An affidavit of sponsorship is a sworn statement in which one person – the sponsor – takes financial responsibility for another person for a specific purpose. Embassies, universities and event organisers ask for it when they want assurance that a visit or stay is financially secured.
In this guide we cover when you need one, how it differs from similar documents, what it must contain, and how to get it notarized online.
What Is an Affidavit of Sponsorship?
An affidavit of sponsorship is a sworn financial commitment. The sponsor declares, under oath, that they will cover specified costs for the beneficiary – travel, accommodation, tuition or living expenses.
The same document goes by several names: sponsorship letter for a visa, immigration letter of support, or letter of financial support. What makes it an affidavit is that it is sworn before an authorised official, which gives it legal weight that an ordinary letter does not have.
Receiving authorities rely on it because a false sworn statement has legal consequences for the sponsor.
Affidavit of Sponsorship vs Affidavit of Support
The two are often confused, but they are different documents. An affidavit of sponsorship is the general, flexible document used for visits, studies and events worldwide.
An Affidavit of Support (USCIS Form I-864) is a legally defined contract used in US family-based immigration, where the sponsor’s obligations are set by law and enforceable by the US government.
For some temporary US stays there is a third document: Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, which USCIS uses for visitors and certain parole programs. If a US authority names a specific form, use that form – the general affidavit of sponsorship covers the situations where no fixed form exists.
When Do You Need an Affidavit of Sponsorship?
The three most common situations are visitor visa applications, student applications and family visits or events.
Visitor and tourist visas
Embassies ask for a sponsorship affidavit when the applicant’s own finances do not cover the stay. Several European countries have their own formal versions – Germany’s Verpflichtungserklärung for Schengen visits is one example – so always check what the specific embassy requires.
A sponsorship affidavit is often submitted together with a letter of invitation from the host.
Student applications
Universities may request proof of sponsorship before issuing admission documents to international students, and student visa applications often require evidence that tuition and living costs are covered.
The affidavit typically names the academic programme, the duration of study and exactly which costs the sponsor undertakes to pay.
Family visits and events
Event organisers and conference hosts sometimes require sponsorship affidavits for invited international guests, and family members frequently sponsor relatives for weddings, graduations and longer visits.
Who Can Be a Sponsor?
For a general affidavit of sponsorship, anyone with the financial means to cover the stated costs can act as sponsor – a relative, friend, employer or host organisation. Unlike US family-based immigration, the sponsor does not have to be a family member.
The receiving authority decides what evidence of income or assets the sponsor must attach, and whether it accepts sponsors living outside its own country.
How Much Income Does a Sponsor Need?
For a general sponsorship affidavit there is no universal income threshold – the embassy, university or organisation assesses whether the sponsor’s finances realistically cover the stated costs.
The exception is US family-based immigration: for Form I-864, the sponsor must generally show income of at least 125 % of the US Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Whatever the situation, the sworn statement is only as strong as the evidence behind it – recent bank statements, an employment letter or tax returns are usually expected.
What to Include
State the sponsor’s full name, the beneficiary’s name, and their relationship.
Specify the purpose and length of the stay, and exactly which costs the sponsor undertakes to cover – travel, accommodation, tuition, living expenses or medical insurance.
Attach the evidence the receiving authority asks for. A sworn statement without supporting documents is rarely enough.
How to Write an Affidavit of Sponsorship
Open with the sponsor’s full legal name, address and occupation, and identify the beneficiary in the same way.
Describe the relationship, the purpose of the stay and its dates, then list the specific costs the sponsor commits to covering.
Close with a sworn declaration that the statements are true, and sign before a Notary Public. You can start from our affidavit form and have the finished document ready in minutes.
Does It Need to Be Notarized?
In most cases, yes. Embassies and institutions require the sponsor’s identity to be verified and the signature to be witnessed.
Because sponsorship affidavits almost always cross borders, an Apostille is often required on top of the notarization.
With NotaryPublic24 the sponsor completes both steps online: upload the affidavit, verify identity with a photo ID, and receive the notarized document within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an affidavit of sponsorship and an affidavit of support?
An affidavit of sponsorship is the general document used for visits, studies and events worldwide. An affidavit of support is the formalised document used in US family-based immigration, where the sponsor’s obligations are defined by law.
Is a sponsorship letter the same as an affidavit of sponsorship?
They serve the same purpose, but a sponsorship letter becomes an affidavit only when it is sworn before an authorised official. Many embassies and universities specifically require the sworn, notarized version.
Who can be a sponsor?
Anyone with the financial means to cover the stated costs – typically a relative, employer, friend or host organisation. For general sponsorship the sponsor does not need to be a family member; the receiving authority decides what evidence of income or assets must be attached.
How much income does a sponsor need?
There is no universal threshold for a general sponsorship affidavit – the receiving authority judges whether the sponsor’s finances cover the stated costs. US family-based immigration is the exception, where Form I-864 generally requires income of at least 125 % of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Do I need Form I-134 or an affidavit of sponsorship for a US visitor visa?
If the US authority asks for Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, use that form. The general affidavit of sponsorship is used when no specific form is prescribed, or when the receiving country has no fixed template.
Does an affidavit of sponsorship need to be notarized?
Usually, yes. Embassies and universities require the sponsor’s identity to be verified, and for use in another country an Apostille is often needed as well.