New Form Lets Some Immigrants Skip Financial Sponsor Paperwork
Published Date: 9/18/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of State wants your thoughts on a new form, DS-864E, which lets some immigrant visa applicants skip the usual financial support paperwork. This affects about 24,000 people who apply for immigrant visas and will take about an hour to complete. You’ve got until November 17, 2026, to share your feedback—no money changes yet, just a chance to shape the process!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
New DS-864E for Exemption Requests
The State Department created a new form, DS-864E, that immigrant visa applicants can use to ask for an exemption from the usual Affidavit of Support (Forms I-864 or I-864EZ). The form will collect basic information (name, address), the reason for the exemption, and supporting documents and will be used to decide whether you do not have to submit Form I-864 or I-864EZ.
Paperwork Burden: 24,000 Applicants, 1 Hour Each
The Department estimates this new form will affect about 24,000 immigrant visa applicants and that each response will take about 1 hour to complete, for a total estimated burden of 24,000 hours. Completion is required to obtain or retain the visa benefit and the form is filed once per application.
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