When a person files an I-130, they will usually file Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, as well; In many cases people file Form I-864 after filing Form I-130, but if Form I-130 and Form I-485 are being filed concurrently, then Form I-864 will be filed at the same time as Form I-130 because Form I-864 usually must accompany an Adjustment of Status Application. It is necessary for the petitioner to file Form I-864 for their beneficiary to receive a green card. If you have filed Form I-130 as a petitioner you may want to consult with an experienced immigration attorney to seek a professional opinion and possibly avoid some of the common mistakes that people make when filing Form I-864.
Getting confused between Form I-864 EZ, Form I-864, and Form I-864A
As the name might imply, Form I-864 EZ is a shorter form that asks fewer questions for the person filling out the form. A person can only qualify to fill out Form I-864 EZ under certain conditions, which are explained in the USCIS instructions for Form I-864 EZ. A person cannot use form I-864 EZ if they are a joint sponsor, or if there are derivative beneficiaries to the -130. Form. Form I-864A, contract between household members, is a form to be signed by a household member of the petitioner if the household member would like to use their own income to assist in the sponsorship of the beneficiary.
Getting Confused about which Tax Documents to Provide
While a petitioner is allowed to send the three most recent years of taxes, they are only required to send the most recent year. Knowing in which scenario is better to supply three years of taxes and in which scenario it is better to only supply the mandatory most recent year of taxes is something that you may wish to discuss with an immigration attorney.
Not Knowing how to Provide Proof of Current Income
Usually, people can prove their income through two methods, either through a letter of employment verification or through the most recent six months of paystubs. A good letter of employment verification will have a company letterhead, a confirmation of the Petitioner’s annual salary, the date that the petitioner started working at the position, the position title, and how to reach out to the supervisor.
If you have already filed Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, or are thinking of concurrently filing Form I-130 and Form I-485 together, therefore necessitating the inclusion of Form I-864 as an attached form to the I-485, then you may want to discuss your filing with an immigration attorney to potentially avoid some of the common confusions people face when filing Form I-864.