The income you need depends on one number: your household size — yourself, your own dependents, and everyone you're sponsoring. The table below shows the most common scenarios for a sponsor with no other dependents, living in the 48 contiguous states, under the guidelines effective March 1, 2026. Your situation differs? The free calculator handles any combination, plus Alaska/Hawaii rates and the military 100% rule.
2026 income needed by scenario
| Sponsoring… | Household size | Income required (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Your spouse (no children) You + your spouse | 2 | $27,050 |
| Your spouse + your 1 child You + spouse + child | 3 | $34,150 |
| 1 parent You + parent (single sponsor, no dependents) | 2 | $27,050 |
| Both parents You + 2 parents — one I-864 per parent, same household count | 3 | $34,150 |
| 2 people (e.g., spouse + stepchild) You + 2 immigrants | 3 | $34,150 |
| 3 people You + 3 immigrants | 4 | $41,250 |
| 5 people You + 5 immigrants | 6 | $55,450 |
Add your own spouse, children under 21, and tax dependents to the household count — each additional person raises the requirement by $7,100. Alaska and Hawaii use higher tables: see the full I-864P 2026 poverty guidelines chart.
What counts as income
USCIS looks at your current individual annual income — usually the total income line of your most recent federal tax return, adjusted for your current salary. Recent pay stubs and an employer letter matter when your income has changed. If you fall short, three paths exist: count assets (generally 5× the shortfall, or 3× when a U.S. citizen sponsors a spouse or child), add a household member's income with Form I-864A, or use a joint sponsor who meets the full requirement independently.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do I need to sponsor my spouse in 2026?
A sponsor with no other dependents needs a household size of 2 (you plus your spouse), which requires $27,050 per year under the guidelines effective March 1, 2026 (48 contiguous states). Active-duty military sponsors petitioning for a spouse need only $21,640.
How much income do I need to sponsor my parents?
For one parent with no other dependents, household size is 2 and you need $27,050. For both parents, household size is 3 and you need $34,150 (2026, 48 states). You file a separate I-864 for each parent, but the household size — and thus the requirement — is the same on both forms.
What are the income requirements for a K-1 fiancé visa?
At the K-1 visa interview stage, the consulate uses Form I-134 and generally looks for 100% of the poverty guidelines — $21,640 for a household of 2 in 2026. After marriage, when your fiancé(e) adjusts status, you must file Form I-864 and meet the higher 125% requirement of $27,050.
Does my own family count against the income requirement?
Yes. Your household size includes your own spouse, children under 21, and anyone on your tax return — plus every immigrant you sponsor. A married sponsor with two kids who sponsors one parent has a household of 5, requiring $48,350 in 2026, not $27,050.