Proof for I-134

[Cat23 0]

hello, I've tried a search for the answer but cant find one hope you can help

I know for the I-134 that London will accept 100% of poverty line, but my fiance earns about a 2000 under this as he's a student. I've also seen threads mentioning London accepting self sponser - so I wondered can I make up the difference with my savings?

I havent got enough saved to cover the whole amount, as I think this is 5 times the amount if I'm right? But I cant seem to find out whether I can self sponser the difference? So 5 times the $2000 that he is short of to meet the required amount?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

It is a subjective decision by the officer. There is nothing in the law that spells it out in black and white. London has accepted 100% before. It could have been based on the situation. Was the fiance a fourth year medical student or somebody who dropped out of high school working for minimum wage? One has a higher future earning potential and could sway a decision if you follow my logic. It is impossible to guess what $2000 below 100% is going to look like to them.

There is also no 3x or 5x written into the law on an I-134. That is part of the detailed I-864 Affidavit of Support for AOS which is very spelled out. I think London will consider your combined resources of income and cash savings, but couldn't say if it will be enough. Working off 125% instead of barely scraping 100% would certainly be better. They won't shut the door on you, but will rather say to get another sponsor and send the documentation if they don't think what you present assures them you will not become a public charge. So you can give it a try and see what happens. I don't have a clue really, but think you might have a tiny shot at it. It depends on the officer. Do come back to the UK forum and say what happened so others will benefit from your experience.

When you get to the I-864, it is 3x the shortfall of 125% for the spouse, and 5x for a joint sponsor, so do the math for that one. Your joint savings can count because you will be a married couple by then.

[Boiler 45,979]

I self sponsored, the 3x etc does not apply, What do you expect to have in saving roughly to show?

[Cat23 0]

thanks for your advice Nich Nick. Just thinking what to do at the moment but will come back and say if I decide on the self sponsor path.

Hi Boiler, the savings aren't much really I have about £10000 and then his part time salary of about $14500.

Safest bet may be to try to get a sponser, would hate to be turned away when I finally get to interview.

[Boiler 45,979]

Check with the Consulate for the current figure as I am out of date, but you should be fine, they just want you to have the cash for 90 days.

I was expecting 5x etc and went prepared and they were totally disinterested, then found out I was wrong.

[Cat23 0]

thanks Boiler

I know this maybe be a real newbie question but I'm all new to this. How would you recommend I contact them, is there an email address that I can send a query to?

[Boiler 45,979]

Contact methods and procedures have changed since I went through the process and I have not kept current on that.

This has come up relatively recently and I forget how contact was made, hopefully somebody with recent experience will comment.

[Cat23 0]

thanks I had a look around and found a query page about immigrant visas, so I have sent my query. Got the standard you will hear something back in 5 days, so lets see.

thanks for your help

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

thanks for your advice Nich Nick. Just thinking what to do at the moment but will come back and say if I decide on the self sponsor path.

Hi Boiler, the savings aren't much really I have about £10000 and then his part time salary of about $14500.

Safest bet may be to try to get a sponser, would hate to be turned away when I finally get to interview.

Don't forget to say you have around $15,000. It's the American embassy so talk in US dollars.

I think you stand a better chance asking your officer on the day. If they reply to your email, it will probably be some standard I-864 BS rhetoric.

This is the contact form http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/visa_contact_form.html

Edited September 24, 2015 by Nich-Nick

[Boiler 45,979]

Don't forget to say you have around $15,000. It's the American embassy so talk in US dollars.

I think you stand a better chance asking your officer on the day. If they reply to your email, it will probably be some standard I-864 BS rhetoric.

This is the contact form http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/visa_contact_form.html

Other people have had success finding out the current number.

You are dealing with the Consulate not the Embassy, I did put in the dollar amount for the total of my calculations but when it came to it they were simply not that interested.

[Cat23 0]

Thanks both. Nich Nick you recommend trying on the day - what would be my position if they just said no? do they extend and give you time to submit a new sponsor or would it be back to square one? If we can we don't really want to ask for joint sponsors as I worry people may think its a big ask, when really we would never put them in a position of asking for money.

And Boiler, you mentioned that they are only concerned that you cover your 90 days there, so what do you think is the minimum savings they would accept as a self sponser?

[Boiler 45,979]

When I did it I think it was about GBP4k.

Which makes sense, presume they have increased it which is why I thought 10k would be fine.

[Cat23 0]

thanks Boiler

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thanks both. Nich Nick you recommend trying on the day - what would be my position if they just said no? do they extend and give you time to submit a new sponsor or would it be back to square one? If we can we don't really want to ask for joint sponsors as I worry people may think its a big ask, when really we would never put them in a position of asking for money.

I already answered that in my first reply They won't shut the door on you, but will rather say to get another sponsor and send the documentation . When you send in a new I-134, they issue the visa.

The I-134 is not binding to the sponsor. You don't get money from them. They do give you their financial details like yearly income. Their tax return is not required by London. Their assets don't have to be revealed if the salary is enough. That can be left blank. It is a lot to ask. I agree.

Edited September 24, 2015 by Nich-Nick

[Cat23 0]

Just another question on the sponsor for the I-134

I am leaning towards the self sponsor route as we are struggling to find anyone from US to co sponser.

Can I just clarify though. Ive been looking through the Foreign Affairs manual, and although for the I-864 it says sponsor must be US citizen, it doesn't seem to say it for the I-134.

NOTE: When there are compelling or forceful ties between the applicant and the sponsor, such as a close family relationship or friendship of long standing, you may favorably consider the affidavit. On the other hand, an affidavit submitted by a casual friend or distant relative who has little or no personal knowledge of the applicant has more limited value. If the sponsor is not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR), the likelihood of the sponsor's support of an immigrant visa (IV) applicant until the applicant can become selfsupporting is a particularly important consideration.

Does that mean I can ask a close family member from the UK to be my sponsor for this part of the visa application?

I'm thinking with savings and increase in income we could hopefully meet the income needed for AOS, but its just getting past this initial stage..

Edited September 29, 2015 by Cat23