In August–September 2026, Form I-864 Affidavit of Support underwent significant changes that every petitioner and joint sponsor must understand.

1. Latest Updates to Form I-864

• On August 31, 2026, USCIS released the new edition dated 08/24/26.
• The previous edition (10/17/24) remains acceptable until September 30, 2026.
• Starting October 1, 2026, only the 08/24/26 edition will be accepted.

Biggest change:
The new form includes a Privacy Release that authorizes USCIS and the Department of State to request information from consumer reporting agencies, including credit reports and credit scores.

If a sponsor or joint sponsor has a credit or security freeze, they must lift it promptly upon request to avoid delays.

2. How Does Public Charge Affect the I-864?

A new public charge framework takes effect on September 18, 2026 (for Form I-485 filed on or after that date).

• Officers evaluate the totality of the circumstances: age, health, family status, assets/resources/financial status, education, and skills.
• A sufficient Form I-864 remains mandatory and highly important. An insufficient I-864 is usually fatal to the case.
• Meeting the 125% Federal Poverty Guidelines does not automatically eliminate public charge concerns. Officers may still examine other factors such as expensive chronic medical conditions, work history, or overall self-sufficiency.

Consular officers overseas have also increased scrutiny under the same public charge principles.

3. What Should the Petitioner Prepare Before the Case Reaches NVC?

Prepare early:

• IRS Tax Transcripts (strongly preferred) or tax returns + W-2s for the most recent year(s)
• Employment verification letter and recent pay stubs
• Evidence of assets (if using assets to supplement income)
• Proof of U.S. domicile
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status

It is also wise to review your own credit report in advance and be ready to lift any freeze if requested.

4. Joint Sponsor (Co-signer) – Who Should You Choose?

Requirements for a Joint Sponsor:

• U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, at least 18 years old
• Domiciled in the United States
• Must independently meet 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for their own household size plus the intending immigrant(s)
• No family relationship is required

Responsibilities of a Joint Sponsor are serious:

• Equally and independently liable with the petitioner
• Can be sued for reimbursement if the sponsored immigrant receives means-tested public benefits
• Obligation continues until the immigrant naturalizes, earns 40 qualifying quarters, dies, or abandons LPR status
• Must report address changes (Form I-865) within 30 days

Strong recommendation from Truong Legal:
Prefer close family members whenever possible. Friends, colleagues, or neighbors face higher scrutiny regarding the genuineness of the relationship and the long-term commitment.

5. Will Credit Be Checked? All Cases or Randomly?

• The new form gives USCIS/NVC the authority to request credit reports.
• Not every case will automatically receive a full credit pull, nor is it purely random. Officers may request it when they need a deeper assessment of financial reliability.
• No minimum credit score has been published. A low score alone does not automatically disqualify a sponsor, but it can be a negative factor when combined with marginal income or other concerns.

Advice from Truong Legal

Form I-864 is no longer just about meeting the income number. With tighter public charge rules and the new credit-report authorization, careful preparation is essential.

Contact Truong Legal for:

• Income and public charge risk assessment
• Guidance on selecting and preparing a joint sponsor
• Relationship explanations for non-relative joint sponsors
• Full review of the I-864 package before submission to NVC

Act early to avoid delays and strengthen your case.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. 1. When does the new Form I-864 become mandatory?
      Only the 08/24/26 edition is accepted starting October 1, 2026. The old edition can still be used until September 30, 2026.
   2. If the sponsor meets 125% of the poverty guidelines, is public charge no longer a concern?
      No. Officers still evaluate the totality of the circumstances.
   3. Can joint sponsors have their credit checked?
      Yes. The new form authorizes USCIS to request credit information from both the petitioner and any joint sponsor.
   4. Is it better to use a family member or a friend as joint sponsor?
      Family members are significantly safer and face less questioning.
   5. What should the petitioner prepare before the case goes to NVC?
      Tax transcripts, employment letters, asset evidence (if needed), and readiness to address any credit freeze requests.

Truong Legal – Helping you build a strong Affidavit of Support in a more rigorous regulatory environment.