Affidavit of support F-1 visa

[mfjohnson 3]

Greetings,

I'm 30 years old from the Netherlands and want to study for an associate's degree at a community college in Washington state on an F-1 visa. I am doing this because I want a change of career and have never studied abroad, which is something that was always on my bucket list but I sadly never got around to doing.

At the moment I am a freelance translator but do not have sufficient funds to study abroad. However, luckily my father has agreed to support me financially for the two years it would take to get my degree (which will be in IT). He is retired and has more money than he could spend in his lifetime, and I was wondering what the best way would be to show that there are sufficient funds during my interview. We have a document from the bank stating that he has more than 50,000 USD in his savings account (which in reality is much more but the bank advised against giving a third party too much information about my father's finances) and I'll have a bank statement showing more than 15,000 EUR in one of his checking accounts.

I also want to draft an affidavit of support, can I use form I-134 for this? I am a bit confused at the moment because one resource stated that non-US citizens can use it, but the form seems tailored for use by US-citizens. And if I were to use some other form/draft my own document, would this have to be notarized? Thanks very much for reading.

[lasko12 9]

Greetings,

I'm 30 years old from the Netherlands and want to study for an associate's degree at a community college in Washington state on an F-1 visa. I am doing this because I want a change of career and have never studied abroad, which is something that was always on my bucket list but I sadly never got around to doing.

At the moment I am a freelance translator but do not have sufficient funds to study abroad. However, luckily my father has agreed to support me financially for the two years it would take to get my degree (which will be in IT). He is retired and has more money than he could spend in his lifetime, and I was wondering what the best way would be to show that there are sufficient funds during my interview. We have a document from the bank stating that he has more than 50,000 USD in his savings account (which in reality is much more but the bank advised against giving a third party too much information about my father's finances) and I'll have a bank statement showing more than 15,000 EUR in one of his checking accounts.

I also want to draft an affidavit of support, can I use form I-134 for this? I am a bit confused at the moment because one resource stated that non-US citizens can use it, but the form seems tailored for use by US-citizens. And if I were to use some other form/draft my own document, would this have to be notarized? Thanks very much for reading.

In 2 years at community college, you only study general courses (GE) which are not going to be really helpful for your future IT career as they are not relate to IT, at least a 4 year degree.

Edited March 2, 2014 by lasko12

[mfjohnson 3]

In 2 years at community college, you only study general courses (GE) which are not going to be really helpful for your future IT career as they are not relate to IT, at least a 4 year degree.

I'm applying to a technical college, all of the classes are IT related.

[lasko12 9]

I'm applying to a technical college, all of the classes are IT related.

May I know the name of that college ? The reason I ask because a community college is 2 year public college which includes many majors. There is not a "technical community college"or solely focus on only 1 major. Maybe what you're talking about is a private career school.

[mfjohnson 3]

May I know the name of that college ? The reason I ask because a community college is 2 year public college which includes many majors. There is not a "technical community college"or solely focus on only 1 major. Maybe what you're talking about is a private career school.

With all due respect, this has nothing to do with my question. The college I'm applying to an accredited college which offers AAS-T degrees and has a bona fide international student program.

[lasko12 9]

Sorry that I am getting off topic. The interviewer however can ask you that at the interview. That person may not care much about who financially sponsors you but the reason why you wanna study a new major and why you pick that college ? or the like.... You may be asked questions like that.

PS: I used to work at a community college and also 4 year university. AAS-T degree is just a vocational degree. That does not really provide you many skills. Please be informed.

Wish you all the best for your journey.

[mfjohnson 3]

Sorry that I am getting off topic. The interviewer however can ask you that at the interview. That person may not care much about who financially sponsors you but the reason why you wanna study a new major and why you pick that college ? or the like.... You may be asked questions like that.

PS: I used to work at a community college and also 4 year university. AAS-T degree is just a vocational degree. That does not really provide you many skills. Please be informed.

Wish you all the best for your journey.

No problem. The reason I chose this institute is that I want to lay a foundation in my IT skills and get hands-on experience, something which this school offers. Here in the Netherlands such schools are more uncommon and I've been told it's also more common that people my age in the US looking for a career change enroll in such schools, which is also more uncommon here. Plus the fact that in the school's area there are many tech giants, which I feel would offer opportunities internship-wise. Finally, I have always wanted to study abroad but due to personal circumstances I wasn't able to before, but am now. If I'm not going to study abroad at this point of my life, I likely never will.

[lasko12 9]

Plus the fact that in the school's area there are many tech giants, which I feel would offer opportunities internship-wise.

May you be coming to my area ? I am living in Silicon Valley.

and if you really happen to come to this valley. Sadly to tell you this but it's the fact (no offense). There are not many opportunities for 2 year degree holders to get a job in tech companies. I would strongly advise you to transfer to a 4 year university after getting AS degree.

PS: Sorry of getting off topic again.

Edited March 2, 2014 by lasko12

[mfjohnson 3]

May you be coming to my area ? I am living in Silicon Valley.

It's in the Seattle/Bellevue area, Microsoft (amongst others) is based here

[lasko12 9]

sorry for getting off topic with all those posts. Now back to your question, I would say the bank statement showing the current balance is strong enough and also the I-20 is showing the fund.

Someone also mentioned that in this post:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/235779-do-f-1-visas-need-the-i-134-specifically/

[mfjohnson 3]

sorry for getting off topic with all those posts. Now back to your question, I would say the bank statement showing the current balance is strong enough and also the I-20 is showing the fund.

Someone also mentioned that in this post:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/235779-do-f-1-visas-need-the-i-134-specifically/

Ah good, thank you

[sms78 18]

I-134 is generally for US citizens or Permanent Residents to fill out when they petition someone. My addidavit of support was just a letter written and signed by my dad lol. It was almost 10 years ago though. For the bank statement, $50,000 is more than enough I think for a community college. Mine was $30,000 and it was for 4 year college. I asked my dad to make the amount to be $30,000 because that was enough to cover a year of tuition and living expense.

[engineer21 51]

I never used the I-134 for my international student days.

If memory serves.. the school won't give you an I-20 without first seeing that you have sufficient funds anyway. I did this by showing bank statements and letters from employer for my sponsor (my mother and aunt for me)

Good luck on your visa and future studies!

Edited to add: I went to a community college to make a career change (from graphic design to engineering) and am very happy that I did it! Quality education for a very affordable price. Hope your experience will be the same too!

Edited March 6, 2014 by engineer21

[mfjohnson 3]

I never used the I-134 for my international student days.

If memory serves.. the school won't give you an I-20 without first seeing that you have sufficient funds anyway. I did this by showing bank statements and letters from employer for my sponsor (my mother and aunt for me)

Good luck on your visa and future studies!

Edited to add: I went to a community college to make a career change (from graphic design to engineering) and am very happy that I did it! Quality education for a very affordable price. Hope your experience will be the same too!

Good to hear it went well for you Here's hoping my experience will be positive as well, I'm kind of nervous about the whole thing but if I'm not going to do it now, I probably never will haha