2014 Poverty Guidelines for Sponsors Completing Affidavits of Support

Published:  April 30, 2014

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 (importantly, U.S. Armed Forces member on active duty who are sponsoring their spouse or child only have to meet the actual poverty guideline – column 2 – and not the 125% level):

For family units with more than 8 members, add $5,075.00 for each additional member to meet the required 125%.Poverty Guideline level.

PUBLISHED April 30, 2014 “IMMIGRATION LAW FORUM” Copyright © 2014, By Law Offices of Richard Hanus, Chicago, Illinois