When someone applies for a permanent resident card, or a green card, they have to submit many forms and supporting evidence. One of the forms that some petitioners must fill out is the I-864, Affidavit of Support. This form is filled out by the person petitioning their immigrant relative, or employee. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) uses this document to see whether someone has “enough income and/or assets to maintain the intending immigrants” and the rest of their household.
On August 31, 2026, this form was updated to include a new credit check section for the petitioner. Here’s how these changes may impact you if you are applying for a green card or petitioning for a relative.
This information is not a substitute for legal advice from a qualified attorney or accredited representative.
What is the purpose of the I-864 form?
The I-864, Affidavit of Support, is a form that family members or employers fill out when they are petitioning on behalf of their immigrant relative or employee. This form is a contract between the sponsor and the U.S. government that states that the petitioning relative or employer makes enough money to financially support the immigrant relative or employee so that they do not become dependent on public assistance.
In addition to filing this form, sponsor relatives or petitioners need to provide proof of income, like W-2s, 1099s or bank statements to show they are capable of supporting the person who is applying for a green card. The way USCIS establishes this is by assessing that sponsor relatives or petitioners make above 125% of the poverty guidelines, which can be found here. According to these guidelines, if a household has 4 members, then in order to make above 125% of the poverty guidelines, a sponsor would need to earn over $41,250.
What changed about the I-864 recently?
On August 31, 2026, USCIS published a new edition of form I-864 that, upon signing, would authorize the agency to conduct a credit check on the sponsor. This means that USCIS will be able to ask consumer reporting agencies such as Experion, Equifax, and TransUnion for information about the sponsor’s credit history and score.
Who will be impacted by this change?
Anyone who is about to go through the green card process through a relative, some employers, or some humanitarian-based processes who require a sponsor, will be impacted by this change. The petitioning sponsor will have to consent to USCIS running a credit check for this process. If a potential sponsor has a credit freeze on their account, they will have to temporarily unfreeze their credit so that USCIS can run the report.
Can I still sponsor my relative if I have debt or bad credit?
Immigration lawyer Pedro Chavez recently analyzed this change. “Having a lower credit score, credit card debt, or a past bankruptcy does not automatically disqualify a sponsor,” he wrote.
Instead, whether a petitioning sponsor makes over 125% of the poverty guidelines should still be the main requirement.
How can I prepare for this change?
If you are about to apply for a green card and will need your sponsor to fill out form I-864 as part of that process, you should let them know that they will need to give consent to this credit check.
What should I do if I have a credit freeze?
In the form, USCIS says that if the petitioning sponsor has a credit or security freeze, they may not be able to access the necessary information. “To avoid any delays, you should expeditiously respond to any requests made to release the credit or security freeze,” the agency says.
Where can I get free or low-cost legal help with a green card application in New York City?
If you are looking for free or low-cost immigration legal services, you can check out our guide.
