An Affidavit of Support is a legal document that provides proof of an applicant’s financial means of support. An Affidavit of Support is filed to prove that visa applicants have financial sponsorship and will not  become "public charges" once they are residing in the United States. There are two types of affidavits of support: Form I-134 Affidavit of Support and Form I-864 Affidavit of Support, which is under Section 213A of the Act. Both affidavits serve similar purposes but are used for different applications.

Form I-864 is required by law to be included when applying for an immigrant visa outside the United States or to change status to a permanent resident in the United States. Form I-864 is completed by the sponsor and becomes a contract with the U.S. government once signed. The purpose of Form I-864 is to serve as proof to the U.S. government that the sponsor has enough financial resources to support the intended immigrant. In order for an Affidavit of Support to be approved, the sponsor must show that they meet the minimum income requirement, which is equal to or higher than 125 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Form I-864 is used for the following applications:

• Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens including foreign spouses, unmarried children under the age of 21, and parents
• Family based applications
• Certain employment-based preference immigrants applications

Form I-864 is included in these application guides:

• Green Card Adoption
• Green Card Marriage
• Green Card Relatives
• Green Card Employment
• K-1 Fiancée/Fiancé Visa

Form I-134 can only be filed by a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder. The purpose of Form I-134 is to assure the U.S. government that a foreign person about to enter the United States will not become a public charge once in the U.S. The sponsor must file one Form I-134 for each person they intend to sponsor.

Form I-134 is included in these application guides:

• Asylum
• B-1 Visa
• B-2 Visa
• B-1 and B-2 Visa Extension
• C-1 Transit Visa
• F-1 Student Visa
• Green Card Employment
• Green Card Investment
• Green Card Special Immigrant
• J-1 Exchange Visa
• K-1 Fiancée/Fiancé Visa
• Reentry Permit

Download Form I-134 or Form I-864 to file your Affidavit of Support.