difference. Assets can include:

Savings and checking accounts
Stocks and bonds
Property equity

Generally, assets must equal three to five times the income shortfall. What's more, documenting assets on Form I-864 can be problematic. Avoid using assets to qualify if you can meet the income threshold. Assets are frequently misunderstood, and insufficient documentation will trigger delays. Learn more about using assets on Form I-864 →

Evidence to Submit with Form I-864

The documents you submit with Form I-864 depend on several factors, including the sponsor's income history, income type and use of household members. In general, you should expect to submit:

Federal tax return or IRS transcript
Proof of current employment or income
Asset documentation, if applicable
Separate evidence for joint sponsors

Most people who receive an RFE related to Form I-864 failed to sufficiently document their income. Learn more about which documents to submit with the I-864 Affidavit of Support →

For the most accurate list of documents, try CitizenPath’s Affidavit of Support Package. Our online service walks you through Form I-864 and produces a customized checklist tailored to your situation, ensuring you send only what USCIS requires.

Domicile Requirement for I-864 Sponsors

Sponsors must be domiciled in the United States. U.S. domicile means the United States is your primary, permanent home and the place where you intend to live for the foreseeable future. For consular cases, sponsors living abroad may need to prove intent to reestablish domicile before the immigrant enters the country.

This requirement is frequently overlooked and can delay visa issuance. A sponsor may file Form I-864 while living abroad if they can show they have reestablished U.S. domicile or clearly intend to do so. This usually requires evidence of plans to live permanently in the United States, such as a job offer, housing arrangements, or other concrete steps to return. Learn more about meeting the requirement to reestablish U.S. domicile →

Which Affidavit of Support Form to Use

Form	Purpose	Typical use
Form I-864	Main affidavit of support	Most family-based cases
Form I-864EZ	Simplified affidavit	Single sponsor, straightforward income
Form I-864A	Household member contract	Combining household income
Form I-864W	Exemption request	Limited exempt categories

Common I-864 Mistakes & RFEs

Many RFEs cite vague language such as “Form I-864 not properly completed.” Common issues include:

Incorrect household size
Wrong sponsor type selected
Missing supplemental forms
Insufficient income or asset evidence
Inconsistent income claims

Overwhelmingly, Form I-864 is the leading cause of RFEs related to green card applications. Filers routinely submit problematic forms that delay green card processing or result in a denial. For more information, review The Most Common Reason for an I-485 RFE and How to Avoid It →

CitizenPath checks your affidavit to identify mistakes, omissions and inconsistencies. This optimizes your chances at smooth processing and a quick approval. Learn more about our Affidavit of Support Package →

I-864 Frequently Asked Questions

Generally, you must submit a separate I-864 for each intending immigrant you are sponsoring. However, you may submit photocopies if you are sponsoring more than one intending immigrant listed on the same Form I-864, Affidavit of Support.

When sponsoring an immediate relative of the petitioner, the intending immigrant must have their own I-864. That's because no relative listed on a separate visa petition should be included as a family member on the I-864. However, other categories can list family members.

Learn more about submitting I-864 for multiple family members.

A few petitioners can use an easier version of Form I-864 called the I-864EZ. To be eligible to use I-864EZ, you must meet all of the following requirements:

Be the petitioner who filed the original Form I-130 on behalf of the intending immigrant;
Have listed only one immigrant on Form I-130 (without any derivative spouses or children); and
Be able to show sufficient income to support the intending immigrant based solely on your salary and pension, which amount is shown on the W-2 Form(s) provided by your employer or former employer.

However, even if you meet these requirements, it doesn't mean you must use I-864EZ. If you meet the criteria to use Form I-864EZ, you may submit Form I-864 instead. You make the choice. CitizenPath only provides a service to prepare Form I-864. Our service makes it easy to complete and ensures you do everything correctly.

Learn more about the criteria to use Form I-864EZ.

Yes. Applicants filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, who have accumulated at least 40 qualifying work credits (quarters) under the Social Security Act are exempt from submitting Form I-864, the Affidavit of Support under Section 213A of the INA. Instead of submitting Form I-864, these applicants should make the exemption request directly on Form I-485 and include clear evidence of their 40 work credits—for example, an SSA Quarters of Coverage History or earnings statement. Form I-864W is no longer required, as its function has been fully replaced by the updated I-485 form. This streamlined approach ensures eligible applicants do not need to navigate multiple forms while still meeting USCIS documentation requirements.

Yes. A sponsor can file an I-864 even if they haven't filed federal income tax returns with the Internal Revenue System. It's less likely that someone who hasn't filed tax returns will be a qualified sponsor (compared to someone with a documented income tax return history). What's more, it's important to understand why no return was filed. In some cases, an individual who doesn't have sufficient taxable income isn't required to file a tax return. On the other hand, you should speak to a tax expert if you previously failed to file tax returns as required by the IRS.

If there's a legitimate reason that you didn't file, you'll need to explain why you were not required to file a federal tax return.

By signing Form I-864, you agree to financially support the immigrant if needed so they do not fall below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines (100% in some military cases). This is a legally binding contract with the U.S. government. You are not responsible for all of the immigrant’s expenses or personal debts, and the obligation usually matters only if the immigrant receives certain means-tested public benefits or seeks enforcement. The obligation continues even after divorce and ends only if the immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen, earns 40 qualifying quarters of work, permanently leaves the United States, or if either the sponsor or immigrant dies.

How CitizenPath Helps You File I-864 Correctly

CitizenPath makes it easy to prepare Form I-864 correctly the first time. Our affordable online service was designed by immigration attorneys to guide you through each question with simple directions, check for errors, and generate personalized filing instructions.

Step-by-step I-864 preparation
Customized checklist of supporting documents
Error-checking logic and alerts for problems
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