USCIS Form I-134: Everything You Need to Know

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires the I-134 form, also known as the "Declaration of Financial Support," from anyone attempting to enter the country temporarily. The application is typically submitted by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who is willing to provide the immigrant with financial support to demonstrate that they will have adequate means of subsistence during their stay in the country. The I-134 form serves as proof that the sponsor is able to support the immigrant and is prepared to cover any costs that might arise during their stay in the country. A nonimmigrant visa applicant may be denied entry if the I-134 form is not correctly filled out.

Exploring the Purpose of the I-134 Form for Temporary Visas: Financial Support for Immigrants

The I-134 form is used to guarantee to the U.S. government that an immigrant who is temporarily entering the country will have sufficient financial support during their stay. People who are applying for a nonimmigrant visa, such as a student visa, tourist visa, or exchange visitor visa, are typically required to submit the form. The I-134 form is submitted by a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States who is prepared to support the immigrant financially while they are in the country. The form requests details about the sponsor's employment, earnings, assets, and debts as well as the relationship between the immigrant and the sponsor and their intended use of the United States. The sponsor must demonstrate that they have the financial resources to support the immigrant and that they are willing to shoulder any costs that might accrue during the immigrant's stay in the country. The I-134 form serves as proof of the sponsor's financial support and helps to guarantee that the immigrant won't become a public charge while in the United States. It also helps to show that the immigrant entered the country lawfully and is unlikely to overstay their visa or break American immigration laws. In conclusion, the I-134 form's main functions are to show proof of financial support and confirm that the immigrant has a valid reason for temporarily entering the country.

How to Fill Out The I-134 Form?

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to fill out the I-134 form:

1. Download the form: On the USCIS website, you can download the I-134 form.
2. Provide personal information: You must enter your personal information in the first section of the form, which includes your name, address, and contact details.
3. Identify the immigrant you are sponsoring: You must include details about the immigrant you are sponsoring in this section, such as their name, your relationship to them, and the reason for their trip to the country.
4. Give financial details: The I-134 form requests that you give specific financial details about your income, assets, liabilities, and tax situation. This section's objective is to show that you have the resources necessary to support the immigrant during their stay in the country.

Here is a breakdown of what you will need to provide in each subsection:

A. Annual income: You must list your annual income in this section, which must include all sources of income, including wages, salaries, tips, bonuses, and rental income. To prove this information, you must present your tax return from the most recent year.

B. Other income: Any additional sources of income, such as dividends, interest, or retirement income, should be disclosed here. To back up this information, you must present supporting documentation.

C. Assets: You must detail your assets in this section, including any bank accounts, stocks, bonds, real estate, and personal property. The value of these assets will need to be supported by documentation.

D. Liabilities: This section requires you to list any unpaid debts or liabilities you may have, including any mortgages, auto loans, or credit card balances. You will need to provide documentation to support the amount of debt you owe.

E. Tax information: You must include details about your most recent tax return in this section, including your filing status, total income, and taxes paid. To support this information, you must offer a copy of your most recent tax return.

Provide all the necessary supporting documentation to back up the information you provide, and make sure to complete each subsection completely and truthfully. This will increase the likelihood that the immigrant's visa application will be approved and help to ensure that your I-134 form is accurate and complete.

5. Sign and date the form: Once you have finished filling out all sections of the form, you must sign and date it. Prior to signing, make sure to carefully read the form because you will be attesting that all of the information is true and accurate to the best of your knowledge.

6. Gather supporting documents: Depending on the unique circumstances of the sponsor and the immigrant, as well as the type of nonimmigrant visa the immigrant is applying for, the supporting documents for the I-134 form may vary. To support the information on the I-134 form, the following documents are typically requested:

Tax returns: To prove their income and financial stability, sponsors may be asked to submit copies of their most recent tax returns.

Bank statements: To demonstrate that they have enough money to support the immigrant during their stay in the United States, sponsors may be asked to present recent bank statements.

Verification of employment: In order to prove their capacity to support the immigrant, sponsors may be asked to present proof of their employment, such as a letter from their employer or most recent pay stubs.

Property ownership documentation: Sponsors who own real estate, such as a home or rental property, may be asked to submit proof of their ownership.

Asset valuation documents: Sponsors who have assets such as stocks, bonds, or retirement accounts may be required to provide documentation to show the value of these assets.

Liability documents: If a sponsor has any outstanding debts, such as a mortgage or auto loan, they may be asked to submit proof of their financial obligations.

Immigration documents: To support their visa application, immigrants may be asked to submit copies of their passport, visa application, and other immigration-related documents.

You might need to submit a certified translation of a required document along with the original if it is one of the I-134 form's prerequisites and it is not in English. The translation must be done by a qualified translator, and it must be accompanied by a statement, signed by the translator, stating that the translation is correct and that they are qualified to do so. The original document should have the translation attached to it, and both the original and the translation should be sent with the I-134 form.

To make sure that all required supporting documents are submitted with the I-134 form, it is crucial to review the specific requirements for the nonimmigrant visa the immigrant is applying for. The chances of the immigrant's visa application being approved can be increased by submitting complete and accurate documentation.

7. Submit the form: After you've finished the form and gathered all the required proof, you can send it, along with your visa application, to the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate. Keep a copy of the I-134 form that has been completed and any supporting documentation for your records. If you are sponsoring an immigrant for a prolonged period of time, be sure to plan appropriately because the I-134 form is only valid for a year from the date of signature.

Is there a fee for filing an I-134 form?

No fee is required to submit an I-134 form.

Although there is no fee for submitting an I-134 form, there might be fees connected to the nonimmigrant visa application process, such as processing fees and visa application fees. Depending on the type of visa and the circumstances of the applicant, the specific costs and requirements may change.

Can I use the I-134 form to sponsor more than one immigrant?

Yes, multiple immigrants may be sponsored using the I-134 form as long as the sponsor has enough financial means to support them all.

In order to prove that they have the resources to support the immigrant(s) during their stay in the United States, the sponsor is required to provide comprehensive financial information on their income, assets, liabilities, and tax information on the form.

What happens if the sponsored immigrant becomes a public charge?

Both the sponsored immigrant and the sponsor may suffer if the immigrant turns into a public charge.

According to U.S. immigration law, a person who receives public cash assistance or is institutionalized for long-term care at taxpayer expense is considered a public charge if they are likely to become primarily dependent on the government for survival.

The sponsor may be held financially liable for the repayment of any public benefits received by the immigrant if they become a public charge within five years of their entry into the country. This includes means-tested public benefits, such as Medicaid or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and institutionalization for long-term care at government expense.

Additionally, if a previously sponsored immigrant turns out to be a public charge, it might be difficult for the sponsor to sponsor new immigrants. If the sponsor is discovered to have falsified information on the I-134 form or otherwise broken U.S. immigration laws, they may also be subject to additional sanctions, such as fines or the revocation of their green card.

Therefore, before submitting an I-134 form, sponsors should carefully consider their financial situation and capacity to support the immigrant. The sponsor should be aware of the immigrant's anticipated costs during their stay in the country and be ready to shoulder any additional costs that may arise.

Can the I-134 form be withdrawn?

Yes, the I-134 form may be withdrawn if the sponsor's or the immigrant's circumstances change or if the sponsor is no longer able to support the immigrant financially.

The sponsor must send a written request to the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate where the visa application is being processed in order to withdraw the I-134 form. The I-134 form's date, the sponsor's name, the name of the immigrant being sponsored, and a statement that the sponsor wants to withdraw the form must all be included in the request.

It is crucial to remember that withdrawing the I-134 form doesn't ensure that the immigrant's visa application will be rejected or that the sponsor will be released from any possible financial obligations.

Even if an immigrant has already arrived in the country and is unable to support themselves, the sponsor may still be liable for paying back any public benefits the immigrant receives. Therefore, before submitting an I-134 form, sponsors should carefully consider their financial situation and capacity to support the immigrant.

Can the I-134 form be used for permanent residency?

For applications for permanent residence (a "green card"), the I-134 form is not utilized. The form is used to prove to the USCIS that an immigrant coming to the country temporarily will have enough money to support them during their stay.

On the other hand, Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, must be submitted with applications for permanent residency. This form is used to show that the sponsor has the resources necessary to support the immigrant on an ongoing basis and that they will be able to do so at a level of income that is at least 125% of the federal poverty level.

In order to obtain permanent residency, an immigrant must submit a Form I-864 rather than a Form I-134.

Do I need to translate the required documents for I-134?

If any of the I-134 form's prerequisite documents are not in English, you might also need to submit a certified translation of the non-English version.

Any document that is not in English must be submitted with a full, certified translation into English, according to the USCIS. The translation must be accompanied by a statement from the translator attesting to its accuracy and competence to translate the document.

For the translation to be accurate and meet their requirements, the USCIS advises using a qualified translator or translation service. The original document should have the translation attached to it, and both the original and the translation should be sent with the I-134 form.

It is crucial to keep in mind that the USCIS may ask for more information or reject the visa application if it decides that a translation is inaccurate or insufficient. As a result, it's crucial to make sure that all translations are correct and comply with USCIS guidelines.

How do I check my I-134 status?

To check the progress of your immigration case, you have two options:

Online: You can find your 13-character receipt number on your application or petition; enter it into the online case status tool.

Phone: Contact the USCIS National Customer Service Center if you're in the country by calling 1-800-375-5283 or 1-800-767-1833 for TTY.

Is I-134 Required For B2 Visa?

It is not necessary, but I-134 form is suggested to enhance the chance of B2 tourist visa applicants being sponsored. It is advised to work with a professional immigrant attorney, in order to get exact information.

“We collected and distilled information on immigration for our site visitors from USCIS and other sources as a basic guide. MotaWord is a translation platform providing certified translations for immigration applicants and not a law firm. The information provided should not be construed as legal advice and might not be current. For current information please refer to the USCIS website or speak to your licensed immigration attorney.”