I-134 Affidavit of Support Income - Unemployment

[mryrth 72]

Hello all - 

 

I'm currently filling out the I-134 Affidavit of Support form in preparation for our K1 visa interview. I had a really great job until Covid hit and then the whole industry went down, therefore I haven't had any income besides unemployment since earlier this year. I have not found another job and am still unemployed.

 

Regarding the financial section of the form, what should I put down for Annual Income? Do I calculate what I made before my layoff or do I add my unemployment to it? 

If I do not add unemployment, I don't make enough - obviously. If I do include the unemployment, I make enough (thank you stimulus add-ons). I'm not sure what number to include.

 

Side note, we do have a joint sponsor so my question only pertains to what information I should write down.

 

Thank you!

[Greenbaum 12,259]

35 minutes ago, mryrth said:

Hello all - 

 

I'm currently filling out the I-134 Affidavit of Support form in preparation for our K1 visa interview. I had a really great job until Covid hit and then the whole industry went down, therefore I haven't had any income besides unemployment since earlier this year. I have not found another job and am still unemployed.

 

Regarding the financial section of the form, what should I put down for Annual Income? Do I calculate what I made before my layoff or do I add my unemployment to it? 

If I do not add unemployment, I don't make enough - obviously. If I do include the unemployment, I make enough (thank you stimulus add-ons). I'm not sure what number to include.

 

Side note, we do have a joint sponsor so my question only pertains to what information I should write down.

 

Thank you!

You literally answer the question. Just be honest about your condition "today" and not what it was or what it will be. So, if they are asking for employment and you are unemployed currently then that is what you will report. If it were me, I would wait till the last day before the interview to finalize and print your I-134, Affidavit of Support allowing you more time to seek an employment.

 

I would also secure a cosponsor in the event you are still unemployed at the time of your interview. You have come so far and don't want this to slip out of your hands. You can inform the CO of your current situation when you are there for your interview. Let the CO approach your financial situation. Here is what is needed for any one embassy to demonstrate your financial situation.

 

EVIDENCE OF SUPPORT: You must submit any evidence which will show that you and members of your family who will accompany you are not likely to become public charges while in the United States. Visa petitioner (US Citizen) will have to complete form I-134. If the petitioner does not qualify as a sponsor, a Joint-Sponsor should present (any US Citizen living in the US or Legal Permanent Resident), who will also have to complete form I-134. Both the Sponsor (Petitioner) as well as the Joint-Sponsor, will have to present last year's income tax return transcripts. W2 form and proof of current and sustainable income (e.g., letter of employment on letterhead including salary and start date, most recent salary receipts, bank accounts, the value of properties, etc.). You may download the I-134 affidavit at https://www.uscis.gov/i-134. Bank statements in place of a letter from the bank will work just fine. Print the statement that shows the opening balance for a month and the closing balance for that month. Do that for 12 months—no need to print off all pages of a bank statement.

Get the IRS transcript in place of the actual 1040 here: 

https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript

Use this link to determine the income levels needed https://www.uscis.gov/i-864p

 

[mryrth 72]

2 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

You literally answer the question. Just be honest about your condition "today" and not what it was or what it will be. So, if they are asking for employment and you are unemployed currently then that is what you will report. If it were me, I would wait till the last day before the interview to finalize and print your I-134, Affidavit of Support allowing you more time to seek an employment.

Thank you @Greenbaum

What do you suggest I put in the question that asks "Annual Income?" 

Do I write down the number with the unemployment included or just what I made up until I started claiming unemployment?

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

17 minutes ago, mryrth said:

Thank you @Greenbaum

What do you suggest I put in the question that asks "Annual Income?" 

Do I write down the number with the unemployment included or just what I made up until I started claiming unemployment?

CURRENT annual income is calculated as:

 

CURRENT weekly pay x 52 = current annual income

CURRENT monthly income x 12 = current annual income

CURRENT pay period income x number of pay periods per year = current annual income

 

If you are currently unemployed, then your current annual income is $0.  You will need a joint sponsor if you are not employed prior to the interview.  I would follow @Greenbaum's advice.

 

 

Edited December 21, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

Calculating unemployment insurance in current annual income is problematic since it is temporary in nature.  Calculating it over the period of a year would be difficult.

Edited December 21, 2020 by Lucky Cat