What is the minimum income to sponsor a spouse?
The minimum required income for most sponsors is 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for their household size and location. For a couple who live in the 48 contiguous states (mainland United States) and have no children, the required minimum annual income is currently $25,550.
2024 Income Requirements for Green Card Sponsors
The most common minimum annual income required to sponsor a spouse or family member for a green card is $25,550. This assumes that the sponsor — the U.S. citizen or current green card holder — is not on active military duty and is sponsoring only one relative.
The law requires a sponsor to prove an income level at or above 125 percent of the Federal poverty level. (For active duty military personnel, the income requirement is 100 percent of the poverty level when sponsoring a husband, wife, or children.)
The minimum income requirement for spouse visa applicants is expected to increase as follows: From £18,600 to £29,000 in Spring 2024. From £29,000 to around £34,500 – this is expected to happen in late 2024, and. From £34,500 to around £38,700 - this is expected to happen in early 2025.
Yes, even if any of the spouses is unemployed, he/she can still file for a spouse visa in the US. There are certain requirements that needs to be fulfilled, The other spouse should sign the affidavit form I-864 published by the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services(USCIS)
| Sponsor's Household Size | 100% of HHS Poverty Guidelines* | 125% of HHS Poverty Guidelines* |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $20,440 | $25,550 |
| 3 | $25,820 | $32,275 |
| 4 | $31,200 | $39,000 |
| 5 | $36,580 | $45,725 |
If you are a U.S. citizen you have two ways to bring your foreign spouse (husband or wife) to the United States to live. They are: Immigrant visa for a Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (IR1 or CR1) - An immigrant Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130 is required. Learn more.
What happens if the petitioner doesn't have enough income? Petitioners who cannot meet this level have two choices: 1) find a “joint sponsor” who will agree to also financially support the visa applicant, or 2) use the income of a household member to meet the Poverty Guidelines.
If you are married, you and your spouse can agree to file either a joint or separate tax return. You can file a joint tax return with your spouse even if one of you had no income.
Therefore, USCIS considers the employer's adjusted gross income, minus their personal expenses, when determining net income; and their personal liquid assets, minus any financial encumbrances on those assets, when determining net current assets.
What is the process for marrying a non U.S. citizen?
First, you and your immigrant spouse will need to get married and register your marriage with the state or county officials where your wedding took place. Then you will file Form I-130: Petition for Alien Relative to start the process of obtaining your noncitizen spouse a green card.
The sponsor's financial responsibility usually lasts until the applicant either becomes a U.S. citizen, or can be credited with 40 qualifying quarters of work (usually 10 years) under the Social Security Act.
| Sponsor's Household Size | 100% of FPG | 125% of FPG |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $20,440 | $25,550 |
| 3 | $25,820 | $32,275 |
| 4 | $31,200 | $39,000 |
| 5 | $36,580 | $45,725 |
For example, in 2023, a sponsor in the U.S. mainland would need to have income (or assets) of at least $37,500 to cover a petitioner who lives alone and is sponsoring one immigrant and two children (that is, a total of four people).
The sponsor must be domiciled in the United States.
This means that the sponsor must actually live in the United States, or must prove their intent to return to the United States with their foreign spouse.
Under the Skilled Worker route, the sponsored role must be skilled at RQF level 3, roughly equivalent to A-level, or above. The skill level of the job determines the eligibility for sponsoring, and formal qualifications to A-level standard are not required.
The big change. On 4 December 2023, Home Secretary James Cleverly announced a jump of nearly 50% to the minimum salary threshold for sponsorship of a foreign worker from the current £26,200 to £38,700. The change will take effect in Spring 2024, underlining the urgency with which businesses must now act.
For ALL sponsors:
Also include a copy of every Form 1099, schedule, and any other evidence of reported income. You may submit this information for the most recent three tax years, pay stubs from the most recent six months, and/or a letter from your employer if you believe any of these items will help you qualify.
As a review, the K1 fiance visa is faster, generally speaking, for somebody to enter the United States. However, the marriage-based green card process is faster, generally, for somebody to actually obtain their lawful permanent resident status (get their green card).
Spouses of U.S. citizens
If your spouse is a U.S. citizen and you currently live in the United States, it takes on average 13.5–20.5 months to get a marriage-based green card. Spouses of U.S. citizens living in the United States can file their I-130 and their I-485 at the same time (also known as “concurrent filing”).
What documents do I need to sponsor my spouse in USA?
- I-130, Petition for Alien Relative.
- I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act.
- I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
- I-751, Petition to Remove the Conditions of Residence.
- I-824, Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition.
The sponsor will need to file Form I-864P, which is used to determine the minimum income requirement needed to file Form I-864 (the Affidavit of Support). The financial sponsor can also use assets (not just income) to meet these requirements. Assets include cash, stocks and bonds, and property (for example, a home).
- US Government May Sue You for Reimbursem*nt. Part of the support requirements for financial sponsors is to repay the government when immigrants use public benefits. ...
- USCIS May Fine You. ...
- The Opportunity Cost. ...
- The Additional Cost in a Worst Case Scenario.
1) USCIS Form I-864 2) Most recent federal income tax return: IRS-generated transcript (preferred) or Form 1040 3) Proof of legal status in the United States (i.e. a copy of their U.S. passport, permanent resident card, or naturalization certificate).
Joint filers usually receive higher income thresholds for certain tax breaks, such as the deduction for contributing to an IRA. If you're married and file separately, you may face a higher tax rate and pay more tax. Filing separately may be a benefit if you have a large amount of out-of-pocket medical expenses.
