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I-864 Cover letter

By Captain Ewok

• August 6, 2019

YOUR NAME: [ SPONSOR ] YOUR ADDRESS: TELEPHONE NUMBER:

National Visa Center ATTN: CMR 31 Rochester Ave. Suite 100 Portsmouth, NH 03801-2914

Re: Submitting Affidavit of Support I-864 for NVC Case Number MNL2002508061

To whom it may concern:

Enclosed please find the Form I-864, Affidavit of Support for my sister ,JANILAINE V. PASCUAL, and supporting documents as follows:

• I-864 Coversheet (with barcode)
• Form I-864 (Signed and dated)
• 2007 Federal Tax Return, W2 and 1099INT, 1099DIV
• 2007 Tax Transcript
• 2006 Federal Tax Return, W2 and 1099INT, 1099DIV <optional, but good to have>
• 2006 Tax Transcript
• 2005 Federal Tax Return, W2 and 1099INT, 1099DIV <optional, but good to have>
• 2005 Tax Transcript
• Letter of Employment
• Pay stub(s) from the most recent six months
• Letter from Bank <optional - should display average balance over 6 months)
• I-864A from <name of co-sponsor>
• 2007 Federal Tax Return, W2 and 1099INT, 1099DIV of <name of co-sponsor>
• Letter of Employment   of <name of co-sponsor>
• Pay stub(s) from the most recent six months <co-sponsor>

Please process my petition at your earliest convenience and I am looking forward for an early approval. Please let me know if you need additional information. Thank you for your help.

Sincerely yours,

<sign here> __________________________

NOTE: The above information does not address the specific requirements for any given case and is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

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Home » Greencard » Affidavit of Support » Checklist for Preparing Affidavit of Support

Checklist for Preparing Affidavit of Support

Common instructions for all the forms

• Put all pages into the correct order and staple them together.
• Make sure that each page is filled out completely.
• Make sure that the form is signed.
• Complete all required forms on your computer using CAPITAL letters only and print them out.
• Attach a separate sheet of paper (or more sheets if necessary).
• Write your name, U.S. Social Security number, and the words “Form I-864” (or appropriate form number) on the top right corner of the sheet.
• Write the number and subject of each question for which you are providing additional information.
• Make sure to write the case number in the upper right-hand corner of every page, including Form I-864.
• Before you send the documents, make two sets of photocopies. Send one set of photocopies to the beneficiary.

Form I-864 by Petitioning Sponsor, Joint Sponsor, or Substitute Sponsor

• Barcoded cover sheet that you received from the National Visa Center (NVC).
• Your own cover letter that lists the exact documents you have enclosed in the package so they are easier to locate for the reviewer.
• A Form I-864 Make sure the form is signed. The petitioner signs for family immigrant cases. The relative signs for employment-based cases. The form does NOT have to be notarized. The sponsor must sign the form, even if a joint sponsor also submits an I-864 to meet the income requirement. However, when signing the form, under the penalty of perjury, the sponsor certifies that all the information and documents provided are true and correct. If more than one intending immigrant is listed on the same affidavit, photocopies of the original affidavit of support may be submitted for additional persons listed. Copies of supporting documentation are not required for them. Sample Form I-864
• Federal income tax documents
• Evidence of income If you use assets to qualify, evidence of assets .
• Proof of your active military status, if applicable. Only applicable to the petitioning sponsor.
• Proof of your legal status , if you are a joint sponsor, substitute sponsor, or the relative of an employment-based immigrant requiring an affidavit of support, . This would be either your U.S. citizenship status, U.S. national status, or lawful permanent resident status. This is not required for the petitioning sponsor, as he/she would have already submitted it earlier along with petition I-130, I-129F, I-600, or I-600A. In case of joint sponsors, make sure that the person submitting the form meets the definition of a joint sponsor and NOT the definition of a household member.
• A separate Form I-864A for each person whose income will be used. However, an intending immigrant whose income is being used needs to complete a Form I-864A only if his/her spouse and/or children are immigrating with him/her. File a separate Form I-864A for each household member using assets other than for the intending immigrant. Both the petitioning sponsor and the household member must complete their respective sections and sign.
• Proof of joint residence: Proof of their residency in your household for the last 6 months and relationship to you if they are not intending immigrants or are not listed as dependents on your federal income tax return for the most recent tax year. Proof of residency in your household can be documents such as a copy of the rental agreement showing the household member’s name or copies of items that show the same address as the sponsor such as a driver’s license, copies of school records, copies of utility bills, or personal correspondence. There are various documents that can prove family relationship . If they don’t make the family relationships clear, other official documents such as court or school records can confirm the relationships.
• Evidence of income If the intending immigrant’s income is used, proof that his/her income will continue from the same source.
• If you use assets to qualify, evidence of assets .
• A list of the benefits programs and dates of receipts if the household joint sponsors or their dependents have used financial need-based public benefits in the last 3 years.
• Form I-864 EZ
• Proof of your active military status, if applicable.

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How To Write a USCIS Cover Letter

Preparing an immigration application for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires filling out complex paperwork and gathering supporting documents. Using a cover letter is a great way to keep your application materials organized and make sure you don’t miss any required documents. It’s also a good opportunity to highlight anything you want USCIS to know about your application. This article explains what a cover letter is and the elements it should include. It also includes a template you can use to write your own.

Written by Jonathan Petts .  Updated May 4, 2023

What Is a USCIS Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a document that helps USCIS officers navigate your application materials. You can place a cover letter at the top of your citizenship , permanent resident , DACA , or visa application package. By outlining your reasons for applying and the contents of your application in a cover letter, you give your USCIS officer a useful overview of your case. You can also use your cover letter as a personal checklist to make sure you’ve included all necessary documents in your package.

You may also use a cover letter to explain any special circumstances you want the USCIS officer to be aware of before they start reviewing your application. If you have a unique or complicated background, it is especially helpful to supplement your application with a cover letter. It will ensure that USCIS becomes aware of any special circumstances and can consider your application with this in mind.

Is a Cover Letter Required for My USCIS Application?

USCIS does not require you to submit a cover letter for any immigration benefit or visa application. Many immigration attorneys include cover letters for their clients to prevent any misunderstandings or missing paperwork. Immigration officers read through a lot of paperwork, so any guidance or organization you can offer them will be helpful. 

Cover letters may be especially helpful when you are in a unique situation. Suppose you are applying for a marriage green card with Form I-130 : Petition for Alien Relative, and you and your spouse have lived apart for some time. You and your U.S. citizen or green card holder spouse can use a cover letter to explain this or any other unusual circumstances behind your marriage. 

USCIS will want to know the reasons behind an unusual living or marriage situation when evaluating your adjustment of status application. A cover letter can help you address any major concerns at the beginning of the process.

What Should My USCIS Cover Letter Include?

When submitting a cover letter with your application, be sure to include the following:

The USCIS filing location or lockbox address to which you’re sending your application

The date of filing

An appropriate subject (re:) line

A short introductory paragraph to describe the contents of your letter and package

If applying for a marriage-related benefit, information about the marriage date and location for yourself (the beneficiary) and your spouse (the petitioner)

An ordered list of the content in your application package, including all supporting documents and filing or biometrics fees included

A closing paragraph including your contact information

Your signature and full printed name

Your supporting documents for an application will depend on which forms you’re filing. You can determine which documents are necessary by reviewing USCIS’ webpage for your specific form. For example, USCIS lists the required supporting evidence on its webpage for Form N-400 applicants.

You’ll also need to identify the right mailing address for your application. To do so, you should consult the USCIS website. For example, naturalization applicants can review USCIS’s webpage for Form N-400 direct filing addresses .

Your filing fees will depend on your specific application type. You can use the USCIS Fee Calculator to determine your costs. For example, suppose you are filing for naturalization with Form N-400. You should select Form N-400 on the Fee Calculator and enter your age. USCIS may ask for additional information, such as your specific application category.

USCIS Cover Letter Template

You may use the sample cover letter below as guidance when writing your cover letter. This specific cover letter sample is for a naturalization application, intended for submission alongside Form N-400. Be sure to personalize this template to reflect your application type and circumstances. If you’d like to use the following template, you may also make a copy of this document to start writing.

[Petitioner’s Street Address]

[Petitioner’s City, State  ZIP code]

[Relevant USCIS mailing address]

RE: [Naturalization Application]

Beneficiary: [Immigrant’s Full Legal Name]

To Whom It May Concern:

Enclosed, please find the Naturalization Application for [Immigrant’s Full Legal Name].

The following documents accompany and support this application:

Filing Fee Payments

[Check or Money Order] in the amount of [Current Fee Amount] for Form N-400

Form G-1450 authorizing payment of the filing fee for Form N-400 (credit card charge authorization if you completed one)

[Form G-1145 (e-notice authorization if you requested them in our system)]

[OPTIONAL Beneficiary’s Form I-912 Fee Waiver Application]

[List of supporting documents]

Beneficiary’s Form N-400 Application for Naturalization

If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at [Phone Number]. Thank you very much for your prompt consideration of my Naturalization Application.

[Immigrant’s Full Name]

[Immigrant’s Signature]

[Signature Date]

Tips for Writing Your USCIS Cover Letter

When writing a USCIS cover letter, be sure to type your letter in English on a computer. Keep your letter concise and only include necessary information. A long cover letter will not be as helpful to a USCIS officer as a brief letter. If possible, keep your letter to one page. Be sure to proofread your letter before submitting your application package.

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I-864 Affidavit of Support (FAQs)

The National Visa Center's (NVC) Role

What is NVC's role?

Filling Out the Forms

Where do I find instructions?

Where can I get more information?

How does the sponsor get the forms and get started?

Who signs the forms and where are they submitted?

Household Size

How do I calculate my household size?

Eligibility to Submit an Affidavit of Support

Who can be a Financial Sponsor?

Income Requirements and Poverty Guidelines

What are Poverty Guidelines?

What happens if the petitioner doesn't have the enough income?

Is a sufficient Form I-864 the only consideration for meeting any public charge issues at the time of the visa interview?

If the poverty guidelines change between the time the petitioner signed the Affidavit of Support and the issuance of an immigrant visa, must the petitioner/sponsor and joint sponsor, if required, submit a new Form I-864?

Can a credible offer of employment for the visa applicant replace or supplement an insufficient Affidavit of Support?

Use of Assets to Meet Income Requirements

How can a sponsor use assets to meet the minimum Federal Poverty Guidelines?

What cash value of assets is needed?

What can be used as assets?

Can the immigrant visa applicant count assets that he or she owns that are outside the United States, such as real estate or personal property?

Can free housing be counted as income?

What does domicile mean?

Can a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) petitioner who is not domiciled (living) in the United States be a financial sponsor?

If the petitioner does not have a domicile in the United States, can a joint sponsor file an I-864?

What kinds of employment abroad can be counted as U.S. domicile?

Can a sponsor maintain U.S. domicile while living abroad temporarily?

How can a financial petitioner establish a domicile?

Accompanying Family Members

Do family members following to join the principal applicant need separate Affidavits of Support and supporting documents?

What do family members need if they have separate visa petitions?

Is one joint sponsor allowed to sponsor only some of the applicants while the other applicants are sponsored by another joint sponsor on the same petition?

Death of Sponsor

If the sponsor dies after the principal applicant has immigrated to the United States but before other qualified family members have immigrated, can another sponsor be named?

Expiration of the I-864

Will the I-864 I submitted expire if my relative's interview is delayed for any reason?

NVC reviews submitted Affidavit of Support forms for completeness. If a form is not complete, NVC will send a notification in CEAC explaining what is wrong and asking you to correct and re-submit the form to NVC. When NVC accepts a corrected Form I-864, I-864EZ, I-864W or I-864A along with the supporting financial evidence, NVC transfers the form and application to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where the applicant will apply for a visa.

The Affidavit of Support forms have step-by-step instructions for completion by the financial sponsor or joint sponsor. The instructions explain which forms are required and how to properly complete them. It is important to carefully follow the instructions included with each form. In addition to this guidance, online tips are available for completing all of these forms: the I-864, I-864A, I-864EZ, and I-864W.

Please visit https://www.uscis.gov/greencard/affidavit-support for complete instructions.

We recommend completing Affidavit of Support forms on a computer or typewriter, with answers typed in CAPITAL letters. After the form is completed, upload, and submit the signed form to NVC via CEAC along with the sponsor’s supporting financial evidence. Remember you must submit all pages of the Form I-864 even if they are blank.

If you need more information on the I-864 Affidavit of Support, please see 9 FAM 302.8, 9 FAM 601.14, and Sections 212(a)(4) and 213A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The complete FAM and INA are available by visiting FOIA on the Department of State website. Also see https://www.uscis.gov/greencard/affidavit-support .

The petitioner and any other financial sponsors can download the forms at www.uscis.gov , and can use the chart on ” Step 4: Affidavit of Support ” page to learn which forms are required.

Notice: In order to download forms, you must have a recent version of Adobe Reader installed on your computer. If you do not have Adobe Reader, please visit http://www.adobe.com . There is no charge to download Adobe Reader. You may receive a “file corrupted” error message if you are using an older version of Adobe Reader.

The petitioner/financial sponsor must complete and sign the appropriate Affidavit of Support form. Incomplete forms, including those missing pages, will not be accepted. The completed forms and supporting documents must be submitted in CEAC to NVC with the visa applicant’s civil documents.

The Form I-864 asks for the financial sponsor’s household size. When calculating their household size, sponsors must include:

• Their spouse,
• Any children by birth, marriage, or adoption living in the sponsor's residence,
• Anyone else claimed as a dependent on the sponsor's tax return for the most recent year, regardless of whether they are related to the sponsor or have the same principal address as the sponsor,
• The principal visa applicant,
• Any derivative applicants who plan to immigrate within six months,
• Any other people in the United States whom the sponsor is supporting on a different Form I-864, if the obligation has not terminated, and
• Any nondependent siblings, parents, or adult children who reside in the sponsor's household who are not dependents, if they complete a Form I-864A.

A sponsor does not have to include people on other I-864s who have not yet immigrated to the United States.

A financial sponsor, including a petitioner, must be at least 18 years old and either a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident (LPR). The sponsor must also have a domicile (residence) in the United States.

Petitioners must meet a minimum income level, called the Federal Poverty Guidelines, in order to financially sponsor a visa applicant. The Poverty Guidelines in effect on the filing date of an Affidavit of Support are used to determine whether the income requirement is met. You can find these guidelines on USCIS’s website .

What happens if the petitioner doesn't have enough income?

Petitioners who cannot meet this level have two choices: 1) find a “joint sponsor” who will agree to also financially support the visa applicant, or 2) use the income of a household member to meet the Poverty Guidelines. These additional financial sponsors also have to submit an Affidavit of Support, proof of their income, and proof of their legal status in the United States. Remember: Even if a petitioner finds a joint sponsor or uses the income of a household member to financially sponsor a visa applicant, that petitioner must still submit an Affidavit of Support.

No, consular officers also look at other public charge factors affecting the financial situation of both the financial sponsor(s) and the applicant. Age, health, education, skills, financial resources and family status of the applicant and the sponsor are factors. Consular officers will verify to the extent possible that applicants have adequate financial support to prevent them becoming a public charge in the United States. Public charge means that someone is likely to be primarily dependent on the U.S. government for subsistence.

No, the Form I-864 remains valid indefinitely unless evidence of failure to meet the poverty guidelines in effect on the date of I-864 filing arises. The consular officer will determine whether the income claimed by the sponsor and documented with financial evidence meets the poverty guidelines in effect at the time the I-864 was filed. If the income claimed does not meet the poverty guidelines, then the consular officer may request that the sponsor submit current year income information.

No, the law does not recognize offers of employment in place of the Form I-864. A job offer may show ability of the applicant to overcome ineligibility as a public charge, but does not meet any I-864 requirement.

If a sponsor's income does not meet the minimum Federal Poverty Guidelines, he or she can submit the value of assets to make up the difference unless the sponsor is submitting a Form I-864EZ. When looking at income levels, the consular officer will look at the sponsor's employment income first. Personal assets and/or the income and assets of household members who have signed an I-864A are totaled next. If the sponsor is using assets to meet the minimum Federal Poverty Guidelines, they must upload a scanned copy of documentation of those assets into CEAC.

The total net value of assets, less liens and liabilities against them, must equal five times the difference between the sponsor's income and 125% of the poverty level for the household size.

Sponsors of spouses and children of U.S. citizens must only prove assets valued at three times the difference between the poverty guidelines and actual household income.

Sponsors of orphans who will acquire citizenship after admission to the United States must only prove assets equal to the difference between the poverty guidelines and actual household income.

Financial sponsors can only include assets that are convertible into cash within one year and without considerable hardship or financial loss to the sponsor and his/her family. Examples of assets easily convertible to cash are savings, stocks, bonds and property. Sponsors may include the value of their home. They may not include the value of their automobile, unless they can show they have more than one and the primary automobile is not included as an asset.

Yes, under the following conditions:

• The assets must be convertible to cash within 12 months.
• The applicant must show that the assets can be removed from the country where they are located. Many countries have limits on cash or liquid assets that can removed from the country.
• The net value of assets must be at least five times the difference between the sponsor's income and 125 percent of the poverty guideline for the household size.

The visa applicant needs to file a Form I-864A to have his or her assets included in the minimum income level calculations.

Yes, financial sponsors receiving housing and other benefits in place of salary may count those benefits as income. The sponsor may count both taxable and non-taxable income (such as housing allowance). The sponsor must prove the nature and amount of non-taxable income. Evidence of such income can be a Form W-2 (such as Box 13 for military allowances) or Form 1099.

Domicile is the place where a sponsor has his or her principal “residence” with the intention to maintain that residence for the foreseeable future.  To qualify as a financial sponsor, a petitioner must be domiciled in any of the States of the United States, the District of Columbia, or any territory or possession of the United States.  A lawful permanent resident (LPR) sponsor also must maintain his or her LPR status.

A sponsor who is not currently living in the United States may meet the domicile requirement if he or she can submit evidence to establish that any of the following conditions apply:

• The sponsor is employed by certain organizations as defined below.
• The sponsor is living abroad temporarily and has maintained his or her domicile in the United States.
• The sponsor intends in good faith to establish his or her domicile in the United States no later than the date of the intending immigrant’s admission to the United States.

If not submitted to NVC along with the Affidavit of Support form, the petitioner will need to provide the visa applicant with evidence of his or her domicile. The visa applicant will need to bring that evidence to the visa interview for the consular officer to review.

No, if a petitioner cannot satisfy the domicile requirement, the petitioner fails to qualify as a sponsor for the purposes of submitting Form I-864.

No, the petitioner must meet all the requirements to be a sponsor (age, domicile and citizenship), except those related to income, before there can be a joint sponsor.

A U.S. citizen who is living abroad temporarily is considered to be domiciled in the United States if the citizen is employed by certain organizations, including:

• Employment temporarily stationed abroad with the U.S. government.
• Employment temporarily stationed abroad with a U.S. institution of research recognized by the Secretary of Homeland Security.
• Employment temporarily stationed abroad with a U.S. firm or corporation or its subsidiary engaged in whole or in part in the development of foreign trade and commerce with the United States.
• Employment temporarily stationed abroad with a public international organization in which the United States participates by treaty or statute.
• Employment temporarily stationed abroad with a religious denomination/group having a genuine organization within the United States.
• Employment temporarily stationed abroad as a missionary by a religious denomination/group or by an interdenominational mission organization within the United States.

Many U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents reside outside the United States on a temporary basis. "Temporary" may cover an extended period of residence abroad. The sponsor living abroad must establish the following in order to be considered domiciled in the United States:

• He/she departed the United States for a limited and not indefinite period of time,
• He/she intended to maintain a domicile in the United States, and
• He/she has evidence of continued ties to the United States.

Examples of proof that a sponsor’s trip abroad is temporary and that he or she has maintained a domicile in the United States may include:

• A voting record in the United States
• Records of paying U.S. state or local taxes
• Having property in the United States
• Maintaining bank or investment accounts in the United States
• Having a permanent mailing address in the United States
• Other proof such as evidence that the sponsor is a student studying abroad or that a foreign government has authorized a temporary stay

A petitioner who is unable to demonstrate that he or she is domiciled in the United States who wishes to qualify as a sponsor must demonstrate that:

• He or she has either already taken up physical residence in the United States; or
• He or she has taken concrete steps to establish a domicile in the United States and will do so concurrently with the applicant no later than the date of the intending immigrant’s admission.

The sponsor does not have to precede the applicant to the United States but, if he or she does not do so, he or she must arrive in the United States concurrently with the applicant.  Evidence that the sponsor has established a domicile in the United States and is either physically residing there or intends to do so before or concurrently with the applicant may include the following:

• Opening a bank account
• Transferring funds to the United States
• Making investments in the United States
• Seeking employment in the United States
• Securing a residence in the United States
• Registering children in U.S. schools
• Applying for a Social Security number
• Voting in local, State, or Federal elections

Family members who immigrate later (follow-to-join) must resubmit a scanned copy of the principal applicant's I-864 and supporting documents.

Each family member with a separate visa petition must submit a signed Form I-864 with supporting documents from the petitioner/sponsor and Form I-864As with supporting documents from the joint sponsor(s) if applicable.

Yes, but only under certain circumstances. Two joint sponsors can be used per family unit applying to immigrate under the same petition. If two joint sponsors are used, each joint sponsor is responsible only for the intending immigrant(s) listed on the joint sponsor’s Form I-864. Every joint sponsor must meet the minimum income requirement, citizenship, residence and age requirements.

Yes, if the petitioner or primary sponsor dies before all qualified family members have immigrated, a new sponsor may submit a Form I-864 to become the primary sponsor regardless of the status of the deceased petitioner's estate.

No, the validity of the Form I-864, I-864 EZ, or I-864A is considered indefinite beginning from the date the sponsor signs it.

Who's Involved

National Visa Center:  After petition approval, the National Visa Center (NVC) handles processing for certain kinds of documents, sending them onward to U.S. Embassies & Consulates.  When and how to Contact NVC .

More Information

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Template cover letter for uscis immigration filings, practice areas, associations.

A Cover Letter has two (2) benefits. First, it is a nice document for a USCIS Officer to receive when they open a packet. It allows the officer to quickly see a snapshot of the filing. Second, the Cover Letter forces the filer to review what they are sending. If Anything important is missing, it is more evident than in a stack of papers 300 to 500 pages thick.

Evidence is “VERY IMPORTANT” for every Immigration Filing. To see our template checklist, please visit our Immigration Checklist: https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration-checklist/ 

Common Questions:

Where can i confirm immigration fees.

USCIS Offers the following USCIS Immigration Fee Tool to assist in providing USCIS the proper filing fee: https://www.uscis.gov/feecalculator

Additionally, USCIS.gov also states the fee for each USCIS Form.

Where can I confirm the USCIS Mailing Address?

USCIS.gov is the ONLY place you should confirm/receive the USCIS Mailing Address.

Are the I-765 and I-131 free with an I-485?

Yes. The Employment Authorization and Advance Parole/Travel Document are free when filed with an I-485 Adjustment of Status Filing.

Do I need Passport Photos for the filing?

Yes, most Green Card related filings require passport-style photos, or they are highly recommended. When in doubt, add them to the filing.

Are Copies of Documents ok?

Yes, copies of all documents are acceptable, as long as the copy is a nice color scan. The only time to provide original documents is when they are specifically requested by USCIS, and when submitting Certified Copies of Court, Police, and Prison Records.

What type of documents should I attach with a filing?

Please check out our Immigration Checklist for general guidance based on our filing Case Type: https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration-checklist/

Below are common Cover Letter Layouts:

Adjustment of status cover letter template:.

[USCIS Filing Address] Note: this info is up-to-date at USCIS.gov

Sent Via USPS Priority Mail

Regarding: [I-485 Adjustment of Status Application concurrently filed with I-130 Petition]

Petitioner: [NAME] A#: [If Any] Beneficiary: [NAME] A#: [If Any]

Dear USCIS Officer:

Enclosed please find the following documents in support of this immigration matter:

• I-693 Immigration Medical Exam (Sealed)
• Form I-130 Packet (Petition for Alien Relative) – Cashier Check in the amount of $550 – Form G-1145 – Form I-130 – Form I-130A (Spousal Based Filing Addition) – Passport Styled Photo of the Petitioner – Passport Styled Photo of the Beneficiary – Petitioner’s United States Birth Certificate – Petitioner’s United States Passport – Petitioner’s Social Security Card – Petitioner’s Valid, Unexpired Drivers License – Petitioner’s Military ID – Petitioner’s RED Report – Petitioner’s BIR – Petitioner’s Chronological Record or SRB – Petitioner’s Current Orders – Petitioner’s Divorce Decree for First Marriage with: [NAME] – Petitioner’s Divorce Decree for Second Marriage with: [NAME] – Petitioner’s and Beneficiary’s Marriage Certificate – Beneficiary’s Foreign Birth Certificate with English Translation – Beneficiary’s Foreign Passport – Beneficiary’s US Visa(s) – Beneficiary’s I-94 Lawful Entry Record – Beneficiary’s Military Dependent ID – Beneficiary’s Divorce Decree for First Marriage with: [NAME] – Joint Residential Lease – Joint Plane Tickets from recent trip – Joint Car Insurance naming spouse as a non-driver – Amazon Order History showing both spouses receiving packages at the marital home – Joint Photos (100 pages) – Joint Records to prove communication (200 pages)
• Form I-485 Packet (Adjustment of Status Application) – Cashier Check in the amount of $1160 – Form G-1145 – Form I-485 – Petitioner’s and Beneficiary’s Marriage Certificate – Beneficiary’s Foreign Birth Certificate with English Translation – Beneficiary’s Foreign Passport – Beneficiary’s US Visa(s) – Beneficiary’s I-94 Lawful Entry Record – Beneficiary’s Military Dependent ID
• Form I-944 Packet (Declaration of Self -Sufficiency) – Form G-1145 – Form I-944 – Petitioner’s and Beneficiary’s Marriage Certificate – Beneficiary’s Foreign Birth Certificate with English Translation – Beneficiary’s Foreign Passport – Beneficiary’s US Visa(s) – Beneficiary’s I-94 Lawful Entry Record – Beneficiary’s Military Dependent ID – Beneficiary’s Credit Report from Experian – Beneficiary’s Bank Statements for every account for the past 12 months – Beneficiary’s TRICARE Dental Program Enrollment Letter – Beneficiary’s TRICARE Health Insurance Enrollment Letter – Beneficiary’s Paystubs for the past 12 months – Joint TRICARE Health Insurance Effective Date Letter – Petitioner’s W-2 for past most recent year – Petitioner’s IRS Transcripts for past 3 years – Petitioner’s 1040 Tax Return for past 3 years – Petitioner’s LES for the past 12 months – Petitioner’s Credit Report – Petitioner’s Best Buy Credit Card Statement – Petitioner’s Wells Fargo Mortgage Statement
• Form I-864 Packet (Affidavit of Support) – Form G-1145 – Form I-864 – Petitioner and Beneficiary’s Marriage Certificate – Petitioner’s United States Birth Certificate – Petitioner’s Social Security Card – Petitioner’s NC Valid Driver License – Petitioner’s Military ID Card – Petitioner’s Current Orders – Petitioner’s W-2’s for the most recent year – Petitioner’s IRS Transcripts for past 3 years – Petitioner’s 1040 Tax Return for past 3 years – Petitioner’s LES for the past 12 months
• Form I-765 Packet (Employment Authorization Document) – Form G-1145 – Form I-765 – Beneficiary’s I-94 Lawful Entry Record – Beneficiary’s Foreign Birth Certificate with English translation – Beneficiary’s Foreign Passport – Beneficiary’s US Visa(s) – Beneficiary’s Military ID Card – Petitioner and Beneficiary’s Marriage Certificate

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Respectfully,

_____________________________________________ [NAME]

K-1 Fiance Adjustment of Status Cover Letter Template:

Regarding: [I-485 Adjustment of Status Application filed with Approved I-129F and Marriage within 90 days of entry]

• I-129F Approval Notice
• Marriage Certificate for marriage that occurred within 90 days of entry
• K-1 Fiance Visa
• I-94 Lawful Entry Record
• Petition and Beneficiary Passport-Style Photos
• Form I-485 Packet (Adjustment of Status Application) – Cashier Check in the amount of $1160 – Form G-1145 – Form I-485 – Petitioner’s and Beneficiary’s Marriage Certificate – Beneficiary’s Foreign Birth Certificate with English Translation – Beneficiary’s Foreign Passport – Beneficiary’s US Visa(s) – Beneficiary’s I-94 Lawful Entry Record – Beneficiary’s Military Dependent ID – Amazon Order History showing both spouses receiving packages at the marital home – Recent Photos during and after marriage

I-129F Fiance Petition Cover Letter Template:

Regarding: [I-129F Petition for Foreign Fiance]

• Form I-129F Packet (Petition for Foreign Fiance) – Cashier Check in the amount of $510 – Form G-1145 – Form I-129F – Petitioner’s Letter of Intent to Marry within 90 days – Beneficiary’s Letter of Intent to Marry within 90 days – Petitioner’s United States Passport – Petitioner’s Social Security Card – Petitioner’s Valid, Unexpired Drivers License – Petitioner’s Military ID – Petitioner’s RED Report – Petitioner’s BIR – Petitioner’s Chronological Record or SRB – Petitioner’s Current Orders – Petitioner’s Divorce Decree for First Marriage with: [NAME] – Petitioner’s Divorce Decree for Second Marriage with: [NAME] – Beneficiary’s Foreign Birth Certificate with English Translation – Beneficiary’s Foreign Passport – Beneficiary’s US Visa(s) – Beneficiary’s I-94 Lawful Entry Record – Beneficiary’s Divorce Decree for First Marriage with: [NAME]- Joint Residential Lease – Joint Plane Tickets from a recent trip – Joint Car Insurance naming spouse as a non-driver – Joint Photos (100 pages) – Joint Records to prove communication (200 pages)

Service Member Immigration Form Review Page:

Service Member Immigration Form Review

Disclaimer:  This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.

The post Template Cover Letter for USCIS Immigration Filings appeared first on Fickey Martinez Law Firm .

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Checklist for I-864 Affidavit of Support

When filing any immigration form, your names must be written in capital letters and you typically would not submit the form alone; you will submit it with supporting documents. The supporting documents are proof or corroboration of the answers you provided in the form.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services will consider your application and decide your eligibility based on these documents. Likewise, when submitting Form I-864, you will be required to submit the form with some supporting documents.

The supporting documents a lawful permanent resident submit along with the Affidavit of Support will depend on a number of factors, including the answers. Mistakes, even minor ones, in the Affidavit of Support form from any of the two joint sponsors can result in rejections and delays in your application.

Thus, we recommend working with an experienced law firm to guide you through and help you with answering the questions and filing any form provided in Schedule C. This post will explain the supporting documents you need to submit with your I-864, Affidavit of Support.

Do You Need to Notarize Affidavit of Support I-864?

The affidavit of support does not need to be notarized, but every individual involved will append their signature on the form. The Form I-864 needs to be signed by the petitioner in the case of family immigrant cases. For employment-based immigrants requiring I-864, the relative needs to sign the form with the name of the intending immigrant listed, guaranteeing that the answers in the form are correct.

Remember that every one who enjoys any immigration benefit must also state what it is, the agency specifically permitting such benefit, and the national status of the individual. All of these should not be contained in the same affidavit but on a separate form.

Likewise, financial sponsors – self employed or those under paid employment, including the primary and additional sponsor as well as petitioning sponsor must sign the form to address the income requirements showing sponsor’s employment, sponsor’s income, their primary source of income and any other source that may appear to be the same source provided in the form.

After completing, signing, and notarizing the forms, you will submit with the supporting and civil documents to the National Visa Center through CEAC.

How Many Years of Tax Returns Are Required for an Affidavit of Support?

The United States government requires that the sponsor and co-sponsor or anyone with significant ownership interest to file proof of tax for the most recent filing year. When filling out Form I-864, the sponsor is obligated to disclose the total income on his or her income tax returns.

As proof that the information is correct, he or she has to attach a copy of the tax no older than three years. The normal requirement is typically the previous calendar year, but there’s the option of filing returns for the past three years.

What Are the Legal Implications of Signing Form I-864 Affidavit of Support?

The U.S. government takes the Affidavit of Support very seriously, thus sponsors should not sign with levity. Additionally, the sponsor or co-sponsor needs to sign the documents with no less than complete trust in the intended immigrant’s intentions.

The form is a legally enforceable contract, meaning the sponsored immigrant or government can sue if the sponsor fails in their obligations. More so, the immigration law enforces more obligations on the sponsor than on the immigrant for financial support.

If the immigrant decides to quit his or her job and sue the sponsor for support, the law is behind such. When a government agency sues, it can collect reimbursement for the public agencies that provided the benefits. Conversely, when the immigrant sues, they can collect enough money to reach 125% of the amount in the Poverty Guidelines.

What Are the Supporting Document Requirements for Affidavit of Support?

The required supporting documents submitted with Form I-864 will depend on what is in your form. The affidavit of support supporting documents includes copies of tax records for sponsors, including the Federal income tax return.

The sponsor can also submit a copy of IRS Form I099 if applicable; the oldest the documents can be is three years. U.S. citizen sponsors will provide birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, certificate of citizenship status, and photo of valid U.S. passport.

Additional documents for lawful permanent resident status sponsors include a copy of both sides of the permanent resident card. Also, you’ll submit copies of your passport of another country with a U.S. temporary permanent residence stamp.

If you’re using joint household income, you will submit a separate I-864A for each. For sponsors who are on active duty in the Armed Forces or Coast Guard, they will submit proof of active military status.

What Is the General Checklist of Affidavit of Support Required Documents?

Below is a general checklist of the required documents for an affidavit of support:

• Barcoded cover sheet sent from the NVC and your cover letter listing the documents you are sending;
• Form I-864 signed by the petitioner and photocopies of the original form for additional persons, if any;
• Federal income tax return documents and evidence of income or assets depending on what you used to qualify;
• Proof of active military status for the petitioning sponsor (the co-sponsor doesn’t need this), if any;
• Proof of legal status for the joint sponsor, substitute sponsor, legal guardian, or the employment-based immigrant’s relative;

What If You Are Filing Form I-864 For Additional Intending Immigrants?

If you are sponsoring more than one family member at once using the same Form I-130 petition, you can make copies of Form I-864. However, only a few applicants, like the permanent resident spouse can make copies of the signed form along with its supporting documents.

For the U.S. citizen, all the sponsored family members will have their separate Form I-130 and I-864.

What Documents Does the Petitioner Need to Submit?

The major sponsor, also the petitioner, will complete Form I-864, even if the joint support provides the affidavit as well. The pages should be arranged correctly (that is, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) and stapled, and all pages should be completely filled out before submitting to the appropriate immigration services.

Along with the affidavit, the petitioner or employment-based immigrant will complete federal tax returns for the most recent three years. If they don’t have to file a tax return, they need to attach a written explanation of why they or their legal guardian aren’t legally bound to.

Additionally, the petitioner – alone or through their legal guardian – will submit evidence of assets establishing location, significant ownership status, and cash value, if applicable. Also, you will submit evidence of self-employment or current employment, showing the day you started working, what you do, and your income.

Applicants must know the requirements that govern the intending immigrant’s current employment, those that govern lawful permanent residents, financial sponsor, joint sponsor, substitute sponsor, a household member, and other key players. You must know the federal poverty guidelines, the federal income tax return provisions for an intending immigrant or an employment based immigrant requiring a checklist.

What Documents do Household Members Need to Submit?

For household members who are releasing their income and assets, they need to submit a separate Form I-864A. Also, they will submit tax returns, assets, and employment documents assembled in the same way as the main sponsor.

What Supporting Documentation Is Required of the Joint Sponsor?

The joint sponsor will typically submit the same set of documents required of the primary sponsor. These include proof of income and assets, if any, as well as proof of green card holder status or U.S. citizenship.

Also, if applicable, they will submit a completed Form I-864A for each co-sponsor combining their income to meet the minimum annual income requirement.

What Are the General Rules for Filling Out Form I-864 Affidavit of Support

You should type your answers with a computer or similar electronic device; otherwise, write with black ink. If you’re writing with ink, don’t write outside the provided spaces; use the “Additional Information” page if you have more information to add.

Also, you can attach a sheet of paper to the form if it still isn’t enough. Provide your name and A-number (alien registration number), if applicable, part number, the page number, signature, and date.

Let Herman Legal Group Help You?

You don’t have to go through the stress of filling out form I-864 alone when you can get all the necessary help from an experienced law firm who has helped many people handling immigration matters. Whether you are an intending immigrant, a household member, a joint sponsor, or have any of your family members who want to apply, Herman Legal Group can help you navigate the murky waters.

Our team of immigration lawyers know everything about the process for an intending immigrant or household member, including the requirement of federal income tax returns. Instead of running around as a household member or an intending immigrant, why not schedule a consultation with Herman Legal Group today by calling +1-216-696-6170 or by booking online .

When filling out Form I-864, you need to provide evidence that you meet the minimum income requirement, among other things. If the petitioner’s income is insufficient, joint sponsors can assist, providing the same Form I-864, though signed separately.

You can file one or more forms I-864, depending on the additional intending immigrants listed in the form. You will submit other supporting documents to prove the eligibility of the intending immigrant’s admission into the U.S.

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Do you have a sample cover letter to submit with Form I-485?

Home » Do you have a sample cover letter to submit with Form I-485?

May 3, 2021

Always keep your cover letter short and simple. Include the vital information such as your name and alien registration number (if applicable). Be concise when explaining the purpose of the letter.

RECOMMENDED: Obtaining an Adjustment of Status Work Permit

Sample I-485 Cover Letter

This sample is for a family-based adjustment of status (spouse of U.S. citizen filing concurrently with Form I-130). Your situation may vary. Use this sample cover letter as a guide. Do not submit this letter without updating it to fit your specific situation.

You may want to simply itemize the contents of your adjustment of status application package. Or you can use the cover letter to bring information to the attention of the USCIS officer who will be reviewing your case. The I-485 cover letter is the appropriate place to highlight this.

Mistakes on your I-485 application can cause costly delays or a denial.

Where to address your cover letter for form i-485.

Address your letter to the same address that you file Form I-485. Refer to the USCIS instructions for your applicable filing address. Or if you’ve used CitizenPath to prepare your I-485 application, refer to the custom filing instructions for the USCIS mailing address.

RECOMMENDED: How to Assemble Your Adjustment of Status Package

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