Affidavit of Support

[Mandi+Ryan 1]

Ok, I have a question. How long is the person that signs the affidavit of support held responsible? I read somewhere about 3 years, and heard 10 years from others. So, what is it? Do they have to live in the same state? Or same area?

[YuAndDan 153]

Ok, I have a question. How long is the person that signs the affidavit of support held responsible? I read somewhere about 3 years, and heard 10 years from others. So, what is it? Do they have to live in the same state? Or same area?

The I-864 is a legally enforceable contract, meaning that either the government, or the sponsored immigrant can take the sponsor to court if the sponsor fails to provide adequate support for the immigrant.

The sponsors responsibility lasts until the immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen (Naturalizes), has earned 40 quarters credited toward Social Security, A quarter is about 3 months or 40 quarters is about 10 years, dies, or permanently leaves the United States.

[Mew 0]

I-134 is not legally binding.

[JenT 0]

I-134 is not legally binding.

Mew is right... as usual. The I-134 only serves to prove that your income is sufficient to prevent the beneficiary from becoming a public charge.

Jen

[rebeccajo 14]

No the sponsor doesn't have to be a relative or live in the same area.

[Yodrak 7]

Mandi,

There is no binding obligation in the case of a non-immigrant visa, so a consular officer has to be comfortable that the person offering to sponsor will in fact put forth the support money should the sponsored alien require it.

The anecdotal evidence is that some consular officers at some consulates are not comfortable with any sponsor who is not a close relative or who does not live close by.

Yodrak

Ok, I have a question. How long is the person that signs the affidavit of support held responsible? I read somewhere about 3 years, and heard 10 years from others. So, what is it? Do they have to live in the same state? Or same area?

Edited September 13, 2006 by Yodrak