K-1 Visa Income Requirements: Financial Eligibility & Proof Needed

Key Takeaways:

• The K-1 visa requires a minimum income threshold that the U.S. citizen petitioner must meet to demonstrate financial ability.
• The income requirement is based on 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines unless the petitioner is on active duty in the U.S. military, in which case the requirement is 100% of the guidelines.
• If the petitioner does not meet the minimum income requirement, they may use assets or a joint sponsor to satisfy financial eligibility.
• Required financial documents include tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and employer verification.
• The K-1 visa process involves filing several key forms, such as Form I-129F, DS-160, and Form I-134 for financial sponsorship.

The K-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows the foreign fiancé of an American citizen to travel to the United States in order to get married. But you may be wondering, “What are the requirements for a K-1 visa?”. 

This article will provide clear assistance on filing the I-129F, Petition for Alien fiancé; the DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application; and, the G-1145, Electronic Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance. 

Of course, when in doubt, it’s best to consult a legal professional. If you require additional assistance, you can post a new job on UpCounsel to get legal help. 

K-1 Visa documents checklist

A K-1 visa, also known as the fiancé visa, allows the foreign fiancé of a U.S. citizen to enter the United States. Once approved, the couple must marry within 90 days of the foreign fiancé ’s arrival. After marriage, the foreign spouse can apply for a marriage-based green card.

So what are the requirements for a fiancé visa? Below, we’ve listed the key K-1 visa requirements.

It’s important for you to prepare the following mandatory documents and complete this K-1 visa checklist. 

• Passports for both parties
• One passport-style photo for the U.S. citizen
• Two passport-style photos for the sponsored fiancé
• Proof of United States citizenship for the U.S. citizen
• Birth certificate for the sponsored fiancé
• Evidence that both parties met within two years of applying for the K-1 visa
• Intent of marriage statements from both parties
• Police clearance for the sponsored fiancé
• Sealed medical exam for the sponsored fiancé
• Tax returns of the U.S. citizen fiancé
• Affidavit of Support (Form I-134), submitted by the U.S. citizen fiancé
• Form I-94, also known as the Arrival/Departure Record (This is issued by the Department of Homeland Security to people who are admitted to the United States, adjusting status while in the United States, and for an extension to stay in the country)

Below is an additional K-1 visa documents checklist that some applicable applicants may be required to present. It’s up to the applicant to assess whether the below documents are required: 

• Evidence of a completed divorce
• Evidence of a legal name change
• Evidence supporting the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA) waiver

What is considered valid proof of a relationship?

During the process, you’ll likely be asked to submit proof of your relationship. The following items are considered valid:

K-1 Processing Times

There are a few factors that can affect K-1 processing times, such as whether you’ve submitted enough information and your country’s individual embassy.

Regardless, here’s what you can typically expect for how long it will take for your K-1 visa to be processed:

Still wondering how long your application will take—particularly if you’ve applied for a K3 visa? We’ve covered spouse visa processing times.

Additionally, check out our article for information on fiancé visa costs.

Financial Documents Required for K-1 Visa

To demonstrate financial ability, the U.S. citizen petitioner must submit the following financial documents with Form I-134, Affidavit of Support:

• Most recent U.S. federal tax return (Form 1040 or IRS tax transcript)
• Recent W-2 or 1099 forms (if applicable)
• Pay stubs from the last six months
• Letter from employer verifying job status, salary, and length of employment
• Bank statements showing account balance and history

If using assets to supplement income, the following documents may be needed:

• Bank statements for the past year (to prove savings consistency)
• Property deeds and mortgage statements (if real estate is counted)
• Investment account statements (for stocks, bonds, or mutual funds)

Submitting clear and organized financial documents increases approval chances and minimizes delays in processing.

Petition for Alien Fiancé (Form I-129F checklist)

The U.S. fiancé must also go through the process of filing form I-129F, also known as the Petition for Alien fiancé .

In order to file form I-129F, you will need to provide the following:

• Photographs
• Proof of your U.S. citizenship
• Proof of intent to marry from both parties
• Proof of divorce from both parties
• Proof that both parties have met in person within two years before filing form I-129F
• Completed form G-28 (only if you are represented by a lawyer or an accredited representative)
• Certified English translations of any non-English documents

Going through this process involves the following:

1. Submitting the I-129F form to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form cannot be filed with the U.S. Embassy, Consulate, or a USCIS office abroad.
2. After form I-129F has been approved, it is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC), where you will be provided with a case number.
3. The NVC will then send your petition to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where your foreign fiancé lives. 

Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160 checklist)

Form DS-160, also known as the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, is the form you’ll use to apply for a temporary visa to visit the United States when you apply for the K-1 visa. 

You must complete this form if you file for a K-1 visa. Any person accompanying the foreign fiancé to the United States must also file their own DS-160. 

This form is only filed online. You can save and return to working on the form online, as many times as you need to. 

In order to complete this form successfully, the foreign fiancé will be required to provide the following information: 

• Personal information (name, date of birth, marital status, current address, phone number, and email address)
• Passport or national identification number
• U.S. Social Security Number or taxpayer ID number
• Travel plans, including the date of your arrival and departure, and the U.S. address you’re staying at
• Details of any people traveling with you to the United States (each person traveling with you will also need their own DS-160 form)
• Any previous travel dates to the United States, as well as the purpose of your travel
• The contact information of your U.S. fiancé
• Basic details about your father and mother
• Occupational experience (current employment, educational background, employment history over the past five years)
• 25 questions answered related to your security and background
• A photo to confirm your identity 

Some things to keep in mind when filing this form include the following:

1. After you’ve provided this information, you’ll be asked to review your application and sign to confirm that all information is accurate to the best of your ability
2. It’s recommended to print and safely file your confirmation page for your records
3. There is no fee associated with filing the DS-160 form

Affidavit of Support (Form I-134 checklist)

The U.S. citizen fiancé may also be requested to submit form I-134. 

This form is available on the USCIS website. 

The sponsor is required to submit two or more of the following documents to complete form I-134:

• Copies of the sponsor’s federal income tax return
• Statement from the sponsor’s employer showing salary and length of employment
• The sponsor’s bank statements, along with the date the account was opened and the current balance
• Any other adequate evidence to establish the financial ability to carry out the sponsor’s undertaking toward the applicant for what might be an indefinite period of time

Form I-134 is to be submitted on the day of the interview. 

Understanding K-1 Visa Income Requirements

To successfully sponsor a fiancé for a K-1 visa, the U.S. citizen petitioner must meet a minimum income requirement. This ensures that the fiancé will not become a financial burden on the U.S. government. The income requirement is based on 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, unless the petitioner is active duty in the U.S. military, in which case it is 100% of the guidelines.

Each year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) publishes the Federal Poverty Guidelines, which are used to determine financial eligibility. The required income level depends on household size and location, as Alaska and Hawaii have different thresholds than the 48 contiguous states.

For 2024, the minimum income thresholds for K-1 visa sponsors in the continental U.S. are:

• $19,680 for a household of 2 (sponsor + fiancé )
• $24,720 for a household of 3
• $29,760 for a household of 4

If the petitioner does not meet the income requirement, they may:

1. Use assets – Bank accounts, stocks, real estate, and other liquid assets can be counted to supplement income. The total value must be at least five times the shortfall.
2. Secure a joint sponsor – A co-sponsor who meets the financial requirement can file Form I-134, taking responsibility for the fiancé ’s financial support.

It’s crucial to provide accurate and up-to-date proof of income to avoid delays or denials.

Electronic notification (Form G-1145 checklist)

Although the G-1145 form is optional, you should file this if you want the USCIS to notify you electronically that they’ve received your application for immigration. This not only speeds up the rate at which you’re notified, but avoids paper waste and communications getting lost in the mail.

To successfully complete form G-1145, you must provide the following information:

1. Personal check or money order for $410 (to be sent to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
2. Two passport-style photos (no older than six months)
3. Original I-765 form signed with a wet ink signature
4. Photocopy of the I-765 from the ISSS
5. Photocopies of previously issues I-20s
6. Passport copy
7. Copy of F-1 visa stamp

K-1 Visa Interview checklist and requirements

Wondering what to bring to a K-1 visa interview? 

When you attend your scheduled interview, you must bring the following documents and forms to adhere to the K-1 visa rules: 

• DS-160 form confirmation
• Form I-129F, Petition for Alien fiancé
• Form I-797, Notice of Action (petition approval notice)
• Passport
• Medical examination
• Form I-134, Affidavit of Support
• Two passport-style photos in color
• Birth certificate
• A divorce certificate of any previous spouse (if applicable)
• Police certificate from your country of residence
• Evidence of a bona fide relationship with the U.S. citizen sponsor, including a signed statement from both parties confirming their intent to marry

If you need help with applying for a K-1 visa, you can post a job on UpCounsel's marketplace and hire a marriage visa lawyer. We work with the top 5% of lawyers, who come from prestigious law schools like Harvard Law and Yale Law, having worked with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.

For more related information and the next steps, you can review UpCounsel’s green card marriage guide.

K-1 Visa Denial Due to Income Issues

One of the most common reasons for K-1 visa denials is failure to meet the income requirement. If the U.S. citizen petitioner cannot prove financial ability, the consular officer may refuse the visa under section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), requesting additional evidence.

Common financial reasons for denial include:

• Income below 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
• Incomplete financial documents (missing tax returns, employer verification, or bank statements)
• Irregular employment history (frequent job changes or gaps in employment)
• Failure to provide alternative financial support (such as assets or a joint sponsor)

If denied due to income concerns, options include:

1. Reapplying with improved financial documents (e.g., updated tax returns, additional proof of employment)
2. Finding a joint sponsor who meets income requirements
3. Marrying outside the U.S. and applying for a spousal visa, which has slightly different financial criteria

It’s always recommended to seek legal advice if facing financial ineligibility for the K-1 visa.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the income requirement for a K-1 visa in 2024?
   The sponsor must earn at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, which is $19,680 for a household of two in the continental U.S.
2. What if my income is below the required amount?
   You can use assets (bank savings, investments, property) or find a joint sponsor to meet the requirement.
3. Do I need to submit my tax returns for a K-1 visa?
   Yes, the most recent U.S. federal tax return is required to demonstrate financial ability.
4. Can I use unemployment benefits as proof of income?
   No, unemployment benefits do not count as stable income for the K-1 visa.
5. Will my fiancé ’s income be considered?
   No, only the U.S. citizen sponsor’s income is considered when meeting the requirement.

If you need help understanding or combating K-1 Visa Income Requirements, you can post your legal need on UpCounsel's marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.