Form I-864 Information

Understand the Form I-864 Information  or affidavit of support from Thailand. When you want to live in the United States and get a green card through marriage, someone has to promise that they can support you financially. This promise is called an Affidavit of Support. The U.S. immigration office will check this document to make sure you’ll have enough money when you move to the U.S.

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Form I-864 Information

Form I-864 Affidavit of Support

An Affidavit of Support is like a promise paper. It’s a document that someone, like a family member or friend, signs to say they will help you with money when you’re applying for a green card. This person is usually the one supporting your green card because of your marriage. To send this paper, your spouse has to fill out a form called I-864 and give it to a special office called U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Likewise see also the visa IR1 on here as well as the CR1 visa.

In the form, they have to provide some personal information, like their social security number, and talk about their money situation. If they are in the U.S. military, they mention that too. Everyone applying for a green card has to include this paper with their application. Likewise see also the US visa for Thai wife on here.

What is form I-864 used for?

Purpose of the Form: Form I-864 is completed by a sponsor to demonstrate their ability to financially support the intending immigrant(s) and ensure they do not become a social welfare recipient while in the U.S.

Information Required:

The form asks for information about the person supporting you (the sponsor), you (the main person applying for the green card), and any family members coming with you. It wants to know about the sponsor’s job, how much money they make, what they own, and other money-related things.

Contractual Obligations:

When the sponsor signs Form I-864, they are making a deal with the U.S. government. This deal means they promise to give money to the person they’re supporting and allows their income and belongings to be checked when the supported person applies for government help.

Termination of Obligations:

The sponsor’s responsibilities mentioned in Form I-864 stop if the person they are supporting becomes a U.S. citizen, works enough years to get Social Security benefits, loses their permanent resident status and leaves the U.S., or if they pass away.

Legal Consequences:

If the person supporting someone doesn’t keep their promise, the person they’re supporting or the government can take them to court. The supporting person might have to pay back any public help the immigrant received, and their belongings can be used for this.

Preparer and Interpreter Information:

If someone else helps fill out Form I-864 for the sponsor, that person’s information needs to be included. If an interpreter helped the sponsor, their information and confirmation are also needed.

Form I-864 is really important in the immigration process. It makes sure that the person sponsoring someone for a green card promises to help them financially and support them while they try to live in the United States permanently. Read further on the Form I-864 information below.

Long Form I-864

You have to send Form I-864 with your application, unless there’s a special reason you don’t have to, which will be explained later. If your spouse doesn’t make enough money, you can ask someone else to help you financially. And if the person helping you has already filled out some other forms for you, they might use a different form called Form I-864EZ instead of Form I-864.

 

Difference between I-864ez and I-864

In summary, Form I-864EZ is like the simpler version of Form I-864, but you can only use it if your situation meets specific conditions. If it does, you can choose either form, but the shorter one is a bit easier.

Form I-864EZ:

  • If you’re the one who asked the government to let your family member come live in the U.S. and you only listed one person on that request, you can use this simpler form.
  • You should have enough money coming in from your job or retirement to support your family member, and this income should be shown on the W-2 form from your job.
  • Even if you qualify to use this shorter form, it doesn’t mean you have to. You can still choose to use the regular Form I-864.
  • Just remember, if you meet the requirements for both forms, you can pick either one. The only difference is that Form I-864EZ is a bit shorter.

Form I-864:

Use this longer form if:

  • Your family member is not the only one coming to the U.S. based on your request.
  • Likewise you also asked for an immigrant work visa for your family member.
  • You have someone else helping you financially (a joint sponsor).
  • You’re filing because the person who originally asked for your family member to come to the U.S. has passed away.
  • Lastly your job or retirement money isn’t enough to meet the income rules set by the government.

 

Short Form I-864EZ

You can opt for Form I-864EZ. This is a shorter version of Form I-864, if you meet specific conditions. First, if you have already submitted Form I-130, then you can use this shorter form. Second, if you mentioned only your wife as the immigrant on the Form I-130. Likewise she is the only person that you are supporting. Then you could qualify for this option.

Lastly, if your income from salary and pension alone is enough to support her. Then you can use W-2 forms from your job to prove it. It’s essential to note that joint sponsors can’t use this form. Likewise, individuals who filled out Form I-140 as a substitute sponsor for a deceased petitioner are also ineligible.

To sponsor the green card application. You should have an annual income of at least 125% of the U.S. federal poverty guidelines. This for their location and household size. If you don’t meet this requirement. You won’t be able to sponsor her, and you will need to explore other options to fulfill the income criteria.

You can also rely on other household members or individuals listed on their recent federal income tax return to contribute to the required income. If other people in your household are willing to assist you financially. Then they must complete Form I-864A. This is also known as the “Contract between Sponsor and Household Member.” Likewise when they sign this form, they commit to supporting her financially if your income falls short.

Additionally to qualify as a household member. The person must be over 18 years old, related to you, and residing in the same household. If they live elsewhere, your spouse must have claimed them as a dependent on their latest federal income tax return. If your spouse seeks help from a household member, they must submit both Form I-864 and Form I-864A

Financial Obligations of a Sponsor?

When your parent or guardian fills out a form called I-864 for her green card. They’re promising to financially support her. This means they agree to provide for her without needing help from the government. If she ends up using certain government benefits like Supplemental Insurance Income (SSI) after getting her green card. Likewise, your parent or guardian might have to pay back the money. But not all benefits count, so it’s important to check the rules set by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Your parent or guardian’s promise to support her ends if any of the following things happen:

  • Either she or your parent passes away
  • She became a U.S. citizen
  • She works in the U.S. for a specific number of quarters
  • She moves out of the U.S. permanently

But if your parent moves to a new place, their responsibility to support her continues. They must tell the government about their new address within 30 days of moving. Likewise see also other applications forms such as the Form I-130 as well as the Form I-129F. Also, if your parent has supported other people before and their obligation hasn’t ended, those people will be considered when your parent fills out a new support form. Speak to our immigration lawyer in Bangkok for further assistance as this is only a rough guide.

 

Moving to the United States

Moving to the United States requires many forms. The Form I-864 Information is needed when you have applied for a US Visa. Compare this also to the i129f form on here. Likewise see also the forms needed for the fiance visa Thailand as well as the article called getting married in Thailand if this is your Thai wife. Those who are already married see also the difference between CR1 and CR2 visa article on here.