Last Updated: October 2025
Key Facts You Should Know
- The minimum K-1 visa income requirement for 2025 is $21,150 for a household of two people.
- In addition to your own earnings, you may count the income of certain household members related to you by birth, marriage, or adoption, provided that income is available to support your fiancé(e).
- The K-1 fiancé(e) visa allows a U.S. citizen to bring their foreign fiancé(e) to the United States, with the intention to marry within 90 days of arrival.
Understanding and meeting these income requirements is essential for your petition’s success. At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys guide sponsors through each step of the K-1 visa process, ensuring that all financial documents and supporting evidence meet USCIS standards.
Understanding K-1 Visa Income Requirements for Sponsors
To qualify as a K-1 visa sponsor in 2025, a U.S. citizen must demonstrate a minimum household income of $21,150 for a household size of two—this includes you and your fiancé(e).
The U.S. government sets these income standards to ensure that the foreign beneficiary will not rely on public assistance after entering the country. This income threshold is based on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) poverty guidelines, which are updated annually.
When completing the Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, the household size calculation generally includes:
- The sponsoring U.S. citizen (yourself)
- Any dependent children
- Your K-1 fiancé(e)
- Any other immigrants you have previously sponsored
- Your fiancé(e)’s children, if they will accompany them
If your income alone does not meet the minimum threshold, you may include the income of other household members—as long as they are related to you by birth, marriage, or adoption and their income is available for the sponsored individual’s support. Household members typically qualify if they are listed on your most recent federal tax return or can provide proof that their income contributes to the household.
If you’re unsure how to calculate your household size or verify your eligibility, the immigration attorneys at Green Card Link can assess your situation and help ensure your application meets all financial standards before submission.
2025 K-1 Visa Income Requirements (HHS Poverty Guidelines)
Below are the 2025 K-1 visa income guidelines effective as of March 1, 2025, for sponsors living in the 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Household Size | Minimum Annual Income (100% of HHS Poverty Guidelines) |
2 | $21,150 |
3 | $26,650 |
4 | $32,150 |
5 | $37,650 |
6 | $43,150 |
7 | $48,650 |
8 | $54,150 |
Each additional person | Add $5,500 |
If you live in Alaska or Hawaii, higher income levels are required due to cost-of-living differences:
Alaska
Household Size | Minimum Annual Income (100% of HHS Poverty Guidelines) |
2 | $26,430 |
3 | $33,310 |
4 | $40,190 |
5 | $47,070 |
6 | $53,950 |
7 | $60,830 |
8 | $67,710 |
Each additional person | Add $6,880 |
Hawaii
Household Size | Minimum Annual Income (100% of HHS Poverty Guidelines) |
2 | $24,340 |
3 | $30,740 |
4 | $37,140 |
5 | $43,540 |
6 | $49,940 |
7 | $56,340 |
8 | $62,740 |
Each additional person | Add $6,400 |
What If You Don’t Meet the Minimum Income Requirement?
If your income does not meet the required threshold, Green Card Link’s immigration attorneys can help you explore available options, such as:
- Including additional household income from qualifying family members;
- Demonstrating assets like savings, property, or investments; or
- Obtaining a joint sponsor, when appropriate.
Our team ensures that all financial evidence is carefully prepared and presented according to USCIS guidelines, increasing your chances of a successful outcome.
Accepted Sources of Income for K-1 Visa Sponsors
When sponsoring your fiancé(e) for a K-1 visa, it’s essential to understand which sources of income qualify for eligibility. Most sponsors must rely on the annual income reported on their most recent federal income tax return—typically the amount listed on Line 9 of IRS Form 1040. However, immigration attorneys at Green Card Link often recommend maintaining the required income level for multiple consecutive years to strengthen your case.
Your total stable annual income may include wages or salary from an employer, retirement benefits, child support, alimony, dividends, or interest earned from private or public investments. Other forms of income may also be acceptable, though some may require additional documentation or verification. If you plan to include non-traditional sources of income, consulting an experienced immigration attorney at Green Card Link can help ensure that your financial documentation fully complies with USCIS standards.
Understanding Stable Income for K-1 Visa Sponsorship
The term “stable income” is repeatedly emphasized in immigration law because USCIS prioritizes consistent and predictable income streams. Stable income typically refers to recurring earnings—such as wages or retirement benefits—that occur at regular intervals. One-time payments or irregular earnings are not considered reliable.
If your income fluctuates or includes non-recurring payments, it’s wise to consult immigration attorneys at Green Card Link. They can help you determine what documentation is needed and guide you through acceptable proof of income for your specific case.
How to Demonstrate Stable Income for a K-1 Visa
The K-1 visa process generally requires the U.S. citizen sponsor to prove sufficient income twice:
- During the consular stage when applying to bring the foreign fiancé(e) into the U.S.
- During the adjustment of status process after the marriage.
I-134 Affidavit of Support
The I-134 Affidavit of Support is the first financial form required in a K-1 visa application. This document assures the U.S. consulate that the foreign fiancé(e) will not become a public charge upon entering the country. The sponsor’s income must meet or exceed the current HHS Poverty Guidelines for that year.
Once approved, the fiancé(e) will receive a nonimmigrant K-1 visa to enter the United States.
What If You Don’t Meet the Minimum Income Requirement?
If your income falls short of the threshold, there are two possible solutions:
1. Using Your Assets
You can use the cash value of your assets—such as savings, property, or investments—to make up for the income gap. The total asset value must be at least three times the difference between your current income and the required amount.
For example, if your household of four in Florida needs $32,150 but earns only $20,000, the shortfall is $12,150. You would need assets worth at least $36,450 to qualify. Acceptable assets include real estate, vehicles, savings accounts, stocks, and bonds.
2. Having a Joint Sponsor
Alternatively, you may use a joint sponsor—a person willing to share legal financial responsibility for your fiancé(e). The joint sponsor must meet 100% of the HHS Poverty Guidelines on their own. Importantly, a joint sponsor doesn’t need to be a relative.
However, some U.S. embassies or consulates may not accept joint sponsors for K-1 applications, so it’s best to verify this with immigration attorneys at Green Card Link before filing.
I-864 Affidavit of Support for Adjustment of Status
After your fiancé(e) arrives in the U.S. and you get married (within 90 days), you’ll need to file the I-864 Affidavit of Support as part of the adjustment of status process to obtain a green card.
This document demonstrates that you can financially support your spouse at an income level 125% above the HHS Poverty Guidelines. By signing it, you legally commit to supporting your spouse until they become a U.S. citizen or have earned 40 quarters (10 years) of Social Security credits.
Even in the event of divorce, your financial responsibility remains until one of those two conditions is met. Failure to meet these obligations could result in liability for any means-tested public benefits your spouse receives.
Supporting Evidence Required
You’ll need to submit the following with your affidavit:
- Your most recent U.S. federal income tax return
- Proof of current employment
If you cannot provide a tax return, a written explanation must accompany your application. Without it, USCIS may delay or reject the green card process.
Meeting the K-1 Visa Income Requirements
To successfully sponsor a K-1 visa, your income must equal or exceed 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For a household of two, this currently means at least $21,150 per year.
Applicants who fall short may still qualify by adding a joint sponsor or demonstrating sufficient financial assets. However, certain factors—such as an existing marriage, specific criminal convictions, or lack of a bona fide relationship—can make you ineligible.
Ensuring Success with a K-1 Visa Application
Meeting K-1 visa income requirements can be complex, but professional guidance makes a significant difference. Working with an experienced immigration attorney at Green Card Link ensures that your documentation is accurate, your financial evidence is strong, and your case avoids unnecessary delays or denials.
Our immigration attorneys have extensive experience helping clients successfully file K-1 visa petitions, verify income eligibility, and obtain green cards through marriage-based immigration.
How Green Card Link Can Help
At Green Card Link, our immigration attorneys have helped countless couples reunite in the United States through the K-1 visa process. We provide personalized legal support—from preparing financial evidence to completing forms like the I-134 and I-864—to help you meet USCIS requirements efficiently and confidently.
Start your K-1 visa journey today with the guidance of trusted immigration attorneys at Green Card Link.