I-134 Income Requirements: How Much a Supporter Must Earn

Form I-134 is not the same as Form I-864. Generally, I-134 is used for nonimmigrant or temporary situations (for example, certain B-1/B-2 visitor or K-1 fiancé(e) visa interviews). Because of that, it works more like a financial credibility check than a long-term contract.

In practice, many officers compare a supporter’s income to the federal poverty guidelines for the household size.

In most cases, your household income must be at least 100% of the federal poverty guidelines for your household size.

Typically, a U.S. consular officer at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad makes the decision if an I-134 supporter has sufficient resources. In some limited cases, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officer may review the form during admission or parole decisions.

However, they don't review income in isolation. Officers review several factors together to determine if a sponsor meets the I-134 income requirements.

• What Counts as Income?

  USCIS typically reviews:
  • Current employment income
  • Ongoing, predictable income sources
  • Your most recent federal income tax return
  Generally, irregular or temporary income will not be heavily weighted.

• Household Size is a Major Factor

  Household size directly affects the income threshold. It includes:
  • You (the sponsor)
  • Your spouse
  • Dependent children
  • Anyone listed on your most recent tax return
  • The immigrant(s) you are sponsoring
  Larger households require higher income. Calculating household size correctly is critical.

• Where You Live Affects I-134 Income Requirements

  Federal poverty guidelines vary by location. Consequently, Alaska and Hawaii have higher thresholds than the rest of the U.S.

Instead of guessing, use the Visa Sponsor Income Calculator. It applies the current poverty guidelines and adjusts for:

• Household size
• Sponsor’s location

Not meeting the I-134 income requirements does not automatically disqualify a case. Because Form I-134 is used for temporary or discretionary situations, officers may consider alternative ways to demonstrate financial support.

Two of the most common options are adding assets or using an alternate supporter.

If your income is slightly below the guideline, assets may help strengthen your case.

• Bank accounts
• Property equity
• Stocks or bonds

If your income is well below the guideline, assets alone likely will not be persuasive. They also increase the documentation burden. Learn more about using assets on Form I-134 →

Another option is to use an alternate supporter (sometimes called an additional or joint supporter). This person doesn't need to be a relative and can help if they:

• Meet income requirements independently
• Are a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident
• Agree to accept financial responsibility

I-134 supporters may qualify but still face delays due to avoidable errors.

• Miscounting household size
• Relying only on old tax returns
• Submitting income without proof
• Assuming I-134 rules match I-864 rules
• Ignoring current employment changes

These mistakes often trigger Requests for Evidence and cause delays.

Supporting a K-1 fiancé(e) requires additional planning because Form I-134 is only temporary.

Form I-134 is used for the K-1 visa interview, but after the fiancé(e) enters the United States and the couple marries, the U.S. petitioner must file Form I-864 when applying for a green card. The I-864 income requirements are higher and mandatory.

At the K-1 stage:

• Income is typically compared to 100% of the federal poverty guidelines
• The decision is discretionary
• Assets or alternate supporters may help

During adjustment of status:

• Income generally must meet 125% of the federal poverty guidelines
• The affidavit becomes a legally enforceable obligation
• Flexibility is much more limited

A supporter who qualifies under I-134 may not qualify later under I-864.

If you are supporting a K-1 fiancé(e), it’s smart to evaluate whether you are likely to meet the I-864 income requirements after marriage, not just the I-134 standard today.

Using the Visa Sponsor Income Calculator now can help you:

• Confirm I-134 eligibility
• See whether you are on track for I-864
• Avoid delays after marriage

Planning early helps ensure a smoother transition from the K-1 visa to permanent residence.