Wondering if you and your spouse can use foreign assets for green card income? Learn how USCIS evaluates overseas property, bank accounts, and investments for the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) and what proof you’ll need to meet the income rules.
Picture this: you’ve prepared your green card application, only to realize your income isn’t quite enough to meet the green card income requirements. It’s frustrating, right? The good news is that income isn’t your only option. Many couples don’t realize they can use foreign assets to bridge the gap.
Your eligibility may be impacted if you or your spouse have foreign investments, own real estate abroad, or maintain a healthy overseas bank account. However, USCIS won't take your word for it because the regulations are stringent. Before you submit your Affidavit of Support, let's go over how this works so you know exactly what to anticipate. Beyond Border can guide you through the process, ensuring your foreign assets are documented correctly and fully count toward meeting the requirements.
The Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) is your legal promise to financially support your sponsored immigrant so they don’t become dependent on U.S. government assistance. In short, it proves you can carry the financial responsibility. While this requirement often comes up for family-based green cards, it can also apply to certain work visas and even an affidavit of financial support for international students.
Income is the most common way to qualify, but assets, including those outside the U.S., can also help. Still, USCIS requires proof that these affidavit of support assets are legitimate, yours to use, and easy to convert into cash if needed.
Sometimes life doesn’t line up neatly with government income charts. You might have seasonal earnings, freelance income, or live in a low-cost country before moving to the U.S. If your income falls short of the green card sponsor income requirements, you can list assets to make up the difference.
USCIS will let you do this, but they use a formula, called the I-864 foreign assets conversion requirements, that values assets at less than their full worth. This is to reflect real-world liquidation challenges. Knowing this formula before applying can help you avoid overestimating your qualification.
Yes, you can absolutely use foreign assets for green card income, but only if they meet USCIS standards. Think of it as a financial safety net: you’re showing the government you have resources you can tap if income isn’t enough.
For example, you might have savings in a foreign bank account, a rental property overseas, or stocks through an overseas assets green card sponsorship arrangement. All of these can count, as long as they’re documented and can be accessed without unreasonable delays or legal hurdles. Beyond Border can guide you through the process, ensuring your foreign assets are documented correctly and fully count toward meeting the requirements.
USCIS doesn’t take the full face value of your property or bank account. For foreign property green card income proof, they typically multiply the asset value by a set percentage, often 1/3 of its worth, to reflect how much you could realistically get if you sold it. For example, if your foreign bank accounts affidavit of support shows $90,000 in savings, USCIS might consider $30,000 of that toward your income shortfall. This prevents inflated estimates and ensures only reliable resources are counted.
Not every overseas resource qualifies. USCIS considers assets like savings accounts, certificates of deposit, stocks, bonds, or property under the international income green card requirements umbrella. Your international assets must be legally owned by you (or your spouse if combining) and not tied up in disputes or inaccessible trusts.
Items like retirement accounts can be tricky, they might count, but only if they can be accessed within one year without massive penalties. Always double-check before listing them. If you’re unsure, contact Beyond Border to review your assets and make sure you’re meeting USCIS requirements without risking delays or denials.
It’s not enough to say you own a villa in Spain or have six figures in a Japanese savings account. USCIS wants proof. That’s where foreign assets reporting requirements come in. You’ll need official statements, deeds, or certificates, translated into English if necessary.
The foreign assets reporting IRS rules also overlap here, especially if you’re already required to disclose overseas holdings on your U.S. taxes. Matching these records to your Form I-864 can strengthen your case and avoid suspicion. Beyond Border can guide you through the process, ensuring your foreign assets are documented correctly and fully count toward meeting the requirements.
When you present your assets, they need to be valued in U.S. dollars. This is where I-864 foreign assets conversion requirements apply. USCIS expects you to use official exchange rates from a credible source, like the U.S. Treasury or an established financial institution.
Get this wrong, and you risk misrepresenting your total worth. Even small conversion errors can cause your application to be delayed or flagged for more evidence.
You’re probably wondering: Can my spouse and I use foreign assets for green card income together? Absolutely. USCIS allows spouses to pool their qualifying assets, as long as both provide proof of ownership and agree in writing to make those assets available to the sponsored immigrant.
This is especially helpful if one spouse has more overseas property or the other holds significant cash savings abroad. Together, you can often meet the income threshold without relying on a joint sponsor.
The most common mistakes made by applicants are not using the reduced-value formula or assuming that USCIS will count the entire value of their property. Since the poverty guidelines are subject to change annually, some people are unable to meet the updated green card sponsor income requirements for 2025.
Another common problem is providing incomplete translations or unclear ownership proof. Even minor oversights can lead to Requests for Evidence (RFEs) or outright denial.
If you’ve done the math and still can’t meet the requirement, even with combined assets, you might need a joint sponsor. Although there is a cap on the number of affidavits of support that can be filed, the rules only apply to the specific immigrant that you are sponsoring. Select someone who is aware of the commitment because a joint sponsor must adhere to the same asset or income requirements independently. Beyond Border can guide you through the process, ensuring your foreign assets are documented correctly and fully count toward meeting the requirements.
When you file Form I-864, make sure your supporting documents clearly connect to your claims. If you’re using foreign property, include the deed, proof of value, and ownership. For overseas bank accounts, submit official statements.
The green card issuer, USCIS, will also look at your overall green card sponsor income to ensure your case meets their standards without gaps or contradictions.
Using foreign assets for green card income can be a smart solution, but it’s full of fine print. The process involves accurate valuations, proper documentation, and strict USCIS rules. It’s easy to get tripped up, especially when dealing with property or bank accounts abroad.
That’s why working with Beyond Border can make a huge difference. We help couples navigate complex asset valuations, ensure compliance with USCIS guidelines, and submit airtight applications. If you’re unsure whether your overseas holdings will qualify, reach out today, we’ll guide you every step of the way so your green card journey stays on track.
.jpg)
.jpg)
