If you're a US citizen or green card holder planning to sponsor a family member's immigration, the income bar just changed. The 2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines — released in January — set new minimum income thresholds for the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864).
Key Takeaways
- $27,050 minimum for sponsoring one person (household of 2) — up $1,500 from 2025
- Income must be on your US tax return — expat income counts only if filed with IRS
- Joint sponsors can help if you don't meet the threshold alone
- Assets are an alternative — 3x the income gap (or 5x for non-spouse)
- Combined with the 75-country freeze, family immigration to the US is getting harder in 2026
- File your taxes — even if you live abroad, you need US tax returns to sponsor anyone
For more on US expat tax obligations, see our guide on US taxes for expats.
Last updated: March 31, 2026
What's the New Minimum Income?
$27,050/year for a household of two (you + the person you're sponsoring). This is 125% of the 2026 Federal Poverty Level, which is the standard used for immigration sponsorship.
Here's the full breakdown:
| Household Size | 125% Poverty Level (2026) | Previous (2025) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 (sponsor + 1) | $27,050 | $25,550 | +$1,500 |
| 3 | $34,130 | $32,250 | +$1,880 |
| 4 | $41,210 | $38,950 | +$2,260 |
| 5 | $48,290 | $45,650 | +$2,640 |
| 6 | $55,370 | $52,350 | +$3,020 |
| 7 | $62,450 | $59,050 | +$3,400 |
| 8 | $69,530 | $65,750 | +$3,780 |
| Each additional | +$7,080 | +$6,700 | +$380 |
Who Needs to Meet This Income Requirement?
Any US citizen or permanent resident filing an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) for:
- Family-sponsored green cards — spouse, parents, children, siblings
- Some employment-based green cards — when a family member is the petitioner
- Diversity Visa lottery winners — if the sponsor's income is required
What Counts as Income?
This is where it gets tricky for expats:
Counts toward the requirement:
- W-2 wages and salary
- Self-employment income (Schedule C)
- Social Security benefits
- Pension/retirement income
- Rental income
- Investment income (dividends, interest, capital gains)
- Alimony received
Does NOT count:
- Public benefits (Medicaid, food stamps, welfare)
- One-time gifts
- Informal/cash income without tax documentation
- Income earned abroad that wasn't reported to the IRS
What If I Don't Meet the Income Requirement?
You have several options:
- Joint sponsor — a second person (US citizen or permanent resident) can co-sign the Affidavit of Support with their income
- Assets — you can use assets worth 3x the gap (5x for non-spouse). Example: if you're $10,000 short, show $30,000 in assets
- Employment offer — the immigrant's job offer in the US can sometimes help demonstrate they won't be a public charge
How Does This Affect Expats Living Abroad?
If you're a US citizen living in Portugal or Thailand and earning income abroad, you must report it to the IRS. Your worldwide income counts — but only if it's on your tax return.
Common scenarios for expats:
| Situation | Does It Meet Requirements? |
|---|---|
| US citizen earning $40K abroad, filed taxes | Yes, if on Form 1040 |
| US citizen earning $40K abroad, NOT filed | No — IRS filing required |
| Green card holder living abroad, earning $30K | Yes, if filed with IRS |
| US citizen with $100K in savings but $0 income | Need joint sponsor or asset path |
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