To file Form I-134, a sponsor generally needs gross annual income equal to at least 100% of the federal poverty guideline for their household size. For 2026, the Form I-134 income requirement starts at $21,640 a year for a sponsor supporting one beneficiary with no other dependents in the 48 contiguous states.1ASPE – HHS.gov. 2026 Poverty Guidelines – 48 Contiguous States The threshold rises with each additional person the sponsor claims as a dependent and with each additional beneficiary being supported.
2026 Income Thresholds by Household Size
HHS updates its poverty guidelines every January, and those figures set the floor for I-134 sponsors.2Health and Human Services Department. Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines For the 48 contiguous states and D.C., the 2026 figures at 100% of the guideline are:1ASPE – HHS.gov. 2026 Poverty Guidelines – 48 Contiguous States
- Household of 2: $21,640
- Household of 3: $27,320
- Household of 4: $33,000
- Household of 5: $38,680
- Household of 6: $44,360
- Household of 7: $50,040
- Household of 8: $55,720
For each person beyond eight, add $5,680. A single sponsor with no dependents who is supporting one beneficiary counts as a household of two, so $21,640 is the most common starting point.
Alaska and Hawaii
Both states use higher guidelines. In Alaska, the 100% threshold for a household of two is $27,050. In Hawaii, it is $24,890.3ASPE – HHS.gov. 2026 Poverty Guidelines – Alaska and Hawaii Sponsors living in Alaska or Hawaii should use the state-specific tables rather than the contiguous-states figures.
How to Count Your Household
Getting to the right income figure starts with counting the right number of people, because the count tells you which line of the guideline table applies. The household includes the sponsor, the sponsor’s spouse, any dependent children living in the home, and anyone else the sponsor claimed as a dependent on the most recent federal tax return.4U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Form I-134, Instructions for Declaration of Financial Support Tax dependents count even when they do not live with the sponsor.
Then add the beneficiary. If the beneficiary is bringing accompanying relatives, each one gets added too. A sponsor with a spouse, one child at home, and one beneficiary counts as a household of four and needs $33,000 in 2026 income to meet the threshold.1ASPE – HHS.gov. 2026 Poverty Guidelines – 48 Contiguous States
The most common mistake is undercounting. A child claimed on the sponsor’s taxes but living with an ex-spouse still counts. An elderly parent listed as a dependent still counts. An undercounted household produces an income figure that looks sufficient on paper but falls short of the correct line, and that mismatch is one of the fastest ways to draw a request for evidence or a denial.
What Officers Expect Above the Minimum
The 100% figure is the formal benchmark, but consular officers have broad discretion. Some look for income well above the floor, especially when the planned stay is long or when the officer has doubts about the visitor’s intent to return home. There is no regulation setting a specific buffer, but officers are often more comfortable when a sponsor’s income sits at 125% of the guideline or higher. A sponsor who barely clears the minimum and carries significant existing financial obligations should expect tougher scrutiny.
Making Up a Shortfall With Assets
Sponsors whose income falls below the threshold can close the gap with assets, but only assets convertible to cash within 12 months should be listed on the form.4U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Form I-134, Instructions for Declaration of Financial Support Savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and investment accounts are the cleanest examples. Real estate counts at its net value after mortgages and liens are subtracted. Automobiles generally do not count unless the sponsor owns more than one and at least one is not needed for basic transportation.
Unlike Form I-864, which requires assets to equal three to five times the income shortfall, Form I-134 does not impose a fixed multiplier. The adjudicator or consular officer looks at whether the sponsor’s income plus accessible assets is realistically enough to support the beneficiary for the anticipated length of stay. Sponsors leaning on assets should bring documentation showing current market values and any outstanding debts against them.
Adding a Second Sponsor
When one sponsor cannot meet the threshold alone, a second sponsor can file a separate Form I-134 for the same beneficiary. Each sponsor completes their own form with their own financial documentation, and the adjudicator evaluates the combined support. This works well when a beneficiary has two relatives in the U.S. who each earn modest incomes but together comfortably clear the guideline. Because the I-134 is not a binding contract, neither sponsor takes on a contractual debt by joining in.
Documents That Prove the Income
An income number on the form has to be backed by paperwork, and USCIS expects the following evidence:4U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Form I-134, Instructions for Declaration of Financial Support
- A copy of the sponsor’s most recent federal tax return (Form 1040) or an IRS tax transcript. If no return was filed, or the return does not reflect current income, provide consecutive pay stubs from at least the past month, a recent W-2, or a Form SSA-1099.
- An employer letter on company letterhead showing the date of hire, the nature of the work, current salary, and whether the position is temporary or permanent.
- A bank letter identifying when the account was opened, total deposits over the past year, and the current balance.
- If applicable, a list of bonds with serial numbers, denominations, and the name of the record owner.
- Proof of the sponsor’s status: for U.S. citizens, a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, consular report of birth abroad, or the data page of a U.S. passport; for lawful permanent residents, a copy of both sides of the green card or an unexpired temporary I-551 stamp.
Self-employed sponsors do not have an employer to write a letter, so the tax return and bank records carry more weight. Schedule C or business tax filings, along with bank statements showing consistent deposits, are the core documents. Profit-and-loss statements and contracts for ongoing work can reinforce the picture.
Every number on the form has to line up with the attached documents. A reported income of $35,000 paired with a tax return showing $28,000 in adjusted gross income will draw a request for evidence at best and a denial at worst. Check every figure twice before submitting.
How This Differs From the I-864 Threshold
The Form I-134 income requirement is not the same as the one used for green card sponsorship. Form I-864, the Affidavit of Support filed for immigrant visas and adjustment of status, sets the bar higher at 125% of the poverty guidelines and creates a legally binding obligation that the government or the sponsored immigrant can enforce in court. Form I-134 sits at 100% and is a declaration rather than a contract, and courts have consistently held that it does not create an enforceable obligation between the sponsor and the U.S. government. If your case involves permanent residence, the I-864 rules and dollar figures are the ones that apply, not the numbers above.