Letter from bank officer

[russ 1]

I know this question has been asked before, and I know the prevailing answer for my situation is "you don't need a bank statement if your income exceeds 125% of the poverty guidelines." However, I have not yet seen an answer that satisfies me completely, due to the wording of the I-134 instructions. I've pasted the relevant portion of the instructions below:

I didn't send the letter, or 12 months of statements. It was fine.

I sent 2 pay stubs, one bank statement, and 2 tax returns.

Don't worry about it that much, the absolute worst case is that they ask for more.

[Satellite 1]

Since VJ advice is partly based on personal experience I will add that we did just fine with no bank statements. Just tax forms, W2's and employment letter. If you want to add more that is your business, I can only speak of what worked for us.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Which are exactly what I intend to submit.

Since VJ advice is partly based on personal experience I will add that we did just fine with no bank statements. Just tax forms, W2's and employment letter. If you want to add more that is your business, I can only speak of what worked for us.

[CBR 0]

This is how I understand it (been struggling with the same issue, mox):

The bank statement would be a SAVINGS account statement. Which would be necessary if your income didn't exceed the 125% enough to satisfy them to show that you have enough $$ to fall back on. Thereby satisfying their ASSET requirements which has to be a certain percentage of how far below the 125% you fall.

Supplying them with a CHECKING account statement is duplicate info as YuAndDan said. All that does is tell them that you deposited your checks into an account. It's irrelevant. Whether you stash it between your mattresses or deposit it in a bank doesn't matter. It's that you MAKE the money which you are proving with the taxes, letter from employer stating your income and the pay stubs.

I'm not going to worry about a bank statement as all I have is a checking account. My savings account has had $50 in it for over a year and hasn't gone up or down lol. Pretty irrelevant info.

I've been driving myself nuts over this too, but feel that this really makes sense (what i said above).

What do you think?

Edited March 7, 2008 by CBR

[mox 298]

This is how I understand it (been struggling with the same issue, mox):

The bank statement would be a SAVINGS account statement.

The instructions on the I-134 say "Statement from an officer of the bank or other financial institutions where you have deposits..."

It doesn't implicitly state savings. Or checking for that matter.

The problem is that the directive is so vague and ill-defined that it defies any concrete interpretation. Heck, it's even debatable as to what the requirement is used to prove. And perhaps this works to our advantage, and possibly why the consulates don't seem to really care about it when you have other proof of meeting the income requirement.

In any case I guess I won't worry about it. As someone else pointed out, the worst they can do is hold on to her passport until I provide the info. Hopefully that would be something I could just DHL to them.

[CBR 0]

I asked NVC while I was doing my call to see if my freakin petition got there yet (nope) and asked about this. She said ASSETS. So if your checking can be considered an asset (and not a sieve like mine) then I suppose it would be something they want. And she also said it's definitely not necessary if you're over 125%.

If you're close then I'd say submit the bank statement if it's going to reflect an asset for you. If not, don't.

[Jasman0717 9]

I just submitted several months of bank statements.

[slim 1,530]

You guys should keep in mind that this isn't an audit into your financial history. This is simply providing proof that you're not sponsoring someone into the U.S. and then not going to be able to financially care for them.

Mox, I don't have a link or actual evidence on a website, but I do have first-hand knowledge and proof of what works. I sent almost the same things as Russ and Satellite and fared just fine.

As far as the bank letter goes, I think mine only had a 90-day balance on it. I submitted that along with a letter from my employer, three check stubs and the last two years of W-2s.

Simply put, all you're saying is:

"Here's my I-134 that says I make this much money per year. Here's a letter from my employer that says he pays me this much per year. Here's a few check stubs that prove I make this much per year. Here's a letter from my bank that says I put some of that money in the bank sometimes. And if you still don't believe me, here's a W-2 that you can use to cross-reference what I'm saying with what I'm paying. Have a nice day."

Remember also the only thing you actually need to list on the I-134 is "income" showing 125% of the poverty level. Don't worry about listing your house or IRA or whatever. Just put your salary. That's enough.

And mox...... chill out. You got this!!! (I know you want the piece of mind of knowing you're complying 100% with all guidelines, and the fact is, you are. There is no "you have to have this and you have to have that" because the I-134 is an all-encompassing document for all sponsorships. You're a pretty simple case with a K-1. Stop stressing man!)

[mox 298]

And mox...... chill out. You got this!!! (I know you want the piece of mind of knowing you're complying 100% with all guidelines, and the fact is, you are. There is no "you have to have this and you have to have that" because the I-134 is an all-encompassing document for all sponsorships. You're a pretty simple case with a K-1. Stop stressing man!)

Hehe, thanks man. I'm actually pretty un-stressed about this stuff. I hit my stress-peak when I saw NOA2 approvals happening well past my filing date. After approval I've been pretty un-stressed. Well actually, a little stressed trying to put together a plan for her trip to Moscow. But it'll all come together.

Appreciate everyone's input. I'll probably skip the letter from the bank and just go with the tax filings, W-2's, employment letter, and pay stubs.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Kirk, my friend, Slim put it very well. I'm sending the exact same evidence you will be. I, believe, we will both be just fine! Its not going to be like the "The Inquisition".

And mox...... chill out. You got this!!! (I know you want the piece of mind of knowing you're complying 100% with all guidelines, and the fact is, you are. There is no "you have to have this and you have to have that" because the I-134 is an all-encompassing document for all sponsorships. You're a pretty simple case with a K-1. Stop stressing man!)

Hehe, thanks man. I'm actually pretty un-stressed about this stuff. I hit my stress-peak when I saw NOA2 approvals happening well past my filing date. After approval I've been pretty un-stressed. Well actually, a little stressed trying to put together a plan for her trip to Moscow. But it'll all come together.

Appreciate everyone's input. I'll probably skip the letter from the bank and just go with the tax filings, W-2's, employment letter, and pay stubs.

[mox 298]

Kirk, my friend, Slim put it very well. I'm sending the exact same evidence you will be. I, believe, we will both be just fine! Its not going to be like the "The Inquisition".

We're *so* going to beat you!

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Stop reminding me-!!!

Kirk, my friend, Slim put it very well. I'm sending the exact same evidence you will be. I, believe, we will both be just fine! Its not going to be like the "The Inquisition".

We're *so* going to beat you!

[mox 298]

Stop reminding me-!!!

I know the chances are infinitesimal, but I kinda hope our girls interview the same day. That would be pretty cool if they could somehow hook up and wait together.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Interesting thought. I just finished talking to Alla all about her Women's Day celebration. I mentioned all the approvals of late and told her there is a remote chance she could have her interview at the same time as others I talk to on VJ.

Stop reminding me-!!!

I know the chances are infinitesimal, but I kinda hope our girls interview the same day. That would be pretty cool if they could somehow hook up and wait together.

[Jason-Sasha 1]

Hey guys. I submitted the minimum requirements and Sasha was approved. One years tax history (W2, tax return), paystubs, and a letter from my employer. Never included anything from the bank or personal assets. B)