New Poverty Guidelines In Effect For Sponsors Completing Affidavits Of Support
Published: March 15, 2009

Before intending family-based immigrants are issued their visa, or approved for adjustment of status, the petitioning U.S. family member or their joint co-sponsor will have to submit an I-864 Affidavit of Support (or acceptable I-864 variation) and most of the time, satisfy certain income requirements. The most common exception is the option for a petitioner to prove their financial health by way of ownership of sizable liquid assets as evidenced by bank/brokerage account statements or real property appraisals.

The income requirement applicable to most petitioners is 125% of the poverty level as determined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For sponsors residing in the lower 48 contiguous states in the U.S., applicable guidelines are set forth below:

2009 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia – as of March 1, 2009

Size of family unit Poverty guideline 125%

2                           $14,570              $18,213

3                           $18,310              $22,888

4                           $22,050              $27,563

5                           $25,790              $32,238

6                           $29,530              $36,913

7                           $33,270              $41,588

8                           $37,010              $46,263

For family units with more than 8 members, add $4,675.00 for each additional member to meet the required 125%.Poverty Guideline level.

PUBLISHED March 15, 2009 – “IMMIGRATION LAW FORUM”
Copyright © 2009, By Law Offices of Richard Hanus, Chicago, Illinois