What is the I-864 income requirement?
When you sponsor a family member for a green card, you must file Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, and prove that your income is at least 125% of the HHS Poverty Guidelines for your household size. The official numbers are published by USCIS on Form I-864P and update every year — the tables on this page took effect on March 1, 2026. This free I-864 income calculator applies those exact figures, including the separate tables for Alaska and Hawaii and the 100% rule for active-duty military sponsors, so you can find out in seconds whether you meet the affidavit of support income requirements for 2026.
Getting this number right matters more than almost anything else in a family-based green card case. If the National Visa Center or USCIS decides your income is insufficient, your case can be delayed by months or refused until you add a joint sponsor, household member income, or assets. Unlike a generic poverty-guidelines chart, this sponsor income calculator walks you through the two things people most often get wrong: counting household size correctly and knowing which percentage applies to your situation.
How the calculator works
First, the household size wizard counts everyone USCIS requires: you, your spouse, your unmarried children under 21, anyone you claim as a tax dependent, every immigrant you are sponsoring on this affidavit, and anyone you sponsored on a previous I-864 whose obligation is still in force. Second, it selects the right table — the 48 contiguous states, Alaska, or Hawaii — because the income thresholds in Alaska and Hawaii are significantly higher. Third, it applies 125% of the poverty guidelines for regular sponsors or 100% if you are an active-duty service member petitioning for your spouse or child. Finally, it compares the requirement against your current annual income and, if you fall short, tells you exactly how large the gap is and how much in assets would cover it.
2026 I-864 income requirements (effective March 1, 2026)
| Household size | 48 states (125%) | Alaska (125%) | Hawaii (125%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | $27,050 | $33,813 | $31,113 |
| 3 | $34,150 | $42,688 | $39,275 |
| 4 | $41,250 | $51,563 | $47,438 |
| 5 | $48,350 | $60,438 | $55,600 |
| 6 | $55,450 | $69,313 | $63,763 |
| 7 | $62,550 | $78,188 | $71,925 |
| 8 | $69,650 | $87,063 | $80,088 |
| Each additional | +$7,100 | +$8,875 | +$8,163 |
Active-duty military sponsors petitioning for a spouse or child use the lower 100% column of Form I-864P: for a household of 2 in the contiguous states that is $21,640 instead of $27,050.
What if you don't meet the requirement?
Falling short is common, and the law gives you three routes. You can count assets — cash, stocks, bonds, or real-estate equity — generally worth five times the shortfall (three times when a U.S. citizen sponsors a spouse or child). You can add a household member's income with Form I-864A, for example a working spouse or parent who lives with you. Or you can use a joint sponsor: a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who independently meets the full 125% requirement for their own household plus the immigrant. Read our guide to counting household size first — an overcounted household is the most common self-inflicted reason sponsors appear to fail the requirement.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do I need for Form I-864 in 2026?
For most sponsors, your income must be at least 125% of the HHS Poverty Guidelines for your household size. Under the guidelines effective March 1, 2026, that is $27,050 per year for a household of 2 in the 48 contiguous states, plus $7,100 for each additional person. Alaska and Hawaii have higher thresholds. Sponsors on active duty in the U.S. armed forces petitioning for a spouse or child only need 100%.
What happens if my income does not meet the I-864 requirement?
You have three main options: count significant assets (generally worth 5 times the shortfall, or 3 times when a U.S. citizen sponsors a spouse or child), add the income of household members using Form I-864A, or find a joint sponsor who independently meets the full 125% requirement for their own household size plus the immigrant.
How do I count my household size for Form I-864?
Count yourself, your spouse, your dependent children under 21, anyone you claim as a dependent on your tax return, the immigrant(s) you are sponsoring on this affidavit, and anyone you previously sponsored on an I-864 whose obligation is still in effect. Use our household size wizard in the calculator above to get this right.
Does a joint sponsor need to meet the full income requirement?
Yes. A joint sponsor cannot combine income with the primary sponsor. They must independently meet 125% of the poverty guidelines for their own household size plus the sponsored immigrant(s).
What counts as income for the I-864?
USCIS looks at your current individual annual income, which usually matches the total income line on your most recent federal tax return, plus documentable current income such as a recent job offer or pay increase. Income of household members can be added with Form I-864A.
Can I use assets instead of income for the Affidavit of Support?
Yes. If your income falls short, assets such as savings, stocks, bonds, and real estate equity can make up the difference. Generally assets must equal 5 times the gap between your income and the requirement. If a U.S. citizen is sponsoring a spouse or child over 18, only 3 times the gap is required.
Are the income requirements higher in Alaska and Hawaii?
Yes. Alaska and Hawaii have separate, higher poverty guideline tables. For a household of 2 in 2026, the 125% threshold is $33,813 in Alaska and $31,113 in Hawaii, compared with $27,050 in the 48 contiguous states.
When do the I-864 poverty guidelines update?
HHS publishes new poverty guidelines each year, and USCIS updates Form I-864P — typically effective March 1. The figures on this page are the guidelines effective March 1, 2026, taken directly from uscis.gov.
Do military sponsors have a lower income requirement?
Yes. Sponsors on active duty in the U.S. armed forces who are petitioning for their spouse or child only need to meet 100% of the poverty guidelines instead of 125%.
Is this calculator official legal advice?
No. This is a free informational tool based on the official USCIS Form I-864P tables. It does not constitute legal advice. For complex situations, consult a licensed immigration attorney.