I-864 Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA
The enforceable promise of financial support required in nearly every family-based green card case. The sponsor commits to keeping the immigrant above 125 percent of the federal poverty line and to repaying certain means-tested benefits. The obligation lasts until the immigrant naturalises, works 40 qualifying quarters, dies, or permanently leaves - divorce does not end it.
- Fee
- $0 when filed with USCIS. The National Visa Center charges $120 for an Affidavit of Support review when the review is done domestically.
- Fee waiver
- Not available
- Who files
- The petitioning relative in almost all family cases, plus any joint sponsor or substitute sponsor.
- Where to file
- Filed with the I-485, or uploaded to the National Visa Center in a consular case.
Usually filed with
Part of these processes
What changed in 2025 and 2026
- A new 08/24/26 edition is out. USCIS and State tightened public charge and sponsor-income scrutiny in 2025 and 2026, and the State Department has issued guidance directing extra review of immigrant visa applicants from nationalities it treats as at high risk of public benefits use.
Official page. https://www.uscis.gov/i-864. Download the form there, never from a third-party site; check the edition date and fee before filing.