Visa Sponsor Income Calculator
Use this free calculator to determine the minimum income required to sponsor someone for a visa or green card.
Enter Your Details
Your Sponsorship Results
Minimum income to sponsor
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You likely qualify to be a sponsor!
Use Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, to sponsor a green card applicantGet started on the Affidavit of Support Package
Use our easy, online service to prepare Form I-864 and get a simple checklist of supporting documents based on your situation.
Learn about green card sponsorship
Sign up for free to learn more about Form I-864 and get an extensive overview of sponsoring someone for a green card.
Without sufficient income, there are still options.
If your income falls short of the government’s requirements, don't worry — there are still options! Here’s what you can do:
Add a Household Member’s Income
If you live with certain family members who earn income (like a spouse, parent, adult child, or sibling), you may be able to combine their income with yours to meet the requirement.- You'll need to file an additional form called Form I-864A (Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member). CitizenPath can help you do this.
- The household member must be willing to share their income and accept legal responsibility.
Get a Joint Sponsor
You can find someone else (a friend or family member) who meets the income requirements to act as a joint sponsor.- The joint sponsor must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, at least 18 years old, and willing to file a separate Form I-864. CitizenPath can help you do this.
- They don’t have to live with you or the immigrant, but they do take on the same financial responsibility.
Use Assets to Qualify
If you don’t have enough income, you can sometimes use your assets to make up the difference. While this is a viable option for some, CitizenPath does not support the use of assets because of the additional complexities it requires for documentation.- Assets can include savings accounts, real estate, stocks, bonds, or other property.
- Generally, the total value of your assets must be at least five times the shortfall (or three times for sponsoring a spouse or child of a U.S. citizen).
Beneficiary’s Own Assets or Income
In some cases, the immigrant being sponsored can use their own income or assets to help meet the requirement.- Their income must continue from the same source after they immigrate.
- If they have significant savings or property, it can also be counted toward the requirement.
To learn more, sign up below to receive an overview about green card sponsorship.
Learn about green card sponsorship
Sign up for free to learn more about Form I-864 and get an extensive overview of sponsoring someone for a green card.
Get started on the Affidavit of Support Package
Use our easy, online service to prepare Form I-864 and get a simple checklist of supporting documents based on your situation.
You likely qualify to be a sponsor!
Use Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, to sponsor your beneficiaryGet started on the Nonimmigrant Support Package
Use our easy, online service to prepare Form I-134 and get a simple checklist of supporting documents based on your situation.
Learn about supporting a nonimmigrant beneficiary
Sign up for free to learn more about Form I-134 and get an extensive overview of supporting someone arriving on a nonimmigrant visa.
Without sufficient income, there are still options.
If your income falls short of the government’s requirements, don't worry — there are still options! Here’s what you can do:
Use Assets to Qualify
If you don’t have enough income, you can sometimes use your assets to make up the difference. While this is a viable option for some, CitizenPath does not encourage the use of assets because of the additional complexities it requires for documentation.- Assets can include savings accounts, real estate, stocks, bonds, or other property.
- Generally, the total value of your assets must be at least five times the shortfall.
Get an Alternate Sponsor
You can find someone else (a friend or family member) who meets the income requirements to act as the primary sponsor and submit Form I-134.- Typically, the alternate sponsor must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, at least 18 years old, who is willing to take on the same financial responsibility. CitizenPath can help you do this.
- This is the most certain way to overcome the public charge requirement when the petitioner is unable to do so.
To learn more, sign up below to receive an overview about financially supporting someone.
Learn about supporting a nonimmigrant beneficiary
Sign up for free to learn more about Form I-134 and get an extensive overview of supporting someone arriving on a nonimmigrant visa.
Get started on the Nonimmigrant Support Package
Use our easy, online service to prepare Form I-134 and get a simple checklist of supporting documents based on your situation.
How to Use the Visa Sponsor Income Calculator
Enter Your Details
- Under "Type of visa," indicate that type of visa the beneficiary seeks.
- For "State," select the U.S. state or territory where the sponsor maintains a residence. The sponsor must be domiciled in the United States.
- For "Sponsor's household," indicate how many people, including the sponsor, are in the sponsor's household. Generally, this includes other people on the sponsor's tax return as a co-filer or dependent.
- For "Number of immigrants," indicate how many beneficiaries will be coming to the United States at the same time or within 6 months.
- If asked, indicate if the beneficiary is a child under the age of 21.
- If asked, indicate if the sponsor is active-duty U.S. armed forces. Active-duty service members have a reduced requirement when sponsoring a spouse or child.
Your Sponsorship Results
After you supply details, the visa sponsor income calculator prominently displays the minimum income required to sponsor someone for a visa or green card, depending on which you selected. Additional parameters are also displayed:
- The visa situation you selected is displayed as "Visa type."
- The total household size is calculated in "Household size."
- State or territory for the sponsor is named in "Sponsor state."
- Active-duty status in the U.S. armed forces is listed in "Military."
Explanation of Terminology
- Active-Duty Military: This describes a specific status of service is one of the U.S. armed forces. It does not include statuses such as veteran.
- Beneficiary: This is the person who will receive the benefit. In this case, the benefit is a visa.
- Form I-134: USCIS form name for the Declaration of Financial Support used by certain individuals to demonstrate financial support for a nonimmigrant visa applicant. Learn more about Form I-134 >>
- Form I-864: USCIS form name for the Affidavit of Support and generally used by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to sponsor a green card applicant. Learn more about Form I-864 >>
- Immigrant Visa: Also known as a green card, an immigrant visa is granted to a permanent resident of the United States.
- Nonimmigrant Visa: Issued to foreign nationals for a temporary stay in the United States. Examples include B-2 visitor visa, F-1 student visa, and H-1B employment visa.
- Sponsor: Generally the person who submits a petition (Form I-134 or Form I-864) must also agree to act as a financial supporter (if needed). However, a joint sponsor, such as a friend or family member, can typically assist with this role.
Disclaimer: CitizenPath's visa sponsor income calculator is provided in good faith but should be used for informational purposes only. We accept no responsibility for accuracy. Use CitizenPath's services to prepare Form I-134 or I-864 or consult with an experienced immigration attorney to validate your qualifications to sponsor a beneficiary.