Help- I-134

[April + Chris 0]

We are preparing to file the I-129f but I'm a bit worried about the I-134....do I get my income amount from the 2009 tax return?

I read, if there are two in your household(Arkansas), the amount has to be $18k. Is this correct? I assume the other household member has to file a seperate I-134, but if the amount between us is above the poverty level, than it's okay, right?

One other question...my fiance is an Brit citizen but was born in Germany on what was at the time an English base, but no longer exists. It was difficult for him to get a passport because all the paperwork has vanished, might this be a problem down the line? Eek! I hope it gets easier after the first couple applications!

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

Hi, I am in Arkansas too! NWA, came here two years ago from Dublin as my husband is from the area.

If there are currently two in your household, then there will be three with your fiancee, so you will need 22'888 dollars minimum. If it's jsut you and your fiance, it is 18'230. If you still make the same amount as on your 2009 tax return, then that is fine, though a current letter from your employer stating such is a good idea. If you now make less, or more, than last year, it is best to provide a few paystubs (3-4 months worth if you can) and a letter from the employer.

In regards to the missing documents, what sort of documents does he not have? If he has no birth cert, that will raise questions.

[April + Chris 0]

Hi, I am in Arkansas too! NWA, came here two years ago from Dublin as my husband is from the area.

If there are currently two in your household, then there will be three with your fiancee, so you will need 22'888 dollars minimum. If it's jsut you and your fiance, it is 18'230. If you still make the same amount as on your 2009 tax return, then that is fine, though a current letter from your employer stating such is a good idea. If you now make less, or more, than last year, it is best to provide a few paystubs (3-4 months worth if you can) and a letter from the employer.

In regards to the missing documents, what sort of documents does he not have? If he has no birth cert, that will raise questions.

Fayetteville is my hometown. Part of the problem is that I am staying in the UK with him currently and am not allowed to work and really haven't made any money this year at all. Last year looks much better. We will be okay if I can use the 2009 income.

And he does have a full birth certificate, we are just thinking they might have issues because he was born in Germany, not the UK and the UK had problems with that. Hopefully it won't matter.

[MsNaNa 0]

I'm beginning to get confused about the same thing. I've been told that although they do use your 2009 tax return, they will aceept pay stubs and employment letters to prove your current income. Now I'm being told that it's based solely on your last years tax return and your current income is irrelevant. How can that be?

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

It's current income that counts primarily. So if you currently make no money as in the UK (or have a job in the UK that you cannot transfer back to the USA), then you have three options:

- Find a US based co-sponsor (friend or family member) to sponsor your fiance.

- Move back to the US and find a job.

- Sponsor on assets (savings, property owned etc). This is what we did as my husband also lived with me in Dublin when we went through the spousal visa process.

[April + Chris 0]

Here are the instructions to the I-134.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-134instr.pdf

So it is based on current income, unless you are self-employed, then you will send in the last year's tax return. Ugh.

[Anh map 2,098]

The I-134 instructions are a bit thin. If you have questions also read through the I-864 instructions. They are more thorough and are a great guide when completing the I-134. This I-864 FAQ can help too >>>> http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3183.html

For self employed persons line 22 of the form 1040 is the income number evaluated.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Here are the instructions to the I-134.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-134instr.pdf

So it is based on current income, unless you are self-employed, then you will send in the last year's tax return. Ugh.

The I-134 is the one case where you should basically ignore the instructions for the form. The I-134 is not a State Department form. It began as an INS form, and is now a USCIS form, but USCIS rarely uses it for anything. Consulates still use it for some types of non-immigrant visas, including K visas, but each consulate has it's own policies regarding what evidence needs to be provided with the form. Almost all consulates will require a copy of the most recent tax return.

You'll get instructions with packet 3 and 4. Follow those instructions.

[April + Chris 0]

Thank you all very much. It's a bit overwhelming.