If you want to meet the income requirements for a green card sponsor, you may need to consider form I-864A for household income. In order to act as a sponsor, you will have to fill out an affidavit of support for your family member before they can get access to a green card. There are certain requirements attached to this, but the good news is that there are some alternatives you can use if you don’t meet the income requirements on your own. Keep reading to find out what form I-864A for a household income is and why you may need it.
What Is Form I-864A?
If you have an immigrant family member who wants to come to the United States to obtain a green card, you can act as their sponsor. By acting as their sponsor, you will have to fill out an affidavit of support for your family member, showing that you can financially support them. This ensures that those immigrating to the United States will not become a financial burden on the government.
However, it is common for sponsors not to have the financial means to meet the income requirements. If that is the case, you can file form I-864A for a household income, which is an affidavit of support with a joint sponsor. This allows a household member to combine their income with yours as a joint sponsor to meet the financial requirements.
For a household member to qualify as a joint sponsor, they must be at least 18 years old and they must be living in the same household as the main sponsor. Here are some examples of who could qualify as a household member:
- Spouse
- Children
- Siblings
- Dependents
Also, it is possible for the intending immigrant to add their name to form I-864A in order to help their sponsor meet the income requirements. For this to be possible, they must prove that they have the intention of living with the sponsor once they come to the U.S. and that their income will come from a lawful source.
To prove that their income is lawful, the immigrant may need to provide supporting documents such as paystub’s, W-2s or 1099 forms, federal tax returns or IRS tax transcripts, or employment verification letters.
Legal Responsibility of a Joint Sponsor or Household Member
Becoming a joint sponsor can be a big financial responsibility. After all, the joint sponsor or household member will have all of the same legal responsibilities as the main sponsor. This means that they will be taking on legal responsibility for supporting the immigrant once they come to the United States.
When a joint sponsor signs form I-864A, they are agreeing to support the immigrant until:
- They become a U.S. citizen
- They have 40 qualifying quarters of work
- They leave the U.S. permanently
- They pass away
Because acting as a sponsor is a legal obligation, it is enforceable. Because of this, the immigrant has the right to sue you for financial support if you fail to provide the required financial assistance. This could also put you at risk of supporting the immigrant even if they don’t want to work or are unable to work.
It’s also worth mentioning that more than one household member can add their name to form I-864A in order to meet the income requirement. But each household member has to complete their own form and sign the contract together. They will also need to provide their own supporting documents establishing things like residency, income, and relationship to the sponsor.
How to File Form I-864A
Because the income requirements for a green card sponsor can be difficult to meet, having a joint sponsor can be the best solution. If this is the case for your situation, you can move forward with filing form I-864A for a household income. Like any other immigration form, you’ll need to fill out this form thoroughly and accurately, as well as provide supporting documentation.
The type of supporting documents you need to include with form I-864A will be dependent on who the household member is. However, here are some of the more basic types of documentation you need to provide that apply to most joint sponsors:
- Proof of joint residence
- The signed form I-864A
- The joint sponsors federal tax return or IRS tax transcripts
- Proof of relationship between family members, if applicable
- Copy of marriage certificate, if applicable
- Copy of adoption records, if applicable
- W-2 or 1099 forms for the most recent year
Before you move forward with submitting form I-864A, it is essential that you first hire an immigration attorney. An attorney will have the experience needed to ensure you file all of the necessary forms correctly and provide the right supporting documents. This can help you avoid running into lengthy delays or requests for additional evidence.
Hire an Immigration Attorney Today
Are you wondering when to file form I-864A or who can act as a joint sponsor? Contact us today at U.S. Immigration Law Counsel at 800-666-4996 to speak with an immigration attorney about your situation. We will deal with the government, so you don’t have to!
FAQ Section
Can my roommate file Form I-864A for me?
No, for a household member to act as a joint sponsor, they must be related by blood, adoption, or marriage. The only exception to this is if the joint sponsor is a dependent, which would make them acceptable as a joint sponsor.
Is Form I-864A required if I already have a joint sponsor?
You may not have to file form I-864A if you are already sponsoring an immigrant with the help of a joint sponsor. This is only necessary if you need their help to meet the income requirement, as this combines their income with your own.
Can more than one household member file Form I-864A?
Yes, you could have more than one joint sponsor file form I-864A as long as they each meet the sponsor requirements. Keep in mind that only two joint sponsors can be used per family unit under the same petition.
