Bank statements, Moscow

[Chuckles 0]

I was wondering if the consulate in Moscow accepts old fashioned printed bank statements for evidence with the I-134? Or do I need to have a "Statement from an officer of the bank or other financial institution where you have deposits.." like it says in the I-134 instructions?

[JamesT 12]

For Katya's interview I just sent photocopies of my two most recent checking account statements. Here is a complete list of what I sent with the I-134:

Checking account statement (2 most recent months, photocopies)

401k statement (most recent quarterly statement, photocopy)

2003, 2004, and 2005 Income Tax Returns (photocopies)

2005 W-2 (photocopy)

Employment Verification Letter (original, notarized)

Paycheck stubs (3 most recent, photocopies)

[Marc and Olga 0]

For Katya's interview I just sent photocopies of my two most recent checking account statements. Here is a complete list of what I sent with the I-134:

Checking account statement (2 most recent months, photocopies)

401k statement (most recent quarterly statement, photocopy)

2003, 2004, and 2005 Income Tax Returns (photocopies)

2005 W-2 (photocopy)

Employment Verification Letter (original, notarized)

Paycheck stubs (3 most recent, photocopies)

I like this list!

I worry about my "Employment Verification Letter" since it is to include wages. ($5.50/hour)

I work as a blackjack dealer and earn far more in tips then I am paid by the casino. State law requires 100% of our tips be reported... so on my Tax Forms I am very capable of supporting Olga and myself, in the letter...it may not seem that I am!

I guess I should start saving my bank statements! =O

Also the 401(k) statement I like, I thought of that but, for some reason, did not think it would be usable...even though it is an asset. Will definately include now though!

Спасибо за этот список, JamesT (Thanks for this list, JamesT)

[slim 1,514]

If you worry about the employer letter listing your hourly wage at $5.50, don't put that down. Just simply state that you are an employee of XXXX Casino, hired on XX/XX/XXXX, and are a full time/rotating/etc. employee in good standing. Any questions can be directed to your HR person at XXX-XXX-XXXX.

The employer letter is more to validate that you're going to hold down the job that's on your W-2s and continue to make that kind of money while your beneficiary is here.

(My list:

I-134

Employer Letter (to verify employment)

2005 W-2

Bank Letter (Just a hand-typed letter from the bank that said my account was opened on XX/XX/XXXX and the running balance for the last 3 months was $XXX.XX (and yes, that period is in the right place.. no commas in my account! But, still no problems at the interview.))

I had the lady at the bank Notarize all copies of letters and the I-134. I figured the less I send the better, provided my W-2 was over the (what is it, 125%?) poverty level. Everything worked out just fine.

I believe USCIS and the embassy just want to make sure that you have a job and some form of income to where that person is not going to show up and go straight on welfare. (I only had like $345 or something in my bank account as the balance. And if that works, I'm sure whatever you've got is going to be fine!)

[Marc and Olga 0]

I actually bank at 2 banks, 1 saving account and 1 checking.

I plan on submitting statements from both but the savings account (higher balance) is less then a year old I opened it back in October when I first started planning my trip, now I'm using it to save for our future expenses. Currently just under $1,000 and a long way to go before I am confortable with it's balance!

This tends to leave my checking account somewhat lower then 3 digits!

Again, my tax information (I have 3 years of them) shows I make more then enough!

[timelena 0]

As far as I understand it, you either make 125% of the poverty line (100% in certain cases) or you don't. Nobody should care if you make 150% or 300%, or how much you hold in the bank.

I did not go the K-1 route, but did AOS. CIS were interested in last years tax returns and current employment verification letter only.

[Neonred 3,454]

I included copies of my last two bank statements, but they did not even bother to look at them. They were more interested in my tax return and the letter of employment which I did not have because I am self employed. And you do not need three years of tax returns, just the most recent one. I also included a lot of other asset info for 401-K and my house which they did not look at also.

[Chuckles 0]

I included copies of my last two bank statements, but they did not even bother to look at them. They were more interested in my tax return and the letter of employment which I did not have because I am self employed. And you do not need three years of tax returns, just the most recent one. I also included a lot of other asset info for 401-K and my house which they did not look at also.

I am curious what you prepared for your house. I put it on my I-134 so I should at least be prepared for it to be shown. I was thinking just a couple statements from my mortgage company would suffice. What did you have prepared?

[Neonred 3,454]

I included copies of my last two bank statements, but they did not even bother to look at them. They were more interested in my tax return and the letter of employment which I did not have because I am self employed. And you do not need three years of tax returns, just the most recent one. I also included a lot of other asset info for 401-K and my house which they did not look at also.

I am curious what you prepared for your house. I put it on my I-134 so I should at least be prepared for it to be shown. I was thinking just a couple statements from my mortgage company would suffice. What did you have prepared?

I had mortgage statement and tax receipt showing assed value. Again they did not even look at it so really not an important issue unless your income is marginal.

[Marc and Olga 0]

They were more interested in my tax return and the letter of employment which I did not have because I am self employed.

This puts me at ease about my situation, thanks Neonred!

[slim 1,514]

I didn't submit very much at all, and had no problems. As long as you meet the 125% (as verified by your last W-2) and are still employed (verified by your employer letter... or self employment noted on W-2), you should be just fine.

[russ 1]

I included copies of my last two bank statements, but they did not even bother to look at them. They were more interested in my tax return and the letter of employment which I did not have because I am self employed. And you do not need three years of tax returns, just the most recent one. I also included a lot of other asset info for 401-K and my house which they did not look at also.

I'm self employed as well - it wasn't a problem in Moscow. (I did get a letter from one of my customers though, to be safe).

What is the best way to do this in general? Make a letter on your company letterhead to yourself?

I'm not sure what to do for the AOS interview - will the P&L and Cash Flow statements from my business be enough for them?

[Chuckles 0]

Thanks very much for all the advice on this thread !!!

[skinman569 0]

If in the unlikely case that they actually look at your I-134, just a letter from the bank manager stating when you opened your account and total deposits for the last year was plenty fine for me. I asked the consulate what they wanted exactly. Then after scrambling to pull it all together, they didnt even look at it!! It is not unusual for them to ignore the I-134, it is only something they can ask for, you are not even required to send it, but of course it is a good idea to have it all there for them. Hope this helps!