Form I-864, the Affidavit of Support, is the document a U.S. sponsor signs to show that a family-based immigrant will have enough financial support and is not likely to become a public charge. If the petitioner’s income falls short of the required level (125% of the federal poverty guidelines for most sponsors), a joint sponsor can file a separate I-864 and take on the same legal responsibility. This guide explains who needs the form, how the income test works, when a joint sponsor makes sense, and what signing actually commits a sponsor to.
What Form I-864 is and who needs it
The Affidavit of Support is required for most family-based green card cases, including spouses, parents, children and siblings of U.S. citizens, and spouses and children of green card holders. It is also required in some employment-based cases where a relative filed the petition or owns a significant share of the sponsoring company. It applies whether the immigrant is adjusting status inside the United States or processing through a U.S. consulate abroad.
The petitioner (the person who filed the Form I-130) must always submit an I-864, even if their income is too low. A low-income petitioner does not avoid the obligation by adding a joint sponsor; both become responsible.
Related forms you may see
- Form I-864EZ: a shorter version for simple cases, generally when the petitioner is the only sponsor, is sponsoring one person and relies only on employment income shown on a W-2.
- Form I-864A: a contract between the sponsor and a household member who agrees to combine income with the sponsor.
- Form I-864W: used in place of an I-864 when the immigrant is exempt, for example because they have already been credited with 40 qualifying quarters of work under U.S. Social Security.
- Form I-864P: not a form you fill out, but the USCIS chart of current poverty guideline figures used for the income test.
- Form I-865: used by a sponsor to report a change of address while the obligation is in force.
How the income requirement works
The income requirements are tied to the Department of Health and Human Services poverty guidelines, which are updated each year. Most sponsors must show household income of at least 125% of the guideline for their household size. Active-duty members of the U.S. armed forces sponsoring a spouse or child need only 100%. Alaska and Hawaii have their own, higher figures.
Counting household size correctly
Household size is the most common place people get the math wrong. It generally includes:
- The sponsor
- The sponsor’s spouse and any dependent children
- Anyone else claimed as a dependent on the sponsor’s most recent tax return
- The intending immigrant(s) on this petition, including derivative family members immigrating with them
- Anyone the sponsor has previously sponsored on an I-864 whose obligation is still active
- Relatives living with the sponsor whose income is being counted through an I-864A
Rough income levels
As a rough guide, under the guidelines in effect during 2025, a two-person household in the 48 contiguous states needed a little over $26,000 a year at the 125% level, with each additional person adding several thousand dollars more. The exact numbers change every spring, so always check the current I-864P chart on the USCIS website before filing. The table below shows how the pieces fit together, not current dollar amounts.
| Situation | Income test | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Most sponsors | 125% of poverty guideline | Based on full household size |
| Active-duty military sponsoring spouse or child | 100% of poverty guideline | Must be on active duty, not reserves in most cases |
| Sponsor in Alaska or Hawaii | 125% of that state’s higher guideline | Separate columns on the I-864P |
| Income short, using assets | Assets of 5 times the shortfall (3 times for spouses of citizens) | Assets must be convertible to cash within about a year |
| Income short, using a joint sponsor | Joint sponsor meets 125% alone | Joint sponsor’s income is not added to the petitioner’s |
Three ways to fix an income shortfall
If the petitioner’s income is below the line, there are three main options, and they can sometimes be combined.
1. Add household member income
A relative who lives with the sponsor, or a person listed as a dependent on the sponsor’s tax return, can sign Form I-864A and have their income counted together with the sponsor’s. In many marriage cases, the intending immigrant’s own income can also count if it will continue from the same source after they get their green card, such as a spouse already working lawfully in the U.S.
2. Use assets
Savings, stocks, bonds, and real estate equity (other than the primary home) can make up a gap. The value needed is usually five times the difference between actual income and the required amount, reduced to three times when the sponsor is a U.S. citizen petitioning for a spouse or an adult child. For example, if a sponsor’s income is $4,000 short and they are petitioning for a spouse, they would need about $12,000 in qualifying net assets. If you want a clearer picture of what counts as a net asset, our explainer on how net worth is calculated walks through assets and liabilities.
3. Find a joint sponsor
A joint sponsor is someone who files their own I-864 and meets the income requirement entirely on their own, counting their own household plus the immigrant(s) they are sponsoring. Their income is not pooled with the petitioner’s: each affidavit is judged separately, and the joint sponsor’s must pass by itself.
When a joint sponsor is usually needed
- Low or no income: the petitioner is a student, recently unemployed, retired or working part time.
- Living abroad: a U.S. citizen who has lived overseas may have little or no U.S. taxable income, and may also need to show they will re-establish domicile in the U.S.
- Uneven self-employment income: the most recent tax return shows income below the line even if the business is growing.
- Large household: the petitioner’s income would be enough for a small family, but not once children and previously sponsored relatives are counted.
- No qualifying assets: savings are not large enough to cover the shortfall at the required multiple.
Who can be a joint sponsor
A joint sponsor must meet the same basic eligibility rules as the petitioner:
- Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or lawful permanent resident
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be domiciled (primarily living) in the United States or its territories
- Meet the 125% income test on their own, for their own household size plus the sponsored immigrant(s)
The joint sponsor does not have to be related to the petitioner or the immigrant. Friends, parents, siblings and other relatives are common choices. Each intending immigrant can have only one joint sponsor, although a family immigrating together can use up to two joint sponsors, each covering different members.
What documents to gather
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residence (passport, naturalization certificate or green card copy)
- Federal income tax return or IRS transcript for the most recent tax year, with W-2s and 1099s
- Proof of current income, such as recent pay stubs or an employer letter
- Evidence of assets and ownership, if assets are being used
- Form I-864A and household members’ financial documents, if their income is counted
- Proof of U.S. domicile if the sponsor currently lives abroad
Mismatched household sizes, missing tax years and unsigned forms are among the most common reasons for a Request for Evidence or a delay at the National Visa Center.
What signing the I-864 really means
The Affidavit of Support is a legally enforceable contract, not a formality. Sponsors, including joint sponsors, agree to maintain the immigrant at an income of at least 125% of the poverty guidelines. If the immigrant receives certain means-tested public benefits, the agency that paid them may seek repayment from the sponsor, and the immigrant can also sue to enforce support.
The obligation generally ends only when the immigrant:
- Becomes a U.S. citizen
- Has worked, or can be credited with, 40 qualifying quarters of work (about 10 years)
- Stops being a permanent resident and leaves the U.S. permanently
- Dies (the sponsor’s death also ends future obligations, though not debts already owed)
Divorce does not end the obligation. That is a key point for joint sponsors to understand before signing, because a long commitment can affect future budgeting and borrowing. Anyone taking this on should look at their own finances honestly, including debts such as car loans, and our guide to auto refinancing in financial planning is one example of reviewing existing obligations before taking on new ones.
Practical tips before you file
- Run the income test with the current I-864P chart before asking anyone to be a joint sponsor.
- Explain the long-term obligation to a potential joint sponsor in plain terms, and give them time to decide.
- Keep copies of everything submitted, and make sure numbers on the form match tax records.
- If income changes after filing, be ready to submit updated evidence at the interview.
- Consider a consultation with an immigration attorney for complex cases, such as self-employment, sponsors living abroad or prior sponsorships.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules and figures change, so confirm current requirements with USCIS or a qualified immigration attorney.
Frequently asked questions
Can a joint sponsor’s income be combined with the petitioner’s?
No. A joint sponsor files a separate I-864 and must meet the income requirement on their own. Only household members who sign Form I-864A can combine income with the sponsor.
Does a joint sponsor have to be a family member?
No. A joint sponsor can be any U.S. citizen, U.S. national or permanent resident aged 18 or older who lives in the U.S. and meets the income requirement.
How long does the I-864 obligation last?
Generally until the immigrant becomes a citizen, is credited with 40 quarters of work, permanently leaves the U.S. and gives up permanent residence, or dies. Divorce does not end it.
Does the petitioner still file an I-864 if they use a joint sponsor?
Yes. The petitioner must always file their own I-864, even if their income is below the requirement. The joint sponsor’s affidavit is filed in addition to it.
Can assets be used instead of a joint sponsor?
Often, yes. Qualifying assets usually need to equal five times the income shortfall, or three times when a U.S. citizen is sponsoring a spouse or adult child.
