Affidavit of Support - necessary to include all bank info

[PeruvyandGringa 25]

Hello! I qualify to bring my fiance here by my income level. For the Affidavit of Support, I was going to list out the amount in my bank/investment accounts, so that I am not excluding anything (lying). It would be difficult to get the recent signed statements from the investment accounts (everything is done online), and I really don't want to use this anyway. Is it OK if I qualify on income alone to have my fiance only bring my tax transcripts, recent paystubs, letter from employer (and the bank acct info only mentioned in the total, but no proof, because it is not really necessary). It would be relatively easy for me to go to the bank where my checking account is located, but there is really not much money to speak of there, so it is somewhat useless. What is advised?

Thank you much!

[AbbynSheryl 0]

i did the I864EZ and that was the really easy to do and i only submit last 3 years of transcripts and thats it, no check stubs no w2 no nothing,

if u have income on the ITR over the poverty line and u only sponcer ur fiancee then u can do I864EZ, my advice read in VJ about the I-864EZ and see i u qualify for it. good luck

abby n sheryl

[Otto 83]

If your income is sufficient (which you say it is) you do not need to disclose any of the optional fields (such as bank account, assets, stocks/bonds etc).

If only using income; the items you've listed is all you'd need to submit as supporting documents/evidence. However, if you will need to provide supporting documents/evidence for any field you enter $$ in (so don't list any $$ in the optional fields, leave them blank).

[Stephen + Elisha 92]

i did the I864EZ and that was the really easy to do and i only submit last 3 years of transcripts and thats it, no check stubs no w2 no nothing,

if u have income on the ITR over the poverty line and u only sponcer ur fiancee then u can do I864EZ, my advice read in VJ about the I-864EZ and see i u qualify for it. good luck

abby n sheryl

K-1 applicants do not use the I-864 or -864EZ until after visa issuance and POE. They come into play at AOS time.

The OP is talking about the I-134 used at the consular stage of the K-1 process. There is no I-134EZ.

[payxibka 10,045]

moving to consulate forum.... where all things I-134 are best posted

[PeruvyandGringa 25]

Thank you for your replies. By consular forum, was it moved to the information for the Embassy in Spain? I did not ask there only because there are so very few people there, and I can't answer my own question.

[payxibka 10,045]

It was moved here:

US Embassy and Consulate Discussion

You are almost there and now you have to deal with the embassy. This is the place to post your experiences or questions related to this last step before moving to the US. Topics relating to I-134's, packets sent from consulate and medical & police certificates should be posted here.

The description of the forum is self explanatory and provides the reason why it was moved.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Whichever stage of the game you're at, and whichever affidavit of support form you're using, the only thing you must document is your income. Listing assets is optional, and you usually shouldn't do it unless you are under the threshold on income and you need the assets to make up the difference.

Bear in mind that there are no fixed rules for the I-134, and each consulate can ask for pretty much anything they want. I don't know of any consulate that requires you provide evidence of assets if your income alone qualifies you.

[gary9891 10]

Hello! I qualify to bring my fiance here by my income level. For the Affidavit of Support, I was going to list out the amount in my bank/investment accounts, so that I am not excluding anything (lying). It would be difficult to get the recent signed statements from the investment accounts (everything is done online), and I really don't want to use this anyway. Is it OK if I qualify on income alone to have my fiance only bring my tax transcripts, recent paystubs, letter from employer (and the bank acct info only mentioned in the total, but no proof, because it is not really necessary). It would be relatively easy for me to go to the bank where my checking account is located, but there is really not much money to speak of there, so it is somewhat useless. What is advised?

Thank you much!

I too make well over the minimum income level required by the affidavit of support. I did not send the bank letter or my investment info. I sent employment letter from my boss, 3 years tax transcripts w/W-2's, 4 or 5 last paystubs and a copy of my last bank statement just showing I have an account etc. From whay I understand the embassy is concerned with INCOME. They want to be sure you will make enough to support your spouse once here and not need public support. my papers sailed right through and my asawa has been here 1 week now!

[Corinthians 7]

We used income alone, no reason to give the government more info than they need or even really want. Plus, it makes more work for you.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hello! I qualify to bring my fiance here by my income level. For the Affidavit of Support, I was going to list out the amount in my bank/investment accounts, so that I am not excluding anything (lying). It would be difficult to get the recent signed statements from the investment accounts (everything is done online), and I really don't want to use this anyway. Is it OK if I qualify on income alone to have my fiance only bring my tax transcripts, recent paystubs, letter from employer (and the bank acct info only mentioned in the total, but no proof, because it is not really necessary). It would be relatively easy for me to go to the bank where my checking account is located, but there is really not much money to speak of there, so it is somewhat useless. What is advised?

Thank you much!

First, there is no obligation to "show" everything. I certainly did not. You are required to demonstrate that the intending immigrant will not become a public charge. If your income, from at least one source, exceeds the guidelines by an amount that you are comfortable with then there is no need to document anything else. Also there is no need for bank records (deposits) to equal stated income or your income tax return. I assure you on all my affidavits for three people, visa and AOS, NONE of that stuff "matched". Not all income is taxable and not all bank deposits are income. You could withdraw and re-deposit the same $1000 3 times a week (or 10 or 20 times per week) and show bank deposits of $3000 or $10,000 or $20,000 per week! I get re-imbursement for business expenses, more than $1000 per month, it is direct deposited to my bank but it is not income and is not taxed (or taxable). It was not a problem, there was no question my income was sufficient. Omitting income information is not "lying", neither is ommitting assets.

bank information is optional, bank balance is not important if your income is sufficient. There is no need to even mention you know what a bank is if your income is sufficient

[SuperDuper! 230]

Whichever stage of the game you're at, and whichever affidavit of support form you're using, the only thing you must document is your income. Listing assets is optional, and you usually shouldn't do it unless you are under the threshold on income and you need the assets to make up the difference.

Bear in mind that there are no fixed rules for the I-134, and each consulate can ask for pretty much anything they want. I don't know of any consulate that requires you provide evidence of assets if your income alone qualifies you.

Doesn't this increase the chance of delaying the visa? On the I-134 it doesn't give "optional" instructions on when or when not to answer all the investment, bank acct, real estate questions. May we ask what is the source of your information re when not to answer these questions? THanks.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Whichever stage of the game you're at, and whichever affidavit of support form you're using, the only thing you must document is your income. Listing assets is optional, and you usually shouldn't do it unless you are under the threshold on income and you need the assets to make up the difference.

Bear in mind that there are no fixed rules for the I-134, and each consulate can ask for pretty much anything they want. I don't know of any consulate that requires you provide evidence of assets if your income alone qualifies you.

Doesn't this increase the chance of delaying the visa? On the I-134 it doesn't give "optional" instructions on when or when not to answer all the investment, bank acct, real estate questions. May we ask what is the source of your information re when not to answer these questions? THanks.

The state department instructions to consulates gives them very broad disgression. Generally what is used as the guides for the I-864 is used for the I-134. Can I quote sources? No. I do have a full copy of the state department handbook regarding the matter and it is, at best, vague. It even allows that a consulate CAN approve an applicant based on their judgement of his employability once in the USA. No one can quote "rules" that do not exist, only the general experience and precedents set by consulates, which can vary to a great degree. But here is the kicker. The same rules do not apply to the USCIS for the I-864 which DOES have it's own well distributed rules. There is no point in sliding by an easy consulate (such as Kiev that barely even looks at the I-134 and tosses back all the documentation to you) only to have to face the music with the I-864 3 months or so later. The I-864 specifically states assets and any other information can be disregarded and left blank if the income stated exceeds the poverty guidelines for that visa.

I can state factually, in my case, I never listed a single asset or bank balance on any form (I did submit bank letters for ONE bank account) and never had a question asked at the interview or AOS by documenting only a part of my income, but more than enough for any guideline.

It is suggested, always, that the OP check with the regional forum and get feedback from people that have dealt with the particular consulate.

This question, or one like it, gets asked and answered every day several times and never have I seen anyone dispute that, or give an instance of, asset and bank information can be excluded if income is sufficient. Specific consulates DO give specific guidelines. Kiev asks that the sponsor demonstrate they can provide for the intending immigrant with "at least two of the following..." Assets are not on the list. Tax return, employment letter, bank letter and check stubs ARE on the list.

[SuperDuper! 230]

Whichever stage of the game you're at, and whichever affidavit of support form you're using, the only thing you must document is your income. Listing assets is optional, and you usually shouldn't do it unless you are under the threshold on income and you need the assets to make up the difference.

Bear in mind that there are no fixed rules for the I-134, and each consulate can ask for pretty much anything they want. I don't know of any consulate that requires you provide evidence of assets if your income alone qualifies you.

Doesn't this increase the chance of delaying the visa? On the I-134 it doesn't give "optional" instructions on when or when not to answer all the investment, bank acct, real estate questions. May we ask what is the source of your information re when not to answer these questions? THanks.

The state department instructions to consulates gives them very broad disgression. Generally what is used as the guides for the I-864 is used for the I-134. Can I quote sources? No. I do have a full copy of the state department handbook regarding the matter and it is, at best, vague. It even allows that a consulate CAN approve an applicant based on their judgement of his employability once in the USA. No one can quote "rules" that do not exist, only the general experience and precedents set by consulates, which can vary to a great degree. But here is the kicker. The same rules do not apply to the USCIS for the I-864 which DOES have it's own well distributed rules. There is no point in sliding by an easy consulate (such as Kiev that barely even looks at the I-134 and tosses back all the documentation to you) only to have to face the music with the I-864 3 months or so later. The I-864 specifically states assets and any other information can be disregarded and left blank if the income stated exceeds the poverty guidelines for that visa.

I can state factually, in my case, I never listed a single asset or bank balance on any form (I did submit bank letters for ONE bank account) and never had a question asked at the interview or AOS by documenting only a part of my income, but more than enough for any guideline.

It is suggested, always, that the OP check with the regional forum and get feedback from people that have dealt with the particular consulate.

This question, or one like it, gets asked and answered every day several times and never have I seen anyone dispute that, or give an instance of, asset and bank information can be excluded if income is sufficient. Specific consulates DO give specific guidelines. Kiev asks that the sponsor demonstrate they can provide for the intending immigrant with "at least two of the following..." Assets are not on the list. Tax return, employment letter, bank letter and check stubs ARE on the list.

Thank you, Alla, for your thoughtful and VERY thorough response.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Whichever stage of the game you're at, and whichever affidavit of support form you're using, the only thing you must document is your income. Listing assets is optional, and you usually shouldn't do it unless you are under the threshold on income and you need the assets to make up the difference.

Bear in mind that there are no fixed rules for the I-134, and each consulate can ask for pretty much anything they want. I don't know of any consulate that requires you provide evidence of assets if your income alone qualifies you.

Doesn't this increase the chance of delaying the visa? On the I-134 it doesn't give "optional" instructions on when or when not to answer all the investment, bank acct, real estate questions. May we ask what is the source of your information re when not to answer these questions? THanks.

Gary pretty much covered it. The instructions for the I-134 give very little in the way of any guidance at all. It just says you have to show "sufficient income or financial resources", and you must submit "evidence of income and resources, as appropriate". It doesn't say what is "sufficient" nor what is "appropriate". Consulates are not even specifically required to ask for the I-134 under the immigration law (and some do not), but they are specifically permitted to use it for certain classes of non-immigrant visas. Because there is little specific guidance, consulates have wide latitude in determining what they will require, and what is optional. As Gary said, most apply some variation of the standards for the I-864 because that is the standard that will ultimately determine if the alien can become a legal immigrant in the US. The instructions for the I-864 do specifically state that you do not need to list assets unless you need the value of the assets to meet the income requirements.

I did add the caveat to my statement that the requirements are up to each consulate, but also that I was not aware of any consulate that required you to provide proof of assets if you met the requirements using income alone. My fiance is still a couple of months away from her interview, but I have no intention of listing any assets on the I-134. My base income exceeds the minimums by more than 4X, even with a fairly large household size. The consulate will have no reason to need information about my investments, bank accounts, or real estate.