Sponsorship Affidavit (Form I-864) Cover Letter
Cover letter for Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) — sponsor demonstrates financial support of an intending immigrant.
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Jordan Alex Taylor
482 Elm Street, Apt 3B, Portland, OR 97214
Phone: +1 503 555 0118
Date: May 4, 2026
To: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services / National Visa Center
(as applicable)
Re: Form I-864 — Affidavit of Support
Sponsor: Jordan Alex Taylor
Beneficiary: Aleksandra Petrova (Spouse)
Case number: NVC: PRG2026000043 / USCIS: MSC2126501234
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To Whom It May Concern,
I am submitting Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA) as the sponsor of Aleksandra Petrova, my Spouse, in support of their immigration application.
SPONSOR INFORMATION
Status: U.S. citizen
Current employer: Acme Corporation — Senior Software Engineer
Household size: 3 (including self, dependents, and beneficiary)
INCOME (3 most recent tax years)
Most recent (current): $145,000.00
Prior year 1: $138,000.00
Prior year 2: $130,000.00
POVERTY-GUIDELINE COMPLIANCE
► Yes — well above 125%
The federal poverty guideline for the relevant household size is published annually by HHS (Form I-864P from USCIS). Sponsors must demonstrate income at or above 125% of the guideline (100% for active-duty military sponsors of spouses and children) at the time of filing.
JOINT SPONSOR
Not applicable — primary sponsor income meets requirement.
(If applicable: name + relationship of joint sponsor, who must file a separate I-864.)
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ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS
□ Form I-864 (signed)
□ Most recent year IRS tax transcript (preferred over self-printed return)
□ W-2s and 1099s for the most recent year
□ Pay stubs for the past 6 months
□ Letter from current employer confirming employment and salary
□ Proof of U.S. citizenship or LPR status (passport bio page or green card front + back)
□ If using assets: documentation of assets equal to 5x the difference between income and 125% poverty guideline (3x for spouses of U.S. citizens)
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SPONSOR OBLIGATIONS
I understand that by signing Form I-864, I am entering into a contract with the U.S. government. The contract is enforceable against me by the beneficiary or by any federal, state, or local government agency that provides means-tested public benefits to the beneficiary. The obligation continues until the beneficiary:
(a) becomes a U.S. citizen,
(b) is credited with 40 quarters of work (typically 10 years),
(c) leaves the U.S. and abandons LPR status, or
(d) dies.
Divorce does NOT terminate the I-864 obligation. The obligation may also continue against my estate after my death.
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If additional information is required, please contact me at the phone or address above.
Sincerely,
_______________________________ Date: May 4, 2026
Jordan Alex Taylor
About this template
Form I-864 is the legally-binding contract by which a U.S. citizen or LPR sponsor commits to financial support of an intending immigrant. The cover letter accompanying the form should reference the case, summarise the sponsor's income picture, and acknowledge the sponsor's long-term obligations. The income test under INA §213A: sponsor's household income must be at least 125% of the federal poverty guideline (100% for active-duty military sponsoring a spouse or child) for the household size, including the beneficiary and any other dependents. The HHS-published guidelines update annually; USCIS Form I-864P provides the current numbers. Sponsors below the threshold can use a joint sponsor (a separate person filing their own I-864), can use the income of household members 18+ on Form I-864A, or can use significant assets (typically 5x the income shortfall, or 3x for spouses of U.S. citizens). The most-overlooked feature of I-864: it is enforceable indefinitely. Divorce does not end the obligation; the immigrant's eventual receipt of means-tested public benefits creates a reimbursement claim against the sponsor by the agency providing benefits; the obligation only ends on citizenship, 40 quarters of work credit, abandonment of LPR status, or death of either party. Sponsors must understand they are guaranteeing income, not just helping with paperwork. Tax transcripts (free at irs.gov/transcript) are strongly preferred over self-printed returns; sponsors who file jointly with a non-sponsor spouse may need additional documentation showing the sponsor's individual income.
When to use it
- Family-based green-card application (most categories require I-864).
- Diversity-visa green-card application (some categories).
- Employment-based green card where the petitioner is a relative.
- When a U.S. relative or friend is sponsoring an intending immigrant.
- Joint sponsor situation (joint sponsor files separate I-864).
What to include
- Sponsor identification and U.S. status.
- Beneficiary identification and relationship.
- Household size calculation.
- Three years of income (most recent + 2 prior).
- Confirmation of 125% poverty-guideline compliance.
- Joint sponsor information if needed.
- Acknowledgement of long-term obligations.