I-134: I don't qualify to be the sole primary sponsor.

[sajori 0]

I'm a recently returned Peace Corps volunteer. Because of this, I don't have a steady job(right now I'm substitute teaching). I have about $2500 in my bank account and my father has agreed to be my co-sponsor (his income is more than enough). However, what proof do I need to show for my I-134? Are taxes and w-2s enough?

I just don't understand what the point would be for for me to get a letter from my bank or employer, when I don't have steady hours, or enough money to qualify. I'm assuming anyone who has had a co-sponsor knows the answer to this question. Or at least share your experiences with me, please!

[ghomnet 1]

I'm a recently returned Peace Corps volunteer. Because of this, I don't have a steady job(right now I'm substitute teaching). I have about $2500 in my bank account and my father has agreed to be my co-sponsor (his income is more than enough). However, what proof do I need to show for my I-134? Are taxes and w-2s enough?

I just don't understand what the point would be for for me to get a letter from my bank or employer, when I don't have steady hours, or enough money to qualify. I'm assuming anyone who has had a co-sponsor knows the answer to this question. Or at least share your experiences with me, please!

you have to get a co sponsor

[sajori 0]

I'm a recently returned Peace Corps volunteer. Because of this, I don't have a steady job(right now I'm substitute teaching). I have about $2500 in my bank account and my father has agreed to be my co-sponsor (his income is more than enough). However, what proof do I need to show for my I-134? Are taxes and w-2s enough?

I just don't understand what the point would be for for me to get a letter from my bank or employer, when I don't have steady hours, or enough money to qualify. I'm assuming anyone who has had a co-sponsor knows the answer to this question. Or at least share your experiences with me, please!

you have to get a co sponsor

Yes I understand that, my father is my co-sponsor. That wasn't my question. I still have to file MY I-134. Do I need supporting documentation (letters, pay stubs, etc.) if I am not the one who has enough money? My father will give me his documentation for his I-134, but what do I need, if anything. Are tax returns and W2s enough?

[ghomnet 1]

I'm a recently returned Peace Corps volunteer. Because of this, I don't have a steady job(right now I'm substitute teaching). I have about $2500 in my bank account and my father has agreed to be my co-sponsor (his income is more than enough). However, what proof do I need to show for my I-134? Are taxes and w-2s enough?

I just don't understand what the point would be for for me to get a letter from my bank or employer, when I don't have steady hours, or enough money to qualify. I'm assuming anyone who has had a co-sponsor knows the answer to this question. Or at least share your experiences with me, please!

you have to get a co sponsor

w2

is good but they want to see you work also or have assets

[Old Dominion 26]

You need to supply what they requested, even if it seems irrelevant to you. A letter from the employer is what they request, so get it. Also, a letter from the bank as requested, if you have a checking account. Some clerical-level employee simply checks off what you have provided to be sure the file is complete, and if not, then there is a red flag for someone higher-up to review whenever that person gets the time. Look at our government agencies as hungry bears, needing to be well-fed with paper.

[masry1 0]

I'm a recently returned Peace Corps volunteer. Because of this, I don't have a steady job(right now I'm substitute teaching). I have about $2500 in my bank account and my father has agreed to be my co-sponsor (his income is more than enough). However, what proof do I need to show for my I-134? Are taxes and w-2s enough?

I just don't understand what the point would be for for me to get a letter from my bank or employer, when I don't have steady hours, or enough money to qualify. I'm assuming anyone who has had a co-sponsor knows the answer to this question. Or at least share your experiences with me, please!

you have to get a co sponsor

w2

is good but they want to see you work also or have assets

we filed I130 and I129 F and we want to proceed with I129 F because it is faster cn we use I864 instead of I134?

[sajori 0]

I appreciate everyone's responses, but I also know that you only need an employer's letter or bank statement if you're using your job or checking account as proof for the income requirement. It is definitely NOT necessary. For example, my dad is retired, and has enough money, we don't even need to bother with employment letters and bank statements. You only need that if you have to use a combination of assets/sources of money to prove you are over the poverty level.

Basically what I want to know is WHAT am I trying to prove, if I know I'm ineligible. That's why I need a co-sponsor...

Edited January 27, 2009 by sajori

[Thai family 0]

Technically there are no co-sponsors for I-134. The website for the Embassy in the Ukraine might give you an idea of how they handle support issues. Others who have interviewed there would be able to tell you more.

My son was student abroad and had no income for 2007. We talked to an immigration specialist at the Dept of State in D.C., and were told to write a notarized letter explaining the situation, particularly why he was not required to pay taxes that year. He also used the letter to make a case of how he would be able to support his wife. He included everything we could think of to support his I-34, including his lifetime social security statement, college diploma and transcripts, letter from his new employer, evidence of having more VA education benefits at his disposal and more.

In the bottom of the file was an I-134 from Dad, just in case. There's a line towards the bottom where he put "as a USMC veteran and recent college graduate, I fully expect my son to be able to support his wife. In the event of unforseen circumstances I am willing and able to provide a safety net for my daughter-in-law." This worked, but that was back in July. We don't know if they even opened the back-up I-134, but assume they did, as they didn't return it.

A letter and a back-up is my recommendation, but certainly not a guarantee. COs probably hold Peace Corp volunteers in high esteem, which could be in your favor, since consular officers do have some discretion in these decisions.

Best wishes on your journey.

Thai Mom

[Thai family 0]

Go ahead and include the employment letter and bank statements. You are still the primary sponsor, and they may not even look at your Father's. Cover all of your bases and give them what they ask for. You cannot take chances here.

Thai Mom

Edited January 27, 2009 by Thai family

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I appreciate everyone's responses, but I also know that you only need an employer's letter or bank statement if you're using your job or checking account as proof for the income requirement. It is definitely NOT necessary. For example, my dad is retired, and has enough money, we don't even need to bother with employment letters and bank statements. You only need that if you have to use a combination of assets/sources of money to prove you are over the poverty level.

Basically what I want to know is WHAT am I trying to prove, if I know I'm ineligible. That's why I need a co-sponsor...

First, there is no requirement that anyone have a job or be employed in any way. Neither are you required to have a bank account. There is a requirement for an income (or co-sponsor) so there is no need to present an employment if you are not using that employment to verify your ability to sponsor someone. Likewise a bank letter. A bank letter can serve two purposes...

1) verify assets if you are using assets as a means of sponsorship

2) cooborate your income. If the deposits are in the same neighborhood as your stated income (especially in the case of self-employed) it is pretty good evidence all you say is correct

So, in your case, with a co-sponsor you do not need to have either letter. BUT if you state any income on your I-134 you should show at least a w-2 and some check stubs. An employment letter, even if it is for a substitute teacher job would indicate you do have some ongoing source of income. Though, as stated, if you are depending on the co-sponsor it is probably not so important, especially in Kyiv where they are really easy to deal with.

Your main consideration, on what YOU need to prove, in your case, is that you HAVE a co-sponsor and that the co-sponsor has enough income to support his family (existing) and your fiance

[Brad and Vika 129]

All of the documents you mention above are just proof of income. Since you are showing some income and a cosponsor, I would include the docs as evidence the cosponsor is necessary. Just helping USCIS to connect the dots. Although not required, a brief explanation of the docs presented (as a part of the cover perhaps?) would clarify to the clerk reading exactly what they were looking at. Just a thought.

[pushbrk 12,160]

I'm a recently returned Peace Corps volunteer. Because of this, I don't have a steady job(right now I'm substitute teaching). I have about $2500 in my bank account and my father has agreed to be my co-sponsor (his income is more than enough). However, what proof do I need to show for my I-134? Are taxes and w-2s enough?

I just don't understand what the point would be for for me to get a letter from my bank or employer, when I don't have steady hours, or enough money to qualify. I'm assuming anyone who has had a co-sponsor knows the answer to this question. Or at least share your experiences with me, please!

Employer letter and bank letters are not requirements but suggestions. No need to include them unless they are going to help in some way. If you don't qualify anyway, supporting documentation is superfluous. The co-sponsor who qualifies on income alone may skip (leave blank) all asset related questions and skip the bank letter. When three years of tax transcripts or complete returns show steady employment, and employer letter is belt and suspenders, so not really needed. When the instructions are carefully read "in context" this becomes clear.