Supporting Evidence for I-134

[LnS 1]

I've not even filed my I-129F petition yet, so I've still got a ways to go before having to show financial proof, but my situation is a bit complicated, so I need to start thinking ahead on this I-134 thing and supporting evidence. I have multiple things working against me due to my situation. I'll explain:

Up until last year, I was a full-time student, so for 2007 and 2008 I had basically $0. My 2009 tax return barely meets the 125% range at about 18,800 or so. I'm a sub-contractor for my dad's business and until this week, he's been paying me in all cash, so very little money has even been passing through my bank account. I told him to start writing me checks which will begin this Friday.

So, by the time of the visa interview (6 months or more), a bank letter would not show very much passing through my account for the past year, only the amounts deposited from this point on. I would not be able to show more than 1 year's tax returns. I would be able to show canceled checks written to me from my dad's company account from this time on. The checks have the company name on it thank goodness. An employer letter would be no problem, but it would come from my dad and I'm not sure how much weight they would put on that. Luckily, I will be able to get a co-sponsor - my mother and/or father.

So with all that said, is the proof I will have enough? I know each consulate is different, so how much supporting evidence does the US consulate in Kiev generally need? How does Kiev view co-sponsors? As I am sure most of you can relate, the thought of being denied the visa is terrifying, so I am a bit paranoid, but is it justifiably so in my case is the real question.

Thanks!

[LnS 1]

Another quick question, would a bank letter show only a sum of all deposits to my account or would it show it divided into individual transactions or even by months? I ask because it is possible for me to get enough money through my account by the time of the interview to show a total sum that would add up to my yearly income, but if they can see the details of the transactions, it would look suspicious that it all started now and that the deposits are double what my paychecks should be. Just curious

[Alcheringa 39]

At the consular level, this will depend upon whether Kiev requests only your most recent tax return in support of the I-134, or the last three year's. And whether they adhere to the I-134 guidelines, or the I-864. Your income for 2009 meets the current 125% threshold of $13,212 for a two-person household, but the previous two years do not.

There are a few knowledgeable folks (like Gary) whom are very familiar with Ukraine. Hopefully they can share.

The CO at the interview would be particularly interested in any unexplainable lump deposits made into an account that did not sync with your normal income. Generally, a letter from your bank used as supporting evidence would include this information as a means of identifying artificially buffered figures.

So long as Kiev does not frown upon cosponsors, if you are uncertain the safest bet would be to have your father back you.

[Martyshk 137]

Letter from the bank, at least in Kiev, is used more to the note of you using your assets in a bank to file for I-134.

They are more interested in your W-2 income. Also, they are interested in what you are making now.

So basically, it would be:

- a letter from employer stating how much you are making and how long you've been employed

- Previous year's tax transcripts or Tax Return + W-2

- Couple of latest pay stubs (2-3)

I am not sure what you mean by your father writing you a check. Is this a personal check? paystub type of check?

Easiest way out of all this - just ask your dad to co-sponsor you

[payxibka 10,045]

Moving thread to:

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.

[LnS 1]

okay thanks for the replies. Мартышк+Мартышка, they are not personal checks they are technically business checks but they are not pay stubs. I'm actually in charge of the payroll so perhaps I can figure something out as far as getting some paystubs. I can definitely get my mother or father to serve as a co-sponsor. So you two think that having my father rather than my mother as a co-sponsor would be better? My mother works for a corporation and so I was thinking they would give more validity to her income. Maybe they both could be co-sponsors? They file jointly, so how would that affect the process if they both were co-sponsors?

Мартышк+Мартышка, I see you have an interview coming up soon! Be sure to let us know how it goes!!!

Thanks

[Martyshk 137]

okay thanks for the replies. Мартышк+Мартышка, they are not personal checks they are technically business checks but they are not pay stubs. I'm actually in charge of the payroll so perhaps I can figure something out as far as getting some paystubs. I can definitely get my mother or father to serve as a co-sponsor. So you two think that having my father rather than my mother as a co-sponsor would be better? My mother works for a corporation and so I was thinking they would give more validity to her income. Maybe they both could be co-sponsors? They file jointly, so how would that affect the process if they both were co-sponsors?

Мартышк+Мартышка, I see you have an interview coming up soon! Be sure to let us know how it goes!!!

Thanks

It doesn't matter who co-sponsors you, as long as they clear the poverty guidelines (don't forget, your father or mother would have to count their spouse, you, your fiance AND any siblings that live in their home as dependents, so look at guidelines based on that number).

It's easier to have a co-sponsor who gets a regular W-2 SOLELY based on the amount of paperwork (i.e. almost none - transcripts+pay stubs or w-2s + tax returns+pay stubs)

I'll post about the interview at some point, hehe

[LnS 1]

It doesn't matter who co-sponsors you, as long as they clear the poverty guidelines (don't forget, your father or mother would have to count their spouse, you, your fiance AND any siblings that live in their home as dependents, so look at guidelines based on that number).

It's easier to have a co-sponsor who gets a regular W-2 SOLELY based on the amount of paperwork (i.e. almost none - transcripts+pay stubs or w-2s + tax returns+pay stubs)

I'll post about the interview at some point, hehe

If my mother for example was the co-sponsor, I'm curious why she would have to count my father as a dependent since he also made income. My mother made $30,643 in 2009. Would this be enough? I have no siblings.

Also, my parents filed jointly. Will that complicate matters with regard to showing tax returns? Or should she just provide the jointly filed tax return, and then her W2's to show her portion of the income?

Edited April 15, 2010 by Lennard

[K and L 27]

I don't think filing jointly would be a problem, as your mother has to include your father as a dependent according to the directions of the I134. She makes plenty for a 3 person household (herself, your father, and your fiancée).

[LnS 1]

Thanks for the info. I briefly read the I-134 instructions but I didn't see the part where it states she must include her spouse as a dependent though.

[K and L 27]

If the embassy/consulate applies the same standards as the I864, it does.

How Do I Count Household Size?

Your household size includes yourself and the following individuals, no matter where they live: any spouse, any dependent children under the age of 21, any other dependents listed on your most recent Federal income tax return, all persons being sponsored in this affidavit of support, and any immigrants previously sponsored with a Form I-864 or FormI-864 EZ affidavit of support whom you are still obligated to support. If necessary to meet the income requirements to be asponsor, you may include additional relatives (adult children,parents, or siblings) as part of your household size as long as they have the same principle residence as you and promise to use their income and resources in support of the intending immigrant(s).

If your parents filed jointly and they didn't claim a household size of 2 + the intending immigrant (for a total of 3) or otherwise follow the standard above, IMO, you are risking a rejection for doing it wrong -- and it's trivial for them to check against the IRS tax forms to make sure it was done right!

Edited April 18, 2010 by K and L