Help with I-134

[dyntyne 11]

My fiancé is from India and we have been together for three years. Our I-129f petition was approved about two weeks ago. We're now trying to preemptively assemble the documents for packet 3 and packet 4 so we can be prepared when the US embassy in Delhi contacts him. I'm having trouble with the I-134, because my parents, who are financially conservative, are unwilling to do anything that might make them legally liable for my fiancé (who they have not yet met, because it's impossible to get a tourist visa from India and they weren't about to go to India) — in other words, they are reluctant to be co-sponsors. Actually, more than reluctant — it looks like they won't do it all now (I just got off the phone with them). I don't blame them, but now I'm worried we won't be able to get the visa.

I'm a graduate student, working on my PhD in anthropology, and my fiancé is a fashion designer in India (although I don't think his situation matters much for the financial side of the K-1 application, unless he has a ton of assets, which he doesn't). My income looks something like this:

Yearly fellowship: $8,000

Yearly T.A. salary: $8,000

Summer research grant: $6,000*

Extra support from parents for apartment rent: $7,200*

Total yearly income: $29,200

According to this, I have more than enough of an income to cover the I-134 myself. However, two of these sources are variable, and I don't know if I have any official way to declare them (the ones marked with the *). For the next several years (I'm in the first year of my PhD program, and it's about 6-8 years long), I will get funding every summer, but the source and the amount will vary. Furthermore, the money my parents give me for rent is money that I have not declared officially anywhere, and I don't really know how to declare it. It's just a monthly gift from parents who are very kind and understand that graduate school can be tough (having been through it once themselves). I do not have personal property, stocks or bonds, life insurance, or real estate. I have only a few thousand dollars in savings.

So without these two sources (my parents' money for rent, and my summer funds), my income becomes: $16,000. But it looks like I need about $19,000 for the I-134.

Here are my questions:

How do I declare the money that my parents give me as income? Will the fact that I don't have any assets hurt my application, as long as I have a real job? I was able to get an employment letter from my University verifying the yearly $16,000 and continued employment, but I don't think they can verify the summer $6,000, because the amount (and source of funding) might change in future years. Should I just submit the letter I received when I got this summer's grant? Would that work, or is it irrelevant, because it's not steady employment?

Am I in trouble if I can only get proof of employment amounting to $16,000? What about banks statements that show $29,200?

Anyway, sorry — I know this is a huge amount of information. I really appreciate any advice you can offer!!!

[Pitaya 2,577]

My fiancé is from India and we have been together for three years. Our I-129f petition was approved about two weeks ago. We're now trying to preemptively assemble the documents for packet 3 and packet 4 so we can be prepared when the US embassy in Delhi contacts him. I'm having trouble with the I-134, because my parents, who are financially conservative, are unwilling to do anything that might make them legally liable for my fiancé (who they have not yet met, because it's impossible to get a tourist visa from India and they weren't about to go to India) — in other words, they are reluctant to be co-sponsors. Actually, more than reluctant — it looks like they won't do it all now (I just got off the phone with them). I don't blame them, but now I'm worried we won't be able to get the visa.

I'm a graduate student, working on my PhD in anthropology, and my fiancé is a fashion designer in India (although I don't think his situation matters much for the financial side of the K-1 application, unless he has a ton of assets, which he doesn't). My income looks something like this:

Yearly fellowship: $8,000

Yearly T.A. salary: $8,000

Summer research grant: $6,000*

Extra support from parents for apartment rent: $7,200*

Total yearly income: $29,200

According to this, I have more than enough of an income to cover the I-134 myself. However, two of these sources are variable, and I don't know if I have any official way to declare them (the ones marked with the *). For the next several years (I'm in the first year of my PhD program, and it's about 6-8 years long), I will get funding every summer, but the source and the amount will vary. Furthermore, the money my parents give me for rent is money that I have not declared officially anywhere, and I don't really know how to declare it. It's just a monthly gift from parents who are very kind and understand that graduate school can be tough (having been through it once themselves). I do not have personal property, stocks or bonds, life insurance, or real estate. I have only a few thousand dollars in savings.

So without these two sources (my parents' money for rent, and my summer funds), my income becomes: $16,000. But it looks like I need about $19,000 for the I-134.

Here are my questions:

How do I declare the money that my parents give me as income? Will the fact that I don't have any assets hurt my application, as long as I have a real job? I was able to get an employment letter from my University verifying the yearly $16,000 and continued employment, but I don't think they can verify the summer $6,000, because the amount (and source of funding) might change in future years. Should I just submit the letter I received when I got this summer's grant? Would that work, or is it irrelevant, because it's not steady employment?

Am I in trouble if I can only get proof of employment amounting to $16,000? What about banks statements that show $29,200?

Anyway, sorry — I know this is a huge amount of information. I really appreciate any advice you can offer!!!

Welcome to the forum.

Consider reviewing these Tips for Affidavits of Support for more information.

Good luck on your visa journey.

[TnJ 131]

Welcome to the forum.

Consider reviewing these Tips for Affidavits of Support for more information.

Good luck on your visa journey.

Agree to this for starters.

You certainly have a unique situation here. I can't give you advice, but I did notice one of your concerns. About the income given to support you from your parents, I believe for the purposes of immigration that this would not be considered personal income. My reasoning for thinking this is because it is voluntary support that you are dependent on. Not sure about grant monies. Yes, $16,000 would be a problem. However, you would only need about $3000 more annually to be above the 125% poverty guideline. No, the lack of having assets will not hurt you. Assets are only used to substantiate an income below 125%. Be patient though as many here can be very helpful with experience using assets.

Edited May 9, 2012 by ToddnJessa

[TnJ 131]

Agree to this for starters.

You certainly have a unique situation here. I can't give you advice, but I did notice one of your concerns. About the income given to support you from your parents, I believe for the purposes of immigration that this would not be considered personal income. My reasoning for thinking this is because it is voluntary support that you are dependent on. Not sure about grant monies. Yes, $16,000 would be a problem. However, you would only need about $3000 more annually to be above the 125% poverty guideline. The lack of having assets will not hurt you if you meet income requirements. Assets are only used to substantiate an income below 125%. Be patient though as many here can be very helpful with experience using assets.

Edit

[TnJ 131]

Actually, a little advice that might be helpful. Do you have any close relatives or friends that could cosponsor? This is something to consider and not be totally ruled out on your chances of success. Also, you being a PhD student shows great potential for future earnings and sustainability. I am aware that considerations are sometimes made for students if you can at least find a cosponsor close to you. I don't know if it is possible, but a measly part-time job could easily put you over the lacking $3000.

[dyntyne 11]

Thank you for both of your responses! I had already looked at the Tips for Affidavits of Support section, but I my concerns were more specific, so I posted here

I don't think I'll be able to find a co-sponsor... my parents are the only people close to me who have the resources for tho kind of thing, and I wouldn't feel comfortable asking anyone else anyway.

So I guess my question has changed somewhat: Does anyone know how to document grant money? Can it be used for these purposes? It certainly is income for me, and it puts me at $22,000.

Otherwise, what if I were to get a letter from my parents (notarized and in legalese), asserting that they will continue to provide the $7,200 a year? Any thoughts?

Thanks again for your responses!

[TnJ 131]

Thank you for both of your responses! I had already looked at the Tips for Affidavits of Support section, but I my concerns were more specific, so I posted here

I don't think I'll be able to find a co-sponsor... my parents are the only people close to me who have the resources for tho kind of thing, and I wouldn't feel comfortable asking anyone else anyway.

So I guess my question has changed somewhat: Does anyone know how to document grant money? Can it be used for these purposes? It certainly is income for me, and it puts me at $22,000.

Otherwise, what if I were to get a letter from my parents (notarized and in legalese), asserting that they will continue to provide the $7,200 a year? Any thoughts?

Thanks again for your responses!

You are welcome. Sorry I couldn't provide more detail. However, I did provide a couple of links to threads on the issues. You might have already found them yourself by now. I hope someone can provide more clarity for your sake but also because I am curious. You did mention bank statements. Do you have any savings? If you did have enough in your savings to offset the remaining income needed, you could claim that as an asset. The tips say 5 times the difference needed, and others claim it is 3 so that part isn't clear to me.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/301874-types-of-income-for-i134/page__view__findpost__p__4564134

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/219337-types-of-income-not-covered-in-i-134/page__view__findpost__p__3335954

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/148229-college-financial-aids-as-income-for-i-134/page__view__findpost__p__2173078