Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, is a legally binding contract required for most family-based and some employment-based green card applications. The sponsor promises to maintain the immigrant at 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and to reimburse any government agency that provides means-tested public benefits to the immigrant.
2026 Income Requirements (125% FPG)
Household of 2: $25,550/year. Household of 3: $32,200/year. Household of 4: $38,850/year. Household of 5: $45,500/year. Active duty military sponsors: 100% FPG. If you don't meet the income requirement, you can use a joint sponsor or count assets worth 3x the shortfall.
Who Must File I-864
Required for all immediate relative and family preference immigrant visa applicants, and for employment-based applicants where a relative filed the petition or owns 5%+ of the petitioning company. The sponsor is the petitioner (the U.S. citizen or LPR filing the I-130).
Joint Sponsors
If the petitioner's income is insufficient, a joint sponsor can file a separate I-864. The joint sponsor must be a U.S. citizen or LPR, 18+, and domiciled in the U.S. Joint sponsors take on the same legal obligations as the primary sponsor.