How to Meet I-864 Poverty Guidelines for Immigration in 2025

The federal 2025 Poverty Guidelines for family-based immigration took effect on March 1, 2025, raising the minimum income many sponsors must show on the Affidavit of Support to keep cases moving. Under federal law, most sponsors must prove income at or above 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for their household size. Active-duty U.S. military who are sponsoring a spouse or child have a lower bar at 100%.

The change matters immediately for family green card cases both inside the United States 🇺🇸 and at consulates abroad, because consular officers and USCIS officers now apply the new figures when reviewing Form I-864.

Key income thresholds (2025)

• Two-person household (sponsor + immigrant): about $26,437 per year.
• Four-person household: about $40,187 per year.
• Four-person household in Alaska: $50,237 per year.
• Four-person household in Hawaii: $46,225 per year.

These thresholds are used during immigrant visa processing at the National Visa Center (NVC) and by USCIS when filing for adjustment of status with Form I-485. Applicants will see the new amounts reflected in USCIS’s sponsor reference chart, Form I-864P, which lists the current HHS guideline levels. USCIS treats this chart as the control document for visa adjudications.

Important: If a sponsor filed before March 1 but receives a request for evidence (RFE) after that date, officers can require proof that the sponsor meets the new guidelines. This can catch families off guard if income has changed.

Recent policy and form changes

• The 125% rule remains the core financial test.
• DHS revised the Affidavit of Support suite—I-864, I-864A, I-864EZ, and I-864W—with public comments ending mid-2024.
• As of June 2024, USCIS discontinued Form I-864W (the exemption request). Updated instructions now control how sponsors compile records.
• The removal of I-864W means more sponsors must file a full Affidavit of Support, reducing prior narrow exemption paths.

What evidence USCIS expects

USCIS expects verifiable evidence of income and assets. Typical documentation includes:

• Federal tax returns (Form 1040) — usually the most important document.
• Recent pay stubs (at least three months recommended).
• Bank statements and brokerage records.
• Employment letter stating start date, salary, and full-time/part-time status (especially important after a recent job change).
• For assets: proof of ownership, value, and liquidity (ability to convert to cash within a year).

Notes on foreign income and household counting:
– Sponsors living abroad generally cannot count foreign income or assets unless those funds will continue from a U.S. source after the immigrant’s entry.
– Household size includes the sponsor, the intending immigrant(s), and dependents claimed on taxes or living in the home.

When income is short: using assets or a joint sponsor

If income falls below the guideline, assets can make up the difference. Multipliers apply:

• U.S. citizen sponsor: assets must equal at least 3 times the shortfall.
• Lawful permanent resident sponsor: assets must equal at least 5 times the shortfall.

Acceptable assets include cash in the bank, stocks, bonds, or home equity. Sponsors must document ownership and liquidity (proof that assets can be converted to cash within a year).

A joint sponsor can be used instead of relying on assets. Key points:
– A joint sponsor must individually meet the full income threshold for the household size.
– The joint sponsor files a separate I-864.
– Officers evaluate each Affidavit of Support on its own—mixing incomes or confusing household counts can cause delays.

Practical impact — examples and common pitfalls

Example:
– A sponsor who earned $38,000 last year and supports a household of four faces a $2,187 shortfall under the 2025 guidelines.
– As a U.S. citizen, they would need assets of at least $6,561 (3 × $2,187).
– As a permanent resident, they would need $10,935 (5 × $2,187).

Common pitfalls that cause delays or RFEs:
– Mismatched household size across forms.
– Missing signatures on I-864.
– Stale or incomplete tax returns.
– Insufficient or unclear proof of assets or income.
– Relying on foreign income that doesn’t continue from a U.S. source.

Special-state considerations:
– Sponsors in Alaska and Hawaii must plan for higher thresholds; a four-person household in Anchorage must meet $50,237 at 125%.

Filing routes and process tips

• For consular cases, sponsors upload the I-864 packet through the State Department’s CEAC system after NVC issues document requests.
• For adjustment of status within the United States 🇺🇸, I-864 is submitted with Form I-485.
• USCIS currently does not allow online filing of the Affidavit—expect paper submissions or scanned uploads depending on the case path.
• NVC charges standard immigrant visa processing fees; USCIS charges no additional fee for I-864 filed with an adjustment case.

Suggested pre-filing playbook:
1. Confirm household size before starting—count yourself, the immigrant(s), and dependents in the home or on your taxes.
2. Check the current chart on Form I-864P for your state and household size.
3. Gather proof: the latest federal tax return, at least three months of pay stubs, and recent bank statements.
4. If income falls short, calculate the asset gap and collect records showing value and access.
5. Decide early whether a joint sponsor is needed, and ensure they qualify on their own.

Legal weight and long-term obligation

By signing Form I-864, a sponsor promises to maintain the immigrant at or above the poverty guideline level until one of the following occurs:

• The immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen.
• The immigrant has 40 qualifying quarters of work (about 10 years).
• The immigrant permanently leaves the U.S.
• A court terminates the obligation in very limited circumstances.

This is a binding financial contract. Courts have enforced I-864 obligations in civil suits brought by sponsored immigrants seeking support. Treat the signature as a serious long-term commitment.

Policy stability and timing

• Congress debated public charge rule changes in late 2024, but none became law by March 2025.
• The annual HHS update is intended to reflect cost changes without large swings, but small increases can tip borderline cases.
• Timing matters: sponsors who mailed packets in February but receive an RFE after March 1, 2025 may need to meet the higher table.

If you face an RFE after the new guidelines took effect, consider:
– Submitting updated pay stubs.
– Providing a fresh employment letter.
– Adding a qualifying joint sponsor.

Where to get official guidance

• Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) instructions and form: https://www.uscis.gov/i-864
• Form I-864A (Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member): https://www.uscis.gov/i-864a
• Form I-864EZ (short form for simple cases): https://www.uscis.gov/i-864ez
• Form I-864P (current HHS guideline chart): https://www.uscis.gov/i-864p
• Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status): https://www.uscis.gov/i-485
• USCIS policy guidance on the Affidavit: https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-8-part-g-chapter-6

Families processing through consular channels should review NVC instructions on the State Department’s site and watch NVC checklist emails for missing items.

Bottom line

• The Affidavit of Support remains a binding financial promise.
• Officials will use the 2025 Poverty Guidelines to determine whether a sponsor or joint sponsor qualifies.
• Meet the income line or provide acceptable assets, submit clear and current documentation, and consider a joint sponsor if needed.
• Careful pre-filing checks (household counts, I-864P chart, signatures, and complete evidence) give cases the best chance to move without RFEs or denials.