Affidavit of Support Asset Requirement Calculator

Understanding why Form I-864 financial thresholds exist

Family-based immigration to the United States allows citizens and lawful permanent residents to reunite with relatives, but Congress has long required that sponsors show an ability to support newcomers. The modern Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, formalizes that promise as a binding contract. By signing, a sponsor guarantees to maintain the intending immigrant at an income level above the poverty line and to reimburse any means-tested public benefits the person might claim. Because the stakes are high—both for the immigrant’s visa and for the sponsor’s future finances—knowing exactly how much income and assets the government expects is essential. Yet the official poverty guideline tables do not translate cleanly into a sponsor’s situation. Household size definitions differ from tax returns, allowances exist for military families, and assets can substitute for income only under specific rules. This calculator distills that complexity into concrete numbers so families can plan with confidence.

The poverty guideline framework adjusts with inflation each year. For 2024, the baseline for a household of two in the contiguous United States is $20,440, while in Alaska it rises to $25,540 and in Hawaii to $23,500. Sponsors must typically show 125% of those figures because lawmakers wanted a margin of safety above subsistence level. That extra buffer aims to ensure new immigrants will not become dependent on public assistance, especially during the first years when they are establishing themselves. A common surprise for sponsors is that every person counted on the affidavit—including the sponsoring household’s dependents, any immigrant derivatives, and sometimes even a joint sponsor’s family members—raises the income floor.

Assets add another layer of nuance. USCIS allows certain liquid holdings to cover an income shortfall, but the agency discounts those assets by requiring several multiples of the gap. The logic is simple: assets can fluctuate in value and may take time to convert to cash. By multiplying the shortfall by three or five, the government creates a cushion against market swings or delays. Unfortunately, very few public tools translate those multipliers into actionable figures. Many sponsors resort to spreadsheets or guesswork, especially if multiple household members are pooling resources. This planner solves that by letting you inventory assets, apply realistic liquidation discounts, and compare the total directly to the required amount.

Formulas behind the asset requirement

The logic of the calculator follows the regulatory sequence. First, it determines the applicable poverty guideline P based on location and household size. Second, it multiplies that guideline by the required percentage m (1.25 by default or 1.00 for certain military sponsors) to establish the income floor. Third, it subtracts your countable household income I to compute the shortfall S. If that shortfall is positive, it multiplies it by the required asset factor f to determine the minimum net value of assets you must demonstrate. In MathML form, the core equation is:

Here, $A$ represents the minimum total value of assets that may be counted. The calculator also lets you record individual assets with a liquidation percentage $L$ between 0 and 100 to reflect the expected discount when selling. For each item, the adjusted value becomes $$V=V\mathrm{_declared}\times \frac{L}{100}$$. Summing the adjusted values across all asset entries yields the total amount you can credibly present to USCIS.

Because poverty guidelines only list household sizes up to eight people, the calculator extrapolates using the official increment per additional person: $5,380 for the contiguous U.S., $6,730 for Alaska, and $6,190 for Hawaii. That allows large households to estimate their threshold without consulting multiple tables. When computing the required percentage, the tool automatically handles the standard 125% rule or the reduced 100% rule for active-duty sponsors of spouses or minor children. If you are a U.S. citizen sponsoring an orphan for adoption, you can select the 1× asset multiple instead of the usual 3× or 5× to reflect USCIS policy.

To help you evaluate whether your assets meet the goal, the calculator compares the total adjusted value to the required amount. If you exceed the target, it reports the surplus cushion; if you fall short, it highlights the exact deficit. That precise feedback is invaluable when coordinating with co-sponsors or deciding whether to include additional evidence such as a job offer letter. By summarizing the information in a table, the tool also prepares you to fill out the affidavit form sections asking for household assets and how they will be made available for support.

Worked example: sponsoring a parent with mixed income sources

Consider Maria, a U.S. citizen living in Texas who wants to sponsor her father for permanent residence. Her household size for Form I-864 purposes is four: herself, her spouse, one child, and her father, the intending immigrant. The 2024 poverty guideline for a four-person household in the contiguous United States is $31,200. Because Maria is not on active duty, she must meet 125% of that amount, or $39,000. Maria earns $32,000 annually from her part-time job while her spouse contributes $9,000 from freelance work that can be counted because it is expected to continue. Together their countable income is $41,000, exceeding the threshold by $2,000. In this scenario the shortfall is negative, so the calculator reports that no assets are required. Maria can move forward confidently with the income documentation she already has.

Now imagine a slightly different case. Suppose Maria’s freelance income varies, and she conservatively reports only $4,000 as reliable. The total countable income becomes $36,000, creating a $3,000 shortfall against the $39,000 requirement. Because she is a U.S. citizen sponsoring a parent, the asset multiplier is 5. She therefore needs $15,000 in qualifying assets. Maria lists a savings account with $8,000 and a certificate of deposit worth $10,000 that she could break early at a 10% penalty. Applying a 100% liquidation factor to the savings and a 90% factor to the certificate yields $8,000 + $9,000 = $17,000 in adjusted assets, comfortably covering the requirement. The calculator highlights a $2,000 surplus, giving Maria room to account for market fluctuations or documentation adjustments.

The ability to run these what-if scenarios encourages accurate reporting. Sponsors can test how consistent overtime, bonuses, or seasonal income might affect their countable total. They can also explore whether inviting a household member to complete Form I-864A is worthwhile or if a separate joint sponsor must step in. Because the tool accepts an unlimited number of asset entries, families can detail everything from savings bonds to home equity, ensuring nothing is overlooked.

Comparison table of asset multipliers and guideline impacts

The table below illustrates how poverty guidelines, income multiples, and asset factors intersect for a five-person household across different locations. Reviewing the numbers helps sponsors grasp the magnitude of the requirements and why location and petition category matter.

These examples show that the same household income can be sufficient in the contiguous United States but inadequate in Alaska due to the higher cost-of-living adjustments. They also demonstrate how active-duty sponsors benefit from a lower income multiple and how orphan adoptions dramatically reduce the asset requirement.

Keep planning momentum by mapping visa steps with the Visa Application Timeline Planner, coordinating travel buffers in the Advance Parole Travel Buffer Planner, or reviewing policy nuances in the Immigration Guidebook so your supporting documents align across every stage of the process.

Limitations, documentation tips, and planning assumptions

While this calculator mirrors USCIS policy, it cannot replace personalized legal advice. Affidavit of Support rules intersect with other immigration regulations such as public charge determinations, household member contracts, and sponsor enforceability. Countable income must be reasonably expected to continue. That means your tax return, employer letters, and pay stubs should align with the number you enter. If your situation involves self-employment, recent job changes, or fluctuating commissions, consult an immigration attorney to ensure you present the strongest possible evidence.

The asset inputs assume you can liquidate holdings within one year without extreme hardship. Real estate equity, for instance, may require an appraisal and documentation of mortgage balances. Retirement accounts may incur penalties or taxes if accessed early; consider lowering the liquidation factor to reflect those costs. Vehicles are generally acceptable only if you have more than one and can demonstrate the extra car is not essential for daily living. The table you download from this tool can serve as a draft inventory, but you must still gather statements, deeds, or appraisal letters to substantiate each item when filing with USCIS.

Another assumption involves household size. The Form I-864 instructions require counting more than just the sponsor’s immediate family. Include the sponsor, the sponsor’s spouse, all dependent children listed on the latest tax return, any other dependents claimed, the intending immigrant, and any immigrants being sponsored on the same petition. If a joint sponsor or household member is helping, their household size also matters, and the poverty guideline calculation must be done separately for that individual’s Form I-864 or I-864A. This calculator is flexible enough to run multiple scenarios—one for the main sponsor, another for a joint sponsor—so you can coordinate documentation.

Finally, keep in mind that poverty guidelines update annually, usually in January. Submitting an affidavit later in the year may require referencing the newest table even if you prepared paperwork earlier. Always verify the latest values from official sources before filing. Still, by understanding the mechanics laid out here and experimenting with your own figures, you gain clarity on how close you are to qualifying and what additional steps—such as securing a co-sponsor or accumulating more savings—may be necessary. Planning ahead reduces stress, prevents Requests for Evidence, and demonstrates to consular and USCIS officers that you take the sponsorship obligation seriously.