I-134: should I be the sole sponsor or use a co-sponsor?

[Britt & Stenio 29]

Hello!

So we received our NOA2 recently and I've started filling out the I-134. Based on the poverty guidelines, I am above the 125% this past year (not by much) but the two years before I was not above it. I have been in college and graduate school until May, 2018 so I haven't had sufficient income for a bit.

My questions are:

1) I currently work part-time and receive an income of $15 an hour for 30 hours a week. I am above the poverty line, but really not by a lot. I also haven't been above the poverty line with just my income alone for the years before (based on being in school). Does this show that I have stable income enough to be financially responsible for my fiance or should I have my father co-sponsor me? 

2) I do have other assets (such as savings, etc.) that I am going to put there. I don't know what would be sufficient enough in terms of price to show that I am genuinely fit enough to support him financially.

3)  Also, can both me and my father fill out the I-134 but only take out my father's if they say I don't have enough? Or will they send us back to come back at a later time if he doesn't hand it in in the first place?

 

I hope someone can help me, because I'm really going back and forth on how to go about this. I don't want the process to take longer, I just want it done correctly the first time. 

 

Thanks!

[Villanelle 4,122]

Not sure what Brazils policy is on the 134. Search the forums for Embassy specific info and experiences.

 

Generally speaking no one can tell you 100% if you will qualify. The approval of the 134 (and later on the 864) is subjective to the reviewing Officers discretion. Often when someone has a reasonable explanation- like being a student and now employed full time based on said studies- the Embassy will accept it.

 

Is that your case? Is your current job related to the degree you earned? If so prepare a letter of explanation about how you earned less previously due to school and are now employed as whatever because of your degree. Attach proof of your decree and a job letter stating what your job is and that it is a permanent job,

 

assets can be considered but you need proof of them. Bank statements, appraisals etc. How much in assets do you have?

 

Yes- it is a good idea to bring a co-sponsor form with you. The Officer will review the 134 in the interview (they probably also looked at it beforehand) they will tell the applicant if it is not sufficient. Your fiance can then present the 134 from your father.

 

Some people wait to be told its not good enough and give them the co-sponsors form. Some dont wait to be asked. Its up to you guys how to handle it. The worst case scenario is you are told they cant make a decision (and they dont say anything about the 134) and then you get a 221g saying you need a co-sponsor. Then you have to turn it in and wait to be processed. This can cause a time delay. So if hes not told hes approved in the interview and nothing is mentioned about the 134 he should inquire if it was accepted and let them know he has a co-sponsor form ready to submit if they need it.

Edited August 20, 2018 by Damara
forgot word

[SalishSea 18,186]

I would say best to have it on hand at the interview if you are marginal on income.  Best of luck!

[Britt & Stenio 29]

On 8/20/2018 at 5:14 PM, Damara said:

Not sure what Brazils policy is on the 134. Search the forums for Embassy specific info and experiences.

 

Generally speaking no one can tell you 100% if you will qualify. The approval of the 134 (and later on the 864) is subjective to the reviewing Officers discretion. Often when someone has a reasonable explanation- like being a student and now employed full time based on said studies- the Embassy will accept it.

 

Is that your case? Is your current job related to the degree you earned? If so prepare a letter of explanation about how you earned less previously due to school and are now employed as whatever because of your degree. Attach proof of your decree and a job letter stating what your job is and that it is a permanent job,

 

assets can be considered but you need proof of them. Bank statements, appraisals etc. How much in assets do you have?

 

Yes- it is a good idea to bring a co-sponsor form with you. The Officer will review the 134 in the interview (they probably also looked at it beforehand) they will tell the applicant if it is not sufficient. Your fiance can then present the 134 from your father.

 

Some people wait to be told its not good enough and give them the co-sponsors form. Some dont wait to be asked. Its up to you guys how to handle it. The worst case scenario is you are told they cant make a decision (and they dont say anything about the 134) and then you get a 221g saying you need a co-sponsor. Then you have to turn it in and wait to be processed. This can cause a time delay. So if hes not told hes approved in the interview and nothing is mentioned about the 134 he should inquire if it was accepted and let them know he has a co-sponsor form ready to submit if they need it.

I currently am in a part time job in the midst of looking for full time work. But I'm definitely going to make a letter and include my degree (just in case) so hopefully there aren't problems. And I'll also have my dad's there as a backup. Thanks for the help! This was super informative

On 8/20/2018 at 8:33 PM, Jorgedig said:

I would say best to have it on hand at the interview if you are marginal on income.  Best of luck!

Thank you!!!! Yeah, I definitely will. This gave me a bit of a piece of mind. I've been going back and forth on everything but this really just kind of solidified what I'll do. Thanks guys <3

[Otenu 28]

I was following this post cause me and my fiance are in a similar situation. Did they request a co-sponsor from you or your income was sufficient? Did you have to add assets to your i-134? Thanks in advance Britt & Stenio. I’m happy that everything worked out for you guys  

[Danny & Carlos 1]

My fiancé and I had our  interview yesterday. My joint sponsor and I filled out I-134 , However at the end the counselor officer said the joint sponsor was actually supposed to fill out 1-864 . And was not supposed to fill out I -134. She kindly told us to go back home and submit the correct one and send it by email to the embassy in Bogota, Colombia. I had never heard of I-864 being requested during the interview but just wanted to let you know that could be a possibility for you.

[Britt & Stenio 29]

On 10/23/2018 at 6:37 AM, Otenu said:

I was following this post cause me and my fiance are in a similar situation. Did they request a co-sponsor from you or your income was sufficient? Did you have to add assets to your i-134? Thanks in advance Britt & Stenio. I’m happy that everything worked out for you guys  

So how my fiance described the experience was that he went to the interview and the guy there asked for the I-134. He told the man he had two and the guy asked for both so he handed both in. It wasn't talked about after nor did it result in a denial. I know people say that having a co-sponsor can affect you but I don't think so  I told him just to hand the one in and see if it was fine before handing in my dad's (I created a letter and everything). But in telling the guy that he had the second one they were both asked for up front so we ended up using both just to be safe. I only added my annual income and savings/ checkings to my I-134, no other assets. Hope this helps! If you have any other questions feel free to ask  and good luck! 

On 10/23/2018 at 8:50 AM, Danny & Carlos said:

My fiancé and I had our  interview yesterday. My joint sponsor and I filled out I-134 , However at the end the counselor officer said the joint sponsor was actually supposed to fill out 1-864 . And was not supposed to fill out I -134. She kindly told us to go back home and submit the correct one and send it by email to the embassy in Bogota, Colombia. I had never heard of I-864 being requested during the interview but just wanted to let you know that could be a possibility for you.

I haven't heard that either, that's very strange. We used the I-134 for both me and my co-sponsor.