I-864 Affidavit of Support: Meeting the Income Requirement for a Marriage-Based Green Card

What Is Form I-864?

Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Immigration and Nationality Act, is a legally enforceable financial sponsorship agreement. In a family-based immigration case, the sponsor uses the form to show that the intending immigrant will have adequate financial support after becoming a permanent resident.

For a spouse seeking a marriage-based green card, the I-864 is part of the larger marriage-based green card process. The financial sponsorship requirement is separate from proving that the marriage is genuine, but it is still an important part of the case.

Signing Form I-864 also creates a financial obligation that can continue after the green card is approved. The obligation generally ends only when a qualifying terminating event occurs, such as the sponsored immigrant becoming a U.S. citizen or earning 40 qualifying quarters of work.

What Is the I-864 Income Requirement in 2026?

For most sponsors, the minimum income requirement is 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for the applicable household size.

For sponsors in the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C., the 2026 figures are:

Each additional household member beyond eight increases the applicable amount. Alaska and Hawaii have separate poverty guidelines.

There is also a special rule for certain active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces. When the sponsor is on active duty and is sponsoring a spouse or child, the applicable income threshold is generally 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines rather than 125%.

How Do You Calculate I-864 Household Size?

Household size is one of the most important parts of the I-864 calculation. You should determine the correct household size before deciding whether your income is sufficient.

Depending on the circumstances, the household calculation can include:

• The sponsor
• The immigrant spouse being sponsored
• The sponsor's spouse
• Qualifying children
• Other people claimed as dependents on the sponsor's federal tax return
• Certain immigrants the sponsor previously agreed to support through another Form I-864
• Certain household members whose income will be included through Form I-864A

For example, a U.S. citizen sponsoring a spouse who also has two qualifying children in the household may have a household size of four rather than two. Under the 2026 guidelines, that changes the applicable 125% income threshold to $41,250.

The calculation can become more complicated when the sponsor has dependents, previous I-864 obligations, or household members whose income will be included.

Which Income Counts Toward the I-864 Requirement?

The sponsor's qualifying income is not determined simply by looking at how much money enters a bank account each month. The income reported on the I-864 must be supported with appropriate financial evidence.

Depending on the sponsor's circumstances, relevant evidence may include:

• Federal income tax returns
• IRS tax transcripts
• W-2 forms
• 1099 forms where applicable
• Recent pay stubs
• An employment verification letter
• Evidence of self-employment income
• Other documentation supporting current income

The most recent federal tax return is important, but it does not necessarily tell the entire story when a sponsor's current income has changed.

For example, a sponsor who recently started a higher-paying job may have a tax return showing substantially less income than they currently earn. Current pay stubs and an employer letter can help establish present income when properly documented.

What If the Sponsor Does Not Make Enough Money?

Falling below the I-864 income requirement does not automatically mean that a marriage-based green card case cannot proceed.

There are several possible ways to address an income shortfall:

The right solution depends on why the sponsor falls short and what financial resources are available.

Can Household-Member Income Be Used?

In certain circumstances, yes. A qualifying household member can agree to make their income available to support the intending immigrant.

The household member generally must be at least 18 years old and sign Form I-864A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member. The person must also meet the applicable requirements for their income to be included.

This can be useful when a sponsor's income is close to the required amount and another eligible household member has stable income that can legally be included in the calculation.

Can Assets Make Up for Insufficient Income?

Certain assets may be used to compensate for an income shortfall when the sponsor meets the applicable requirements.

Qualifying assets can include certain savings, stocks, bonds, real estate, and other property that can be converted to cash within the required period without considerable financial loss or hardship.

For a U.S. citizen sponsoring a spouse or child age 18 or older, the value of qualifying assets generally must equal at least three times the difference between the sponsor's income and the applicable poverty guideline. A five-times calculation generally applies in other qualifying situations.

For example, if a U.S. citizen sponsoring a spouse is $5,000 below the applicable income requirement, the sponsor may generally need at least $15,000 in qualifying net assets to cover that shortfall under the three-times rule.

Asset ownership, value, and relevant liabilities must be documented. A sponsor cannot simply state that they own a property or have money saved without providing evidence supporting the claimed value.

What Is a Joint Sponsor?

A joint sponsor is another person who agrees to accept financial responsibility for the intending immigrant and independently meets the applicable I-864 income requirement.

A joint sponsor can be particularly useful when the petitioner has insufficient income and cannot bridge the shortfall with qualifying assets or household-member income.

A joint sponsor generally must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or qualifying U.S. national
• Be domiciled in the United States or its territories and possessions
• Meet the applicable income requirement based on their own household size
• Submit a separate Form I-864
• Provide the required financial evidence

The joint sponsor's household size is calculated separately. They must have enough qualifying income to meet the requirement for their own household and the immigrant or immigrants they are agreeing to support.

Using a joint sponsor does not mean the original petitioner can simply step away from the financial sponsorship requirement. The petitioner generally still submits their own Form I-864.

What Documents Do You Need for Form I-864?

The exact evidence depends on the sponsor's circumstances, but a typical I-864 financial package may include:

Federal Tax Documentation

Sponsors generally provide their most recent federal income tax return or IRS tax transcript as required by the current filing instructions. Where applicable, W-2s and other supporting tax documents may also be required.

Current Income Evidence

Recent pay stubs can help establish current earnings. An employment verification letter can also be useful, particularly when the sponsor's current income differs from the amount shown on the most recent tax return.

Self-Employment Evidence

Self-employed sponsors may need additional documentation showing the income being used to meet the I-864 requirement.

Asset Documentation

If assets are being used to overcome an income shortfall, the sponsor should provide evidence establishing ownership, value, and relevant debts or liabilities.

Joint Sponsor Documentation

A joint sponsor generally submits a separate Form I-864 along with financial evidence and proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status, as applicable.

How Does the I-864 Fit Into the Family Immigration Process?

The I-864 is one part of a larger family-based immigration case. The underlying family-based petition establishes the qualifying family relationship, while the Affidavit of Support addresses the financial sponsorship requirement.

For a spouse of a U.S. citizen, the case may continue through adjustment of status if the immigrant spouse is eligible to apply from inside the United States. If the spouse is abroad, the financial sponsorship documents are generally submitted during the immigrant visa process through the National Visa Center.

The I-864 therefore needs to match the actual immigration pathway and the financial circumstances of the sponsor.

How Is the I-864 Different From the Financial Support Form Used for a K-1?

Couples sometimes confuse the financial requirements for a K-1 fiancé(e) visa with the requirements for a marriage-based green card.

A K-1 case generally involves Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, during the visa process. After the couple marries in the United States and the foreign spouse applies for adjustment of status, Form I-864 generally becomes the relevant Affidavit of Support.

The K-1 fiancé visa financial requirements therefore should not be treated as identical to the I-864 requirements for a marriage-based green card.

This distinction matters because the applicable form, financial threshold, and stage of the immigration process can differ.

Does the Sponsor Need a U.S. Domicile?

Generally, yes. An I-864 sponsor must have a domicile in the United States.

Domicile generally means the sponsor's principal residence, with the intention of maintaining that residence for the foreseeable future.

A U.S. citizen living abroad may sometimes establish that they have maintained or will reestablish U.S. domicile. The analysis depends on the sponsor's circumstances and evidence.

This requirement is separate from income. A sponsor can earn enough money and still have a domicile issue that needs to be addressed.

What Happens If the I-864 Is Incomplete?

An incomplete or inconsistent Affidavit of Support package can delay a marriage-based green card case.

During consular processing, the National Visa Center reviews the financial forms and supporting documents before the immigrant visa interview. Missing or inadequate evidence may result in a request for additional documentation.

For adjustment-of-status cases, the I-864 is generally submitted with the green card application when required.

The financial portion of the case should therefore be prepared as carefully as the relationship evidence and civil documents.

Can You Meet the Income Requirement With a New Job?

Potentially. A sponsor's current income can be relevant even when the most recent tax return reflects a different financial situation.

This is particularly important for people who recently changed jobs, received a significant salary increase, returned to work after unemployment, or moved from part-time to full-time employment.

Current pay stubs and an employer letter can help document the sponsor's present earnings. The evidence should clearly support the income amount reported on Form I-864.

If the tax return, current employment, and I-864 figures do not tell the same story, the sponsor should address the discrepancy rather than assuming the reviewing agency will work out the calculation on its own.

What If Your Income Is Just Below the Required Amount?

A small shortfall does not necessarily mean you need a joint sponsor.

Start by confirming the household size. Then determine whether qualifying household-member income or assets can cover the difference.

If neither option works, a joint sponsor may provide another route to satisfying the financial requirement.

The important point is to identify the shortfall before filing. That gives you time to gather the correct evidence and choose the appropriate solution rather than discovering the problem after the case has already been submitted.

What If the Sponsor Has No Income?

Having no current income does not necessarily end the case, but the sponsor still needs to satisfy the Affidavit of Support requirements through an available qualifying option.

Depending on the circumstances, that may involve qualifying assets, an eligible household member, or a joint sponsor.

If the sponsor has recently stopped working, it is especially important to distinguish between current income, tax-return income, and the resources that can legally be used to meet the I-864 requirement.

How Does the I-864 Affect a Marriage Green Card Case?

The I-864 is not the only requirement for a marriage-based green card, but an inadequate financial sponsorship package can create a significant problem even when the marriage itself is genuine.

Couples should therefore review the financial side of the case before filing rather than treating the Affidavit of Support as a form that can be completed at the end.

If the spouse is applying from inside the United States, the financial review sits alongside the adjustment-of-status process and other applications that may allow the immigrant spouse to work or travel while the case is pending. You can also read about work and travel while your marriage green card is pending to understand how those parts of the case fit together.

The Bottom Line

Most marriage-based green card sponsors must meet 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines based on their household size. In 2026, that means a household of two generally needs at least $27,050 in annual income in the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C.

If your income falls short, you may still have a path forward through qualifying household-member income, assets, or a joint sponsor. The key is choosing the correct option and documenting it properly.

The I-864 is a legally significant part of the immigration process, so sponsors should understand both the income calculation and the financial obligation they are accepting before signing.