Comprehensive Guide to Form I-134 Affidavit of Support

Complete Guide to the Affidavit of Support Form I-134

The I-134 Affidavit of Support Form is an important piece of paperwork used in the immigration procedure to the United States. It proves an application for a visa has sufficient financial means and is unlikely to become a public charge while in the country. You will get thorough knowledge about the I-134 form, including its specifications, required supporting paperwork, and the sponsor’s obligations, from this detailed guide.

Knowing the Support Affidavit I-134

Describe Form I-134

Known by another name, Affidavit of Support Form I-134, Form I-134 is a document that U.S. citizens or permanent residents use to sponsor a foreign individual requesting a visa. The document serves to prove that the sponsor has enough money to maintain the applicant while they are in the country.

The Variation I-134 to I-864

Many times, the I-134 is confused with the I-864 Affidavit of Support. Although the I-864 and I-134 are used for non-immigrant visas, such as tourist or K-1 fiance visas, the two papers have comparable functions.

Instructions for Completing Form I-134

Get the Form First

The I-134 form is available to download from the USCIS official website. Make sure you’re using the most recent version to stay trouble-free.

Completing Personal Information in Step 2

Complete name; birthdate; place of birth; address; and employment information are among the specifics the form asks for.

Give Financial Information in Step 3

The sponsor has to submit comprehensive financial data, including current income; annual income; balances in bank accounts; real estate holdings; and other assets.

Gather Supporting Documents, Step 4

Proving the sponsor’s financial capacity requires the I-134 supporting documents. Bank statements; letters of employment verification; tax returns; and evidence of property like real estate are some examples of these documents.

I-134 Income Requirements

Knowing Your Income Needs

Proving that the sponsor has enough money is mostly dependent on the I-134 income requirements. The income should be at least 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, adapted for the size of the family.

Records Showing Income

Sponsors can turn in the following to satisfy the income requirements: recent pay slips; employment letters detailing compensation; most recent tax returns; and bank statements verifying adequate funds.

Responsibilities of the Sponsor

Financial Obligations

Financial support of the visa applicant is one of the I-134 sponsor responsibilities. This helps make sure the application won’t end up paying the public money while they are here.

Period of Responsibility

The financial responsibility of the sponsor usually ends with the visa holder:
• Leaves the country; becomes a citizen of the United States; obtains legal permanent residence status and can maintain themselves financially.

Situations Frequently Used with Form I-134

K-1 Visa

The K-1 visa process frequently uses the I-134 affidavit of support form. If they are married in the next ninety days, this visa enables a citizen of the United States to bring their foreign fiancé to the country.

Visitor ID

Another usual use case is the visitor visa sponsorship form. Form I-134 can lessen the possibility of the visitor becoming a public charge by proving their financial support.

Process of Form I-134 Submission

Submission Process

Following completion of form I-134, the sponsor is to:
• Sign the form
• Attach any necessary supporting documentation
• Depending on the kind of visa, submit the paperwork to the applicable USCIS office or consulate.

Processing Time

Processing time for I-134 varies sometimes. Generally speaking, it takes a few weeks to several months, depending on the complexity of the case and the processing centre’s demand.

Guide to a Successful I-134 Submission

Assured Accuracy

Verify and complete all of the information on form I-134. Rejections or delays might result from errors.

Add Detailed Proof

Give the financial claims stated in the affidavit solid backing with comprehensive supporting documentation. This covers letters verifying employment, tax returns, and thorough bank statements.

See an Immigration Lawyer

Seeking advice from a lawyer for immigration can help to guarantee that the form is completed accurately and that all required documentation is included in complex situations.

Preparation of Supporting Documents in Detail

Accounting Records

The I-134 affidavit of support form requires a bank statement among other important papers. The bank officer statement for immigration needs to include the sponsor’s account history, present balance, and average balance for the previous six months.

Letter Verifying Employment

The employer of the sponsor can provide a work letter for an immigration sample. This letter ought to verify the sponsor’s employment status, title, duration of employment, and yearly pay.

Returns of Taxes

Proving income requires submitting the most recent tax returns. Along with any other important financial information, these papers should contain the sponsor’s W-2 forms.

Common Questions

Do Tourist Visas Require Form I-134?

While not usually required, the affidavit of support form I-134 can greatly enhance a tourist visa application by showing the applicant’s sufficient financial support.

What Differs I-864 From I-134?

Their usage differs only in that I-134 is used for non-immigrant visas and I-864 for immigrant visas and green card applications. Further differences are the financial commitments and needs.

Processing Form I-134 Takes How Long?

Though it varies, the processing time for I-134 usually falls between a few weeks and many months. The degree of application completion and the USCIS office’s present workload will determine that.

Get Our Services

Our speciality at Passage Law is helping clients with their I-134 affidavit of support form requirements. Our knowledgeable immigration lawyers can guide you through the form’s complexity and make sure all of the information is correct. We offer complete guidance, from completing the form to compiling and sending in the required paperwork.

Conclusion

It takes knowledge of the I-134 affidavit of support form and its requirements to effectively sponsor a foreign national. Sponsors can help to guarantee they fulfill all financial obligations and criteria by using this guidance, which will make the visa application process go more quickly. For personalized assistance and professional direction, get in touch with Passage Law. We are available to help you at any time.