Understanding the Affidavit of Supports
The Affidavit of Supports is the most important document when sponsoring a family member or other loved one to immigrate to the United States. This legal document is integral in proving that the immigrant will not become a public charge in the country. We will cover the exact Affidavit of Support, details related to Form I-864, and step-by-step instructions on how to prepare it.
It refers to an affidavit of support, which is a written document that requires a promise from a U.S. citizen or permanent resident by sponsoring an immigrant. As a promise by the sponsoring individual to provide financially, it guarantees that, at the least, means are sufficient enough for immigrants to survive without being at the expense of government assistance.
It demonstrates that the immigrant will be able to have enough means of finance once they are in the U.S. This is particularly important in that it prevents immigrants from becoming welfare or public assistance dependent.
Why is Affidavit of Support Important?
The Affidavit of Support is an integral part of the immigration process for several reasons:
Financial Security: The U.S. immigration agency is assured that the immigrant has financial support hence less likely to rely on public aid.
Legal Requirement: Form I-864 submission is the requirement for those family-sponsored and some work-based green card immigrants who fail to submit might be denied their applications.
Support Responsibility: The sponsorship responsibility from the Affidavit allows the sponsor legal responsibility which may include basic needs: housing, and food, in supporting the immigrant financially.
What is Form I-864?
Form I-864, Affidavit of Supports Under Section 213A of the INA, refers to this form particularly and is needed to fulfill an affidavit. Here, these details form information from a sponsor, an immigrant, and financial information in a specified period.
Important sections about Form I-864
Sponsor Information It represents information concerning personal information about an individual like names, addresses, sources of income, and records of employment.
Household Size: You need to report the total number of people in the household. This includes the applicant, the immigrant, and any dependents.
Income Requirements: You must demonstrate you have an income that is at least 125 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for your household size
Supporting Documents: In addition to the form, there are also supporting documents of income that you need, such as tax returns and W-2 forms along with pay stubs.
Completing Form I-864: Instructions for Easy Steps
Making out Form I-864 would be too intricate if you do not go through the steps below:
Step 1: Download the Form
The latest version of Form I-864 is available on the USCIS website. Make sure that you have the latest version to ensure that no problems will crop up when your application is being processed.
Step 2: Fill Out Your Personal Information
Step 1: Enter the Personal Information of the Sponsor
In part one, fill in the information you have about yourself.
Add in this part:
• Full name
• Mailing address
• Date of birth
• Place of Birth
• Social Security number
• Citizen status in the U.S or permanent resident
Step 2: Details on Immigrant Sponsored
Fill in all details of the immigrant whom you are sponsoring under Part 2.
All such details include:
• Name
• Their relationship with you
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
You should indicate your household size in Part 3. Consider yourself, the immigrant, and any dependents you may have. This will help in determining income needs.
Step 5: Proof of Financial Ability
Part 5 will ask you to provide information on your income and financial situation. This includes:
Details about employment
Annual income
Assets or savings you can use to support the immigrant
Step 6: Sign and Date
Once you fill up the application, sign, and date the same on the last page. The signing will mark that you are liable financially for the immigrant.
Step 7: Assembling Required Supporting Documents
Find all the required supporting documents
Tax returns
W-2 forms or 1099 forms
Pay stubs or letters from the employer
Step 8: File Application
Mail the Form I-864 and other support documents to the USCIS address as instructed. Maintain copies for your records.
Common Mistakes to Steer Clear of
Ensure that your application process does not have any hiccups by avoiding the following common mistakes in filling out Form I-864:
Insufficient Information: Ensure all fields are correctly filled out. Incomplete information might lead to delay or even denial.
Double-check your income calculations against the Federal Poverty Guidelines to make sure you qualify.
Forget to Sign: Never forget to sign and date the form; an unsigned form is automatically rejected.
Conclusion
The Affidavit of Supports is an important part of the immigration process for any person interested in sponsoring a family member or loved one to stay in the United States. Filling out Form I-864 correctly and meeting its requirements will greatly enhance the likelihood of approval.
We provide assistance with the completion of the Affidavit of Support and have questions about immigration procedures, all of which are offered at Syed Professional Services. Our staff will take you through all the processes step by step to ensure that your application is filled out correctly and submitted in a timely fashion.
Proper preparation and adherence to the right procedures can make it easier to bring your loved ones into the country. For details or personalized help, call us today!
