Marriage Green Card Income Requirements – Complete Guide

Last updated: August 12, 2025.

By Asel Williams, Esq. · Columbia Law School · Licensed immigration attorney

The minimum income required for a marriage-based green card application is $26,437 /per year.

The actual amount of income required depends on the following factors:

• Sponsor’s household size
• Sponsor’s state of residence (income requirements are higher in Alaska and Hawaii)

Income requirements get updated every year in March-April and are available on the USCIS website.

All marriage-based green card applicants are required to provide proof of sponsor’s (petitioner’s) income with the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864).

• If applicant is located in the U.S., proof of sponsor’s income must be submitted with Form I-485 application
• If applicant is located outside the U.S., proof of sponsor’s income must be submitted with the National Visa Center application (Form DS-260)

Only sponsor (petitioner) must provide proof of their income.

In marriage-based immigration applications, the US citizen or permanent resident spouse who filed Form I-130 is referred to as “Petitioner”.

Beneficiary (spouse applying for a green card) is not required to submit proof of income.

Petitioner’s income for the most recent year will be taken into consideration. If petitioner fails to demonstrate that they earn the minimum income, the green card application will be denied.

Watch Our Client’s Success Story – From Parole to Green Card in 9 Months:

Introduction
Securing a marriage-based green card can feel overwhelming, but our client’s story proves it’s possible to navigate the U.S. immigration system efficiently with the right guidance.

The Starting Line: CBP One Entry
In September 2023, the client entered the U.S. via the CBP One mobile app—setting the wheels in motion for the green card process.

Building the Case: Marriage-Based Petition
Once married to a U.S. citizen, the client filed Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) and Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) simultaneously—streamlining the process under the “AOS” procedure.

Efficient Timeline
Over nine months, the couple:

1. Filed the complete application packet

2. Attended biometrics and the in-person marriage interview

3. Received the green card approval

This marks a notably swift approval for a marriage-based case.

Why It Mattered

• Professional Support: The immigration attorney’s preparation—organizing evidence, preparing clients for the interview—was key to success.

What You Can Learn

1. File I-130 and I-485 together if eligible—it can reduce wait times.

2. Document your relationship thoroughly: joint finances, photos, affidavits, and shared residence.

3. Prep for the interview early—knowing each other’s history, daily routine, and relationship narrative makes a difference.

Final Word

This nine-month green card approval showcases how strategy, preparation, and timely filings can lead to success. If you’re navigating a similar route, consider legal guidance—and don’t underestimate the impact of a well-documented, organized application.

Marriage green card income requirements in 2025

The table below (Form I-864P) illustrates the minimum income requirements that sponsor must demonstrate to successfully complete a marriage green card application.

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:

For Alaska: 

For Hawaii:

How to count sponsor’s household size

When calculating the sponsor’s minimum income required, you must correctly count the sponsor’s household size. The following individuals must be included:

• Sponsor
• Sponsor’s spouse (beneficiary)
• Sponsor’s all children under age of 21 (whether residing with sponsor or separately)
• Sponsor’s dependents claimed on the most recent tax return
• Other immigrants sponsored in the past by filing Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support). If immigrants already obtained US citizenship, do not count them
• Other immigrants being sponsored now

Learn more: How to Count Household Size for I-864 (Affidavit of Support)

How many tax returns does sponsor need to provide?

Only the federal tax return for the most recent tax year is required, along with all applicable W-2 and/or 1099 form(s). Sponsors can submit tax returns for the most recent 3 years (however it’s optional).

• For example, if submitting Affidavit of Support before 04/15/2025, provide the 2023 federal tax return
• If submitting Affidavit of Support after 04/15/2025, provide the 2024 federal tax return

What to do if sponsor didn’t file a federal tax return?

If sponsor didn’t file a federal tax return (for example, due to low income or residing outside the US), a written explanation must be provided by sponsor on reasons behind the non-filing. See below a template you can use:

123 Main Street

Apt. 3

New York, NY 10001 [your address]

March 12, 2025 [date]

USCIS

Attn: AOS

P.O. Box 805887

Chicago, IL 60680 [enter the address of the USCIS service center that will process Form I-485 application or the US Embassy/Consulate where the applicant will attend the interview]

Re: I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA

Petitioning sponsor: [petitioner’s full name]

Beneficiary: [beneficiary’s name]

To Whom It May Concern:

 I have not submitted a copy of my Federal Income Tax Return for the most recent year because I was not required to file one. 

According to IRS Form 1040 and 1040-SR Instructions, Filing Requirements, Chart A, I was not required to file a federal tax return for 2024 because [provide your reasons, you can use the free IRS online tool to determine your reason for non-filing]:

• My filing status was single as of 12/31/2024;
• I was under 65 as of 12/31/2024, and
• My gross income in 2024 was less than $12,200.

Thank you for the time taken in this case.

Sincerely,

[petitioner’s full name]

[petitioner’s signature]

What to do if sponsor doesn’t meet the minimum income requirements?

If sponsor doesn’t meet the minimum income requirements, the following options are available:

• Obtaining a joint sponsor (co-sponsor)
• Using sponsor’s assets
• Using sponsor’s household member’s income and/or assets
• Using intending immigrant’s income
• Using intending immigrant’s assets

Let’s discuss each option in detail.

Obtaining a joint sponsor

If sponsor doesn’t meet the minimum income requirements, you can obtain a joint sponsor. Joint sponsor eligibility criteria:

• US citizen or permanent resident
• Domiciled in the US (meaning that joint sponsor permanently resides in the U.S.)
• Earns minimum income 

Note: a joint sponsor doesn’t have to be related to sponsor or immigrant being sponsored. 

Joint sponsor’s minimum income amount depends on the joint sponsor’s household size and state of residence. So you can use the same USCIS Poverty Guidelines provided above.

Joint sponsor must provide the following documents:

• A separate signed and dated Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA
• Proof of immigration status:
  • If joint sponsor is a US citizen (at least one of the following documents: US birth certificate, unexpired US passport, naturalization certificate, US citizenship certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad)
  • If joint sponsor is a permanent resident (front and back of green card, Form I-551)
• Federal tax return for the most recent year or IRS tax transcript for the most recent year
• All W-2 and/or 1099 forms for the most recent year
• Proof of US domicile (if applicant is located outside the U.S.)

Important: even if you obtain a joint sponsor, main sponsor (petitioner who filed Form I-130) MUST submit his/her own signed Affidavit of Support and provide tax documents for the most recent tax year or letter explaining why the tax return wasn’t filed.

Using sponsor’s assets

If sponsor’s income doesn’t meet the minimum income requirements, sponsor can use his/her assets to supplement their income.

• If sponsor is a US citizen, assets must be equal three times the difference between the minimum income and actual income
• If sponsor is a permanent resident, assets must be equal five times the difference between the minimum income and actual income

For example, the minimum income required for a household size of two is $25,550. Sponsor is a US citizen who filed a petition for spouse. Sponsor’s 2023 income was equal to $20,000. The difference is $5,550. How to calculate the minimum value of assets required:

$5,550 * 3 times = $16,650

Sponsor will need to show ownership of assets in the amount of $16,650 minimum.

The following assets can be used:

• Savings in a bank or other financial institution
• Certificate of Deposit (CD)
• Stocks
• Bonds
• Real estate
• Vehicle (only if sponsor owns more than one vehicle, and at least one vehicle is not included as an asset)
• Personal property

Sponsor must submit proof of assets ownership, such as:

• Bank or other account statements for the last 12 months (the average monthly balance will be taken into consideration)
• Stock certificates
• Deeds
• Titles to vehicles
• Sales receipts or other proof of purchase

The sponsor must also include:

• Any liens and liabilities relating to the property
• Statement indicating date of acquisition, location of the property, and the value of each asset

Using sponsor’s household member’s income and/or assets

If sponsor’s income doesn’t meet the minimum income requirements, sponsor can use a household member’s income and/or assets. 

The following household members can supplement sponsor’s income:

• Spouse
• Parent
• Child
• Adult son or daughter
• Sibling (if residing together with the sponsor)
• Any other individual who was claimed as sponsor’s dependent on petitioner’s most recent federal tax return

The qualifying household member must submit a signed Form I-864A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member. 

Household member must also submit supporting documents with their Form I-864A.

Note: even if a household member has provided Form I-864A, sponsor must submit his/her separate Form I-864 as well.

Using intending immigrant’s income

Intending immigrant is the foreign spouse applying for permanent residence.

Intending immigrant’s income can also be used if the following requirements are met:

• Income will continue from the current source after obtaining lawful permanent resident status

To meet this requirement, intending immigrant must provide evidence that the income will continue to be derived from the same source after the green card is issued. Examples of acceptable documents:

• Signed letter from employer confirming that the intending immigrant will continue earning similar income after the permanent resident status is obtained
• If self-employed, proof of company ownership and written statement from the intending immigrant

Using intending immigrant’s assets

The intending immigrant’s assets can always be used to supplement the sponsor’s income. 

• If sponsor is a US citizen, intending immigrant’s assets must be equal three times the difference between the minimum income and actual income
• If sponsor is a permanent resident, intending immigrant’s assets must be equal five times the difference between the minimum income and actual income

Intending immigrant can include the following assets:

• Savings in a bank or other financial institution (foreign bank account statements are accepted, provide English translation)
• Certificate of Deposit (CD)
• Stocks
• Bonds
• Real estate
• Vehicle (only if intending immigrant owns more than one vehicle, and at least one vehicle is not included as an asset)
• Personal property

Intending immigrant must also submit proof of ownership, such as:

• Bank or other account statements for the last 12 months (the average monthly balance will be taken into consideration)
• Stock certificates
• Deeds
• Titles to vehicles
• Sales receipts or other proof of purchase

The following documents must be provided (if applicable):

• Any liens and liabilities relating to the property
• Statement indicating date of acquisition, location of the property, and the value of each asset

Learn more:

Poverty Guidelines for Affidavit of Support

Form I-864 Instructions

Affidavit of Support Checklist – Form I-864

Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Undocumented Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens

New Parole-In Place Program for Undocumented Spouses of U.S. Citizens

U.S. Citizenship Through Marriage