US green card 2026: New income rules could determine whether family sponsors qualify
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People sponsoring relatives for a US green card through family-based immigration now have updated income requirements to consider, with the 2026 federal poverty guidelines setting the financial benchmark for the Affidavit of Support.
The requirement is important for US citizens and lawful permanent residents sponsoring eligible relatives, including applicants from Nigeria and other countries.
Under the Affidavit of Support rules, most sponsors must demonstrate that their income is at least 125% of the federal poverty guideline for their household size. The required amount varies depending on the number of people in the household and, in some cases, the sponsor’s place of residence.
The updated figures apply to affidavits of support under the current 2026 guidelines. USCIS says Form I-864 is generally used to demonstrate that a family-based immigrant has adequate financial support and is not likely to become primarily dependent on the government.
How much income is required for a US green card sponsor in 2026?
For sponsors living in the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia, the 2026 income requirement starts at $27,050 for a household of two.
The threshold increases as household size grows.
| Household size | Minimum annual income |
|---|---|
| 2 | $27,050 |
| 3 | $34,150 |
| 4 | $41,250 |
| 5 | $48,350 |
| 6 | $55,450 |
| 7 | $62,550 |
| 8 | $69,650 |
For each additional household member beyond eight, the applicable amount increases by $7,100.
The household calculation is important because the sponsor does not simply consider the relative they are bringing to the US. The financial assessment takes into account the sponsor’s household and the people included in the sponsorship calculation.
Why the Affidavit of Support matters
Form I-864 is a legally binding financial commitment between the sponsor and the US government.
USCIS explains that the sponsor must demonstrate sufficient income and/or qualifying assets to maintain the intending immigrant at the required level.
This means the Affidavit of Support is more than a routine immigration form. It establishes the sponsor’s financial responsibility for the immigrant.
The requirement applies to most family-based immigrants, including immediate relatives of US citizens and family-preference immigrants. Certain employment-based immigration cases can also require an I-864 when a qualifying relative has filed the petition or has a significant ownership interest in the petitioning entity.
What happens if a sponsor does not earn enough?
A sponsor falling below the required income level does not necessarily mean the family-based green card process must end.
US immigration rules provide several mechanisms that can potentially address an income shortfall.
A qualifying joint sponsor may be used to meet the financial requirement. Household members may also contribute qualifying income through Form I-864A, where the applicable requirements are met.
A sponsor may also use certain qualifying assets to supplement income.
The important point for applicants is that the financial requirement has alternatives, but those alternatives have their own documentation and eligibility rules.
Sponsors should not simply report an income figure without supporting evidence.
What counts as household size?
Household size is one of the most important factors in determining the minimum income requirement.
The calculation can include the sponsor, the sponsor’s spouse, unmarried children under certain circumstances, people claimed as dependents on the sponsor’s most recent federal tax return and the intending immigrant or immigrants being sponsored.
A sponsor’s existing obligations can consequently increase the income level they need to demonstrate.
This is why two people earning the same salary can face different sponsorship requirements if their household circumstances are different.
Hawaii and Alaska have higher income requirements
The standard figures do not apply everywhere in the same way.
Sponsors living in Hawaii and Alaska face higher federal poverty guideline amounts than sponsors in the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia.
For Hawaii, the 2026 minimum for a household of two is $31,113, compared with $27,050 under the standard guideline.
The requirement rises with household size, reaching $80,088 for a household of eight. Each additional person adds $8,163 under the Hawaii guideline.
Alaska also has its own higher threshold.
This regional difference is important for families because the sponsor’s place of residence can change the income level that must be demonstrated.
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Does the sponsor need to earn 125% of the poverty level?
For most Form I-864 sponsors, the required income level is 125% of the applicable federal poverty guideline.
There is a special lower percentage for certain sponsors who are on active duty in the US Armed Forces and are sponsoring a spouse or child, subject to the applicable rules.
USCIS’s Form I-864 instructions explain that the affidavit is designed to show that the sponsor has sufficient means to support the intending immigrant.
What happens after the immigrant receives a green card?
Signing an Affidavit of Support creates continuing financial obligations for the sponsor.
USCIS states that if the sponsored immigrant receives certain federal, state or local means-tested public benefits, the agency providing those benefits may seek repayment from the sponsor. The sponsor can potentially be sued if the applicable costs are not repaid.
The obligation does not simply disappear when the immigrant receives a green card.
The I-864 instructions set out circumstances under which the sponsor’s obligation can end, so sponsors should understand the legal commitment before signing the form.
What should Nigerians sponsoring relatives in America know?
For Nigerians with relatives pursuing family-based US immigration, the updated income figures are particularly relevant when preparing an Affidavit of Support.
A US-based parent, spouse, sibling or other qualifying family sponsor should calculate their household size carefully before determining whether their income meets the applicable threshold.
Applicants should also distinguish between the visa petition and the financial sponsorship requirement. Approval of a family petition does not by itself eliminate the requirement to demonstrate adequate financial support.
Where income is insufficient, families can investigate whether a joint sponsor, household-member income or qualifying assets can address the shortfall.
The 2026 figures are not the only requirement
Meeting the income threshold does not automatically guarantee that a family-based green card will be approved.
The intending immigrant must still qualify under the relevant immigration category and satisfy other applicable requirements. The sponsor must also submit the appropriate financial documentation.
The Affidavit of Support is one part of a broader immigration process.
For anyone preparing a case, checking the current USCIS instructions and the applicable Form I-864P figures is important because immigration requirements and poverty guidelines can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum income to sponsor a family member for a green card in 2026?
For a sponsor in the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia, the 2026 minimum for a household of two is $27,050. The required amount increases according to household size.
How much does a family of four need to sponsor a green card applicant?
Under the 2026 figures provided for the standard US guideline, a household of four must meet an annual income threshold of $41,250.
Can I sponsor a relative if my income is below the requirement?
A sponsor who does not meet the required income may have options such as using a qualifying joint sponsor, combining qualifying household-member income through Form I-864A or using eligible assets.
What is Form I-864?
Form I-864 is the Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Immigration and Nationality Act. It is generally required for most family-based immigrants and demonstrates that the sponsor has adequate financial means to support the intending immigrant.
Is the Affidavit of Support legally binding?
Yes. Signing Form I-864 creates a financial obligation between the sponsor and the US government. USCIS says a sponsor can potentially be required to repay certain means-tested public benefits received by the sponsored immigrant.
Can a joint sponsor help with a green card income requirement?
Yes. A qualifying joint sponsor can potentially be used when the petitioning sponsor’s income is insufficient, provided the joint sponsor independently meets the applicable requirements.
Does household size affect the green card sponsor income requirement?
Yes. The larger the sponsor’s household, the higher the required income. The intending immigrant also has to be included in the applicable household calculation.
Are the income requirements the same in every US state?
No. The standard guideline applies to the 48 contiguous states and certain US jurisdictions, while Alaska and Hawaii have separate, higher poverty guidelines.
Can assets be used if a sponsor does not earn enough?
Qualifying assets can potentially be used to supplement insufficient income under the applicable rules. The amount and type of assets that can be counted depend on the circumstances of the case.
When did the 2026 income guidelines take effect?
The 2026 figures cited in the report took effect from March 1, 2026, and apply to relevant pending and newly submitted affidavits under the updated guidelines.