What is Form I-864A?
Form I-864A, titled "Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member," is a document used in the United States immigration process. It allows a member of the sponsor's household to agree to support an intending immigrant financially. This form essentially forms a legal agreement between the sponsor and a household member, where the household member agrees to use their income and assets to support the immigrant, making themselves jointly liable along with the sponsor for the financial obligations.
Who needs to complete Form I-864A?
Form I-864A should be completed by a household member who wants to help support an immigrant, along with the main sponsor, by combining their income with the sponsor's income to meet the financial requirements set by immigration laws. This often involves spouse, adult children, parents, or siblings living in the same household as the sponsor.
How does Form I-864A differ from Form I-864?
While Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, is an agreement made by the sponsor to provide financial support to the immigrant, Form I-864A is an agreement between a sponsor and another household member who agrees to also support the immigrant. Essentially, Form I-864A allows additional financial resources from the sponsor's household to be considered in meeting the minimum income requirements, extending financial responsibility to other household members.
What are the obligations of a household member who signs Form I-864A?
By signing Form I-864A, a household member agrees to be jointly responsible with the sponsor for the financial support of the sponsored immigrant. This includes ensuring that the immigrant's income level remains at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The household member also becomes jointly liable for reimbursing any agencies that provide means-tested public benefits to the immigrant.
Can Form I-864A be withdrawn after submission?
No, once Form I-864A is submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), it cannot be withdrawn. The financial obligations and liabilities remain effective until the sponsored immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen, has worked 40 qualifying quarters credited towards Social Security, leaves the United States permanently, or passes away.
What happens in the case of divorce between the sponsor and the household member who signed Form I-864A?
The divorce between a sponsor and a household member does not terminate the household member's financial obligations under Form I-864A. The responsibilities continue unaffected by the change in marital status unless one of the conditions for terminating obligations is met.
Are there income requirements for a household member filling out Form I-864A?
Yes, the household member must demonstrate that their income is at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for their household size, including the sponsored immigrant(s). They must also show they have resided with the sponsor and will continue to do so.
What documents are required to accompany Form I-864A?
Required documents include the household member's proof of U.S. citizenship, legal permanent resident status, or U.S. national status; proof of domicile in the United States; proof of income and assets, such as tax returns, W-2s, or pay stubs; and proof of the relationship to the sponsor.
How long does the household member's financial responsibility last?
The financial responsibility of the household member lasts until the immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen, can be credited with 40 qualifying quarters of work (usually 10 years), permanently leaves the United States, or dies. It does not end with divorce or changes in the household member's financial situation.