Affidavit of Support

It is very frustrating to have your family visa petition held up at the National Visa Center because of mistakes in the I-864 or I-134 Affidavit of Support. This post will help you avoid some of the most common errors. Good luck!

1. The Wrong Form

Generally speaking, the I-864 is for immigrant relative petitions (like an I-130) and the I-134 is for non-immigrant petitions (like an I-129f). Make sure to use the correct affidavit of support for your petition type! Using the wrong type of affidavit of support can seriously delay processing in your case.

2. Not Enough Forms

If you are filing multiple I-130 petitions, you need a separate I-864 for each person! You cannot include all your relatives on one I-864 affidavit of support. For example, if you are petitioning for your wife and daughter with two, separate I-130 petitions, you most likely need to file two, separate I-864 affidavits–one for each of them.

3. Not Enough Income

To sponsor a someone for a visa, you have to show the government you make enough money. Click here to see the income guidelines. If you do not meet the income requirement, you can try to use assets in addition to income or get a co-sponsor. Remember, if you choose to use a co-sponsor, you still have to file an I-864 and your co-sponsor needs to complete a separate I-864.

4. The Wrong Documentation

The instructions for the I-864 and I-134 affidavits explain what documentation you need to provide with each form. Make sure to provide a copy of your most recent tax returns or tax transcript. You can order tax transcripts from the IRS for free . You will also need to provide proof of US citizenship or permanent residence and proof of employment. Make sure to check the instructions (I-864, I-134) for other documentation requirements for your particular petition.