US Department of Homeland Security
US Citizenship and Immigration Services
Fact Sheet
June 21, 2006
Go to: FINAL RULE REGARDING AFFIDAVITS OF SUPPORT
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U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual Volume 9- Visas
9 FAM 40.41 Exhibit I
POVERTY INCOME GUIDELINES 2006
(CT:VISA-793; 02-07-2006)
(Office of Origin: CA/VO/L/R)
The new poverty guidelines for 2006 were published by the
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on January 24, 2006.
Applicants who can't meet the applicable minimum poverty
guideline threshold are ineligible for visa issuance under INA 212(a)(4)©.
The guidelines and background information are available on HHS's Web site.
NOTE: 8 CFR 213 states that consular posts will begin to use updated
guidelines on the first day of the second month after the date the guidelines
are published in the Federal Register. Consequently, the 2006 guidelines are
effective March 1, 2006 for visa processing purposes.
2006 GUIDELINES
MINIMUM INCOME REQUIREMENT FOR USE IN
COMPLETING THE FORM I-864, AFFIDAVIT OF
SUPPORT UNDER SECTION 213A OF THE ACT
Use the table below for the 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam:
2006 HHS Poverty Guidelines
QUOTE
48 Contiguous States and D.C.
<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="4" ALIGN="Center">
<TR VALIGN="Bottom">
<TH SCOPE="COL">Persons<BR>
in Family or Household</TH>
<TH SCOPE="COL">48 Contiguous<BR>
States and D.C.</TH>
<TH SCOPE="COL">Alaska</TH>
<TH SCOPE="COL">Hawaii</TH>
</TR>
<TR ALIGN=CENTER>
<TD SCOPE="ROW">1</TD>
<TD>$10,210</TD>
<TD>$12,770</TD>
<TD>$11,750</TD>
</TR>
<TR ALIGN=CENTER>
<TD SCOPE="ROW">2</TD>
<TD>13,690</TD>
<TD>17,120</TD>
<TD>15,750</TD>
</TR>
<TR ALIGN=CENTER>
<TD SCOPE="ROW">3</TD>
<TD>17,170</TD>
<TD>21,470</TD>
<TD>19,750</TD>
</TR>
<TR ALIGN=CENTER>
<TD SCOPE="ROW">4</TD>
<TD>20,650</TD>
<TD>25,820</TD>
<TD>23,750</TD>
</TR>
<TR ALIGN=CENTER>
<TD SCOPE="ROW">5</TD>
<TD>24,130</TD>
<TD>30,170</TD>
<TD>27,750</TD>
</TR>
<TR ALIGN=CENTER>
<TD SCOPE="ROW">6</TD>
<TD>27,610</TD>
<TD>34,520</TD>
<TD>31,750</TD>
</TR>
<TR ALIGN=CENTER>
<TD SCOPE="ROW">7</TD>
<TD>31,090</TD>
<TD>38,870</TD>
<TD>35,750</TD>
</TR>
<TR ALIGN=CENTER>
<TD SCOPE="ROW">8</TD>
<TD>34,570</TD>
<TD>43,220</TD>
<TD>39,750</TD>
</TR>
<TR ALIGN=CENTER>
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" SCOPE="ROW">For each additional<BR>
person, add</TD>
<TD> 3,480</TD>
<TD> 4,350</TD>
<TD> 4,000</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
For Alaska and Hawaii see link below
<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="4" ALIGN="Center">
<TR VALIGN="Bottom">
<TH SCOPE="COL">Persons<BR>
in Family or Household</TH>
<TH SCOPE="COL">48 Contiguous<BR>
States and D.C.</TH>
<TH SCOPE="COL">Alaska</TH>
<TH SCOPE="COL">Hawaii</TH>
</TR>
<TR ALIGN=CENTER>
<TD SCOPE="ROW">1</TD>
<TD>$10,210</TD>
<TD>$12,770</TD>
<TD>$11,750</TD>
</TR>
<TR ALIGN=CENTER>
<TD SCOPE="ROW">2</TD>
<TD>13,690</TD>
<TD>17,120</TD>
<TD>15,750</TD>
</TR>
<TR ALIGN=CENTER>
<TD SCOPE="ROW">3</TD>
<TD>17,170</TD>
<TD>21,470</TD>
<TD>19,750</TD>
</TR>
<TR ALIGN=CENTER>
<TD SCOPE="ROW">4</TD>
<TD>20,650</TD>
<TD>25,820</TD>
<TD>23,750</TD>
</TR>
<TR ALIGN=CENTER>
<TD SCOPE="ROW">5</TD>
<TD>24,130</TD>
<TD>30,170</TD>
<TD>27,750</TD>
</TR>
<TR ALIGN=CENTER>
<TD SCOPE="ROW">6</TD>
<TD>27,610</TD>
<TD>34,520</TD>
<TD>31,750</TD>
</TR>
<TR ALIGN=CENTER>
<TD SCOPE="ROW">7</TD>
<TD>31,090</TD>
<TD>38,870</TD>
<TD>35,750</TD>
</TR>
<TR ALIGN=CENTER>
<TD SCOPE="ROW">8</TD>
<TD>34,570</TD>
<TD>43,220</TD>
<TD>39,750</TD>
</TR>
<TR ALIGN=CENTER>
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" SCOPE="ROW">For each additional<BR>
person, add</TD>
<TD> 3,480</TD>
<TD> 4,350</TD>
<TD> 4,000</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
For Alaska and Hawaii see link below
NOTE:
Refer to the figures in the orange columns when processing immigrant visa,
(IV) cases involving Form I-864, Affidavit of Support. Refer to the gray
columns for active members of the U.S. Armed Forces sponsoring spouses
and children.
You need to consider the "totality of circumstances" (including the
applicant's age, health, and education) and can deny visa issuance under
212(a)(4)© if the applicant appears likely to become public charge despite
meeting the poverty guidelines. However, "totality of circumstances" cannot
serve as the basis for overcoming Section 212(a)(4) if the poverty guidelines
are not met.
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR SPONSORS
Read the following selection before submitting Form I-864, Affidavit of
Support Under Section 213A of the Act.
WHO NEEDS FORM I-864, AFFIDAVIT OF
SUPPORT UNDER SECTION 213A OF THE ACT?
•Applicants for family-based immigrant visa (IV) categories, including
biological and adopted children of U.S. citizens who are not eligible for
automatic naturalization upon admission as a legal permanent resident
• Any alien classified IR-2 based on a stepparent-stepchild relationship
with a U.S. citizen
• Any alien classified IR-2 who will be age 18 or over upon admission to
the United States as a lawful resident
• Any alien classified IR-2 who will not be taking up residence in the
United States
• Any alien classified IR-2 who will not be residing with, and in the legal
custody of, the U.S. citizen
• Orphans adopted abroad by U.S. citizen (IR-3/IR-4) or
• Applicants for employment-based immigrant visas where a relative
filed the immigrant visa petition or has a five percent or
• Greater ownership interest in the business that filed the petition
WHICH APPLICANTS FOR FAMILY-BASED IMMIGRANT
VISAS DO NOT NEED THE I-864, AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT
UNDER SECTION 213A OF THE ACT?
a. Biological (natural-born, in or out of wedlock) children of U.S. citizens
(IR-2 immigrant visa (IV) category) provided the child will be admitted to
the United States while under the age of 18 and will reside in the United
States with, and in the custody of, the U.S. citizen parent;
b. Self-petitioning widow or widower and battered spouses and children;
c. An adopted child classified IR-2 who satisfies the requirement of INA
101(b )(1)(e) with respect to U.S. citizen parent; provided the child will
be admitted to the United States while under age 18 and will reside in the
United States with, and in the custody of, the adoptive U.S. citizen
parent;
d. Orphans adopted abroad by U.S. citizen (IR-3/IR-4 immigrant visa (IV)
category) with a full and final adoption, who will be admitted to the
United States while under age 18 and will reside in the United States
with, and in the custody of, the adoptive U.S. citizen parent; or
e. Immigrants who have already worked or can be credited with 40
qualifying quarters of work as defined in Title II of the Social Security Act
(SSA).
CHECKLIST FOR PREPARING THE FORM I-864,
AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT UNDER SECTION
213A OF THE ACT
Documents must be submitted in the following order:
a. Petitioner's Documents—Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section
213A of the Act. The petitioner in family-based immigrants, or the
employment-based immigrants where a relative filed the petition or has
ownership interest (5% or more) in the petitioning entity, or a joint
sponsor must complete a Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section
213A of the Act.
(1) All pages in correct order, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 and stapled together.
(2) Each page filled out completely.
(3) Part 7 signed by the petitioner (for employment cases, by the
relative and it must be notarized).
(4) Certified copy of completed most recent federal tax return with all
supporting schedules that the sponsor had filled prior the time of
AOS signing. Each return must have all pages in the correct order
and must be stapled together.
(5) If you did not have to file a tax return, attach a written explanation
and a copy of the instructions from the Internal Revenue Service
publication that shows you were not obligated to file. (For
information on most income tax obligations visit the IRS website.)
(6) If assets are needed to meet the minimum income requirement:
(a) Evidence of assets with a cash value that equals at least five
times the difference between your total household income and
the poverty guideline for your household size (see chart below):
Example for a Household of 4:
125% Poverty Guideline........$25,000 (2006)
Sponsor's Income..............$18,000
Difference.....................$7,000
Multiply by 5..................X 5
Minimum Required Cash
Value of Assets...............$35,000
(b ) Evidence of ownership, location, and the value of each asset;
(c ) Evidence of liens, mortgages, and liabilities for each asset (if
any); and
(d) Evidence of current employment or self-employment, such as a
recent pay statement or a statement from your employer on
business stationery, showing beginning date of employment,
type of work performed, and salary or wages paid.
b. Joint Sponsor's Documents (if required):
• Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act:
Must be completed by a joint sponsor if the petitioner's income does
not meet the 125% income requirement
• The joint sponsor:
Must meet the same qualifications as the petitioner and submit the
same documentation as noted in (a) Petitioner's Documents above
NOTE: The petitioner must also submit a Form I-864, Affidavit of Support
Under Section 213A of the Act.
c. Household members whose income and assets are to be considered:
A separate Form I-864-A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household
Member must be completed for each household member whose income
and assets are to be considered.
(1) Each page must be filled out completely and stapled together;
(2) All tax, employment, and asset documents must be assembled in the
same manner as the sponsor's (see above) and attached to the
correct Form I-864-A Contract Between Sponsor and Household
Member.
(3) Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident (LPR) status;
(4) Part 2 and Part 5 completed by sponsor and notarized; and
(5) Part 3 or Part 4 and Part 6 completed by the household
member and notarized.
d. Documents for the Principal Immigrant and Accompanying Dependents:
Principal Applicant:
(1) Original Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the
Act and Form I-864-A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household
Member (if needed); must be signed and notarized
(2) One complete set of supporting documents (tax records,
employment letters, etc.) is needed for each principal immigrant;
and
(3) Accompanying Dependents:
(a) Each dependent must have a signed and notarized Form
I-864 Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act and
Form I-864-A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household
Member if needed;
(b ) Copies of the principal's Form I-864 Affidavit of Support Under
Section 213A of the Act and Form I-864-A Contract Between
Sponsor and Household Member may be used, but the
sponsor's and notary's signatures must be original (photocopies
of signatures and notarizations will not be accepted); and
(c ) Copies of supporting documents are not required for
dependents applying for visas or adjustment of status together
with the principal immigrant.
More information about the Poverty Income Guidelines can be found on the
travel website http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_1328.html
Source
http://foia.state.gov/masterdocs/09fam/0940041X1.pdf
