If you’re sponsoring someone to immigrate to the United States and your income alone doesn’t meet the required financial threshold, you’ll need to complete not only Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) but also Form I-864A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member. This additional form demonstrates that an eligible household member is willing to combine their financial resources—such as income and/or assets—with yours to satisfy the government’s minimum financial support requirements.
At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys can guide you step by step through the Form I-864A process, explaining how household members and joint sponsors can help meet income standards. Our team ensures your application is accurate, compliant, and ready for submission—making the family immigration process smooth and efficient.
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Understanding Form I-864A
When sponsoring a relative or spouse to obtain a U.S. green card, you are required to accept financial responsibility for them until they either become a U.S. citizen or have completed 40 qualifying quarters of work (approximately 10 years). If your personal income is below 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for your household size, you may include a household member’s income or assets—provided they agree to share financial liability—by filing Form I-864A along with your Form I-864.
Example: Suppose a U.S. citizen is sponsoring their fiancé from Brazil, but their income falls short of the financial requirement. If that petitioner lives with a working relative, such as an adult child, who agrees to combine income and share responsibility, the household member can submit Form I-864A together with the sponsor’s Form I-864.
If the immigrant later receives public financial assistance, both the sponsor and household member may be legally responsible for repaying those funds. Because the liability under the Affidavit of Support is joint and several, either one could be required to repay the entire amount if the government so decides.
Start your application today with Green Card Link—our experienced immigration attorneys make the process straightforward and stress-free.
Who Qualifies as an Eligible Household Member?
Not everyone can sign Form I-864A. To qualify as a household member for sponsorship purposes, the individual must be at least 18 years old and meet one of the following criteria:
- Be the parent, spouse, adult child, or sibling of the main sponsor and share the same primary residence; or
- Be lawfully claimed as a dependent on the sponsor’s most recent federal tax return (even if living separately).
In certain cases, the intending immigrant’s own lawful income can count toward the household income, provided the immigrant lives with the sponsor and can demonstrate that the income will continue legally after receiving permanent residency. Multiple household members may contribute, but each must complete a separate Form I-864A.
If you’re considering sponsoring your family member for permanent residency, Green Card Link can help you file every form correctly and on time.
Joint Sponsor vs. Household Member
A joint sponsor differs from a household member. While both take on legal financial responsibility, a joint sponsor must independently meet the 125% income requirement without combining resources with the main sponsor. Joint sponsors are not required to be related to the immigrant but must file their own Form I-864—not Form I-864A.
Step-by-Step Guide to Completing Form I-864A
Form I-864A includes eight sections, each requiring accurate and detailed information. All responses must be typed or printed in black ink, and the section marked For Government Use Only should remain blank. If you work with an immigration attorney at Green Card Link, they will complete the attorney section, including the required bar information.
Section 1: Information About the Household Member
Provide your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security Number (if any), mailing and physical addresses, place of birth, and USCIS online account number.
Section 2: Relationship to the Sponsor
Indicate how you are related to the main sponsor—whether as their spouse, child, parent, or other dependent—and check the corresponding box.
Section 3: Employment and Income
List your current employment status and annual income. If you’re self-employed or retired, specify accordingly.
Section 4: Tax Information and Assets
Indicate whether you filed federal tax returns in the past three years. Attach a copy or transcript of your most recent tax return, along with any W-2s or 1099s. You may include additional years if they strengthen your case. If you are contributing assets, list their value here.
Section 5: Sponsor’s Declaration and Signature
The main sponsor must certify their agreement to support the immigrant and provide identifying information for each sponsored person, including their name, date of birth, and Alien Registration Number.
Section 6: Household Member’s Declaration and Signature
The household member agrees to share financial responsibility for the immigrant and confirms understanding of key legal obligations, including:
- Maintaining support at or above 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
- Being jointly and severally liable for any reimbursement owed to federal, state, or local agencies
- Certifying that all tax return copies submitted are true and unaltered
- Acknowledging continued liability even if a marriage ends or if the immigrant later becomes self-supporting
Section 7 & 8: Interpreter or Preparer Information
If an interpreter or preparer helped complete the form, their name, business, and contact details must be provided.
Section 9: Additional Information
Use this section for clarifications or extra space as needed.Documents to Include:
- A copy of the sponsor’s most recent federal income tax return or IRS transcript
- Supporting W-2s or 1099s
- Up to three years of tax returns, if helpful
At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys will ensure every document and signature meets USCIS standards—helping maximize your green card approval chances.
Frequently Asked Questions About Form I-864A and Sponsorship Requirements
What is considered your household size?
Your household size includes yourself, your dependents, any relatives living with you, and the intending immigrant. Calculating this number accurately is crucial, as it determines your minimum income requirement for sponsoring an immigrant under U.S. immigration law.
Who qualifies as a sponsor?
A sponsor must be an individual — typically the petitioning relative — who agrees to financially support the intending immigrant. In some cases, a substitute sponsor or a joint sponsor may take this role if the original petitioner cannot fulfill the obligation. However, it’s important to note that businesses, organizations, or corporations cannot act as sponsors; only individuals are eligible.
What is the minimum income required to sponsor an immigrant?
The minimum income requirement depends on the size of your household, including you, your dependents, and the immigrant you plan to sponsor. According to the 2021 U.S. Poverty Guidelines, a household of four, for example, must earn at least $33,125 (125% of the federal poverty level) to qualify. These numbers vary slightly for residents of Alaska and Hawaii. For the most accurate and current income thresholds, refer to the official HHS Poverty Guidelines.
What if I don’t meet the income requirements?
If you’re unable to meet the minimum income threshold, an immigration attorney at Green Card Link can review your situation and help identify alternative solutions. Some options include:
- Using the cash value of your assets, such as savings, bonds, or property.
- Adding an eligible household member to combine your income for sponsorship purposes.
- Counting the income or assets of certain relatives in your household who are related to you by birth, marriage, or adoption (provided they are listed as dependents on your most recent tax return and have lived with you for the past six months).
- Including the assets of the immigrant you are sponsoring.
Can my roommate sign Form I-864A?
Generally, no. A roommate cannot sign Form I-864A unless they are your spouse, parent, adult child, or sibling, or are lawfully claimed as a dependent on your most recent federal tax return. Only qualifying household members may legally contribute income to the affidavit of support.
If I include the immigrant as a household member, do they need to file Form I-864A?
If the intending immigrant’s income is combined with the sponsor’s income on Form I-864, the immigrant only needs to file Form I-864A if they have accompanying dependents. However, if only the immigrant’s assets (and not their income) are included, they generally do not need to file Form I-864A, even if dependents are present.
What is the USCIS filing fee for Form I-864A?
There is no filing fee for submitting Form I-864A to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Will I need to attend an interview with USCIS?
In some cases, USCIS may require an interview or request additional steps such as fingerprinting, photos, or extra documentation to verify your identity and eligibility. An immigration attorney at Green Card Link can help you prepare for any potential interviews or evidence requests to ensure a smooth process.
How Green Card Link Can Help
Avoid costly mistakes or delays that could lead to a denial of your immigration application. The immigration attorneys at Green Card Link are experienced in guiding clients through every step of the Form I-864A sponsorship process, including income calculations, documentation review, and form preparation.
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Don’t risk a denial due to miscalculations or incomplete paperwork. Contact Green Card Link to speak with an experienced immigration professional who can help you complete your Affidavit of Support correctly and confidently.