I-134 for Full time students

[neda20 0]

Hello Everyone,

I'm trying to fill out an I-134 and I have a question. I am a full time grad student so my income is just student loans so I had to find a co-sponsor.

I just need to know what I write down as my income?! I technically don't have one since I don't have to file taxes but I can write down how much money I'm getting from school. Should I leave the income line as zero or should I list the amount of loans I got this academic year?!

anyone has had this situation?!

Thanks!!!

[Jesse and Hema 2]

Hello Everyone,

I'm trying to fill out an I-134 and I have a question. I am a full time grad student so my income is just student loans so I had to find a co-sponsor.

I just need to know what I write down as my income?! I technically don't have one since I don't have to file taxes but I can write down how much money I'm getting from school. Should I leave the income line as zero or should I list the amount of loans I got this academic year?!

anyone has had this situation?!

Thanks!!!

Loans are not income. Leave the income lines zero.

[Thai family 0]

Hello Everyone,

I'm trying to fill out an I-134 and I have a question. I am a full time grad student so my income is just student loans so I had to find a co-sponsor.

I just need to know what I write down as my income?! I technically don't have one since I don't have to file taxes but I can write down how much money I'm getting from school. Should I leave the income line as zero or should I list the amount of loans I got this academic year?!

anyone has had this situation?!

Thanks!!!

A visa information specialist with the Dept. of State told my son to send a notarized letter stating why he did not have to file taxes. He had recently graduated from college and studied on a non work-authorized visa overseas. He also used that letter to make a case as to how his wife would not become a public charge. concisely explaining his current financial situation and prospects. He included everything he could to prove he wasn't a deadbeat. He even included his lifetime social security earnings statement and college transcripts. Then there was the sealed I-134 from Dad in the bottom of the file. You can state your loan amounts in the letter, even though they aren't considered income.

Thai Mom

Edited February 10, 2009 by Thai family

[payxibka 10,047]

I-134 is a consulate issue.. moving accordingly

[neda20 0]

a notarized letter?! A letter that I write?!

I have enrollment verification and financial aid award letters from school. Do I have to write a letter to explain my situation?!

[Thai family 0]

a notarized letter?! A letter that I write?!

I have enrollment verification and financial aid award letters from school. Do I have to write a letter to explain my situation?!

Yes, a letter you write and sign before a notary at least explaining why you were not required to file taxes. The rest is optional, but I would certainly recommend including a brief explanation and any copies of any supporting documents to back it up. You can call the visa info. line in DC, but expect to wait ten or fifteen minutes to talk to someone.

Thai Mom

Edited February 10, 2009 by Thai family

[neda20 0]

Thank you for your help!

[Thai family 0]

You are most welcome!

[Johan & Anne 0]

a notarized letter?! A letter that I write?!

I have enrollment verification and financial aid award letters from school. Do I have to write a letter to explain my situation?!

Yes, a letter you write and sign before a notary at least explaining why you were not required to file taxes. The rest is optional, but I would certainly recommend including a brief explanation and any copies of any supporting documents to back it up. You can call the visa info. line in DC, but expect to wait ten or fifteen minutes to talk to someone.

Thai Mom

I thought that it was not necessary to provide tax info or a letter explaining lack of filing if a co-sponsor is used because the government is primarily concerned with the co-sponsor's tax info/income etc ??

[Jesse and Hema 2]

I thought that it was not necessary to provide tax info or a letter explaining lack of filing if a co-sponsor is used because the government is primarily concerned with the co-sponsor's tax info/income etc ??

It's not necessary, just recommended.

[Thai family 0]

a notarized letter?! A letter that I write?!

I have enrollment verification and financial aid award letters from school. Do I have to write a letter to explain my situation?!

Yes, a letter you write and sign before a notary at least explaining why you were not required to file taxes. The rest is optional, but I would certainly recommend including a brief explanation and any copies of any supporting documents to back it up. You can call the visa info. line in DC, but expect to wait ten or fifteen minutes to talk to someone.

Thai Mom

I thought that it was not necessary to provide tax info or a letter explaining lack of filing if a co-sponsor is used because the government is primarily concerned with the co-sponsor's tax info/income etc ??

It depends on the consulate to a certain extent. Some frown more on the co-sponsorship for K-1 and K-3 visas. Technically there is no co-sponsor for the I-134. It was a visa information specialist that told my son to write the letter after the situation was explained to him. Think of it from a consular officers point of view: If the person petitioning for a K-1 or K-3 beneficiary doesn't show evidence of taking seriously the need to be financially responsible for them, why should the visa application be approved? If the petitioner doesn't meet the requirements it's best if the situation is explained. Full time students are usually treated in a more favorable light when family or close friends "co-sponsor" from what I see, than say, a 40 year old drifter. For adjustment of status or an immigrant visa, it is whole different set of rules, and there is a clear provision for co-sponsorship, that is, signing a ten year contract with the US government.

One reason my kids went with the K-3 visa is that we didn't really want to sign that ten year contract for a number of reasons. My son will certainly have a bit more self worth doing it himself, now that he's graduated from college and making some good money. We'd like to retire before too long and don't want to get hit with some big bill from the government because something unexpected happened. We love our DIL very much, but it is good to be wise regarding the sponsorship issues, especially in these uncertain economic times.

Thai Mom

[Terri and Seb 0]

I am also a full time student, although I worked part time for 2 of the past 3 years. I didn't bother including a letter as to why I wasn't working for a year, and I just put $0 for this past year's income. Interview is today (!!!) so I'll let you know how we get on.

[Popcorn Henry 0]

I am also a full time student, although I worked part time for 2 of the past 3 years. I didn't bother including a letter as to why I wasn't working for a year, and I just put $0 for this past year's income. Interview is today (!!!) so I'll let you know how we get on.

Wow, I am in the same boat. Can you post a draft of the letter format? Please! Thank you!

[Terri and Seb 0]

I said I did NOT include a letter. Interview was this morning and we were successfully approved!

[Thai family 0]

I said I did NOT include a letter. Interview was this morning and we were successfully approved!

Congratulations! That is wonderful. Consular officers do have some discretion.

Thai Mom