Affidavit of Support I-134Frequently Asked Questions1. Affidavit of Support I-134 Overview2. FAQ1. What is an Affidavit of Support?2. For whom is an Affidavit of Support required?3. What is the definition of ‘relative’ for employment based sponsors?4. Where can I find the law?5. Who is required to be a sponsor?6. Can anyone else be a sponsor?7. Who can be a ‘joint sponsor’, and when is a ‘joint sponsor’ allowed?8. Is there a limit on the number of ‘joint sponsors’?9. How can I reinstate a visa petition that was revoked by the death of the original petitioner?10. What if a petitioner dies before all family members immigrate?11. What is a ‘substitute sponsor’ and how can I be one?12. Can a sponsored immigrant sponsor other immigrants?13. Are citizens adopting immigrant children required to file Affidavits of Support?14. Is there a battered-spouse or child exception to the Affidavit of Support requirement?15. Is an Affidavit of Support required for diversity immigrants – visa lottery applicants – or any other groups of immigrants?16. Are Affidavits of Support required for persons other than immigrants?17. Can a religious group, non-governmental organization, venture capitalist or bail bondsman sponsor an immigrant as a joint sponsor?18. What are the income requirements for an Affidavit of Support?19. What does the requirement that the sponsor demonstrate the ability to maintain an income at 125 per cent of the poverty level mean?20. Does the petitioner have to file an Affidavit of Support if he or she cannot meet the income requirements and there is a joint sponsor?21. Who determines the poverty level?22. How is household size determined?23. Does a sponsor need to show proof of current employment?24. What types of evidence can be used to show current employment?25. What types of evidence can be used to show self-employment?26. What if a sponsor is receiving welfare benefits?27. Is only the sponsor's income included in the determination of whether he or she has sufficient income to be a sponsor?28. What is the Contract between Sponsor and Household Member, Form I-864A?29. If the sponsored immigrant qualifies as a household member or dependent, do they need to sign the I-864A?30. What portions of Federal income tax returns should be submitted with the Affidavit of Support form?31. Will the Government verify the accuracy of the information?32. What if income tax returns have not been filed for each of the most recent three tax years?33. Which income line from the federal tax return is used for income determination?34. What other evidence of income will be accepted if U.S. Federal income tax returns were not required?35. How are assets used to demonstrate ability to sponsor an immigrant?36. What assets can be used?37. What evidence of assets is required?38. Can the immigrant visa applicant count assets that he or she owns that are outside the U.S., such as real estate or personal property?39. Can free housing be counted as income?40. Does a sponsor need to submit a new Affidavit of Support if new poverty guidelines are issued before the case is decided?41. What are my responsibilities as a sponsor?42. When does a sponsor's obligation to support sponsored foreign nationals end?43. Does divorce nullify the sponsorship agreement?44. If a person is issued an immigrant visa before the effective date for the new Affidavit of Support but does not immigrate until later, do they need to get a new Affidavit of Support (I-864)?45. Are original Affidavits of Support required for each family member?46. Does the Affidavit of Support need to be witnessed or notarized?47. Are ‘following to join’ relatives included in the Affidavit of Support?48. Will Consular and Immigration Officers interview sponsors?49. What are the penalties for sponsors who make false statements on the Affidavit of Support?50. What are the ‘change of address’ responsibilities that a sponsor has and what is the penalty for not complying?51. Can Form I-134 Affidavit of Support continue to be submitted by immigrants?52. Should K-1 fiance visa applicants use the I-864 or the I-134?53. How do I file an Affidavit of Support?54. How is the I-864 processing fee paid?55. When does the NVC send the I-864?56. What does the NVC do with the I-864?57. Does the NVC review I-864 Affidavits of Support for petitions filed at an embassy or consulate abroad?58. If the consular officer says the applicant needs a ‘joint sponsor’, does the ‘joint sponsor’ send the I-864 to the NVC for review?59. What is the pilot bond program?