The minimum income required to sponsor a spouse to become a permanent resident in the U.S. is $22,887.
The minimum income required to sponsor a spouse depends on the following factors:
- Your household size
- Number of immigrants you’re sponsoring
- State where you reside
- Current USCIS Poverty Guidelines
The petitioner needs to prove to the U.S. government that the immigrant spouse will have enough financial resources to live in the U.S., without needing help from the government.
The sponsor (US citizen/green card holder) makes this commitment to the US government by submitting Form I-864, Affidavit of Support.
Affidavit of Support serves as a contract between the petitioner and the U.S. government, ensuring that the immigrant will not become a public charge.
We have covered in-depth guides explaining everything you need to know about the Form I-864.
The income requirements will be higher for residents of Alaska and Hawaii as compared to residents of the 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.
Check out our other marriage-based green card guides:
Marriage-Based Green Card Checklist (Non-Citizen Spouse is Abroad)
Marriage-Based Green Card Checklist (Both Spouses in the U.S.)
Marriage Green Card – How Much Does it Cost
How Long Does it Take to Get a Marriage Based Green Card?
Marriage Green Card – Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Income Requirements for Marriage Green Cards in 2022
You must meet certain income requirements (whether you are a sponsor, a joint sponsor, or a substitute sponsor) to submit Form I-864.
- Petitioner is the U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Beneficiary is the foreign spouse being sponsored for a green card
You must show that your household income is equal to or higher than 125% of the U.S. poverty level for your household size.
If petitioner is on active duty in the U.S. military and sponsoring his or her spouse, then your income only needs to equal 100% of the U.S. poverty level for petitioner’s household size.
This amount can be shown through income alone, or through a combination of income and assets.
Every year, USCIS updates its Poverty Guidelines. The tables illustrated below suggest the poverty guidelines, effective beginning Apr. 1, 2021.
These charts provide the details on dollar amount requirements, based on the number of people in the sponsor’s household and the number of family members immigrating.
2022 Minimum Income Requirements for Affidavit of Support
For the 48 Contiguous States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands:
| Sponsor’s Household Size | 100% of HHS Poverty Guidelines* | 125% of HHS Poverty Guidelines* |
|---|---|---|
| For sponsors on active duty in the U.S. armed forces who are petitioning for their spouse or child | For all other sponsors | |
| 2 | $18,310 | $22,887 |
| 3 | $23,030 | $28,787 |
| 4 | $27,750 | $34,687 |
| 5 | $32,470 | $40,587 |
| 6 | $37,190 | $46,487 |
| 7 | $41,910 | $52,387 |
| 8 | $46,630 | $58,287 |
| Add $4,720 for each additional person | Add $5,900 for each additional person |
For Alaska
| Sponsor’s Household Size | 100% of HHS Poverty Guidelines* | 125% of HHS Poverty Guidelines* |
|---|---|---|
| For sponsors on active duty in the U.S. armed forces who are petitioning for their spouse or child | For all other sponsors | |
| 2 | $22,890 | $28,612 |
| 3 | $28,790 | $35,987 |
| 4 | $34,690 | $43,362 |
| 5 | $40,590 | $50,737 |
| 6 | $46,490 | $58,112 |
| 7 | $52,390 | $65,487 |
| 8 | $58,290 | $72,862 |
| Add $5,900 for each additional person | Add $7,375 for each additional person |
For Hawaii:
| Sponsor’s Household Size | 100% of HHS Poverty Guidelines* | 125% of HHS Poverty Guidelines* |
|---|---|---|
| For sponsors on active duty in the U.S. armed forces who are petitioning for their spouse or child | For all other sponsors | |
| 2 | $21,060 | $26,325 |
| 3 | $26,490 | $33,112 |
| 4 | $31,920 | $39,900 |
| 5 | $37,350 | $46,687 |
| 6 | $42,780 | $53,475 |
| 7 | $48,210 | $60,262 |
| 8 | $53,640 | $67,050 |
| Add $5,430 for each additional person | Add $6,787 for each additional person |
Determining the Household Size
As we previously mentioned, the income requirements for a sponsor depends on the sponsor’s household size.
Sponsor’s household size includes:
- You (the sponsor)
- Your foreign spouse (beneficiary)
- Any dependent children under the age of 21
- Any other dependents listed on your most recent Federal income tax return
- Any immigrants previously sponsored with a Form I-864 or Form I-864 EZ, affidavit of support whom you are still obligated to support.
- Any derivative applicants who plan to immigrate within six months.
- Everyone being sponsored in this Affidavit of Support.
What if Marriage Green Card Sponsor Doesn’t Meet the Income Requirements?
If petitioner’s individual annual income is below 125% of the poverty guidelines, then you will need to qualify using your assets OR obtain a joint sponsor.
In case your income is below the requirements, you can do any of the following:
- Use income from any relatives or dependents living in your household, or dependents listed on your most recent Federal, income tax return who need to sign Form I-864A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member
- Income from the immigrant spouse, ONLY if that income will continue from the same source after immigration.
- The value of your assets, the assets of any household member who has signed Form I-864A, or the assets of the intending immigrants, or
- A joint sponsor whose income and/or assets equal at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Note: Your annual income is the same figure as the “Total income” line on your most recent U.S. federal (not state) income tax return.
Using Income and Assets of Relatives and Household Members
In case you do not meet the income requirements to sponsor your foreign spouse, you may use the income and assets of members of your household members. They must be related to you by birth, marriage, or adoption.
This means you can use the income of your family members living in your residence to supplement the income required to sponsor a spouse.
You can use your family members’ income ONLY if you have listed them as dependents on your most recent federal tax return or they must have lived with you for the last 6 months.
The qualifying household members are required to complete and sign Form I-864A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member.
Once all these conditions are satisfied, your qualifying household members can help you to meet the income requirements.
Using Immigrant Spouse’s Income to Meet Financial Requirements
You may also use your foreign spouse’s income to help you meet the income requirements.
Even though this option is allowed by the government, expect that a Request for Evidence (RFE) will be issued in this case.
The foreign spouse can contribute his/her income to meet the requirements ONLY IF their income will continue to come from the same source after the foreign spouse obtains a green card.
Using Assets to Meet the Income Requirements
If your total household income is still not enough to meet the minimum annual income requirement, you can use your assets.
Besides using your own assets you can also include your household members’ assets to meet the income requirements if:
- They are related to you by birth, marriage, or adoption.
- You must have them listed as dependents on your most recent federal tax return or they must have lived with you for the last 6 months.
What assets can I use?
You may use assets to supplement if the monetary value of the asset could reasonably be made available to support the immigrant and converted to cash within one year without undue harm to the sponsor or his or her family members.
To determine the amount of assets required to qualify, you need to subtract your household income from the minimum income requirement (125% of the poverty level for your family size).
If you are a U.S. citizen and you want to sponsor your spouse or a child under 21, you need to prove that the cash value of your assets is worth three times this difference (the amount leftover).
These assets can include:
- Savings (preferred)
- Stocks (preferred)
- Bonds (preferred)
- Certificates of deposit (preferred)
- Mutual fund investments (preferred)
- Property (both real estate and other forms of property)
You may also add assets that include items like a house or a second vehicle, only if you can sell it.
You may not include a car unless you show that you own at least one other working car that you have not included.
You must keep in mind subtracting debts, mortgages, and liens before writing down their value.
Only those assets that can be converted into cash within one year and without considerable hardship or financial loss to the owner can be used.
Proof of assets must be provided.
Information on any liens and/or liabilities relating to these assets must be also submitted.
Using a Joint Sponsor to Meet Income Requirements
If the petitioning sponsor does not meet the income requirements, a joint sponsor who can meet the requirements may submit a Form I-864 to sponsor your immigrant spouse.
The joint sponsor is willing to accept the legal responsibilities for supporting your spouse.
A joint sponsor can be any person who meets the following requirements:
- U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or U.S. national
- At least 18 years of age
- Domiciled in the United States
- Meets the income requirements, and
- Willing to be held jointly liable with the petitioner for the support of the intending immigrant.
A joint sponsor does not have to be related to the petitioning sponsor or the intending immigrant.
The joint sponsor must meet the minimum annual income of 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for their household size.
A joint sponsor must be able to meet the income requirements for all the persons he or she is sponsoring without combining resources with the petitioning sponsor or a second joint sponsor.
Note: Even if one or more Form I-864s are submitted for the immigrant spouse, the petitioning sponsor remains legally accountable for the financial support of the sponsored immigrant.
The petitioning sponsor must complete and submit a signed Form I-864 for the intending immigrant even if a joint sponsor will be used.
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