Question
How much do I have to earn to petition my spouse?
Short answer
It depends on how many people are in your household. USCIS Form I-864P publishes the minimum: 125% of the poverty guidelines for most sponsors. The current table is below, with its date.
Paso Libre editorial team
Reviewed September 29, 2026 · Educational information, not legal advice
Where the number comes from
Whoever petitions a relative signs Form I-864, the “affidavit of support”. USCIS publishes the minimum income in the I-864P.
Count every person in your household, including the person you petition. The more people, the higher the minimum.
If your income falls short, the instructions mention assets or a joint sponsor. Whether that applies to you is a legal question.
Paso Libre charges $129 to prepare the I-864 with you. You fill it in free and pay only when you finish your answers. USCIS charges no fee for the I-864.
Sponsor's minimum income (I-864P, 48 states and D.C.)
| People in your household | 125% — most sponsors | 100% — active-duty military petitioning a spouse or child |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $27,050 | $21,640 |
| 3 | $34,150 | $27,320 |
| 4 | $41,250 | $33,000 |
| 5 | $48,350 | $38,680 |
| 6 | $55,450 | $44,360 |
| 7 | $62,550 | $50,040 |
| 8 | $69,650 | $55,720 |
| Each additional person | +$7,100 | +$5,680 |
Figures from USCIS Form I-864P, effective March 1, 2026, read on September 29, 2026. Alaska and Hawaii use a different table. uscis.gov/i-864p ↗
If your question needs legal advice
This question needs legal advice. To protect you, we do not want to guess. Here is how to find a licensed attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative.
Official sources
- Form I-864P, poverty guidelines — USCIS ↗ · Read on September 29, 2026
- Find legal services — USCIS ↗ · Read on September 29, 2026
- Accredited representatives — Department of Justice ↗ · Read on September 29, 2026