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Green Card

Affidavit of Support Exemption (Form I-864W)

Claim exemption from financial sponsorship requirements.

We'll guide you through it, step by step

  • ✓Simple questions in plain language — no legal jargon
  • ✓We fill in the official form and check for common mistakes
  • ✓Private — no document uploads

Free to start • No credit card • Official form

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Estimated fee

No government fee

View official fee calculator ↗

Typical timeline

Tied to overall Green Card processing

Category

Green Card

Who qualifies

Intending immigrants with 40 SSA work quarters, children acquiring citizenship upon entry under INA 320, or self-petitioners under VAWA or widow(er) provisions.

The step-by-step roadmap

  1. 1

    Confirm Exemption Grounds

    Determine your legal category: 40 SSA quarters, Child Citizenship Act, or self-petitioning status.

    Watch out: Credits earned through a spouse require continuous marriage during the work period.
    Common rejection reason: Claiming an exemption without meeting the statutory criteria.
  2. 2

    Complete Form I-864W

    Fill out applicant information and check only one applicable exemption reason box.

    Watch out: Selecting multiple exemption reasons can void the submission.
    Common rejection reason: Missing original signature or unchecked reason box.
  3. 3

    Gather Mandatory Evidence

    Obtain certified earnings statements, adoption decrees, or underlying petition approvals.

    Watch out: Online SSA summaries are often rejected; official certified statements are preferred.
    Common rejection reason: Failing to attach SSA itemized earnings statements for work quarter claims.
  4. 4

    Submit with Application

    File Form I-864W together with Form I-485 adjustment of status or via CEAC for consular processing.

    Watch out: Do not file Form I-864W alone; it must accompany an adjustment package.
    Common rejection reason: Filing as a standalone form without a pending immigration case.

Documents you'll need

  • Social Security Earnings Statement

    Certified earnings record from the Social Security Administration proving 40 quarters.

    Note: Spousal or parental credits require marriage or birth certificates.

  • Proof of U.S. Citizen Parentage

    Child's birth certificate, parent's naturalization proof, and physical custody records.

    Note: Required if claiming exemption under the Child Citizenship Act.

  • Form I-360 Approval Notice

    Official USCIS approval notice (Form I-797) for self-petitioning widow(er)s or VAWA applicants.

    Note: Required only for self-petitioning categories.

Ready to start?

Run the free eligibility check first, then get your personalized roadmap and document checklist.

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Fees and timelines are as published by the relevant agency and may change — verify before filing. This guide is general information, not legal advice.