I-134 problems at interview

[vamos 0]

I just had my interview at the embassy in London. Due to our sponsor not making enough money and the interviewer deeming his assets and our savings as insufficient we've had the visa suspended. Everything could be salvaged if we can find another sponsor and send the I-134 with my passport to the embassy. However, the only person we know of who could possibly do this is a close family friend.

[vamos 0]

I'm posting from my mobile and it wouldn't let me type anymore. I wanted to ask: does anyone know if the london embassy has a strict policy on sponsors only being immediate family members?

[Minya's wife 24]

As far as I know, there is no restriction on who(family member or friend of the family) can be a co-sponsor of the I-134. As long as the co-sponsor's income is sufficient to support their own family and the intending immigrant (the fiancee) and the document is supported by the appropriate documents (tax returns, employment letter etc.) with notarization....it should work.

Good luck!

-P

[Yodrak 7]

vamos,

The US consulate in London generally has relatively lenient policies, but if you are looking for a definitive answer there isn't one. The consular officer will make a decision based on the information that is presented to them.

A sponsor must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to support the visa applicant and the consular officer must also feel comfortable that the sponsor will make those resources available to the applicant. Immediate family members are usually a better risk than family friends. Family friends who live next door are usually a better risk than casual acquaintances who live on the opposite coast.

Yodrak

I'm posting from my mobile and it wouldn't let me type anymore. I wanted to ask: does anyone know if the london embassy has a strict policy on sponsors only being immediate family members?

[TracyTN 237]

I agree with Yodrak.

Sounds like they didn't flat out deny you - you'll just need to secure another sponsor and return that information to them. I hope you can get your friend to agree.

Edited May 10, 2007 by TracyTN

[vamos 0]

Back home now, thanks to everybody for the replies. I really appreciate the advice given on the forum, it gives us somewhere to turn to, especially in times like these.

The good news is that our family friend has absolutely no problems with being our sponsor and will get things ready as soon as we point her in the direction of the I-134 form.

I'm fairly optimistic as what I gather from the information on the blue form is that the visa is there for us as long as we can provide the further information requested.

I wish I had had my wits about me during the (I think less than 1 minute) interview as I should've asked if it would be ok if the I-134 is faxed to us; instead of mailed. Does anyone have experience of this?

I'm also wondering about question 11 on the form where it asks what kind of contribution will be provided. My father-in-law (the original sponsor) has already stated that he will be providing room and board. Should our new sponsor state that their contribution would just be any further support necessary?

[kitkat1 5]

Take a look at the example forms - most people put "N/A ( K1visa process for permanent residence ) on the question about specific contributions.

Call the consulate and ask if it can be faxed - since it has to be notarized the answer might be no.

[vamos 0]

I don't know how that question can be non-applicable, it seems to be pretty vital in regards to any kind of sponsorship situation.

[vamos 0]

Would it be overkill to include a letter with the I-134 stating the sponsor's relationship to my wife and I; seeing as London apparently exercise leniency over this issue anyway?

Edited May 12, 2007 by vamos

[kitkat1 5]

I don't know how that question can be non-applicable, it seems to be pretty vital in regards to any kind of sponsorship situation.

It doesn't apply because it's not a temporary situation like a visitor. The beneficiary is applying for a permanent resident visa with authorization to work. For that reason, it doesn't make a lot of sense to clarify specific contributions. If you don't feel comfortable with answers provided in the example forms (that thousands of people have followed), simply contact the consulate and ask them directly.

[vamos 0]

Of course there's the option to contact the embassy directly on the matter. I'm simply trying to get advice from those who have gone through similar situations before speaking to someone on the phone who doesn't care about my situation whatsoever and may or may not be giving the correct advice.

If I've offended you by questioning your responses, please be aware that it was not my intention to do so.

Edited May 12, 2007 by vamos

[kitkat1 5]

Of course there's the option to contact the embassy directly on the matter. I'm simply trying to get advice from those who have gone through similar situations before speaking to someone on the phone who doesn't care about my situation whatsoever and may or may not be giving the correct advice.

If I've offended you by questioning your responses, please be aware that it was not my intention to do so.

Nope not offended - just directing you to the example forms that thousands and thousands of applicants have used. The reasoning makes sense - no need for specific contributions in the case of a permanent visa.

[vamos 0]

I'm glad.

I hadn't actually considered the fact that the I-134 is used in conjunction with non-permanent visas and thus tried to make sense of the question in relation to our situation. I'm using too much energy trying to be compliant than actually thinking logically about this.