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Using Assets for an Affidavit of Support
If your income is below the amount required for Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, you may be able to use qualifying assets to cover the shortfall. These may include savings, investments, or equity in property belonging to you, the intending immigrant, or a qualifying household member.
The amount required depends on the income shortfall and the applicable asset multiplier. Ownership, net value, and availability must also be documented. If your qualifying household income already meets the requirement, you generally do not need to rely on assets.
How to Calculate the Income Shortfall
Start with the required income for your household size using the applicable USCIS Poverty Guidelines for Form I-864. Most sponsors must meet 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. A qualifying active-duty military sponsor petitioning for a spouse or child may use the 100% threshold.
Subtract your qualifying annual household income from the required amount:
Required annual income − qualifying annual household income = income shortfall.
Use the Form I-864 household-size rules when selecting the threshold. Household size is not necessarily the same as the number of people living at your address.
How Much Must Your Assets Be Worth?
The Form I-864 instructions provide these rules:
| Situation | Minimum qualifying net asset value |
|---|---|
| General rule, including a U.S. citizen sponsoring a parent or a permanent resident sponsoring a spouse | 5 times the income shortfall |
| A U.S. citizen sponsoring a spouse or an unmarried child who is at least 18 but under 21, subject to the age-protection note below | 3 times the income shortfall |
| A qualifying foreign-born orphan who will be adopted in the United States after becoming a permanent resident and will acquire U.S. citizenship under INA § 320 as a result | 1 times the income shortfall |
The three-times exception does not automatically cover every adult son or daughter. If the beneficiary is 21 or older, any applicable Child Status Protection Act protection requires separate review.
The one-times exception is limited; it does not apply to every adoption case. It appears in Part 7, Item Number 10 of the Form I-864 instructions and in 8 C.F.R. § 213a.2(c)(2)(iii)(B)(2). The regulation also covers certain cases requiring formal state recognition of a foreign adoption, where that recognition results in citizenship under INA § 320.
Illustrative example: Assume the applicable income requirement is $35,000 and qualifying household income is $30,000. The shortfall is $5,000.
| Applicable rule | Calculation | Required net assets |
|---|---|---|
| Five-times rule | $5,000 × 5 | $25,000 |
| Three-times rule | $5,000 × 3 | $15,000 |
| One-times rule | $5,000 × 1 | $5,000 |
These figures illustrate the calculation; $35,000 is not presented as the current poverty-guideline amount.
Before calculating assets for a child, determine whether Form I-864 is required at all. A child under 18 who will automatically acquire U.S. citizenship under INA § 320 upon becoming a permanent resident may be exempt from Form I-864 altogether. The exemption depends on meeting the citizenship requirements; it does not apply to every child under 18.
Whose Assets Can Be Used?
The sponsor’s assets. You may list qualifying assets you own and submit evidence supporting their value and availability.
A qualifying household member’s assets. An eligible household member contributing assets generally must complete and sign Form I-864A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member, together with the sponsor. Each contributing household member needs a separate contract. The person must meet the household-member eligibility rules; being a friend or relative willing to help is not enough by itself.
The intending immigrant’s assets. The person applying for permanent residence may contribute qualifying assets even if living abroad. Form I-864A is not required solely because the intending immigrant’s assets are being counted. Different requirements can apply when using that person’s income.
Which Assets Qualify?
Potentially qualifying assets include bank deposits, stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit, and equity in real estate.
An asset must be available for support and convertible to cash within one year without considerable hardship or financial loss. A valuable asset may therefore be unsuitable if access is restricted or it cannot realistically be sold within that period.
Your home may qualify, subject to these requirements. An automobile generally cannot be counted unless you own another working automobile that is excluded from the calculation.
Use Net Value After Loans and Liens
For a home, calculate net value by subtracting outstanding mortgages and other secured debts from its appraised value.
For example, a home appraised at $300,000 with a $220,000 mortgage and a $20,000 home-equity loan has $60,000 in equity before considering whether it meets the other asset requirements. The full $300,000 cannot be counted.
For jointly owned property, document your ownership interest and access to the value being claimed. Do not count the same asset twice.
What Documents Should You Provide?
Prepare evidence that identifies each asset, its owner, its value, and any debt or restriction affecting its availability.
| Asset or issue | Supporting evidence |
|---|---|
| Bank accounts | Statements showing ownership, account history, and current balances. Twelve months of statements or a bank letter covering that history can help substantiate the funds. |
| Stocks, bonds, and certificates of deposit | Ownership records, current statements, values, and relevant maturity or withdrawal terms. |
| Real estate | Ownership documents, acquisition information, a recent appraisal by a licensed appraiser, and current balances for mortgages and other liens. |
| Household-member assets | Form I-864A and evidence establishing the person’s eligibility and the assets being contributed. |
| Availability | Documents explaining restrictions and how the asset can be converted to cash within the required period. |
Bank balances and property estimates should be supported by records that allow the reviewing officer to verify the amount claimed.
Can Assets Outside the United States Be Used?
An intending immigrant’s foreign assets may qualify, but the evidence must show that their value can be made available for support in the United States. Consider restrictions on selling property, withdrawing funds, exchanging currency, or transferring money out of the country.
Explain the U.S.-dollar value and the exchange rate used. Documents in another language must include a complete English translation with the required translator certification. See the Department of State’s Affidavit of Support guidance for additional information about foreign assets.
What If Your Assets Are Not Enough?
A qualifying joint sponsor may be an option. The joint sponsor submits a separate Form I-864 and must independently meet the applicable financial requirement, using qualifying income, assets, or both. The petitioning sponsor must still submit Form I-864 when required.
Get Help Reviewing Your Affidavit of Support
The Law Offices of Osas Iyamu, LLC can help review your household size, income shortfall, available assets, and supporting documents. We assist clients with U.S. immigration matters from our office in Ocala, Florida, and through virtual consultations.
Schedule an immigration consultation.
Call 1-800-974-6480 or 352-237-2403.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Immigration laws, policies, and requirements may change, and the appropriate approach depends on your circumstances. Reading this page or contacting our office does not create an attorney-client relationship. Representation begins only after a written legal services agreement is signed. Consult a qualified immigration attorney for advice about your situation.
Updated October 10, 2026.