USCIS Form I-134: Everything You Need to Know

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may require Form I-134, known as the "Declaration of Financial Support," for certain individuals applying for temporary immigration benefits, such as parole or a nonimmigrant visa. This form is filed by a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or another individual who agrees to financially support the applicant during their stay in the United States. The purpose of Form I-134 is to demonstrate that the beneficiary will have sufficient financial resources and will not become a public charge. Failure to submit a properly completed I-134 form may result in the denial of the visa or parole request​.

Exploring the Purpose of the I-134 Form for Temporary Visas: Financial Support for Immigrants

The I-134 form is used to assure the U.S. government that an individual entering the country temporarily will have sufficient financial support during their stay. Applicants for certain temporary immigration benefits, such as parole or a nonimmigrant visa (e.g., student, tourist, or exchange visitor visas), may be required to submit this form. The I-134 form is submitted by a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or another individual who agrees to provide financial support for the immigrant while they are in the country.

The form requests detailed information about the sponsor's employment, income, assets, and liabilities, as well as the relationship between the sponsor and the beneficiary and the purpose of the beneficiary's visit. The sponsor must demonstrate that they have adequate financial resources to support the beneficiary and are willing to cover any expenses that may arise during the beneficiary’s stay.

The I-134 form helps to ensure that the beneficiary will not become a public charge while in the United States and serves as proof of the sponsor’s financial commitment. It also shows that the beneficiary has legitimate reasons for entering the country temporarily. Submission of Form I-134 alone does not guarantee the approval of a visa or entry; it is one factor considered by USCIS.

USCIS may also require the sponsor or beneficiary to appear for an interview or provide biometrics, including fingerprints, photographs, or signatures, as part of the Form I-134 process. This step is necessary to verify identity, collect additional information, and conduct background and security checks, including a review of FBI criminal history records. If biometrics are required, USCIS will notify the individual with details on scheduling the appointment at a USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) or, if overseas, at a U.S. Embassy, Consulate, or USCIS office. At the appointment, the individual will sign an oath confirming the truth and accuracy of the information provided in the form.

How to Fill Out The I-134 Form?

Here is how to fill out the I-134 form:

• Type or Print Legibly in Black Ink: Complete the form by typing or printing clearly using black ink.

• Additional Space: If you need more space to complete any section, use the space provided in Part 8, Additional Information, or attach a separate sheet of paper. On each additional sheet, type or print your name and Alien Registration Number (A-Number), if applicable, at the top. You must also indicate the Page Number, Part Number, and Item Number to which your answer refers. Make sure to sign and date each additional sheet.

• Answer All Questions: You must fully and accurately answer all questions. If a question does not apply to you, write N/A (Not Applicable) unless instructed otherwise. If a question requires a numeric response and the answer is zero, enter None.

• Part 4: If you are filing Form I-134 on your own behalf, you must sign in Part 4. You must select the appropriate box indicating whether you read the form yourself or had an interpreter assist you. If someone helped you complete the form, select the box indicating you used a preparer. Then, sign and date the form and provide your contact information, including your telephone number and email address.

• Part 5: If you are filing Form I-134 on behalf of someone else (a beneficiary), you must sign in Part 5. You must select the appropriate box to indicate whether you read the form yourself or had an interpreter assist you. If someone helped you complete the form, select the appropriate box indicating you used a preparer. Then, sign and date the form and provide your contact information.

• Part 6: If you used an interpreter, they must fill out Part 6, providing their contact information and signature.

• Part 7: If someone other than the individual agreeing to financially support the beneficiary (or the beneficiary themselves, if filing on their own behalf) prepared the form, that person must sign Part 7. If the same individual acted as both the interpreter and preparer, they should complete both Part 6 and Part 7.

• Signature Requirements: For all signatures, USCIS will not accept a stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature. A legal guardian may sign for a mentally incompetent person.

You might need to submit a certified translation of a required document along with the original if it is one of the I-134 form's prerequisites and it is not in English. The translation must be done by a qualified translator, and it must be accompanied by a statement, signed by the translator, stating that the translation is correct and that they are qualified to do so. The original document should have the translation attached to it, and both the original and the translation should be sent with the I-134 form.

Which documents are required for I-134?

The following documents are required to support the submission of Form I-134:

Evidence of Income and Resources: You must provide documents that demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support the beneficiary. The evidence should include copies of the following, if applicable:

Statement from a bank or financial institution where deposits are held, showing:

• Date the account was opened.

• Total amount deposited in the past year.

• Present balance.

Statement(s) from your employer on business stationery showing:

• Date and nature of employment.

• Salary paid.

• Whether the position is temporary or permanent.

• Copy of your most recent U.S. federal income tax return (tax transcript).

List of bonds with serial numbers, denominations, and names of the record owners (if applicable).

Evidence of Assets: If you list assets, such as a home or automobile, you must provide evidence of ownership and the net cash value of the assets. This includes:

• Documentation proving ownership of the asset.

• Recent appraisal by a licensed appraiser (for homes).

• Proof of the amount of any loans secured by a mortgage or lien on the asset (if applicable).

The net value of an asset is calculated as the appraised value minus any loans or liens.

Supporting Documents for Beneficiary’s Income and Assets: If the beneficiary has income or assets that will be used for their stay in the U.S., provide supporting evidence such as:

• Documentation of any income the beneficiary will receive during their stay.

• Information about assets available to the beneficiary that can be converted into cash within 12 months.

Translations: If any of the documents submitted are in a foreign language, you must provide a full English translation. The translator must certify that the translation is complete and accurate, and that they are competent to translate from the foreign language into English. The certification must include the translator's signature, printed name, date, and contact information.

Is there a fee for filing an I-134 form?

No fee is required to submit an I-134 form.

Can I use the I-134 form to sponsor more than one immigrant?

Form I-134 cannot be used to sponsor more than one immigrant at a time. If you are agreeing to financially support more than one beneficiary (immigrant), you must submit a separate Form I-134 for each beneficiary. Each form must be filled out, signed, and accompanied by the required supporting documentation for each individual beneficiary.

What happens if the sponsored immigrant becomes a public charge?

If the sponsored immigrant becomes a public charge (i.e., reliant on U.S. government welfare), it can result in serious consequences for the sponsor. Specifically, failure to provide sufficient financial support could lead to the denial of the immigrant’s visa or removal from the United States. The purpose of Form I-134 is to demonstrate that the immigrant will have enough financial support to avoid becoming a public charge during their stay.

Can the I-134 form be withdrawn?

To initiate the withdrawal process, you should contact the USCIS immediately and submit a written request. Include all relevant details such as your name, the beneficiary's name, and the case number. However, if the individual has already entered the U.S., USCIS may not approve the withdrawal.

Can the I-134 form be used for permanent residency?

Form I-134 cannot be used for permanent residency. Form I-134 is intended for individuals providing financial support for beneficiaries applying for temporary immigration benefits such as parole or a nonimmigrant visa. For immigrants seeking permanent residency, Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, under Section 213A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) must be used instead. Form I-134 is not sufficient for individuals who are required to have Form I-864 filed on their behalf.

Do I need to translate the required documents for I-134?

If any of the I-134 form's prerequisite documents are not in English, you might also need to submit a certified translation of the non-English version.

Any document that is not in English must be submitted with a full, certified translation into English, according to the USCIS. The translation must be accompanied by a statement from the translator attesting to its accuracy and competence to translate the document.

For the translation to be accurate and meet their requirements, the USCIS advises using a qualified translator or translation service. The original document should have the translation attached to it, and both the original and the translation should be sent with the I-134 form.

It is crucial to keep in mind that the USCIS may ask for more information or reject the visa application if it decides that a translation is inaccurate or insufficient. As a result, it's crucial to make sure that all translations are correct and comply with USCIS guidelines.

How do I check my I-134 status?

To check the progress of your immigration case, you have two options:

Online: You can find your 13-character receipt number on your application or petition; enter it into the online case status tool.

Phone: Contact the USCIS National Customer Service Center if you're in the country by calling 1-800-375-5283 or 1-800-767-1833 for TTY.

Is I-134 Required For B2 Visa?

Form I-134 may be required for certain B-2 visa applicants. The form can be submitted by a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or another individual who agrees to financially support a B (visitor for pleasure or business) visa applicant. While the form is not mandatory for all B-2 visa applicants, it may be requested to demonstrate that the applicant has sufficient financial support during their temporary stay in the U.S. This can be an important factor in the visa decision process if the applicant needs to show proof of financial backing.

“We collected and distilled information on immigration for our site visitors from USCIS and other sources as a basic guide. MotaWord is a translation platform providing certified translations for immigration applicants and not a law firm. The information provided should not be construed as legal advice and might not be current. For current information please refer to the USCIS website or speak to your licensed immigration attorney.”