Edition check: All three forms are now the 08/24/26 edition. The older 10/17/24 edition of Form I-864 is no longer accepted — see what changed in the new I-864 edition.
All three forms support the same goal: showing that a sponsored immigrant has enough financial backing and won’t rely on public benefits. The one you file depends on how many people you’re sponsoring and whose income you’re counting. Once you know your household size and income, the free I-864 calculator tells you instantly whether you qualify — start there, then pick your form below.
Quick answer: pick your situation
| Your situation | Form to file | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You are the petitioner, sponsoring only ONE immigrant, and your income from your own salary or pension (shown on a W-2) alone meets the requirement | I-864EZ | Shortest version. No household members, no assets, no self-employment income. |
| The standard case — most sponsors, or any case that does not fit every EZ condition | I-864 | The full Affidavit of Support. Handles multiple immigrants, assets, and combined income. |
| You need to add the income of someone in your household (or the immigrant) to qualify | I-864 + I-864A | The household member signs an I-864A to make their income countable and share liability. |
| A separate person is stepping in because you fall short on your own | Their own I-864 (joint sponsor) | A joint sponsor files a full I-864 and must qualify alone — never an I-864EZ. |
Form I-864 — the full Affidavit of Support
This is the standard form, filed by the sponsor (usually the petitioner who filed Form I-130) for most family-based and some employment-based immigrants. It’s the one to use whenever your case involves more than one immigrant, uses assets to make up a shortfall, or combines income from more than one person. It requires 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for your household size — see the current figures on the I-864P 2026 poverty guidelines chart, or read how much income you need to sponsor by scenario.
Form I-864EZ — the short version
The EZ is a genuinely simpler form, but it has strict eligibility. You may use it only when all of the following are true:
- You are the petitioner who filed Form I-130 for the immigrant.
- You are sponsoring only one person on this affidavit.
- Your income by itself — from your own salary or pension, shown on one or more Forms W-2 — meets the requirement, with no need to count assets or anyone else’s income. (Self-employment income reported on a 1099 or Schedule C does not qualify for the EZ — use the full I-864 instead.)
If even one of these doesn’t apply, use the full I-864. Not sure your income alone is enough? Run your numbers in the calculator first.
Form I-864A — contract with a household member
Form I-864A isn’t a separate affidavit — it’s an add-on. When the sponsor’s own income falls short, a member of the sponsor’s household (such as a spouse or adult child living with them) can sign an I-864A so their income counts toward the total. It’s always filed together with the sponsor’s I-864, and the household member accepts joint financial responsibility by signing it.
This is different from bringing in a joint sponsor, who is a separate person meeting the full requirement on their own. If you’re still short even with household income, review using assets to bridge the gap.
A note on I-864W
Some immigrants don’t need an Affidavit of Support at all — for example, those who have already earned 40 qualifying quarters of work. In those cases a different request applies rather than the I-864. When in doubt, confirm your specific requirement on the official USCIS form page or with an attorney.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the shorter Form I-864EZ?
Only if all three are true: you are the petitioner who filed Form I-130, you are sponsoring just one person on this affidavit, and your income by itself — from your own salary or pension, shown on one or more Forms W-2 — meets the requirement. If your income is from self-employment (reported on a Form 1099 or Schedule C), or you rely on assets, a household member’s income, or are sponsoring more than one person, you must use the full Form I-864.
What is the difference between Form I-864A and a joint sponsor?
An I-864A is signed by a member of your own household (for example, your spouse or an adult child living with you) so their income can be added to yours. A joint sponsor is a separate person who does not combine income with you at all — they must meet 125% of the poverty guidelines entirely on their own and file their own full Form I-864.
Is Form I-864A filed on its own?
No. Form I-864A is never a standalone affidavit. It is always filed together with a sponsor’s Form I-864, as a contract between the sponsor and the household member whose income is being used.
Which form does a joint sponsor use?
A joint sponsor always files a full Form I-864 (not I-864EZ), because they are sponsoring someone who is not their own petitioned relative and must document their income and status independently.
Which edition of these forms should I use?
All three — Forms I-864, I-864EZ, and I-864A — are now the 08/24/26 edition, published by USCIS on Aug. 31, 2026. There is no grace period: USCIS will not process or accept the older 10/17/24 edition of Form I-864 if it is postmarked or electronically submitted on or after Aug. 31, 2026. Download a fresh copy from uscis.gov and check the edition date printed at the bottom of each page.