(UNITED STATES) The federal government has set the 2025 income test for family-based immigration sponsorship at 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, confirming that most U.S.-based sponsors must show earnings at or above this level to support a green card applicant. The standard applies nationwide, with higher figures in Alaska and Hawaii due to living costs. Officials updated the benchmarks early in 2025 to reflect inflation.
Failure to meet the threshold can lead to denial of the Affidavit of Support and, in turn, refusal of the immigrant visa or green card. Consulates, the National Visa Center, and USCIS will require clear proof that sponsors meet the income test under the updated 2025 benchmarks.
How the 125% Rule Works
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) publishes the Federal Poverty Guidelines each year. For 2025, the 125% calculation produces specific income lines based on household size.
- The rule is applied under immigration law (tied to the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981) to ensure sponsors can support the intending immigrant without public assistance.
- The 125% line is the main standard for family-based cases in 2025.
- Exception: U.S. military members sponsoring certain relatives may qualify at 100% of the poverty guidelines instead of 125%.
- The Affidavit of Support is a binding contract; if a sponsor cannot meet the test alone, a joint sponsor may accept the same legal responsibility.
The goal is to make sure the intending immigrant has a stable financial base upon arrival and does not rely on public benefits.
2025 125% Federal Poverty Guidelines (by location)
HHS publishes the tables on its official site; readers can review the latest guidelines at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
48 contiguous states and D.C.
- Household of 1: $23,475
- Household of 2: $31,725
- Household of 3: $39,975
- Household of 4: $48,225
- Household of 5: $56,475
- Household of 6: $64,725
- Household of 7: $72,975
- Household of 8: $81,225
- Add: $8,250 for each extra person
Alaska
- Household of 1: $29,325
- Household of 2: $39,645
- Household of 3: $49,965
- Household of 4: $60,285
- Household of 5: $70,605
- Household of 6: $80,925
- Household of 7: $91,245
- Household of 8: $101,565
- Add: $10,320 for each extra person
Hawaii
- Household of 1: $26,985
- Household of 2: $36,480
- Household of 3: $45,975
- Household of 4: $55,470
- Household of 5: $64,965
- Household of 6: $74,460
- Household of 7: $83,955
- Household of 8: $93,450
- Add: $9,495 for each extra person
Who Counts in Household Size
USCIS counts several people in the sponsor’s “household size,” which determines which 125% line applies. In general, household size includes:
- The sponsor
- The person being sponsored (spouse or other relative)
- Unmarried children under 21 (or under the age of majority)
- Anyone claimed as a dependent on the sponsor’s tax return
- Anyone else the sponsor has agreed to support on another Affidavit of Support who will live in the home
- Any other immigrants arriving with the sponsored relative
Because the income target rises with each additional person, even one miscount can create a shortfall. Immigration attorneys advise careful household size calculation and matching proof of income to avoid delays.
Required Documentation & Common Proofs
Officers will look for clear, recent proof that the sponsor meets the proper 125% line tied to the correct household size and location. Common records include:
- Federal tax returns
- W-2s or 1099s
- Recent pay stubs
- Employer letters confirming position, start date, and wage
Options If the Sponsor Falls Short
If a sponsor does not meet the 125% threshold:
- Combine income from certain household members (if rules permit and they are counted in household size).
- Find a joint sponsor who files a separate Affidavit of Support at 125% for the same household size.
Joint sponsor requirements:
– Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
– At least 18 years old
– Domiciled in the United States
– Does not need to be related to the immigrant
Sponsors often underestimate the effect of an added household member (e.g., a newborn or dependent relative). That change can move the target from $39,975 (household of three) to $48,225 (household of four) in the 48 states and D.C.
Practical Impact and Common Pitfalls
- The 2025 adjustment follows steady inflation, raising the minimum income needed for many families.
- The most frequent issue is undercounting household size or submitting inconsistent documents (e.g., tax transcripts that don’t match claimed income).
- Such errors can delay cases for months, cause Requests for Evidence, or result in denials.
Legal aid groups and community organizations advise sponsors to:
– Do the math early
– Verify who must be included in household size
– Prepare consistent documentation before interviews
– Line up a joint sponsor ahead of time if necessary
Policy Context and Debate
- Officials say there are no major policy changes to the 125% rule for the remainder of 2025; the updated tables reflect cost-of-living trends.
- Agencies will revisit the numbers in 2026.
- Supporters argue the standard prevents family separation solely for financial reasons while protecting public resources.
- Advocates for low-income families argue that the 125% mark can be too high in areas with scarce high-wage jobs and that a single national figure does not reflect regional variation.
- Some experts call for more regional adjustments beyond higher lines for Alaska and Hawaii; others prefer maintaining a simple national standard for clarity and consistency.
Special Note for Alaska and Hawaii Sponsors
Sponsors in Alaska and Hawaii must pay close attention to their higher thresholds. For example:
- A two-person household requires $31,725 in the 48 states and D.C., but $39,645 in Alaska and $36,480 in Hawaii.
- The per-person addition is $10,320 in Alaska and $9,495 in Hawaii, compared with $8,250 in the rest of the country.
Families relocating between states during a case should confirm which set of guidelines will apply at the time of final review.
Final Guidance
- Double-check calculations and rely on official HHS guideline tables for 2025.
- Keep careful records, count every person who must be included, and ensure income proof aligns with the correct 125% line.
- Sponsors who do this give their loved ones the best chance of a smooth immigration process.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
In 2025, U.S. federal agencies set the family-based sponsorship income test at 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, with higher thresholds for Alaska and Hawaii to reflect living costs. Sponsors must meet the 125% income level tied to household size to file a valid Affidavit of Support; failure can result in denials or delays. Common acceptable proofs include tax returns, W-2s/1099s, pay stubs, and employer letters. If income falls short, sponsors may combine eligible household income or recruit a joint sponsor who meets the same 125% standard. Accurate household size calculation and consistent documentation are essential to avoid Requests for Evidence and prolonged processing.
