Form I-864 Affidavit of Support Calculator (2026)
Calculate your exact statutory minimum income requirements, household size, and asset substitution eligibility under Section 213A of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Includes the 3x vs 5x asset multipliers, active military 100% threshold, and complete joint sponsor rules.
Federal Thresholds: For 2026 immigration sponsorship (INA § 213A), most U.S. sponsors must demonstrate annual household income equal to at least 125% of HHS Poverty Guidelines ($26,437 for 2 people; $33,337 for 3; $40,237 for 4 in the 48 contiguous states). Active-duty military sponsors petitioning a spouse or minor child qualify at the 100% threshold ($21,150 for 2). Shortfalls can be bridged using qualified liquid assets at 3× for spouse/child petitions, or 5× for other relatives under 8 CFR § 213a.2(c).
Form I-864 Affidavit of Support Income Calculator (2026)
Official 2026 HHS Poverty Guidelines & USCIS 125% / 100% Sponsor Eligibility Calculator
All other sponsors must earn at least 125% of HHS guidelines.
Determines asset substitution multiplier (3x) if income falls short.
(If spouse is the intending immigrant, they are only counted once).
Line 9 of Form 1040 (Total Income) or projected current annual.
Qualified as Sole Sponsor (Income Sufficient)
Your combined household income of $48,000 exceeds the required 125% poverty threshold of $26,437 for a household of 2 in 48 Contiguous States, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam & USVI by $21,563 (227% of Federal Poverty Line). No assets or joint sponsor are needed.
📋 Mandatory USCIS Evidence Checklist
- •Most recent Federal Income Tax Return (IRS Tax Return Transcript or Form 1040 with all W-2s and 1099s).
- •Pay stubs covering the most recent 6 consecutive months showing current ongoing earnings.
- •Employment Verification Letter on company letterhead detailing position, hire date, salary, and permanent status.
- •Proof of U.S. citizenship (U.S. Passport, Certificate of Naturalization) or Lawful Permanent Resident status (Green Card).
- •If using real estate equity: recent professional appraisal or county tax assessment minus certified mortgage payoff statement.
- •If using bank assets: 12 months of official bank statements showing sustained cash balance.
- •If combining household income: Form I-864A Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member signed by both parties.
⚖️ When Does the I-864 Legal Obligation End?
Form I-864 is a legally enforceable contract with the U.S. Government. Divorce does NOT end the sponsor's obligation. It terminates ONLY upon:
- ✓The sponsored immigrant naturalizes and becomes a U.S. citizen (Form N-400 approval).
- ✓The sponsored immigrant earns or is credited with 40 qualifying quarters of work under the Social Security Act (~10 years).
- ✓The sponsored immigrant permanently departs the United States and formally abandons lawful permanent resident status (Form I-407).
- ✓The sponsored immigrant is subject to removal, but obtains a new grant of adjustment of status based on a new affidavit of support.
- ✓Either the sponsor or the sponsored immigrant dies (sponsor estate is liable for pre-death obligations).
OFFICIAL EVALUATION DOSSIER — USCIS FORM I-864
Statutory HHS Poverty Guidelines Assessment (2026) & Sponsor Solvency Summary
2026 HHS Federal Poverty Guidelines for Form I-864
Minimum income thresholds published annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and adopted by USCIS (Form I-864P).
48 Contiguous States & D.C.
Also applies to PR, Guam, USVI
| Size | 100% (Military) | 125% (Standard) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Persons | $21,150 | $26,437 |
| 3 Persons | $26,670 | $33,337 |
| 4 Persons | $32,190 | $40,237 |
| 5 Persons | $37,710 | $47,137 |
| 6 Persons | $43,230 | $54,037 |
| 7 Persons | $48,750 | $60,937 |
| 8 Persons | $54,270 | $67,837 |
| + Each add'l | +$5,520 | +$6,900 |
Alaska
State-specific high-cost table
| Size | 100% (Military) | 125% (Standard) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Persons | $26,440 | $33,050 |
| 3 Persons | $33,340 | $41,675 |
| 4 Persons | $40,240 | $50,300 |
| 5 Persons | $47,140 | $58,925 |
| 6 Persons | $54,040 | $67,550 |
| 7 Persons | $60,940 | $76,175 |
| 8 Persons | $67,840 | $84,800 |
| + Each add'l | +$6,900 | +$8,625 |
Hawaii
State-specific high-cost table
| Size | 100% (Military) | 125% (Standard) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Persons | $24,330 | $30,412 |
| 3 Persons | $30,680 | $38,350 |
| 4 Persons | $37,030 | $46,287 |
| 5 Persons | $43,380 | $54,225 |
| 6 Persons | $49,730 | $62,162 |
| 7 Persons | $56,080 | $70,100 |
| 8 Persons | $62,430 | $78,037 |
| + Each add'l | +$6,350 | +$7,937 |
Which Form Do You Need? (I-864 vs I-864EZ vs I-864A vs I-864W)
| Form Name | Who Files It | Key Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Form I-864 | Primary Sponsor or Joint Sponsor | Standard affidavit of support used for all family-based immigrants and certain employment petitions where relatives own 5%+ of the sponsoring business. |
| Form I-864EZ | Single Petitioner / Sole Sponsor | Shorter 7-page form usable ONLY if: (1) you filed Form I-130 for one single immigrant with no derivatives, (2) you rely exclusively on your own W-2 salary/pension, and (3) you do not use assets or a joint sponsor. |
| Form I-864A | Household Member | Legally binding contract between the primary sponsor and a qualified relative (spouse, parent, adult child, sibling) residing in the same household to combine income. |
| Form I-864W | Exempt Immigrant | Request for exemption from filing an affidavit of support (e.g., immigrants who have already earned 40 Social Security work quarters or children who will acquire citizenship automatically under INA § 320 upon entry). |
USCIS Asset Substitution Rules: The 3x vs 5x Multipliers
If your current household income does not meet the 125% Federal Poverty Guidelines threshold, USCIS allows you to supplement income with the net value of your assets (or the intending immigrant's assets, provided they can be converted to cash within 12 months without undue harm). The required multiplier depends strictly on family relationship under 8 CFR § 213a.2(c)(2)(iii):
Spouse or Child of a U.S. Citizen
Applies to immediate relatives (IR-1, CR-1 spouses, and IR-2 children of U.S. citizens). If your income shortfall is $10,000, you need $30,000 in net assets.
Parents, Siblings & LPR Relatives
Applies to IR-5 parents of U.S. citizens, F1/F3/F4 sibling and married child preference categories, and all family members of Permanent Residents (F2A, F2B). If your shortfall is $10,000, you need $50,000 in assets.
Foreign Adopted Orphans
Applies to orphans adopted abroad by U.S. citizens who will automatically acquire citizenship under Section 320 of the INA. Net assets must equal 100% (1x) of the income shortfall.
⚠️ Top 5 Form I-864 RFE Triggers & How to Prevent Them
More than 35% of Form I-485 and consular processing delays result from defective Form I-864 submissions. Avoid these common legal traps:
USCIS adjudicators look strictly at Line 9 (Total Income) of IRS Form 1040 for individual filers, or Line 11 (Adjusted Gross Income) for Form 1040-SR. If you are self-employed with significant business write-offs (Schedule C), your net taxable income is what counts, not gross revenue.
If your spouse is the intending immigrant, do NOT count them both under "Persons you are sponsoring on this form" AND under "If you are currently married". Counting the same person twice unnecessarily inflates your required threshold by $6,900.
If you submit a photocopy of your Form 1040 instead of an official IRS Tax Return Transcript, you MUST attach all W-2 wage statements, 1099s, and schedules. If even one W-2 is missing, USCIS will issue an automatic Request for Evidence (RFE).
A spouse or relative living in your home cannot simply pool their income by writing their salary on Form I-864. They must execute a separate, legally binding Form I-864A Contract and provide proof of continuous cohabitation or tax dependency.
A Joint Sponsor cannot "fill the gap" left by the primary sponsor. The Joint Sponsor must be able to qualify completely on their own for their own household plus the intending immigrant.
Frequently Asked Questions: Form I-864 & Poverty Guidelines
What is the minimum income required for Form I-864 in 2026?
Under Section 213A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), most sponsors must demonstrate an annual household income of at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For 2026 in the 48 contiguous states, this is $26,437 for a household of 2, $33,337 for a household of 3, and $40,237 for a household of 4 (+$6,900 for each additional person). Active-duty U.S. military sponsors petitioning their spouse or minor child need only meet 100% of the poverty guidelines ($21,150 for a household of 2).
Can assets be used to make up for an income shortfall on Form I-864?
Yes. Under 8 CFR § 213a.2(c)(2)(iii), sponsors can use net qualifying assets (cash, savings, stocks, bonds, and net real estate equity) to cover the difference between their income and the 125% threshold. If the sponsored immigrant is the spouse or unmarried child (18+) of a U.S. citizen, the net value of assets must equal at least 3 times the income shortfall. For all other family-based immigrants (including parents or adult children of U.S. citizens, and relatives of permanent residents), assets must equal at least 5 times the shortfall.
Who counts in the Form I-864 household size?
Household size includes: (1) the sponsor, (2) the sponsor’s spouse (if married), (3) the sponsor’s unmarried dependent children under 21, (4) any other dependents claimed on the sponsor’s federal income tax return, (5) the principal immigrant and any family members sponsored on the same petition, and (6) any immigrants previously sponsored under Form I-864 whose support obligations remain active. You must never double-count an individual (for example, if your spouse is the intending immigrant, they are only counted once).
What is the difference between a Joint Sponsor and a Household Member (Form I-864A)?
A Household Member is a relative or dependent who lives in the same physical residence as the primary sponsor (or is claimed on their tax return) and signs Form I-864A to combine their income with the primary sponsor. A Joint Sponsor is a separate individual (U.S. citizen or green card holder, at least 18, residing in the US) who files their own independent Form I-864 and must meet the entire 125% poverty threshold for their own household plus the sponsored immigrant alone.
Does divorce terminate the Form I-864 financial support obligation?
No. Divorce does not terminate the legal obligations of Form I-864. The contract remains enforceable until the immigrant: (1) naturalizes as a U.S. citizen, (2) earns 40 qualifying quarters of work (~10 years), (3) permanently abandons green card status and departs the US, (4) is ordered deported and adjusts under a new petition, or (5) either the sponsor or immigrant dies.