Form I-134A serves as a crucial affidavit of support for non-immigrant visa applicants seeking to enter the United States. This document, distinct from its counterpart, Form I-134, demonstrates the financial backing provided by a sponsor to ensure the applicant’s financial solvency during their stay, significantly impacting the visa approval process.
What Is Form I-134A?
Form I-134A is an online document that is filed by individuals with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) who want to sponsor a foreign national for admission to the United States. The form is specifically designed for financial sponsorship and is currently only accepted for specific immigration programs.
Sponsorship of migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, or Venezuela under the new humanitarian parole scheme for these people, as well as sponsorship of Ukrainian refugees via the Uniting for Ukraine program.
Comprehensive details regarding the sponsor’s financial situation and capacity to support the beneficiary in question are provided in the I-134A form. Usually, it serves as proof that the sponsor has the money necessary to sustain the recipient during their brief visitation in the United States.
Form I-134A Requirements
To submit Form I-134A, you need to meet the following criteria:
- You must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or visa holder with legal immigration status.
- You must be physically present in the U.S. at the time of filing.
- You must undergo and successfully pass a background check.
- You must personally complete and sign Form I-134A; beneficiaries seeking parole cannot file the form themselves.
- You must provide the beneficiary’s name on Form I-134A.
- You must be prepared to submit a separate Form I-134A for each beneficiary you intend to support, including children under 18 years old.
Ukraine Initiative
On April 21, 2022, the United States made an important announcement regarding President Biden’s promise to welcome Ukrainians who have been displaced due to Russia’s invasion. The initiative, called Uniting for Ukraine, offers a way for Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are currently outside the United States to come to the United States and reside temporarily for a period of 2 years.
To participate in the Uniting for Ukraine program, Ukrainians must have a supporter in the United States who agrees to provide them with financial assistance during their stay in the United States.
How To File Form I-134A
To file Form I-134A, adhere to the provided instructions. Within the form, furnish details about both yourself and the individual you are sponsoring. Additionally, supply financial evidence demonstrating that either solely or in conjunction with any co-sponsors, you meet the income prerequisites outlined in Form I-134A. Specifically, you must illustrate your ability to support the beneficiary, ensuring that your income reaches at least 100 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for a household corresponding to your size. (As of 2023, these guidelines commence at $14,580 for a single-person household, with an increment of $5,140 for each additional individual.)
Form I-134A cannot be mailed; it is exclusively available for online submission through a USCIS account. Presently, no filing fee is required. However, you must furnish documents confirming your identity and granting consent for the U.S. government to verify your eligibility as a sponsor under Form I-134A. USCIS will scrutinize your financial assertions and confirm that you do not possess a history suggesting potential mistreatment or exploitation of the beneficiary.
Each beneficiary, including minor children, necessitates a separate Form I-134A submission.
The New Form I-134A Explained
The introduction of Form I-134A represents a significant step in the evolution of U.S. immigration processes. Its implications and impact on both sponsors and beneficiaries underscore the complexities of navigating the immigration landscape. As stakeholders adapt to the new requirements and procedures, only time will reveal the full extent of its effects on individuals and families seeking to build new lives in the United States.