Hello All,

I have been unemployed for about a month. I expect to be employed again soon but it's close to time to fill out our I-134. Can I use things like retirement savings (IRA/401K) to prove my ability to support my fiancé, or does it have to be earned income? On the good side, my fiancé has a very good job and about 8k USD that she will be bringing with her. With all of this, do you think it's necessary to have a co-sponsor? Thanks, Scott and Fabi

Your fiancee's savings are not usually counted unless they have enough money to self sponsor. Your retirement account, assuming you can access it now if needed would be considered an asset.

If your income exceeds 125% of the poverty line, then don't bother with assets, it only gives the consular officer more questions to ask.

In our case this what the I-134 included.

• I-134 signed and notarized.
• Tax transcripts from the IRS for past 3 years, (Redundant for the (1040,W2,1099) but are free from the IRS
• Photo copy of IRS form 1040, and W2s for past 3 years
• Letter from my employer stating annual salary, job responsibility, and that is full time, on company letterhead.
• Photo copies of past 6 months pay stubs up to a few weeks before the interview.

If you list the asset things the consular officer then just has more to ask questions about and you will have to provide more financial evidence. I have bank accounts, 401k and other things but did not list them on the I-134.

401K is considered an asset, they are more concerned with income, they want to know that if you are here for a period of time that the assets don't run out and you end up a charge of the state, that is why income is more important than assets.

You may consider a co-sponsor for the I-134, and later when you do adjust status, if you are employed again, use your new employment data for sponsoring your self.