To sponsor a spouse for a green card in the United States, there are several requirements that the petitioner, or sponsoring spouse, must meet:
1. Legal Marriage: The sponsor must be lawfully married to the beneficiary. Common-law marriages may not be recognized unless they are valid in the jurisdiction where they occurred.
2. Financial Stability: The sponsoring spouse must meet certain income requirements to prove they can financially support their partner. This is usually verified through an Affidavit of Support.
3. Genuine Relationship: Immigration authorities will scrutinize the authenticity of your marriage. Be prepared to provide evidence that your relationship is bona-fide and not merely for immigration benefits.
4. Domiciled in the United States: The sponsor must live in the United States, or must prove their intent to return to the United States with their foreign spouse.
5. No Recent Remarriage: If the petitioner is a green card holder and received their green card through marriage, they cannot remarry and then sponsor a new spouse until at least 5 years have passed since they gained residence.
6. No Offenses against Children: If the U.S. citizen or green card holder has been convicted of certain “offenses against minors,” they will be automatically barred from sponsoring their spouse.
7. No Risk to Beneficiary: If USCIS has reason to believe that the U.S. citizen or green card holder has been involved in criminal or other unsavory activities, they may deny the green card request.
8. Proof of Citizenship or Permanent Residency: The sponsoring spouse must provide proof of their U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, such as a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or Green Card.
9. Marriage Certificate: An official document proving the legality of the marriage between the sponsoring spouse and the beneficiary.
10. Financial Documents: Tax returns, pay stubs, and other financial records to prove the sponsoring spouse can support the foreign spouse.
11. Evidence of Genuine Relationship: Photos, correspondence, and other proof that the marriage is authentic.
12. Medical Examination and Vaccination Records: The foreign spouse will need to undergo a medical examination by an approved panel physician.
13. Police Certificates: Required for the foreign spouse if they have lived in any country for more than six months since turning 16.
14. Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support): To establish that the sponsoring spouse can financially support the foreign spouse.
These requirements apply to both U.S. citizens and green card holders. The application process varies slightly depending on whether the sponsoring spouse is a U.S. citizen or a Green Card holder.
The minimum income requirement for sponsoring a spouse for a green card
The minimum income requirement for sponsoring a spouse for a green card varies slightly based on different sources as listed below:
1. Boundless: The most common minimum annual income required to sponsor a spouse or family member for a green card is $25,550. This assumes that the sponsor is not on active military duty and is sponsoring only one relative.
2. Law Firm for Immigrants: The most common minimum annual income for a marriage green card is $21,775, assuming that the sponsor is not on active military duty and is sponsoring only one relative.
3. Self-Lawyer: For a spouse signing the Affidavit of Support for a marriage-based green card, the minimum annual income requirement is $24,650 (2023).
4. Immigration Help: The minimum annual income requirement for a civilian spouse sponsoring their spouse’s green card application depends on household size and location. For example, a household size of five would have a minimum income requirement of $50,737 in Alaska or $40,587 elsewhere in the United States.
5. Allan S. Lolly PC: The minimum income requirements provided are $22,887, $28,787, $34,687, $40,587, and $46,487 for different household sizes in the 48 contiguous states, D.C., and U.S. territories.
These figures represent the minimum annual income required to sponsor a spouse for a green card in the United States. It’s essential to meet these income requirements to ensure financial stability for the immigrant spouse during the green card application process.
Also read: The Complete Process Of How to Get An American Green Card