Immigration Form I-864 – 10 Tips
The I-864 form, Affidavit of Support, must be filed to illustrate that an immigrant has enough means of financial support to ensure that they are not a public charge once they are accepted into the United States. Additionally, this form may be confusing for most thus the need to acquire the services of experienced immigration lawyers. Seeking these services at RunRex.com would prove to be an advantage to the applicants.
- How the form is used
This affidavit acts as a contract between a sponsor and the government. By signing this form, one agrees to be of financial support to a foreigner that applies for either an adjustment of status to attain permanent residency or immigrant visa.
- Who is a sponsor?
By completing and submitting it, one becomes the sponsor. Therefore, one is expected to indicate to have sufficient income and assets that can sustain the intending immigrant(s) in addition to the rest of his or her household.
In the case that the person that filed the visa petition is unable to sign the I-864 form owing to death, a substitute sponsor can sign it.
- Who are household members?
A sponsor is expected to identify his or her household members. It may be a spouse or any other relative that lives in the sponsor’s house. This individual can either be supported by the sponsor or be active in fending for themselves.
- What if the sponsor is unable to meet the financial requirements
- A household member can augment the financial sponsorship of the principal immigrant and anybody who accompanies them.
- The intending immigrant’s income can supplement that of the sponsor only if those proceeds remain even after immigration. This condition is contingent upon the immigrant already living in the sponsor’s residence. If the intending immigrant is the sponsor’s spouse, the application is considered even without the current residence being an issue, but the source of income must remain the same after permanent residency is acquired.
- If the sponsor signing it fails to satisfy the financial requirements, another person may sign a separate form as a joint sponsor.
- Who is a principal immigrant?
The individual that will benefit from this visa petition is classified as the principal immigrant. The person’s spouse and minor children who intend to join the principal immigrant immediately or within six months are classified as family members.
- What is needed
There is critical information that must be availed in the submission of this form.
- The name and address of the principal immigrant.
- The names of those classified as family members and their relationship.
- The sponsor’s employer and yearly income.
- The annual earnings of any household members that will help in the financial sponsorship.
- Details about any other individual that the sponsor could have financially supported through this program.
- There is no fee that one is mandated to pay for the form to be processed.
- Appropriate completion of the form
- It should be in black ink.
- All questions should be filled accurately. If the item is inapplicable to your situation, you should write N/A. If it necessitates a numeric response, and your answer is zero, you should type None.
- If any additional space is necessary, one should utilize the space availed under Additional Information or attach a sheet of paper with it bearing the details to which the answer is for.
- It needs to be correctly signed.
- Supporting documentation
The financial evidence of the sponsor’s and other household members’ earnings should accompany this form. The principal immigrant must also incorporate photocopies of the completed I-864 forms for each family member that will join him or her. Most documents should be legible photocopies unless one is mandated to avail the originals.
If the document that is submitted is in a foreign language, the applicant must also attach a copy that is in full English translation. The translator should indicate that the English language translation is accurate and comprehensive and that he or she is equipped to perform this task.
- Duration of sponsorship
- One remains as an immigrant’s sponsor until the latter gets US citizenship or gains credits of 40 qualifying quarters of work in the country.
- This obligation may end if the sponsored individual dies or stops being a lawful permanent resident.
- What happens after you submit the form
The affidavit is checked for comprehensiveness, and if its filling is incomplete, it may be rejected or denied. One may also be asked to avail more proof to support the affidavit. At this stage, originals of the attached copies may be demanded. Consequently, one may be invited to visit a USCIS office for an interview. Finally, the decision will be communicated in writing if one qualifies for this immigration benefit.
In summary, those that qualify to fill the I-864 form should find out the proper way of doing so to augment their chances of attaining permanent residency in the US.