Letter from bank for I-134

[ryna 132]

I'm trying to put together everything I need for the I-134 for my fiancee's interview (whenever it may be) and was wondering about the letter(s) from my bank(s). Unless something changes really soon on the job front, I'm going to be making an assets based filing (with a backup co-sponsor who far exceeds the poverty guidelines.) What does it need to say? The length of time account has been open and the total yearly deposits? Who has to issue it? An officer of the bank or any customer service rep? Does it need to be notarized or otherwise certified in any way? Does my co-sponsor need one from his bank also or will W-2s, monthly deposit statements (the paystub from his pension) and tax returns be sufficient for him?

Thanks

P.S. I suppose I should add that we will be interviewing in Bogotá since I-134 issues seem to be consulate dependent... If anyone has any insight, I would appreciate it greatly.

[Dodi 69]

I called my bank and told them what it says on the I-134 instructions:

You need a letter from your bank, on bank letterhead, stating when you opened the account, the current balance, and how much has been deposited and withdrawn in the last year.

That's what they faxed back. My bank called it a Certificate of Deposit Verification. (Though it's a checking account, not a CD.) I don't know what your bank will call it. I had to call and speak to the office that handles it because the first letter they faxed me was all wrong, but someone finally helped me and it only took a day.

Hope that helps!

[ryna 132]

I called my bank and told them what it says on the I-134 instructions:

You need a letter from your bank, on bank letterhead, stating when you opened the account, the current balance, and how much has been deposited and withdrawn in the last year.

That's what they faxed back. My bank called it a Certificate of Deposit Verification. (Though it's a checking account, not a CD.) I don't know what your bank will call it. I had to call and speak to the office that handles it because the first letter they faxed me was all wrong, but someone finally helped me and it only took a day.

Hope that helps!

Actually, that does help a lot! Thanks!

I guess I missed that in the instructions because, honestly, sometimes the eyes just glaze over after reading so many forms and instructions.

[Dodi 69]

Sometimes the instructions can be confusing as well, so good luck with your packet.

[Ning 619]

I'm trying to put together everything I need for the I-134 for my fiancee's interview (whenever it may be) and was wondering about the letter(s) from my bank(s). Unless something changes really soon on the job front, I'm going to be making an assets based filing (with a backup co-sponsor who far exceeds the poverty guidelines.) What does it need to say? The length of time account has been open and the total yearly deposits? Who has to issue it? An officer of the bank or any customer service rep? Does it need to be notarized or otherwise certified in any way? Does my co-sponsor need one from his bank also or will W-2s, monthly deposit statements (the paystub from his pension) and tax returns be sufficient for him?

Thanks

P.S. I suppose I should add that we will be interviewing in Bogotá since I-134 issues seem to be consulate dependent... If anyone has any insight, I would appreciate it greatly.

Have you checked with the embassy in Bogata to make sure they allow co-sponsors on a K 1? Some embassies do not. If they do the co-sponsor should provide the same evidence as you.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Speaking of bank letters, is one necessary if the USC is making well over the required amount and can prove so with a letter from his employer and recent pay stubs? I just don't want to have him dig up a bunch of stuff and not end up needing it.

Edited August 9, 2010 by Coconuts

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Speaking of bank letters, is one necessary if the USC is making well over the required amount and can prove so with a letter from his employer and recent pay stubs? I just don't want to have him dig up a bunch of stuff and not end up needing it.

No. If income alone is enough to qualify then no bank statements are needed.

For everyone else, provide what the consulate requires and NOT what the I-134 instructions describe. If you strictly followed the I-134 instructions then you would believe that a tax return was not required unless you were self-employed, which is NOT the case at most consulates. The I-134 is a legacy form that was produced by USCIS, but which USCIS no longer uses. Consulates use it for pre-qualifying sponsors for certain types of non-immigrant visas, including K visas. The evidence you must provide is whatever the consulate tells you to provide. They usually describe this in packet 4.

To the OP, you should be fine providing the letter Dodi described. Bear in mind that in order to qualify on assets alone you would need nearly $56,000 in assets - three times the poverty guidelines for two people. Have your co-sponsor's affidavit and evidence ready to submit at the interview. Your co-sponsor also needs to provide proof that they are either a US citizen or LPR.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

No. If income alone is enough to qualify then no bank statements are needed.

Good to know! Thanks very much.

[ryna 132]

To the OP, you should be fine providing the letter Dodi described. Bear in mind that in order to qualify on assets alone you would need nearly $56,000 in assets - three times the poverty guidelines for two people. Have your co-sponsor's affidavit and evidence ready to submit at the interview. Your co-sponsor also needs to provide proof that they are either a US citizen or LPR.

Just to clarify: If, for example, I had $50,000 in the bank, I would only need to make approx. $2k/year to meet income requirements w/o a co-sponsor (for a household of 2)?

I'm, of course, looking for a job in my field but, believe you me, just about anything makes $2K/year and if that's what it takes to make the consulate happy in the short-term, I'm in until something else comes along.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Just to clarify: If, for example, I had $50,000 in the bank, I would only need to make approx. $2k/year to meet income requirements w/o a co-sponsor (for a household of 2)?

I'm, of course, looking for a job in my field but, believe you me, just about anything makes $2K/year and if that's what it takes to make the consulate happy in the short-term, I'm in until something else comes along.

Yes, presuming the consulate uses the I-864 rules. While most of them do, it's important to understand the consulate has wide discretion with the I-134. The I-864 lays out specific rules and requirements. If the sponsor meets these requirements, then the consular doesn't have a lot of discretion. There are no such requirements spelled out for the I-134, so the consular officer reserves discretion. For example, the I-864 allows other relatives living in the same household to combine income in order to qualify. There is no such provision with the I-134, and no consulate allows this with an I-134. The I-864 allows for joint sponsors. The I-134 doesn't specifically allow this - many consulates will accept it, some will accept it under specific circumstances, and some almost never accept it.

What's probably the most important is that the income threshold you need to meet with the I-134 is not spelled out anywhere. It's just presumed that it's the same as the I-864 income threshold, since this seems to be the threshold most consulates apply.

The details come from several sources, including the Immigration and Naturalization Act, the Code of Federal Regulations, and the Foreign Affairs Manual. I won't bore you with the legal stuff unless you really want to know.

The salient point is that the consular officer has a lot of discretion with the I-134. If you barely qualify, they can opt not to accept you as a sole sponsor. On the other hand, if you qualify by a comfortable margin then they have little choice but to accept you.

To put this in more practical terms, let's switch your scenario around a little. If you were employed, but your income was $2000 short of qualifying, and you had $50,000 in the bank, they would almost certainly accept you as a sole sponsor.