U.S. Department
of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Visa Services |
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2003
Poverty Guidelines - For Immigrant Affidavit of Support
The Department of Health and
Human Services on February 7, 2003, published its annual update of the Poverty
Guidelines, taking into account increases in prices as measured by the Consumer
Price Index. These guidelines are used in calculating levels of income and
assets that immigrant visa petitioners and joint sponsors must demonstrate
in their I-864, Affidavits of Support.
The following are the 2003
Poverty Guidelines for the 48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia:
| Size of Family
Unit |
100 Percent
|
125 Percent |
| 1 |
$8,980 |
$11,225 |
| 2 |
$12,120 |
$15,150 |
| 3 |
$15,260 |
$19,075 |
| 4 |
$18,400 |
$23,000 |
| 5 |
$21,540 |
$26,925 |
| 6 |
$24,680 |
$30,850 |
| 7 |
$27,820 |
$34,775 |
| 8 |
$30,960 |
$38,700 |
For family units with more than
8 members, add $3,140 for each additional member.
The following are the 2003 Poverty Guidelines for Alaska:
| Size of Family
Unit |
100 Percent
|
125 Percent |
| 1 |
$11,210 |
$14,013 |
| 2 |
$15,140 |
$18,925 |
| 3 |
$19,070 |
$23,838 |
| 4 |
$23,000 |
$28,750 |
| 5 |
$26,930 |
$33,663 |
| 6 |
$30,860 |
$38,575 |
| 7 |
$34,790 |
$43,488 |
| 8 |
$38,720 |
$48,400 |
Add $3,930 for each additional
family member.
The following are the Poverty Guidelines for Hawaii:
| Size of Family
Unit |
100 Percent |
125 Percent |
| 1 |
$10,330 |
$12,913 |
| 2 |
$13,940 |
$17,425 |
| 3 |
$17,550 |
$21,938 |
| 4 |
$21,160 |
$26,450 |
| 5 |
$24,770 |
$30,963 |
| 6 |
$28,380 |
$35,475 |
| 7 |
$31,990 |
$39,988 |
| 8 |
$35,600 |
$44,500 |
Add $3,610 for each
additional family member.
When processing immigrant visa cases
requiring an Affidavit of Support (I-864), the figures in the column on the
right, 125% of poverty guidelines, is the minimum income that a petitioner and/or
a joint sponsor must have. Consular officers will consider the "totality
of circumstances" (including the applicant's age, health, and education).
Visa issuance can be denied if the applicant appears likely to become a public
charge despite satisfying the poverty guideline requirements above.
March 2003
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