How to Use the Assets to Supplement Income for Form I-864 of a Financial Sponsor, Assets, Supplement Income, Form I-864, Financial Sponsor

Question:

My U.S. citizen husband will apply for my Green Card. For the form I-864 Affidavit of Support, how could he use the assets to supplement income?

Answer:

An immigration petitioner serving as a financial sponsor for an intending immigrant must complete USCIS Form I-864, affidavit of support for the beneficiary. The purpose of the Form I-864 is to financially protect U.S. taxpayers. By signing the Form I-864, the petitioner contracts to be financially liable to the government if the sponsored family member collects certain types of means-tested public benefits, such as food stamps.

A U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who wishes to sponsor a family member for permanent residence using income alone typically must demonstrate an income level equal to or above 125 percent of the federal poverty guideline level. These guidelines are modified annually.

If a financial sponsor does not have sufficient income to meet 125 percent of the applicable federal poverty guideline level, certain assets may be included on the Form I-864 to supplement some or all of the petitioner’s income. The net value of a sponsor’s assets typically must total at least five times the difference between the petitioner’s household income and the federal poverty level for the petitioner’s household size, or three times the difference, for a U.S. citizen who is petitioning for a spouse or child.