I134 - Originals or Copies?

[froschundblumen 25]

I intend to include the following with the completed I134 form:

letter from bank

letter from employer

last five paystubs

last year's W2

Does this seem sufficient?

Do I need to bring the original pay stubs and W2 to the interview or are copies suitable?

The instructions say to bring the items in duplicate - so two copies of EVERYTHING- including original letters?

Last question and it's a silly one- the instructions say fill in the form in black ink, but both my fiance and our cosponsor filled it in blue ink. Is this a REAL issue?

Thanks VJ!

[Lenny&Sanna 115]

What to send to your fiance(e) once the I-129F is approved (Receive NOA2):

1. A copy of the entire I-129f package (that you made when you sent the petition in) and a copy of information that you sent back due to an RFE (if you received one). Your fiance(e) should review this information in advance of the interview (the embassy will have copies of this as well).

2. Send copies of the documentary proof that you submitted with the I-129F for your fiance(e) to have on hand for their interview at the embassy. Your fiance(e) should review this information in advance of the interview (the embassy will have copies of this as well).

3. Send an original letter affirming your desire to marry your fiance(e) and your continued support of the K-1 Visa. Sign and date the form. This will be similar to the letter you provided with the I-129F, but dated much closer to the interview (it will have most likely been several months since you submitted your I-129F).

4. I-134 Affidavit of Support form. Ensure it is signed, with all required supporting evidence. Begin collecting the required information ahead of time, as it can often take several weeks to collect it all

5. You will need several items (for the above form). Gather duplicate evidence of income and resources as appropriate:

(A) Statement from an officer of the bank/financial institution with your deposits, identifying the following: 1. date account opened; 2. total amount deposited for the past year; 3. present balance
(B) Statement(s) from your employer on business stationary showing: 1. Date and nature of employment; 2. salary paid; 3. whether position is temporary or permanent (also include copies of your last two pay stubs and your previous W-2 for the associated employer if available)
© If Self Employed: 1. Copy of last income tax return filed (or IRS transcripts); or 2. report of commercial rating concern
(D) List containing serial numbers and denominations of bonds and name of record owner(s).

6. A copy of the NOA2 that you received in the mail. (backup information; the embassy will have copies of this as well)

7. Proof of your ongoing relationship. This needs to be taken to the interview! Include photos, travel documents, emails, online chat logs (pick several over the prior few months), etc.. from between the time you filed and present (NOA1 until date-now).

Examples: Copies of land line and cell phone bills, appropriate emails and letters you have sent including the stamps on envelopes (to document the date they were sent), and other written documentary proof. Provide a reasonable amount; two to four of each type. Pick a range of dates up to and including the present. You can also include a copy of engagement ring receipt (this is something that is a big optional - do not worry if you do not have a ring yet!)

-I personally don't foresee the color of the pen being an issue, but I personally if it is possible to just do it over and use black ink since each consulate is different and might be overly strict.

Edited April 30, 2014 by metalgear6164

[baron555 934]

I intend to include the following with the completed I134 form:

letter from bank

letter from employer

last five paystubs

last year's W2

Does this seem sufficient?

Nope....you need copies of the complete IRS filing for the last three years......or.....the free IRS Tax Transcripts which are even better.

Do I need to bring the original pay stubs and W2 to the interview or are copies suitable?

Copies of more than just the W2s per above.

The instructions say to bring the items in duplicate - so two copies of EVERYTHING- including original letters?

Copies

Last question and it's a silly one- the instructions say fill in the form in black ink, but both my fiance and our cosponsor filled it in blue ink. Is this a REAL issue?

Shouldn't be.....but it does ease any future pains to thoroughly read the instructions. You'll have many more forms to fill out in the future.

Thanks VJ!

[Zedayn 486]

All your evidence for the I-134 can be copies. The only original you need is the I-134 form itself.

[Meghan&Andrey 51]

I intend to include the following with the completed I134 form:

letter from bank

letter from employer

last five paystubs

last year's W2

Does this seem sufficient?

Nope....you need copies of the complete IRS filing for the last three years......or.....the free IRS Tax Transcripts which are even better.

Everything I've seen on here says last 3 years of tax returns only if you're self-employed. You only need last year's return if you are not self-employed. Do I have it backwards? I tried looking for even ONE place I had seen that and of course I can't find anything in a hurry

[baron555 934]

I used the free IRS Tax Transcripts for the last three years for my submittals.........so can not be definite based on my personal experience.

The IRS Tax Transcripts are best because they are from the IRS and are their official acknowledgement of your income......W2s could be disputed or could be incorrect.

And....they are free and only take a few weeks to obtain...unless you have them fax them to a number which they can do within days.

[froschundblumen 25]

Everything I've seen on here says last 3 years of tax returns only if you're self-employed. You only need last year's return if you are not self-employed. Do I have it backwards? I tried looking for even ONE place I had seen that and of course I can't find anything in a hurry

All of the information I have found on visajourney guides and on the USCIS instructions say that you need the following for the I134:

(A) Statement from an officer of the bank/financial institution with your deposits, identifying the following: 1. date account opened; 2. total amount deposited for the past year; 3. present balance

(B) Statement(s) from your employer on business stationary showing: 1. Date and nature of employment; 2. salary paid; 3. whether position is temporary or permanent (also include copies of your last two pay stubs and your previous W-2 for the associated employer if available)

© If Self Employed: 1. Copy of last income tax return filed (or IRS transcripts); or 2. report of commercial rating concern

(D) List containing serial numbers and denominations of bonds and name of record owner(s).

I'm not sure where the information about 3 years of tax returns is found. I haven't been able to find it.

Can anyone provide a link confirming baron555's advice?

Very confused.

[Zedayn 486]

Everything I've seen on here says last 3 years of tax returns only if you're self-employed. You only need last year's return if you are not self-employed. Do I have it backwards? I tried looking for even ONE place I had seen that and of course I can't find anything in a hurry

Most embassies will want to see at least the most recent year tax return. You need to follow the instructions for YOUR embassy for the required documentation for the I-134. The instructions for the I-134 are a guideline of evidences you can use, but are not necessarily required.

[froschundblumen 25]

Thanks! I have everything listed here, but now I'm confused by baron555's advice!

What to send to your fiance(e) once the I-129F is approved (Receive NOA2):

1. A copy of the entire I-129f package (that you made when you sent the petition in) and a copy of information that you sent back due to an RFE (if you received one). Your fiance(e) should review this information in advance of the interview (the embassy will have copies of this as well).

2. Send copies of the documentary proof that you submitted with the I-129F for your fiance(e) to have on hand for their interview at the embassy. Your fiance(e) should review this information in advance of the interview (the embassy will have copies of this as well).

3. Send an original letter affirming your desire to marry your fiance(e) and your continued support of the K-1 Visa. Sign and date the form. This will be similar to the letter you provided with the I-129F, but dated much closer to the interview (it will have most likely been several months since you submitted your I-129F).

4. I-134 Affidavit of Support form. Ensure it is signed, with all required supporting evidence. Begin collecting the required information ahead of time, as it can often take several weeks to collect it all

5. You will need several items (for the above form). Gather duplicate evidence of income and resources as appropriate:

(A) Statement from an officer of the bank/financial institution with your deposits, identifying the following: 1. date account opened; 2. total amount deposited for the past year; 3. present balance
(B) Statement(s) from your employer on business stationary showing: 1. Date and nature of employment; 2. salary paid; 3. whether position is temporary or permanent (also include copies of your last two pay stubs and your previous W-2 for the associated employer if available)
© If Self Employed: 1. Copy of last income tax return filed (or IRS transcripts); or 2. report of commercial rating concern
(D) List containing serial numbers and denominations of bonds and name of record owner(s).

6. A copy of the NOA2 that you received in the mail. (backup information; the embassy will have copies of this as well)

7. Proof of your ongoing relationship. This needs to be taken to the interview! Include photos, travel documents, emails, online chat logs (pick several over the prior few months), etc.. from between the time you filed and present (NOA1 until date-now).

Examples: Copies of land line and cell phone bills, appropriate emails and letters you have sent including the stamps on envelopes (to document the date they were sent), and other written documentary proof. Provide a reasonable amount; two to four of each type. Pick a range of dates up to and including the present. You can also include a copy of engagement ring receipt (this is something that is a big optional - do not worry if you do not have a ring yet!)

-I personally don't foresee the color of the pen being an issue, but I personally if it is possible to just do it over and use black ink since each consulate is different and might be overly strict.

[Zedayn 486]

All of the information I have found on visajourney guides and on the USCIS instructions say that you need the following for the I134:

(A) Statement from an officer of the bank/financial institution with your deposits, identifying the following: 1. date account opened; 2. total amount deposited for the past year; 3. present balance

(B) Statement(s) from your employer on business stationary showing: 1. Date and nature of employment; 2. salary paid; 3. whether position is temporary or permanent (also include copies of your last two pay stubs and your previous W-2 for the associated employer if available)

© If Self Employed: 1. Copy of last income tax return filed (or IRS transcripts); or 2. report of commercial rating concern

(D) List containing serial numbers and denominations of bonds and name of record owner(s).

I'm not sure where the information about 3 years of tax returns is found. I haven't been able to find it.

Can anyone provide a link confirming baron555's advice?

Very confused.

I will share what is in the Philippines embassy letter for required documents:

EVIDENCE OF SUPPORT. You should be able to demonstrate that you will not become a public charge or be a burden on the U.S. taxpayers for financial support. A completed I-134 Affidavit of Support Form with original signature will be useful to the consular officer to evaluate your petitioner’s ability to be financially responsible for you. You should also submit your petitioner’s most recent U.S. Federal income tax return (Form 1040) and wage statements (Form W-2). Employment letters stating salaries and bank statements may be included to substantiate the I-134. Download Form I-134 at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis.

You need to follow the instructions for your embassy as to what they will require for the I-134.

[Meghan&Andrey 51]

Thanks! I have everything listed here, but now I'm confused by baron555's advice!

I'm 99% positive you will just need the last year's tax return. Russia's embassy says last year. I have been looking on the Canadian Embassy site for 15 minutes to find it for you with no luck.

Russia's says:

1. Financial documents from a US citizen petitioner:

• Copy of original, signed tax returns for the last year (both W-2 and 1040). If copies of tax returns are unavailable, provide transcripts from the IRS.
• Form I-134 (Affidavit of Support)
• Bank statements
• Employment letter

Edited April 30, 2014 by Meghan&Andrey

[Meghan&Andrey 51]

Found it! Canada says most recent as well (:

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/canada/303578/montreal/Packet3-MTL.pdf

[sweet cakes 326]

Thanks! I have everything listed here, but now I'm confused by baron555's advice!

If your fiance's gross income is well above the poverty guidelines, US embassies would normally only require the most recent 1040 and W-2 (you can use IRS transcripts if the recent 1040 is not available). Some would ask for a recent certificate of employment, specifying the position (permanent or contractual) and current pay, and also recent pay stubs to further substantiate.

2014 poverty guidelines here: http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-864p.pdf

In most embassies, they are requested the last 3 year's transcripts only if the petitioner is barely meeting the poverty guidelines.

You might want to post your question at the Canada forum for more definite answers: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/93-canada/

Good luck!

[Abby & Andre 27]

We are at the same step and same consulate, but I just wanted to throw it out there that I am sending my fiance the last THREE years of IRS Transcripts, even though they may only want the most recent or not even look at them at all. Better safe than sorry! It is SUPER easy to just download them and print them out.

Also, since they don't have to have an original signature, your fiance could just email you the PDF's and you can print them out so you won't have to wait for "snail mail." (Btw, I hate saying "snail mail" since I work for the post office LOL)

[Tiff&Babs 62]

I used the free IRS Tax Transcripts for the last three years for my submittals.........so can not be definite based on my personal experience.

The IRS Tax Transcripts are best because they are from the IRS and are their official acknowledgement of your income......W2s could be disputed or could be incorrect.

And....they are free and only take a few weeks to obtain...unless you have them fax them to a number which they can do within days.

Tax transcripts can be printed from the IRS website.