Form I-864 is the main Affidavit of Support from the primary sponsor, while Form I-864A is a contract used by a household member (like a spouse, parent, or child living with the sponsor) to combine their income or assets with the sponsors to meet financial requirements. The key difference is that the I-864A is an attachment to the I-864, used when the primary sponsor alone cant meet the income threshold, allowing a qualifying relative to share the financial responsibility. Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) Who files: The primary sponsor (petitioner or joint sponsor). Purpose: To promise financial support for the immigrant. Requirement: Must meet income guidelines based on their own income and household size. Joint Sponsor: A separate I-864 is used by a joint sponsor who must qualify independently and cannot combine income with the primary sponsor, notes this YouTube video. Form I-864A (Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member) Who files: A household member (spouse, parent, child, etc., who lives with the sponsor or is claimed as a dependent). Purpose: To make their income/assets available to help the primary sponsor meet the I-864 requirements. Attachment: Must be submitted with the sponsors Form I-864. Key Detail: Each household member whose income/assets are used must sign a separate I-864A. Obligation: The household member shares the same legal obligation as the sponsor, ending when the sponsors obligation ends. When to Use Which Sponsor alone qualifies: Only Form I-864 is needed. Sponsor needs help (from family living with them): Sponsor files I-864; qualifying household members file separate I-864As. Sponsor needs help (from someone unrelated/not living with them): A separate Form I-864 is filed by a joint sponsor (not an I-864A). AI can make mistakes, so double-check responsesForm I-864A, Instructions for Contract Between Sponsor and Household Form I-864A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member, is an attachment to Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213USCIS (.gov)I-864A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member - USCISOct 23, 2025 ALERT: USCIS reminds individuals who have signed and submitted Form I-864A on behalf of an alien that they face seriouUSCIS (.gov)