I-134 questions and problems (ink color, bank details)

[vanya 0]

Hi everyone I have a few questions....

I'm currently waiting to schedule an embassy interview, but there were a few issues with the papers my fiance sent me, first: the I-134 was signed and dated in blue ink, not black... is this really a problem or can I use this paper no problem? I've found various responses with the search (and most of them very old) so I'm not sure if this will be an issue or not, and would love an up to date response?

Secondly, he was initially unable to get a letter from a bank officer (said they can't do it for privacy reasons smh), and instead printed out his bank details from his bank website, which show all the requested details, but not his name!! His name shows up in the name of payments made to his account, but is not listed anywhere else on those papers, only his address. It's also not signed or certified in any way by the bank. Is this a paper I can use, will they accept this at the embassy?? His wage is over the 125% poverty limit, but not by much.

He has already sent me new versions which fix these issues, but there is currently a postal strike in my country and we will soon be pressed for time. The new forms could take weeks and weeks to arrive because of postal delays. Would these papers I already have work as well? Our embassy is in Finland.

Thank you so much for any advice!

[pantonia 39]

This is only my opinion, as I'm about to have my interview soon too and I've been struggling and researching a ton about the I-134.

On the ink color:

From what I can tell, the black ink is a must because apparently the documents get scanned at some point and the scan doesn't recognize other colors. On the other hand, this is at the consular level and it might be up to their discretion, but if the documents do end up scanned anyway, then it looks like you have to use black for sure.

On the quality of the bank statements:

I do't think it would look "real enough". This is at the discretion of the person who interviews you, but I'd think the main point of your evidence is to make it look as real and serious as possible, since it is the only thing you have to prove you are not lying or forging documents. If the printouts were adicional evidence and not vital, I'd say they will let it pass, but I think bank statements are important enough that they'll require for them to look as proper as possible.

I assume you also have other statements, like employer letter, tax records, etc... maybe it might be enough to let the bank statement issue pass...but I wouldn't count on it.

About the postal strike, isn't there like a "ethic shift" or something, like maybe they are delivering priority-mail only? My country was on strike when I needed to get the birth and police records but they had ethic shifts and after 2 hours or so in line I was able to get them anyway.

As it stands, I'd suggest not to risk it and postpone the interview until you get a hold of all the proper documentation, so you don't risk a denial.

good luck!

[vanya 0]

Thank you so much for your thoughts! That is what I thought as well, and which why he sent the new versions, but since mail isn't moving anywhere here, I'm getting really stressed out that I won't be able to get the interview within the deadline....

Also, does anyone know if the bank officer's statement have to be an original?

Because I could print out a scanned version of it immediately, if that would work. (though I'd still have the problem with the blue ink I-134....)

eta:

And yes I have all the other required documentation, no problem

Edited November 27, 2015 by vanya

[pantonia 39]

I dunno at your consulate, but mine specifically asks for copies of everything not originals (except of course for any document that has a signature, like the letters of intent and the actual I-134), so see what they asked for in the instructions they gave you.

You could also e-mail the consulate and ask about the blue ink, they are the best qualified to answer that. My consulate replies usually the next day.

[Yuri S 4]

Hi everyone I have a few questions....

I'm currently waiting to schedule an embassy interview, but there were a few issues with the papers my fiance sent me, first: the I-134 was signed and dated in blue ink, not black... is this really a problem or can I use this paper no problem? I've found various responses with the search (and most of them very old) so I'm not sure if this will be an issue or not, and would love an up to date response?

Secondly, he was initially unable to get a letter from a bank officer (said they can't do it for privacy reasons smh), and instead printed out his bank details from his bank website, which show all the requested details, but not his name!! His name shows up in the name of payments made to his account, but is not listed anywhere else on those papers, only his address. It's also not signed or certified in any way by the bank. Is this a paper I can use, will they accept this at the embassy?? His wage is over the 125% poverty limit, but not by much.

He has already sent me new versions which fix these issues, but there is currently a postal strike in my country and we will soon be pressed for time. The new forms could take weeks and weeks to arrive because of postal delays. Would these papers I already have work as well? Our embassy is in Finland.

Thank you so much for any advice!

Hello Vanya,

I can only tell you that signing/dating in blue ink worked for us (US Embassy Manila). The document as a whole was printed in black ink but signed/dated with blue. Seems to have worked for others in the past: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/106767-another-i-134-question-blue-ink-black-ink/

With bank statements we were able to just print them from the site via online banking. Most banks have a feature where members have access to past statements. Which have the amount, transactions, name and account number. Might have to call the bank to ask them where to access it on the site but it should be there. We did not have statements signed by the bank we create a digital copy in the US and printed it in the Philippines and they still took it. They seem more focused on the US Tax documents to verify the petitioners income. Once they saw that the petitioner made enough they moved on.

Luckily, with a scanner, email and a printer you won't need anyone to deliver it. Just have him scan the necessary documents, email it to you and you can print it. The only thing that is supposed to be "original" is the i134, affidavit of support. It worked for us. We are now living together in the US with green card!

Good Luck

[aANDg 22]

Question about the form 1040 does it need to be sign by my fiance? Thanks

[Lynkali 163]

Admittedly it was a long time ago now (wow, time flies), but in summer 2013 when we had the K-1 interview in Helsinki, they barely looked at my I-134. I was overly concerned because we had a co-sponsor and it seemed all very confusing, but according to my husband (my fiance at the time), they just glanced at it and took it away, not even really caring about the financial side of things. There's no way that blue vs black ink would be a problem for Helsinki.

However, we did have a signed and dated letter from my bank -- the bank did balk at first and could not give EXACTLY the details that the I-134 requested, but they did certify that I had an account and what the current balance was. I'm not sure why your fiance's bank can't at least give a standard "bank verification letter", they're pretty common and we even had to get a second one last month as we're preparing for ROC now. Could your husband go in to a bank branch and ask just for the standard "bank verification letter"?

If you are native Finnish, I really doubt you'll have any problems, the interview in Helsinki was a breeze for us and for most other Finns. However, if you're a refugee or non-Finnish-citizen, then they do scrutinize a lot more, sadly, according to some posts I've seen here on VJ.

[vanya 0]

Thank you so much Yuri and Lynkali for all your help and sharing your experiences Those were both a relief to read!

I am a native Finn (and I'm white, let's be honest, that's what they really care about), so I'm sure the interview is much easier for me to begin with than many others. I do have the printed out bank statements, which he initially sent me but it doesn't have his name on it... somehow it was impossible to get a name on the same statement. Strange, I know! Additionally, he has been able to acquire this letter from the officer by now (I guess there was a nicer officer at the bank that time ), but it's now stuck in mail because of the postal strike!! For possibly weeks and weeks to come. But I would be able to get a printed copy of it (he has a copy, which he can scan and I could print out).

So basically with these papers:

- I-134 signed and dated in blue ink

- bank statement printed from the website, shows address and account number, but not his name

- PRINTED COPY of a letter from the bank officer

would I be okay at the interview, what do you all think??

(I do have all the other required papers too, there are just no "issues" with them )

Edited November 29, 2015 by vanya

[Lynkali 163]

I think a printed copy of the bank letter should be fine. With that, it sounds like you're in great shape and they probably will accept everything without even really looking deeply. I think you'll be fine!

Good luck!