Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA

Part 1: basis for filing.

• Joint sponsor (1.d) picked when actually a substitute sponsor (1.f) is needed; substitute is only when the original petitioner died.
• 5%-owner (1.b) picked by an LLC owner with less than 5% interest. Must verify ownership.

Part 1.a: relationship to immigrant when filing as petitioner.

• Filer leaves blank when filing as petitioner.
• Filer picks distant relative; petitioner relationship must be the qualifying I-130/I-129F basis.

Part 1.b: business in which 5% ownership held.

• Filer leaves blank when filing as 5%-owner.
• Filer types employer name when not actually 5% owner.

Part 1.b: relationship to the immigrant.

• Filer leaves blank when filing as 5%-owner.
• Filer types business role rather than relationship to the immigrant.

Part 1.e: first or second of two joint sponsors.

• Filer leaves blank when filing as joint sponsor.
• Both joint sponsors pick same number; one must be 1 and the other 2.

Part 1.f: substitute sponsor's relationship to immigrant.

• Filer leaves blank when filing as substitute sponsor.
• Filer fills as 'sibling' but does not also meet the qualifying relationship.

Part 2 item 1a: sponsor's family name.

• Romanizing or transliterating differently than the passport, which causes USCIS RFEs.
• Filer types nickname instead of legal name.

Part 2 item 1b: sponsor's given name.

• Romanizing or transliterating differently than the passport, which causes USCIS RFEs.
• Filer types nickname instead of legal name.

Part 2 item 1c: sponsor's middle name.

• Filer treats middle name as required and types 'N/A'.
• Filer omits middle name listed on passport.

Part 2 item 2: sponsor's in-care-of name.

• Filer fills with own name.
• Filer types 'self'.

Part 2 item 2: sponsor's street.

• Filer types only number without street name.
• Filer abbreviates street type non-standardly.

Part 2 item 2: unit type.

• Filer leaves blank when unit number is filled.
• Filer types unit number in this field.

Part 2 item 2: unit number.

• Filer leaves blank when unit type is filled.
• Filer prefixes with '#' which can confuse the optical reader.

Part 2 item 2: city.

• Filer abbreviates city name (LA instead of Los Angeles).
• Filer types neighborhood instead of city.

Part 2 item 2: state.

• Filer leaves blank when address is in U.S.
• Filer types full state name in a small field.

Part 2 item 2: ZIP.

• Filer leaves blank when address is in U.S.
• Filer enters ZIP+4 with no separator.

Part 2 item 2: province.

• Filer leaves blank when province is part of the country's address format.
• Filer types province in 'state' field for non-U.S. addresses.

Part 2 item 2: postal code.

• Filer fills with ZIP-style 5 digits when country uses alphanumeric postal codes.
• Filer leaves blank when address is outside U.S.

Part 2 item 2: country.

• Sponsor abroad must show domicile in U.S.; Country of Domicile field separately captures intent to re-establish.
• Filer types abbreviation; spell out country.

Part 2 item 3: mailing same as physical?

• Filer answers yes when mailing is a P.O. Box; physical must be a residential address.
• Filer leaves blank.

Part 2 item 4: sponsor's physical street.

• Filer types only number without street name.
• Filer abbreviates street type non-standardly.

Part 2 item 4: physical unit type.

• Filer leaves blank when unit number is filled.
• Filer types unit number in this field.

Part 2 item 4: physical unit number.

• Filer leaves blank when unit type is filled.
• Filer prefixes with '#' which can confuse the optical reader.

Part 2 item 4: physical city.

• Filer abbreviates city name (LA instead of Los Angeles).
• Filer types neighborhood instead of city.

Part 2 item 4: physical state.

• Filer leaves blank when address is in U.S.
• Filer types full state name in a small field.

Part 2 item 4: physical ZIP.

• Filer leaves blank when address is in U.S.
• Filer enters ZIP+4 with no separator.

Part 2 item 4: physical province.

• Filer leaves blank when province is part of the country's address format.
• Filer types province in 'state' field for non-U.S. addresses.

Part 2 item 4: physical postal code.

• Filer fills with ZIP-style 5 digits when country uses alphanumeric postal codes.
• Filer leaves blank when address is outside U.S.

Part 2 item 4: physical country.

• Filer types abbreviation; spell out country name in full.
• Filer leaves blank when address is outside U.S.

Part 2 item 5: country of domicile.

• Sponsors living abroad must enter the country where they currently reside, then attach evidence they have re-established (or will re-establish) U.S. domicile before the immigrant visa is issued. Misstating this is a frequent RFE trigger.
• Filer types 'United States' when actually living abroad.

Part 2 item 6: sponsor's DOB.

• Sponsors must be 18 years old or older. Verify before filing.
• Filer uses DD/MM/YYYY format.

Part 2 item 7: sponsor's city of birth.

• Filer abbreviates city name (LA instead of Los Angeles).
• Filer types neighborhood instead of city.

Part 2: sponsor's country of birth.

• Filer types citizenship rather than birth country.
• Filer types historical country name.

Part 2 item 10: sponsor's U.S. Social Security Number.

• Listing an ITIN instead of an SSN. Sponsorship by an ITIN holder is not allowed under section 213A; the sponsor must have an SSN.
• Filer types fake SSN.

Part 2 item 11: U.S. citizen, national, or LPR.

• Misclassifying as 'national' (rare; only American Samoa and Swain's Island).
• LPR sponsor checks 'citizen' before naturalization is final.

Part 2 item 12: sponsor's A-Number.

• LPR sponsor with no A-Number filled is the most common RFE; the A-Number is on the green card.
• Filer types 9 digits without confirming on the card.

Part 2 item 13: sponsor's USCIS Online Account.

• Filer enters A-Number instead of online account number.
• Filer leaves blank because they have an online account but did not check.

Part 2 item 14: sponsor on active duty military.

• Picking yes triggers the 100% poverty rule (instead of 125%); USCIS verifies via DD-214 / military ID.
• Filer answers yes for reservist not on active duty.

Part 3 item 1a: principal immigrant's family name.

• Romanizing or transliterating differently than the passport, which causes USCIS RFEs.
• Filer types nickname instead of legal name.

Part 3 item 1b: given name.

• Romanizing or transliterating differently than the passport, which causes USCIS RFEs.
• Filer types nickname instead of legal name.

Part 3 item 1c: middle name.

• Filer treats middle name as required and types 'N/A'.
• Filer omits middle name listed on passport.

Part 3 item 2: principal immigrant's in-care-of.

• Filer fills with sponsor name.
• Filer types 'self'.

Part 3 item 2: principal immigrant's street.

• Filer types only number without street name.
• Filer abbreviates street type non-standardly.

Part 3 item 2: unit type.

• Filer leaves blank when unit number is filled.
• Filer types unit number in this field.

Part 3 item 2: unit number.

• Filer leaves blank when unit type is filled.
• Filer prefixes with '#' which can confuse the optical reader.

Part 3 item 2: city.

• Filer abbreviates city name (LA instead of Los Angeles).
• Filer types neighborhood instead of city.

Part 3 item 2: state.

• Filer leaves blank when address is in U.S.
• Filer types full state name in a small field.

Part 3 item 2: ZIP.

• Filer leaves blank when address is in U.S.
• Filer enters ZIP+4 with no separator.

Part 3 item 2: province.

• Filer leaves blank when province is part of the country's address format.
• Filer types province in 'state' field for non-U.S. addresses.

Part 3 item 2: postal code.

• Filer fills with ZIP-style 5 digits when country uses alphanumeric postal codes.
• Filer leaves blank when address is outside U.S.

Part 3 item 2: country.

• Filer types abbreviation; spell out country name in full.
• Filer leaves blank when address is outside U.S.

Part 3 item 3: principal immigrant's country of citizenship.

• Writing the country of birth instead of citizenship; these can differ.
• Filer types abbreviation.

Part 3 item 4: principal immigrant's DOB.

• Filer uses DD/MM/YYYY (international format).
• Filer types only year.

Part 3 item 5: A-Number.

• Filer leaves blank when immigrant has been issued an A-Number (most have one by I-864 stage).
• Filer types 9 digits without confirming on USCIS notice.

Part 3 item 6: USCIS Online Account.

• Filer enters A-Number instead of online account number.
• Filer leaves blank because they have an online account but did not check.

Part 3 item 7: principal immigrant's daytime phone.

• Filer leaves blank.
• Filer types phone number with non-numeric formatting.

Part 4 item 1: sponsoring the principal immigrant?

• Filer answers no when actually sponsoring the principal (joint sponsors typically check yes).
• Filer leaves blank.

Part 4 item 2 vs 3: family member timing.

• Filer leaves blank when sponsoring derivative family members.
• Filer picks 'now' when family is following to join later.

Part 4 item 4a: family member 1 name.

• Romanizing or transliterating differently than the passport, which causes USCIS RFEs.
• Filer types nickname instead of legal name.

Part 4 item 4b: family member 1 given name.

• Romanizing or transliterating differently than the passport, which causes USCIS RFEs.
• Filer types nickname instead of legal name.

Part 4 item 4c: family member 1 middle.

• Filer treats middle name as required and types 'N/A'.
• Filer omits middle name listed on passport.

Part 4 item 5: family member 1 relationship.

• Filer types 'family member' rather than specific relationship.
• Filer leaves blank.

Part 4 item 6: family member 1 DOB.

• Filer uses DD/MM/YYYY (international format).
• Filer types only year.

Part 4 item 7: family member 1 A-Number.

• LPRs often forget to copy the A-Number from the green card. The A-Number is the 'USCIS#' on the front of the green card.
• Filer types 9 digits without confirming on the card.

Part 4 item: family member 1 USCIS Online Account.

• Filer enters A-Number instead of online account number.
• Filer leaves blank because they have an online account but did not check.

Family member 2 name.

• Romanizing or transliterating differently than the passport, which causes USCIS RFEs.
• Filer types nickname instead of legal name.

Family member 2 given.

• Romanizing or transliterating differently than the passport, which causes USCIS RFEs.
• Filer types nickname instead of legal name.

Family member 2 middle.

• Filer treats middle name as required and types 'N/A'.
• Filer omits middle name listed on passport.

Family member 2 relationship.

• Filer types 'family member' rather than specific relationship.
• Filer leaves blank when family member 2 is being sponsored.

Family member 2 DOB.

• Filer uses DD/MM/YYYY (international format).
• Filer types only year.

Family member 2 A-Number.

• LPRs often forget to copy the A-Number from the green card. The A-Number is the 'USCIS#' on the front of the green card.
• Filer types 9 digits without confirming on the card.

Family member 2 USCIS Online Account.

• Filer enters A-Number instead of online account number.
• Filer leaves blank because they have an online account but did not check.

Family member 3 name.

• Romanizing or transliterating differently than the passport, which causes USCIS RFEs.
• Filer types nickname instead of legal name.

Family member 3 given.

• Romanizing or transliterating differently than the passport, which causes USCIS RFEs.
• Filer types nickname instead of legal name.

Family member 3 middle.

• Filer treats middle name as required and types 'N/A'.
• Filer omits middle name listed on passport.

Family member 3 relationship.

• Filer types 'family member' rather than specific relationship.
• Filer leaves blank when family member 3 is being sponsored.

Family member 3 DOB.

• Filer uses DD/MM/YYYY (international format).
• Filer types only year.

Family member 3 A-Number.

• LPRs often forget to copy the A-Number from the green card. The A-Number is the 'USCIS#' on the front of the green card.
• Filer types 9 digits without confirming on the card.

Family member 3 USCIS Online Account.

• Filer enters A-Number instead of online account number.
• Filer leaves blank because they have an online account but did not check.

Family member 4 name.

• Romanizing or transliterating differently than the passport, which causes USCIS RFEs.
• Filer types nickname instead of legal name.

Family member 4 given.

• Romanizing or transliterating differently than the passport, which causes USCIS RFEs.
• Filer types nickname instead of legal name.

Family member 4 middle.

• Filer treats middle name as required and types 'N/A'.
• Filer omits middle name listed on passport.

Family member 4 relationship.

• Filer types 'family member' rather than specific relationship.
• Filer leaves blank when family member 4 is being sponsored.

Family member 4 DOB.

• Filer uses DD/MM/YYYY (international format).
• Filer types only year.

Family member 4 A-Number.

• LPRs often forget to copy the A-Number from the green card. The A-Number is the 'USCIS#' on the front of the green card.
• Filer types 9 digits without confirming on the card.

Family member 4 USCIS Online Account.

• Filer enters A-Number instead of online account number.
• Filer leaves blank because they have an online account but did not check.

Part 5 item 1: total number of immigrants sponsored.

• Counting principal twice (once here and once in items 2-7).
• Filer types '0' when sponsoring at least the principal.

Part 5 item 2: yourself (always 1).

• Filer types 0; always 1.
• Filer types higher number.

Part 5 item 3: spouse (1 if married, 0 otherwise).

• Counting spouse twice when spouse is also the principal immigrant; should be 0 in that case.
• Filer leaves blank when married.

Part 5 item 4: dependent children NOT already counted.

• Filer counts children already counted in immigrants sponsored.
• Filer counts adult children no longer dependents.

Part 5 item 5: other dependents.

• Filer omits dependents claimed on tax return.
• Filer counts non-dependents.

Part 5 item 6: other I-864 sponsored persons still under obligation.

• Forgetting prior sponsorships. The 213A obligation runs until the immigrant naturalizes, has 40 quarters, leaves U.S. permanently, or dies; many sponsors do not realize prior obligations are still active.
• Filer counts joint-sponsored prior cases incorrectly.

Part 5 item 7: same-residence relatives whose income is being used.

• Filer counts household income contributors twice.
• Filer leaves blank when household income is being used.

Part 5 item 8: total household size.

• Arithmetic errors are very common. The total must match the I-864P row used to compute the threshold.
• Filer types only number of dependents.

Part 6 item 1: I am employed checkbox.

• Filer leaves blank when employed.
• Filer checks both employed and unemployed.

Part 6 item 1a: employer 1 name.

• Filer types short name; USCIS expects legal employer name.
• Filer leaves blank when employed.

Part 6: employer 2 name.

• Filer fills employer 1 in this field.
• Filer leaves blank when only one employer.

Part 6: employer 3 name.

• Filer fills employer 2 in this field.
• Filer leaves blank when only two employers.

Part 6 item 4: self-employed checkbox.

• Filer checks both employed and self-employed.
• Filer leaves blank when self-employed.

Part 6 item 4a: self-employment occupation.

• Filer leaves blank after checking self-employed.
• Filer types business name; USCIS wants occupation.

Part 6 item 5: retired checkbox.

• Filer checks both employed and retired.
• Filer leaves blank when retired.

Part 6 item 5a: retirement date.

• Filer uses DD/MM/YYYY (international format).
• Filer types only year.

Part 6 item 6: unemployed checkbox.

• Filer checks both employed and unemployed.
• Filer leaves blank when unemployed; sponsor cannot generally qualify when unemployed.

Part 6 item 6a: unemployment start date.

• Filer uses DD/MM/YYYY (international format).
• Filer types only year.

Part 6 item 7: sponsor's current annual individual income.

• Underreporting current income because tax-return income from prior years was lower. Current income is what matters for qualifying.
• Not converting hourly or biweekly pay to annual; USCIS expects an annualized figure.

Part 6 item 8: household income contributor 1 name.

• Filer leaves blank when using household income from a member.
• Filer types relationship in name field.

Part 6: contributor 1 relationship.

• Filer types 'family' rather than specific relationship.
• Filer leaves blank when using household income.

Part 6: contributor 1 income.

• Filer enters cents.
• Filer omits commas; field expects numeric.

Part 6: contributor 2 name.

• Filer types relationship in name field.
• Filer leaves blank when contributor 2 used.

Part 6: contributor 2 relationship.

• Filer types 'family' rather than specific relationship.
• Filer leaves blank when contributor 2 used.

Part 6: contributor 2 income.

• Filer enters cents.
• Filer omits commas; field expects numeric.

Part 6: contributor 3 name.

• Filer types relationship in name field.
• Filer leaves blank when contributor 3 used.

Part 6: contributor 3 relationship.

• Filer types 'family' rather than specific relationship.
• Filer leaves blank when contributor 3 used.

Part 6: contributor 3 income.

• Filer enters cents.
• Filer omits commas; field expects numeric.

Part 6: contributor 4 name.

• Filer types relationship in name field.
• Filer leaves blank when contributor 4 used.

Part 6: contributor 4 relationship.

• Filer types 'family' rather than specific relationship.
• Filer leaves blank when contributor 4 used.

Part 6: contributor 4 income.

• Filer enters cents.
• Filer omits commas; field expects numeric.

Part 6 item 15: total annual household income.

• Filer's total does not match sum of contributors' incomes.
• Filer omits sponsor's own income from total.

Part 6 item 16: I-864A attached for contributors.

• Forgetting to attach I-864A from each household contributor; USCIS will RFE.
• Filer attaches I-864A from non-household contributor; cohabitation required.

Part 6 item 17: contributor exempt from I-864A (intending immigrant with no dependents).

• Filer checks for the immigrant whose income is being used; only intending immigrant with no dependents qualifies.
• Filer leaves blank when applicable.

Part 6 item 17: name of immigrant exempt from I-864A.

• Filer leaves blank after checking item 17.
• Filer types non-immigrant name.

Part 6 item 18a: filed federal tax return for each of last 3 years?

• Misanswering yes when one of the last three years was missed. USCIS verifies through IRS transcripts.
• Filer answers yes after only filing extensions.

Part 6 item 19a: most recent tax year.

• Filer types 2-digit year.
• Filer leaves blank.

Part 6 item 19a: most recent tax year total income (AGI).

• Listing wages alone instead of total income (AGI). Use the AGI line on the federal return; the line number changes by year.
• Filer types business gross revenue rather than AGI.

Part 6 item 19b: 2nd most recent tax year.

• Filer types 2-digit year.
• Filer leaves blank.

Part 6 item 19b: 2nd most recent year income.

• Filer enters cents.
• Filer omits commas; field expects numeric.

Part 6 item 19c: 3rd most recent tax year.

• Filer types 2-digit year.
• Filer leaves blank.

Part 6 item 19c: 3rd most recent year income.

• Filer enters cents.
• Filer omits commas; field expects numeric.

Part 6 item 17: not required to file (income below IRS threshold).

• Checking this without attaching evidence. USCIS requires the IRS publication explaining the threshold and an explanation of the year(s).
• Filer checks for the wrong year.

Part 7 item 1: cash, savings, checking balances.

• Filer enters cents.
• Filer omits commas; field expects numeric.

Part 7 item 2: net real estate.

• Listing market value instead of net (market minus mortgage).
• Filer adds appreciation that is not yet realized.

Part 7 item 3: stocks, bonds, CDs, other.

• Filer enters cents.
• Filer omits commas; field expects numeric.

Part 7 item 4: sponsor assets total.

• Filer enters cents.
• Filer omits commas; field expects numeric.

Part 7 item 5: household members' assets (from I-864A).

• Filer enters cents.
• Filer omits commas; field expects numeric.

Part 7 item 6: principal immigrant's cash, savings, checking.

• Filer enters cents.
• Filer omits commas; field expects numeric.

Part 7 item 7: principal immigrant's net real estate.

• Listing market value instead of net.
• Filer adds appreciation that is not yet realized.

Part 7 item 8: principal immigrant's stocks, bonds, etc.

• Filer enters cents.
• Filer omits commas; field expects numeric.

Part 7 item 9: principal immigrant's assets total.

• Filer enters cents.
• Filer omits commas; field expects numeric.

Part 7 item 10: grand total of all assets.

• Asset total must equal at least 5x the gap between income and the I-864P threshold (3x for spouses or children of U.S. citizens, 1x for orphans being adopted in the U.S.).
• Filer adds non-liquid assets that USCIS will not credit.

Part 8 item 1: sponsor's statement on language.

• Filer leaves blank.
• Filer picks 'interpreter' without filling Part 9.

Part 8 item 1.b: interpreter language.

• Filer leaves blank after picking interpreter.
• Filer types 'translator' instead of language name.

Part 8 item 2: preparer checkbox.

• Filer leaves blank when preparer used.
• Pro se filer checks even though no preparer involved.

Part 8 item 2: preparer name.

• Filer leaves blank after checking preparer.
• Filer types business name only without preparer name.

Part 8 item 3: sponsor's daytime phone.

• Filer leaves blank.
• Filer types phone number with non-numeric formatting.

Part 8 item 4: sponsor's mobile phone.

• Filer duplicates daytime phone in mobile field.
• Filer leaves blank.

Part 8 item 5: sponsor's email.

• Filer types personal email that is not regularly checked.
• Filer leaves blank.

Part 8 item 9a: sponsor's signature.

• E-signing or typing the signature only. USCIS requires wet ink on the printed form because this is a contract.
• Sponsor's spouse signs in lieu of sponsor.

Part 8 item 9b: signature date.

• Filer uses DD/MM/YYYY (international format).
• Filer types only year.

Top of page 1: G-28 attached?

• Filer checks box without attaching G-28.
• Filer leaves blank when an attorney is filing.

Top of page 1: attorney state bar number.

• Pro se filer fills with driver's license number.
• Out-of-state attorney fills home-state bar number.

Top of page 1: attorney USCIS Online Account.

• Filer fills self USCIS account here.
• Pro se filer leaves blank.