Tourist Visa Affidavit of Support

[Jingle and Glenn 1]

My parents tourist visa is closer to their date interview. Last minute check on the documents and since we will sponsor their trip, expenses and all, my husband is the main sponsor on the affidavit of support form since he is a US citizen, do you think the consular will still look for bank statements that we send money to my parents on a monthly basis as we declared on the form i-134 during the interview? (Income contribution to the beneficiary annually)

 

Thanks for any advice you can give. 

Edited August 29, 2023 by Jingle and Glenn

[Boiler 45,463]

Tourist visas are not sponsored.

[Timona 4,207]

Are you applying for a tourist visa or I-130 for your parents?

[Jingle and Glenn 1]

59 minutes ago, Timona said:

Are you applying for a tourist visa or I-130 for your parents?

Applying for a tourist visa only. We sent them an invitation letter and form i-134. I guess that's called a Declaration of Support instead than affidavit. Do they still be asked for bank statement to show that we send them money on a regular monthly basis or not necessary?

[Jingle and Glenn 1]

2 hours ago, Boiler said:

Tourist visas are not sponsored.

I believe it's support. Like who will support the expenses, cover the trip etc. I went over the form and I didn't realize they called it a declaration of support now for form i-134, when I applied 5 years ago, it was called an affidavit of support. 

[Boiler 45,463]

I 134 is used for a K1, not B1/2

[Timona 4,207]

As @Boilersaid. 

[nelmagriffin 148]

Hello,

Strong ties are mainly what they want to see.

Here is a link that may help.

reference: 8 Ways to Prove your Deep Ties in Your Country for Visa Applications (twomonkeystravelgroup.com)

[Redro 4,611]

10 hours ago, Jingle and Glenn said:

My parents tourist visa is closer to their date interview. Last minute check on the documents and since we will sponsor their trip, expenses and all, my husband is the main sponsor on the affidavit of support form since he is a US citizen, do you think the consular will still look for bank statements that we send money to my parents on a monthly basis as we declared on the form i-134 during the interview? (Income contribution to the beneficiary annually)

 

Thanks for any advice you can give. 

Generally the CO doesn't look at supporting documentation for B1/B2 interviews.

This is not like the K1 visa where someone sponsors you. 

Additionally, the DS160 is used for many different types of visas. So, if someone is arriving on a work visa or going to the US for a business trip - then sponsorship is important.

What matters most for your parents is they have a strong incentive to return home after they visit you. 

You should prepare yourself for the possibility they do not secure a visa at this interview. 

 

[nastra30 2,284]

No sponsorship required for B visa. It's on the visa applicant to proof strong ties to their home country and that they'll return after their visit. Assurances from US based family and friends are not considered.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html

Note: Visa applicants must qualify on the basis of the applicant's residence and ties abroad, rather than assurances from U.S. family and friends. A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed to apply for a visitor visa. If you choose to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your interview, please remember it is not one of the factors used in determining whether to issue or deny the visa.

Edited August 29, 2023 by nastra30

[Crazy Cat 41,829]

10 hours ago, Jingle and Glenn said:

Do they still be asked for bank statement to show that we send them money on a regular monthly basis or not necessary?

Well intent, but I see no benefit in announcing that they are dependent on your support.  Good luck.  I hope they get to visit.

Edited August 29, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[Unlockable 7,314]

@Jingle and Glenn,

 

The responses from out valued members of Visajourney are correct. There is no official sponsorship of a tourist visa to the United States. The I-134 is not needed as supporting evidence and is not even listed as a requirement from the official .gov website. @nastra30 provided you a link that explains how letters of invitation and affidavits are not a determining factor in the tourist visa process.

 

If you feel up to it, you can provide those documents but it will be more of a feel good effort for your parents. The interview will be short and those documents are likely not even going to be looked at.

 

We are here to give you a heads up on what to expect. Hope it works out for them. 

[Jingle and Glenn 1]

18 minutes ago, Unlockable said:

@Jingle and Glenn,

 

The responses from out valued members of Visajourney are correct. There is no official sponsorship of a tourist visa to the United States. The I-134 is not needed as supporting evidence and is not even listed as a requirement from the official .gov website. @nastra30 provided you a link that explains how letters of invitation and affidavits are not a determining factor in the tourist visa process.

 

If you feel up to it, you can provide those documents but it will be more of a feel good effort for your parents. The interview will be short and those documents are likely not even going to be looked at.

 

We are here to give you a heads up on what to expect. Hope it works out for them. 

It's getting worrying because I thought it will be a big help as to finances. My mom is only a housewife and my dad doesn't earn much but they have strong ties to the home country. If they ask about who will support, they will probably say it will be us who will shoulder all the cost for the trip. But I hope they can support each other and answer all questions to prove they will come back to the Philippines.

[Redro 4,611]

12 minutes ago, Jingle and Glenn said:

It's getting worrying because I thought it will be a big help as to finances. My mom is only a housewife and my dad doesn't earn much but they have strong ties to the home country. If they ask about who will support, they will probably say it will be us who will shoulder all the cost for the trip. But I hope they can support each other and answer all questions to prove they will come back to the Philippines.

Your mother and father should of course tell the truth when they go to their tourist visa interview. We are just telling you, the tourist visa interview is different to the fiancé visa interview and the evidence they require is not the same. 
i wish your parents good luck! 

[Unlockable 7,314]

4 minutes ago, Jingle and Glenn said:

It's getting worrying because I thought it will be a big help as to finances. My mom is only a housewife and my dad doesn't earn much but they have strong ties to the home country. If they ask about who will support, they will probably say it will be us who will shoulder all the cost for the trip. But I hope they can support each other and answer all questions to prove they will come back to the Philippines.

Yes, of course. That is completely understandable. We know that you want to provide the best chance for your parents to obtain their visitor visa. Nothing is wrong with that. However, too much efforts on your part may backfire.
 

I will give you an idea of how the process works. By law, all foreign visitors to the US are deemed to have immigrant intent. This means the interviewing officer will assume your parents are trying to come live in the US instead of visiting. The B1/B2 visas are not intended for foreigners to live in the US. There are other visas for that. That is where the importance of strong ties to their own home country comes into play. Strong ties shows  how much they need to return home after their visit. The more strong ties they have to their home country, the least likely they will overstay a visit to the US. When a foreigner has an immediate relative that lives in the US (like you) that is willing to pay for everything and provide room and board, it can mean that the foreigner can use that relative to overstay the tourist visa and live here. In other words, you see it as providing financial support to your parents who otherwise could not afford it. But the officer will see it as your parents may use you as a way to live in the US without authorization.
 

When asked who will be paying for the trip, your parents show, of course, be 100% truthful. There is nothing wrong with telling the officer their child will pay for the trip. The question will likely come up and be discussed for only a few seconds. 
 

The best advice for success would be to have your parents focus on and provide strong evidence of why they must return to their home country.

 

I hope this help explain things.