Can I use assets instead of income for the I-864?
Yes. If your income is below 125 percent of the poverty guidelines, you can make up the difference with assets such as cash, stocks, or real estate equity that can be converted to cash within one year.
How much in assets do I need?
Assets must generally be worth 5 times the income shortfall. For a sponsor whose immigrant is the spouse or child of a US citizen, assets need only be worth 3 times the shortfall.
Liquid or readily convertible assets: bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and the net equity in real estate or other property. You must document ownership and value, and the assets must be available to support the immigrant.
Can I add a joint sponsor instead?
Yes. Instead of relying on assets, you can add a qualifying joint sponsor who is a US citizen or permanent resident and independently meets the 125 percent income requirement for their own household.