A Joint Sponsor is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who agrees to take financial responsibility for an immigrant applying for a Green Card.

This person signs the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) to show the U.S. government that the applicant will not become a public charge.

Who Can Be a Joint Sponsor?

To qualify as a joint sponsor, a person must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder,
• Be at least 18 years old,
• Have a U.S. domicile (live primarily in the United States), and
• Show that their income meets at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for their household size.

When Do You Need a Joint Sponsor?

You need a joint sponsor if your petitioning spouse’s income does not meet the required threshold.

In these cases, the joint sponsor’s income and assets can be combined to meet USCIS requirements.

What Are the Joint Sponsor’s Responsibilities?

The joint sponsor’s obligation is financial, not personal.

They are not responsible for your rent, credit cards, or personal loans.

Their commitment is to support the immigrant only if the immigrant receives certain public benefits.

This obligation continues until one of the following happens:

• The immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen,
• Has worked 40 qualifying quarters (about 10 years),
• Leaves the U.S. permanently, or
• Passes away.

Can There Be More Than One Joint Sponsor?

Yes.

If one joint sponsor’s income is not enough to meet the poverty guideline, a second joint sponsor can be added.

Each joint sponsor must submit a separate Form I-864 with their own financial documents.

Final Thoughts

Finding a joint sponsor can feel intimidating, but understanding the rules makes it much simpler.

At Okanlaw Group, we guide clients through the entire Affidavit of Support process — from identifying a qualified joint sponsor to preparing all required evidence for USCIS.