---
title: "United States Spouse green card (F2A) 2026: $27.1k+/yr needed"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-states/spouse-of-permanent-resident/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-10
---

United States · Spouse visas

# United States Spouse green card (F2A)

**Income needed:** $27k+ a year

Family Preference F2A Immigrant Visa and Green Card (spouse of a Green Card holder)

First checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **Income needed:** $27k+ a year (Income of at least $27,050 a year · Sponsor's Form I-864 affidavit of support: income of at least 125% of the HHS poverty guideline for a household of two in the 48 contiguous states, effective March 1, 2026; add $7,100 for each additional household member. Higher in Alaska and Hawaii; 100% ($21,640) for sponsors on active US military duty. A fee of $675 · Form I-130 petition filed on paper (Form G-1055). A fee of $625 · Form I-130 petition filed online (Form G-1055). A fee of $1,440 · Form I-485 adjustment of status, paper filing, only when the spouse applies from inside the US (Form G-1055). A fee of $1,390 · Form I-485 adjustment of status, online filing, only when the spouse applies from inside the US (Form G-1055). A fee of $235 · USCIS Immigrant Fee, paid once the immigrant visa is issued and before entry (Form G-1055).)
- **Who can apply:** Any passport
- **Work:** Limited (Permanent residents can work in any legal job of their choosing; some jobs are limited to US citizens for security reasons.)
- **Family:** Family can join (Unmarried children under 21 can apply as derivative beneficiaries of the spouse's application.)

## Key facts

Spouse green card (F2A) is a spouse visas route for United States. Applicants need income of $27k+ a year. Local work: limited. Checked 2026-10-10 against the official source.

- **Money needed:** $27k+ a year
- **Government fees:** $675 · +4 more

## Cost, time and long term

To apply: 5 government fees listed below; income to show $27k+/yr. No lawyer or agent fee is included.

**Government fees: $675 · +4 more**

- $675 Form I-130 petition filed on paper (Form G-1055).
- $625 Form I-130 petition filed online (Form G-1055).
- $1,440 Form I-485 adjustment of status, paper filing, only when the spouse applies from inside the US (Form G-1055).
- $1,390 Form I-485 adjustment of status, online filing, only when the spouse applies from inside the US (Form G-1055).
- $235 USCIS Immigrant Fee, paid once the immigrant visa is issued and before entry (Form G-1055).

**Shown, not spent: $27k+/yr**

- $27,050 a year Sponsor's Form I-864 affidavit of support: income of at least 125% of the HHS poverty guideline for a household of two in the 48 contiguous states, effective March 1, 2026; add $7,100 for each additional household member. Higher in Alaska and Hawaii; 100% ($21,640) for sponsors on active US military duty.

**Citizenship: After 5 years as a permanent resident**

Naturalisation needs 5 years as a lawful permanent resident (3 years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen). Conditional residents generally cannot apply until the conditions are removed.

[U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services](https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-d-chapter-2)

**Where to apply: Abroad or in-country**

Apply from abroad through consular processing, or from inside the U.S. by adjusting status if you are eligible.

[U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/consular-processing)

**Presence rules: Absence limits**

A green card can be treated as abandoned after a long stay outside the U.S. A re-entry permit obtained before leaving, or a returning resident visa from abroad, helps show the absence is temporary.

[U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card/maintaining-permanent-residence)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Work rights are limited

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- Married to a Green Card holder (second preference F2A category).
- Inside the US, the spouse must have kept lawful status continuously unless an exception applies.

#### What you must show

- Permanent resident sponsor submits Form I-864 showing income of at least 125% of the poverty guideline.

#### Documents

- Civil marriage certificate and decrees ending all earlier marriages of either spouse.
- Copy of both sides of the sponsor's Green Card (Form I-551).

#### Steps

1. Sponsor files Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative.
2. Spouse applies for the Green Card only after a visa number is available under the Visa Bulletin.
3. Spouse abroad goes through consular processing once the petition is approved and a visa is available.

#### After you arrive

- If married under two years when residence is granted, the Green Card is conditional for two years.

## When you become tax resident

How United States decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Tax residence:** - **At least 31 days in the current calendar year** Minimum days of presence in the current year.
- **At least 183 days in the current year plus two preceding years (weighted 1, 1/3, 1/6)** Weighted days of presence over the three-year period.
- **Foreign-source income:** U.S. citizens and resident aliens are taxed on worldwide income at the graduated rates that apply to citizens; non-residents are taxed on U.S.-source income under Form 1040-NR rules.

[All tax rules for United States](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-states/tax/) Tax records checked 12 Oct 2026

**Full official text**

For the foreign spouse of a lawful permanent resident. Visa numbers are limited, so the spouse waits for the priority date to become current before receiving the Green Card. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

#### What you must show and pay

- Income of at least $27,050 a year · Sponsor's Form I-864 affidavit of support: income of at least 125% of the HHS poverty guideline for a household of two in the 48 contiguous states, effective March 1, 2026; add $7,100 for each additional household member. Higher in Alaska and Hawaii; 100% ($21,640) for sponsors on active US military duty. (source 3)
- A fee of $675 · Form I-130 petition filed on paper (Form G-1055). (source 4)
- A fee of $625 · Form I-130 petition filed online (Form G-1055). (source 4)
- A fee of $1,440 · Form I-485 adjustment of status, paper filing, only when the spouse applies from inside the US (Form G-1055). (source 4)
- A fee of $1,390 · Form I-485 adjustment of status, online filing, only when the spouse applies from inside the US (Form G-1055). (source 4)
- A fee of $235 · USCIS Immigrant Fee, paid once the immigrant visa is issued and before entry (Form G-1055). (sources 4, 5)

#### Requirements

- Married to a Green Card holder (second preference F2A category). (sources 1, 2)
- Inside the US, the spouse must have kept lawful status continuously unless an exception applies. (source 2)
- Permanent resident sponsor submits Form I-864 showing income of at least 125% of the poverty guideline. (sources 3, 1)
- Civil marriage certificate and decrees ending all earlier marriages of either spouse. (source 2)
- Copy of both sides of the sponsor's Green Card (Form I-551). (source 2)
- Sponsor files Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. (source 2)
- Spouse applies for the Green Card only after a visa number is available under the Visa Bulletin. (sources 2, 1)
- Spouse abroad goes through consular processing once the petition is approved and a visa is available. (source 2)
- If married under two years when residence is granted, the Green Card is conditional for two years. (source 2)

#### Stay

- Permanent residence after a visa number becomes available; conditional for two years if the marriage is under two years old at approval.

#### Work

Permanent residents can work in any legal job of their choosing; some jobs are limited to US citizens for security reasons.

#### Family

Unmarried children under 21 can apply as derivative beneficiaries of the spouse's application.

Checked 2026-10-10

## Official sources

1. [Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility/green-card-for-family-preference-immigrants) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
2. [Bringing Spouses to Live in the United States as Permanent Residents](https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-of-us-citizens/bringing-spouses-to-live-in-the-united-states-as-permanent-residents) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
3. [I-864P, HHS Poverty Guidelines for Affidavit of Support (effective March 1, 2026)](https://www.uscis.gov/i-864p) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
4. [Form G-1055, Fee Schedule (edition 10/07/26)](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/g-1055.pdf) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2026-10-07
5. [Consular Processing (USCIS Immigrant Fee)](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/consular-processing) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
6. [Rights and Responsibilities of a Green Card Holder (Permanent Resident)](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card/rights-and-responsibilities-of-a-green-card-holder-permanent-resident) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
7. [USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12, Part D, Chapter 2: Lawful permanent resident admission for naturalization](https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-d-chapter-2) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
8. [I am married to a U.S. citizen (naturalization)](https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learn-about-citizenship/citizenship-and-naturalization/i-am-married-to-a-us-citizen) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
9. [Maintaining permanent residence](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card/maintaining-permanent-residence) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11

## Spouse green card (F2A) and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Spouse green card (F2A) | Needs income of $27k+ a year | – | Limited |
| [Spouse green card (citizen)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-states/spouse-of-citizen/) | Needs income of $27k+ a year | – | Limited |
| [K-1 fiancé visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-states/fiance-k1/) | – | 3 mo | – |
| [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/mexico/spouse-of-citizen/) Mexico | – | 2 yr, renewable | Limited |
| [Partner of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/partner-of-citizen/) Colombia | – | – | Yes |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Spouse green card (F2A)?

Income of at least $27,050 a year. Sponsor's Form I-864 affidavit of support: income of at least 125% of the HHS poverty guideline for a household of two in the 48 contiguous states, effective March 1, 2026; add $7,100 for each additional household member. A fee of $675. Form I-130 petition filed on paper (Form G-1055). A fee of $625. Form I-130 petition filed online (Form G-1055). A fee of $1,440. Form I-485 adjustment of status, paper filing, only when the spouse applies from inside the US (Form G-1055).

### How long can I stay on the Spouse green card (F2A)?

Permanent residence after a visa number becomes available; conditional for two years if the marriage is under two years old at approval.

### Can I work on the Spouse green card (F2A)?

Limited. Permanent residents can work in any legal job of their choosing; some jobs are limited to US citizens for security reasons.

### Can I bring my family on the Spouse green card (F2A)?

Unmarried children under 21 can apply as derivative beneficiaries of the spouse's application.

### How are Spouse green card (F2A) holders taxed in United States?

No special regime in our records is tied to the Spouse green card (F2A). The standard rules apply: U.S. citizens and resident aliens are taxed on worldwide income at the graduated rates that apply to citizens; non-residents are taxed on U.S.-source income under Form 1040-NR rules.

## More in United States

[EB-1A Extraordinary ability](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-states/eb1a-extraordinary-ability/) [EB-2 National Interest Waiver](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-states/eb2-niw/) [Gold Card · $1M](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-states/gold-card-individual/) [EB-5 Investor · $1.05M](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-states/eb5-investor-immigrant/) [EB-5 Investor · $800k TEA](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-states/eb5-tea-infrastructure-800k/) [E-2 Treaty Investor](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-states/e2-treaty-investor/) [E-1 Treaty Trader](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-states/e1-treaty-trader/) [Entrepreneur parole (IER)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-states/international-entrepreneur-parole/)

## Spouse and partner visas elsewhere

[🇨🇷 Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/costa-rica/spouse-of-citizen/) [🇦🇷 Spouse visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/argentina/family-reunification/) [🇵🇦 Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/panama/spouse-of-citizen/) [🇵🇪 Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/peru/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) [🇩🇴 Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/dominican-republic/spouse-of-citizen/) [🇦🇬 Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/antigua-and-barbuda/spouse-of-citizen/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-10 against 9 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility/green-card-for-family-preference-immigrants) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
2. [Bringing Spouses to Live in the United States as Permanent Residents](https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-of-us-citizens/bringing-spouses-to-live-in-the-united-states-as-permanent-residents) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
3. [I-864P, HHS Poverty Guidelines for Affidavit of Support (effective March 1, 2026)](https://www.uscis.gov/i-864p) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
4. [Form G-1055, Fee Schedule (edition 10/07/26)](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/g-1055.pdf) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-12
5. [Consular Processing (USCIS Immigrant Fee)](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/consular-processing) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
6. [Rights and Responsibilities of a Green Card Holder (Permanent Resident)](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card/rights-and-responsibilities-of-a-green-card-holder-permanent-resident) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
7. [USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12, Part D, Chapter 2: Lawful permanent resident admission for naturalization](https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-d-chapter-2) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
8. [I am married to a U.S. citizen (naturalization)](https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learn-about-citizenship/citizenship-and-naturalization/i-am-married-to-a-us-citizen) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
9. [Maintaining permanent residence](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card/maintaining-permanent-residence) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.