Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support
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Full Guide to Form I-134
One of the most notable obstacles for those wishing to come to the United States is the obstacle of financial support. In order to travel to the United States, for example, on a K-1 Visa, a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident must fill out Form I-134. This form acts as a promise to financially support the applicant during their stay.
If you are planning to financially support an intending immigrant, the Phoenix immigration lawyers at Ybarra Maldonado Law Group are here to help you fill out Form I-134. Our team is here to guide you through this process and ensure you have the best possible chance of a favorable outcome in your case. To schedule a consultation about your case, please call our office at 602-910-4040 today.
What Is Form I-134?
Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, is a document used by individuals in the United States to show that they will financially support a visa applicant who plans to enter the U.S. This form is typically required when someone applying for a visa does not have the means to cover their own expenses while in the country. By completing Form I-134, the U.S. resident or citizen pledges to provide financial support to the applicant during their stay, ensuring they won’t become a public charge.
The form includes details about the sponsor’s income, assets, and ability to provide support. It helps immigration authorities assess whether the visa applicant will have sufficient financial backing while in the U.S. Sponsors who submit Form I-134 are essentially agreeing to be financially responsible for the visa applicant throughout their visit.
Form I-134 vs Form I-864, Affidavit of Support
While Forms I-134 and I-864 are similar, they are two distinct forms from USCIS. Form I-134 is a promise of financial sponsorship for those applying for temporary visas. Examples of these include travel visas and K-1 visas.
Form I-864, however, is a promise of financial sponsorship for those applying for permanent residence in the United States. An example of this is those applying for green cards. If you are unsure of which financial support form you need to use for your case, please call the team at Ybarra Maldonado Law Group.
What Are the Requirements for Form I-134?
Remember that Form I-864 is filed for a family member who wants to become a permanent resident in the United States. In contrast, Form I-134 is filed for family members who are applying for temporary visas.
The general requirements for filing Form I-134 are as follows.
- The filer must be a United States citizen or green card holder.
- They must be able to meet or exceed 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines in terms of income level for their household size.
- They must be able to financially support the person they will be sponsoring if required. This basically means that they must be able to support the household size they would have with the intending immigrant.
- They must be willing to let U.S. immigration officials analyze their personal finances, tax returns, and other financial documents.
Checklist of Required Initial Evidence According to USCIS
USCIS may request many forms of evidence, including bank statements, tax documents, and more. They may also look at the supporter’s immigration history. According to the USCIS website, filers will need to provide documentation of “sufficient income or financial resources.” Supporting evidence for an I-134 can include the following.
- Bank statements with deposits, identifying the following details:
- Date the account was opened
- Total amount deposited for the past year
- Present account balance
- Statements from employer/s on business stationery showing:
- Date and nature of the employment
- Whether the position is permanent or temporary
- Copy of the last federal tax return filed in the United States
- List of serial numbers and denominations of bonds and name of record owner/s
Is It Necessary for a Sponsor to Be Related to the Applicant?
Not technically, no. It is not a requirement for the sponsor to be related to the applicant as long as they are a United States citizen or green card holder. They must only be willing to support the foreign national and provide financial information that they can do so.
What Is the Process for Filing USCIS Form I-134?
Form I-134 does not require an interview by USCIS, nor does it involve submitting biometrics. It does, however, require the submission of detailed information on the sponsor’s finances. In general, submitting I-134 is one of the last steps in a visa applicant’s journey. However, the sponsor can prepare I-134 at any time, so we usually recommend starting on that sooner rather than later.
Below, we outline the general process of preparing Form I-134. You can find detailed instructions for filling out this form on USCIS’s website.
- Sponsor’s personal details, including their address and Social Security Number
- Proof of sponsor’s United States citizenship
- Information about the beneficiary, including their address, nationality, and information about their spouse.
- Employment and financial information about the sponsor
- Information about the sponsor’s marital and dependent information
- Sponsor’s signature and promise to support their beneficiaries
- If the sponsor had an interpreter, the interpreter’s signature and information
For proof of financial assets, you can submit copies of the following documents to USCIS.
- Signed statements from the bank or financial institution showing when the sponsor opened the account, the total amount deposited in the last year, and the current balance of said account
- Copy of the sponsor’s last United States federal tax return
- Signed statements from the sponsor’s employer verifying their date of employment, the nature of their employment, and whether the position is temporary or permanent
- If applicable, a list containing the denominations and serial numbers of bonds and the names of the bond owners
Remember that these documents must be in English or with full English translations along with certifications from the translators. These certificates must assert that the translations are complete and accurate.
What Is the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Filing Fee for I-134?
Form I-134 does not have a filing fee. However, if you are filing more than one form, you may have a filing fee with the other forms. You should be able to pay these filing fees from your USCIS online account.
What Is an I-134A Form, Online Request to Financially Support and Be a Supporter?
Form I-134A is slightly different from Form I-134. It is a specific form used by a sponsor to declare their financial support for a Ukrainian, Cuban, Haitian, Venezuelan, or Nicaraguan immigrant or their immediate relatives.
Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, is used by individuals with legal immigration status in the U.S. to pledge financial support for a beneficiary applying for parole. The supporter submits this form on their own behalf to demonstrate their ability to provide financial backing, often including evidence like bank statements. This information is reviewed by agencies such as the National Visa Center to ensure the applicant will not become a financial burden during their stay in the U.S.
Is I-134A a Separate Form from I-134?
Yes, Form I-134A is a separate form from I-134. While both forms involve financial support declarations, I-134A is designed for specific immigration programs, such as a humanitarian parole program. It is often used in situations where an immediate family member or other beneficiary is applying for temporary entry to the U.S., like the Ukraine program.
Form I-134A is submitted online, specifically for beneficiaries of these humanitarian or parole programs, whereas Form I-134 is generally used for other visa-related applications.
I-134A Processing Time 2024
Generally, the processing time for Form I-134A in 2024 varies, but USCIS typically gets around to processing them within a few months of submission. Exact times can fluctuate based on factors like workload and the completeness of the application. If additional documentation or information is required, the processing time may be extended.
Form I-134A is often used by someone wishing to sponsor a foreign citizen and their immediate family members, particularly beneficiaries seeking parole in place.
Contact the Phoenix Immigration Attorneys at Ybarra Maldonado Law Group Today
Navigating the immigration process can be complex and overwhelming, especially when it comes to forms like the I-134. At Ybarra Maldonado Law Group, we are dedicated to guiding you through every step of the process with experience and deep knowledge in immigration law.
Whether you need help with visa applications, financial support forms, or any other immigration issues, our experienced attorneys are here to provide personalized representation. Don’t take on the immigration process alone—contact Ybarra Maldonado Law Group today and let us fight for your future.
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