1. What is an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864)?
An Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) is a legally binding document that a sponsor must fill out and sign to show that they will provide financial support to an immigrant seeking to become a permanent resident of the United States. The sponsor must agree to pay for the immigrant’s food, shelter, and other necessities once they arrive in the U.S. The form is also used to prove that the immigrant will not become a public charge.
2. Who can file an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864)?
An Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) can be filed by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, who is at least 18 years of age and must meet certain income requirements.
3. What is the purpose of the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864)?
The Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) is a document used in the immigration process to demonstrate that an individual has sufficient financial resources to support themselves and any dependents that they may be bringing into the country. In addition, it certifies that the sponsor will provide financial support for the immigrant until they become a US citizen or can be credited with 40 quarters of work. This form is required for many family-based immigration petitions and is also used as part of the application process for some visa categories.
4. What are the eligibility requirements for filing an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864)?
To be eligible to file an Affidavit of Support, an individual must meet certain eligibility requirements, including being a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident (green card holder); having a valid Social Security number; and having sufficient income and/or assets to meet the poverty guidelines published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This includes having income and/or assets at least 125 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for the family’s size. In some cases, an individual who does not meet the income and/or asset requirement may still be eligible to file an Affidavit of Support if another person agrees to co-sponsor or “joint-sponsor” the applicant. The joint-sponsor must complete their own Affidavit of Support, and must be able to demonstrate that their income and/or assets are at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for their family size as well.
5. What are the supporting documents needed to complete an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864)?
The supporting documents needed to complete an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) include evidence of the sponsor’s U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence status, evidence of employment, such as paycheck stubs and job letters, evidence of income, such as tax returns and W-2 forms, and evidence of assets, such as bank statements, stocks and bonds.
6. How much income is required to file an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864)?
In order to file an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), the sponsor must have an income or assets at least 125% of the federal poverty guidelines for their household size. The amount required varies based on the size of the household, and can be found on the USCIS website.
7. How do I submit my Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) to the National Visa Center (NVC)?
The NVC does not accept Affidavits of Support (Form I-864) directly. Once you have completed your Affidavit of Support, you must submit it to the U.S. Department of State’s Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) along with your other visa application documents. The KCC will then forward your Affidavit of Support to the NVC for review and processing.
8. Who is responsible for submitting the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) to the NVC?
The sponsor is responsible for submitting the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) to the National Visa Center (NVC).
9. What happens if my Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) is not accepted by the NVC?
If the NVC does not accept your Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) you will need to file a new form. You may also be required to submit additional documents to prove that you can financially support your family member. In some cases, the NVC may also require that you have a joint sponsor or a co-sponsor complete the form for you.
10. What is the NVC Invoice?
The NVC Invoice is a bill from the National Visa Center (NVC) of U.S. Department of State. It includes the fees for processing a visa application and obtaining other documents and services related to the application process. The NVC Invoice is generated after the visa application has been accepted and approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
11. Who can submit the NVC Invoice?
The National Visa Center (NVC) Invoice is typically submitted by the attorney or representative who is working with the applicant to complete the immigration process.
12. What information is included in the NVC Invoice?
The NVC Invoice includes information about the total cost of the visa application, including the fees for filing and processing the visa application, any associated legal or translation fees, and any additional taxes or fees. It also includes important instructions about how to pay the fees and submit proof of payment to the NVC.
13. How do I submit the NVC Invoice?
You can submit the NVC Invoice electronically via the NVC website or you can submit the invoice through the mail.
14. How do I make payment for the NVC Invoice?
Payment can be made by credit card or wire transfer. Please contact us at [email protected] for payment instructions.
15. What happens if I fail to pay the NVC Invoice?
If you fail to pay the NVC Invoice, your visa application may be denied and you may be required to reapply at a later date.
16. Can I revise or cancel my NVC Invoice?
No, once an NVC Invoice is issued, it cannot be revised or cancelled. Please ensure your invoice is accurate before submitting it.
17. Is there an additional fee for filing an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864)?
Yes, there is an additional fee for filing an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864). The fee is $120 and must be paid at the time of filing.
18. Does the NVC require a copy of my signed Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) when submitting my application?
No, the NVC does not require a copy of your signed Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) when submitting your application. However, you must submit the original signed form to the U.S. Department of State when applying for an immigrant visa.
19. How long does it take for my application to be processed after submitting my completed Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) and NVC Invoice?
The processing time for applications after submission of a completed Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) and NVC Invoice depends on the particular case and on the current processing times of the National Visa Center (NVC). Generally, it takes from two weeks to several months for the application to be processed.
20. Are there any other forms or documents that must be submitted with my Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) and NVC Invoice?
In addition to the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) and NVC Invoice, you may need to submit other documents, such as supporting evidence of your financial ability to support the intending immigrant, including pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements.