I-864 Affidavit of Support Original Signatures

[pcpro178 0]

In the list of required documents for the interview it states that photocopies of the I-864 Affidavit of Support forms is acceptable:

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/interview/interview-prepare/required-documents.html

 

 

However, when I was watching the visa interview prep video on the US Embassy in Manila website, at 6:06 they state that originals are required.  Does anyone know which is correct?

 

Recollection is that the originals were sent to the USCIS/NVC, so I thought that they would have been forwarded to the embassy when our interview was scheduled.  

[Hank_ 9,174]

25 minutes ago, pcpro178 said:

In the list of required documents for the interview it states that photocopies of the I-864 Affidavit of Support forms is acceptable:

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/interview/interview-prepare/required-documents.html

 

 

However, when I was watching the visa interview prep video on the US Embassy in Manila website, at 6:06 they state that originals are required.  Does anyone know which is correct?

 

Recollection is that the originals were sent to the USCIS/NVC, so I thought that they would have been forwarded to the embassy when our interview was scheduled.  

 

Follow the EMBASSY instructions letter, what is stated on the DOS website may not be what the embassy requires.   They do not state "copies", except for the tax return  

 

" EVIDENCE OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT. Applicants must provide evidence that they will not become public charges (that is, dependent on U.S. government welfare and assistance).  Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for visa applicants in the IR, F, certain E visa categories, and following-tojoin employment (E) applicants, complete with copies of the sponsor’s U.S. federal income tax return (Form 1040) and wage statements (Forms W-2). The petitioner must provide an Affidavit of Support even if he/she has no income and even if a joint sponsor provides an Affidavit of Support reflecting sufficient funds to provide financial care.  "

 

https://ph.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/82/2016/08/IV-Applicant-Interview-Preparation-Instructions-08112016-English-365KB.pdf

 

http://www.visaconnection-philippines.com/immigrant-visa-application.html

Edited December 17, 2017 by Hank_

[pcpro178 0]

On 12/16/2017 at 5:26 PM, Hank_ said:

 

Follow the EMBASSY instructions letter, what is stated on the DOS website may not be what the embassy requires.   They do not state "copies", except for the tax return  

 

" EVIDENCE OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT. Applicants must provide evidence that they will not become public charges (that is, dependent on U.S. government welfare and assistance).  Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for visa applicants in the IR, F, certain E visa categories, and following-tojoin employment (E) applicants, complete with copies of the sponsor’s U.S. federal income tax return (Form 1040) and wage statements (Forms W-2). The petitioner must provide an Affidavit of Support even if he/she has no income and even if a joint sponsor provides an Affidavit of Support reflecting sufficient funds to provide financial care.  "

 

https://ph.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/82/2016/08/IV-Applicant-Interview-Preparation-Instructions-08112016-English-365KB.pdf

 

http://www.visaconnection-philippines.com/immigrant-visa-application.html

 

Thanks so much for your assistance.  I've contacted the attorney who helped me with the original prep of the I-864 and she assures me that those originals were sent to the NVC (because the NVC supposedly requires originals) and that those originals would have been forwarded with the case paperwork to the US Embassy in Manila.  What do you think?

 

Because my departure (Dec 30) and interview (Jan 5) are so close, there are a few alternatives I'm considering:

 

1. The attorney is offering to send me new originals by email (for free), that I can sign, so they would effectively have a copied preparer/attorney signature and original, ink signature from myself.
2. The attorney also offered to send me new physical originals with her ink signature (at mailing cost).
3. My last option is to print out blank forms myself, hand-copy the information from the printed copies to the new originals, and sign new originals, prepared myself (no attorney).

 

Do you have any thoughts on what would be the best option?

[Greenbaum 12,259]

They may not even ask for them. They haven't been asking now for 2 years. But its in the Embassy letter so best to be prepared. Complete your option 3 and you should have no problems.

[geowrian 22,337]

1 minute ago, Greenbaum said:

They may not even ask for them. They haven't been asking now for 2 years.

They do ask for the I-864 as this is required by law. The I-134 (for a K-1) is a tool to help the CO determine the public charge risk, but not required by law.

[Hank_ 9,174]

56 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

They may not even ask for them. They haven't been asking now for 2 years. But its in the Embassy letter so best to be prepared. Complete your option 3 and you should have no problems.

That only applied to K-1 FIANCEE visas, not Immigrant visas.

[Hank_ 9,174]

1 hour ago, pcpro178 said:

 

Thanks so much for your assistance.  I've contacted the attorney who helped me with the original prep of the I-864 and she assures me that those originals were sent to the NVC (because the NVC supposedly requires originals) and that those originals would have been forwarded with the case paperwork to the US Embassy in Manila.  What do you think?

 

Because my departure (Dec 30) and interview (Jan 5) are so close, there are a few alternatives I'm considering:

 

1. The attorney is offering to send me new originals by email (for free), that I can sign, so they would effectively have a copied preparer/attorney signature and original, ink signature from myself.
2. The attorney also offered to send me new physical originals with her ink signature (at mailing cost).
3. My last option is to print out blank forms myself, hand-copy the information from the printed copies to the new originals, and sign new originals, prepared myself (no attorney).

 

Do you have any thoughts on what would be the best option?

I agree with the attorney that originals were sent to NVC and I agree that NVC will forward them to USEM ... after that ..  agreeing with your attorney?   NOPE!!!!  (kept it PG for the PC crowd ..   )

 

If you go by the Dept of State website it states you can bring copies to the interview... BUT that isn't what USEM wants.

 

FOLLOW THE EMBASSY INSTRUCTIONS LETTER ... it is THAT simple.

 

Option 1 would seem to work... after all it is YOUR signature on the I-864 that matters with USEM not your attorney's.   Just my opinion.