Income or Asset Requirements for I-864 Affidavit of Support
Updated on 03/19/2023
An I-864 affidavit of support must be completed by U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident petitioners for a family-based green card, and certain employment-based green cards. If the petitioner/original I-864 sponsor’s income and/or assets do not meet the minimum requirements, a joint sponsor should be required and thus this joint sponsor will also need to submit an I-864 form. In order to meet the financial sponsorship requirements for a green card application, a sponsor (or joint sponsor) will need to establish that he or she has sufficient income and/or assets.
1. I-864 Affidavit of Support income requirements
2. What sources of income can be included in I-864?
3. Can household member’s income be included in I-864?
4. Can green card applicant’s income be included in I-864?
5. How to calculate sponsor’s household size correctly for I-864?
6. It is unnecessary to list asset in I-864 form if income is sufficient, correct?
7. Qualifying assets for I-864 Affidavit of Support
At DYgreencard.com, we can help you determine whether your income and/or assets meet the sponsorship requirements for a green card application. When you are ready, we can help you prepare a complete green card application package including I-864, or an I-864 package alone. Learn more, or get started today!
1. I-864 Affidavit of Support income requirements
The green card applicant’s sponsor (or joint sponsor) must earn at least 125% of the HHS poverty guidelines for that year. However, for sponsors who are on active duty and are petitioning for their spouse and/or children, the income requirement is 100% of the poverty guidelines. Additionally, the income requirements are the same throughout the 48 contiguous states. But there are different amounts for Alaska and Hawaii. Specifically, you may find the 2023 HHS poverty guidelines below.
If a sponsor (or joint sponsor) resides in 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 | $19,720 | $24,650 |
3 | $24,860 | $31,075 |
4 | $30,000 | $37,500 |
5 | $35,140 | $43,925 |
6 | $40,280 | $50,350 |
7 | $45,420 | $56,775 |
8 | $50,560 | $63,200 |
| Add $5,140 for each additional person | Add $6,425 for each additional person |
If a sponsor (or joint sponsor) resides in 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 | $24,640 | $30,800 |
3 | $31,070 | $38,838 |
4 | $37,500 | $46,875 |
5 | $43,930 | $54,913 |
6 | $50,360 | $62,950 |
7 | $56,790 | $70,988 |
8 | $63,220 | $79,025 |
| Add $6,430 for each additional person | Add $8,038 for each additional person |
If a sponsor (or joint sponsor) resides in 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 | $22,680 | $28,350 |
3 | $28,590 | $35,738 |
4 | $34,500 | $43,125 |
5 | $40,410 | $50,513 |
6 | $46,320 | $57,900 |
7 | $52,230 | $65,288 |
8 | $58,140 | $72,675 |
| Add $5,910 for each additional person | Add $7,387 for each additional person |
2. What sources of income can be included in I-864?
In general, your annual income as an I-864 sponsor (or joint sponsor) is the same or similar figure you reported on your most recent U.S. federal tax return. This figure is your “adjusted gross income” listed on your IRS Form 1040. However, if you changed job or other situations happened which will cause material change to your current year’s annual income, you can provide an estimated annual income for current year in the Form I-864 as long as you have evidence to prove such income.
Income can include:
- Wages and salaries
- Retirement benefits
- Alimony
- Child support
- Dividends
- Interest income
- Unemployment compensation
- Workers compensation
- Income from other legal sources
But do not include:
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Children (TANF)
- Other federal, state, or local means-tested public benefits
3. Can household member’s income be included in I-864?
Yes only if such household member is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder) and 18 years of age or older. Moreover, such household member must complete Form I-864A to demonstrate their willingness to make their income available to support the green card applicant.
4. Can green card applicant’s income be included in I-864?
Yes only if such green card applicant has valid employment authorization in the United States and his/her income will continue from the current source after obtaining green card. Such green card applicant does not need to complete Form I-864A, unless he or she has an accompanying spouse or child.
5. How to calculate sponsor’s household size correctly for I-864?
An I-864 sponsor or joint sponsor often felt frustrating to calculate his or her household size correctly. Actually, the rules are very specific but confusing as to who must be included in the household size. The following tips should be helpful when you do the calculation:
- Do not count any intending immigrant who is listed on a separate Form I-864
- Do not count any green card holder you ever sponsored on Form I-864 who has earned 40 quarters or more in the U.S.
- Do not count any green card holder you ever sponsored on Form I-864 who has become a U.S. citizen
- Do not count any green card holder you ever sponsored on Form I-864 whose permanent residence status has been ceased
- Do not count any green card holder you ever sponsored on Form I-864 who has been deceased
With DYgreencard.com, we can help you prepare an I-864 Affidavit of Support in such a simple way. Learn more or get started today!
6. It is unnecessary to list asset in I-864 form if income is sufficient, correct?
Yes. If income is sufficient enough, it is not necessary to list assets in I-864 because that will ask for evidence to prove the net cash value of such assets.
7. Qualifying assets for I-864 Affidavit of Support
Qualifying assets of the following individuals can be included to meet the financial sponsorship requirements for a green card application.
- I-864 sponsor (or joint sponsor)
- Household member who is willing to sign I-864A
- Intending immigrant
Qualifying assets for an I-864 Affidavit of Support mean:
- Assets should be capable of being liquidated within one year and without considerable hardship or financial loss to the owner or his/her family members
- For real estate property, only its net cash value can be included (in other words, deduct mortgage/loan balance)
- Only 12-month average balance in saving and/or checking account(s) can be included
- Assets located in countries with foreign exchange control (for example, Mainland China) will not be considered as qualifying assets
Not sure if your assets can be used to meet the sponsorship requirements? Schedule a consultation with a skilled immigration attorney at an affordable price!
8. What amount of assets required for I-864 sponsorship?
The total net cash value of assets must equal five times the difference between the sponsor’s (or joint sponsor’s) income and 125% of the poverty level for the household size.
Sponsors (not joint sponsor) of spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens must only prove assets valued at three times the difference between the poverty guidelines and actual household income.
Sponsors (not joint sponsor) of orphans who will acquire citizenship after admission to the United States must only prove assets equal to the difference between the poverty guidelines and actual household income.
You may learn how to calculate the minimum required net cash value of assets in the examples below. If you are still confused about the accurate calculation, you may schedule a consultation with a skilled immigration attorney at an affordable price!
Example 1
U.S. citizen son is sponsoring alien mother | |
State where sponsor resides | New York |
Total household size in Part 5. Item 8. of Form I-864 | 2 |
125% of 2023 HHS poverty guidelines | $24,650 |
Sponsor’s income | $10,000 |
Difference | $14,650 |
Multiple by 5 | x5 |
Minimum required net cash value of assets | $73,250 |
Example 2
U.S. citizen husband is sponsoring alien wife | |
State where sponsor resides | New York |
Is sponsor on active duty in the U.S. armed forces? | No |
Total household size in Part 5. Item 8. of Form I-864 | 2 |
125% of 2023 HHS poverty guidelines | $24,650 |
Sponsor’s income | $10,000 |
Difference | $14,650 |
Multiple by 3 | x3 |
Minimum required net cash value of assets | $43,950 |
Example 3
U.S. citizen husband is sponsoring alien wife | |
State where sponsor resides | New York |
Is sponsor on active duty in the U.S. armed forces? | Yes |
Total household size in Part 5. Item 8. of Form I-864 | 2 |
100% of 2023 HHS poverty guidelines | $19,720 |
Sponsor’s income | $10,000 |
Difference | $9,720 |
Multiple by 3 | x3 |
Minimum required net cash value of assets | $29,160 |
Example 4
U.S. citizen sister is sponsoring alien sibling | |
State where sponsor resides | Alaska |
Total household size in Part 5. Item 8. of Form I-864 | 9 |
125% of 2023 HHS poverty guidelines | $79,025+$8,038 |
Sponsor’s income | $50,000 |
Difference | $37,063 |
Multiple by 5 | x5 |
Minimum required net cash value of assets | $185,315 |
Example 5
Joint sponsor is sponsoring intending immigrant(s) | |
State where joint sponsor resides | New York |
Total household size in Part 5. Item 8. of Form I-864 | 2 |
125% of 2023 HHS poverty guidelines | $24,650 |
Joint sponsor’s income | $10,000 |
Difference | $14,650 |
Multiple by 5 | x5 |
Minimum required net cash value of assets | $73,250 |
9. Evidence for I-864 Affidavit of Support
Supporting documents must be submitted with Form I-864 as evidence to prove a sponsor (or joint sponsor) meets the sponsorship requirements. Such documentation of sponsor (or joint sponsor) includes:
- Copy of document to U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency
- Copy of most recent federal return transcript (or federal tax return) with all W-2, 1099, Schedules if any. You may go to the website of IRS to get a return transcript.
- Copy of most recent two paystubs/paychecks/pay statements if any
- A statement if sponsor (or joint sponsor) didn’t file federal tax return for any of the three most recent tax years. Click here to get a statement template.
- Copy of evidence to prove the net cash value of the assets listed on the Form I-864 if applicable
If an I-864A form of a household member will be provided as well, you must enclose evidence of this householder member similar as listed above.
At DYgreeencard.com, we can help you prepare an I-864 Affidavit of Support with all supporting documents that meet USCIS (or NVC)’s requirements. It will be fully reviewed by an immigration attorney to make sure its accuracy and completeness. Learn more about what we can do for you, or get started today!
DYgreencard — Application preparation + lawyer review, at an affordable price.
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