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Affidavits of support

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KER01

Registered Users (C)
Is there any one had interview experience in Abu Dhabi US Ambassy related to DV? Please, share

I have couple of questions related to Affidavits of support.

1- is it a must to bring Affidavits of support to the interview?

2- If so what type of form?

3- If it not not a must can I show my bank statement as evidence of support? What is the minimum amount required for family of husband, wife and two children
 
Did they ask you for Affidavits of support?

KER01 said:
Is there any one had interview experience in Abu Dhabi US Ambassy related to DV? Please, share

I have couple of questions related to Affidavits of support.

1- is it a must to bring Affidavits of support to the interview?

2- If so what type of form?

3- If it not not a must can I show my bank statement as evidence of support? What is the minimum amount required for family of husband, wife and two children
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Did they ask you for Affidavits of support? because i have read the DV- Lottery instructions, and abu Dhabi embassy, its not mentioned that such Documents are needed?

EDIT:
after checking with embassy, they require it.
either the form with you can bring an official bank statement showing at least 19,000 USD in savings – using the current exchange rate. Or, you can provide an affidavit of support (I-134) that is filled out and signed (original) by your sponsor. With this form, you need a copy of the sponsor’s passport and 2012 tax return.
 
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There is hard and fast rule for affidavits of support but there is no harm taking an I-134 Affidavit of Support along. It carries weight to your application in a manner of speaking and can come in handy if asked for by the consular officer.

If you're taking a bank statement with you, make sure it is for the last 6 months and you have a savings of not less than $30,000 for your family (although some people get away with much less!).



Case No - DV2013AF0007XXXX (applied the first time and got it the first time - lucky me!)
Entry Checked - 1st May 2012
Forms Sent To KCC - 10th May 2012
Received By KCC - 12th May 2012
Confirmation From KCC - 25th May 2012 after I sent them an email
2nd NL - 14th June 2013
Police Clearance (TZ) - 13th June 2013
Police Clearance (UK) - 21st June 2013
Medicals - Completed 24th June 2013
Interview - Wednesday, August 7th 2013 @ 8am - US Embassy Tanzania
Visa Pick up - Hopefully August 11th
Departure Date - August 17th 2013
Port of Entry - Washington Dulles
 
Momo1980 said:
There is hard and fast rule for affidavits of support but there is no harm taking an I-134 Affidavit of Support along. It carries weight to your application in a manner of speaking and can come in handy if asked for by the consular officer.

If you're taking a bank statement with you, make sure it is for the last 6 months and you have a savings of not less than $30,000 for your family (although some people get away with much less!).



Case No - DV2013AF0007XXXX (applied the first time and got it the first time - lucky me!)
Entry Checked - 1st May 2012
Forms Sent To KCC - 10th May 2012
Received By KCC - 12th May 2012
Confirmation From KCC - 25th May 2012 after I sent them an email
2nd NL - 14th June 2013
Police Clearance (TZ) - 13th June 2013
Police Clearance (UK) - 21st June 2013
Medicals - Completed 24th June 2013
Interview - Wednesday, August 7th 2013 @ 8am - US Embassy Tanzania
Visa Pick up - Hopefully August 11th
Departure Date - August 17th 2013
Port of Entry - Washington Dulles
Click to expand...

Hi,
not less than 30,000$ isn't this number a little bit high? or you mean as much money you can take, maybe >15K$?
 
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samershahin said:
Hi,
not less than 30,000$ isn't this number a little bit high? or you mean as much money you can take, maybe >15K$?
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Momo quoted $30k as the general guidance is around $10k per person (although some have shown less and been approved) and the original question was for a family of husband, wife and two kids. $30k would be a good amount for that case.
 
KER01 said:
Is there any one had interview experience in Abu Dhabi US Ambassy related to DV? Please, share

I have couple of questions related to Affidavits of support.

1- is it a must to bring Affidavits of support to the interview?

2- If so what type of form?

3- If it not not a must can I show my bank statement as evidence of support? What is the minimum amount required for family of husband, wife and two children
Click to expand...

Hi,

I went through my cp in Abu dhabi and used the I-134 as my AOS. However, it was not listed as a requirement in the interview notification, but they asked for it on my interview day. Luckily i had a friend who had sent it to me and had my savings as prove of finances but they preferred the I-134. Please find below a sample of it....http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-134.pdf. You can tell your contact in US to download it and fill it up for you.
 
dubai-b said:
Hi,

I went through my cp in Abu dhabi and used the I-134 as my AOS. However, it was not listed as a requirement in the interview notification, but they asked for it on my interview day. Luckily i had a friend who had sent it to me and had my savings as prove of finances but they preferred the I-134. Please find below a sample of it....http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-134.pdf. You can tell your contact in US to download it and fill it up for you.
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Oh, that looks like a problem for me, because i don't know if i will be able to get some one sign for me this form (I-134), as from description it looks like, its a hidden conditional requirement. because what i got after reading this form the one who signs should be a citizen OR (lawfully admitted non-immigrant, give form I-94, Arrival -Departure Record, number)
 
samershahin said:
Oh, that looks like a problem for me, because i don't know if i will be able to get some one sign for me this form (I-134), as from description it looks like, its a hidden conditional requirement. because what i got after reading this form the one who signs should be a citizen OR (lawfully admitted non-immigrant, give form I-94, Arrival -Departure Record, number)
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To repeat what Momo said above and has been said many times - completing an I-134 is NOT a requirement. It is a form (that is not legally binding on the person who signs it) that allows all the listing of all income, assets and liabilities in a format that is easily digested by the CO.

DV applicants are self sponsoring - they do not need a sponsor as is the case in other types of immigration. However, the DV applicant has to be able to show they have the resources to support themselves and will not become a public charge. Each case is different, so for example someone who has no plan for work, says they are moving to San Francisco and has $10k in savings might be more of a concern than someone highly employable moving to a less expensive area with family already there and only has $5k in savings.
 
britsimon said:
To repeat what Momo said above and has been said many times - completing an I-134 is NOT a requirement. It is a form (that is not legally binding on the person who signs it) that allows all the listing of all income, assets and liabilities in a format that is easily digested by the CO.

DV applicants are self sponsoring - they do not need a sponsor as is the case in other types of immigration. However, the DV applicant has to be able to show they have the resources to support themselves and will not become a public charge. Each case is different, so for example someone who has no plan for work, says they are moving to San Francisco and has $10k in savings might be more of a concern than someone highly employable moving to a less expensive area with family already there and only has $5k in savings.
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I haven't checked the Abu Dhabi requirements, but I understand that there are indeed some countries where an affidavit of support is actually required, though so far I have only heard of this being some former Soviet Union countries. See eg 11 under the requirements here http://photos.state.gov/libraries/georgia/809501/macharadzekx/instr-dv-eng.pdf ... Apparently these countries don't accept proof of bank funds...

Also according to this page http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3730.html the AoS is legally binding. (or at least, it's described as a "legal contract".)
 
SusieQQQ said:
I haven't checked the Abu Dhabi requirements, but I understand that there are indeed some countries where an affidavit of support is actually required, though so far I have only heard of this being some former Soviet Union countries. See eg 11 under the requirements here http://photos.state.gov/libraries/georgia/809501/macharadzekx/instr-dv-eng.pdf ... Apparently these countries don't accept proof of bank funds...

Also according to this page http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3730.html the AoS is legally binding. (or at least, it's described as a "legal contract".)
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Hi Susie, that is interesting on the Soviet Union countries - the first I have seen of that, but they are still referring to I-134.

The second link describes an I-864 which is a legal contract of support between the petitioner and the US government. So the petitioner can be held financially responsible for the immigrant being sponsored.

The I134 is different. Lying on a I-134 will be taken seriously (perjury) but it does not create a binding contract for support of the immigrant.
 
For applicants without a strong means of personal support, the CO can request the submission of form I-134 is support of their application to overcome being inadmissible on public charge grounds. Section 213 of the INA permits the admission of any alien who is inadmissible on public charge grounds at the discretion of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security or the Attorney General, by the posting of a bond, or by another undertaking - the use of Form I-134 is considered to be another such undertaking.

COs are aware of the fact that form I-134 is not legally binding on the sponsor, and cannot be accorded the same weight as an I-864, they are however required to treat Form I-134 with high consideration as a form of evidence.

Bottom line is, DV applicants without strong personal financial standings are highly encouraged to get the form filled by family members/relatives or close friends. Anyone interested can read more about this below (I also recommed printing the applicable sections and attending your interview with it - for those planning on that route even if your interview letter does not specify bringing an aos with you)

Section 9 FAM 40.41 N5.6-3 Use of Form I-134, Affidavit of Support:

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/86988.pdf
 
Sm1smom said:
For applicants without a strong means of personal support, the CO can request the submission of form I-134 is support of their application to overcome being inadmissible on public charge grounds. Section 213 of the INA permits the admission of any alien who is inadmissible on public charge grounds at the discretion of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security or the Attorney General, by the posting of a bond, or by another undertaking - the use of Form I-134 is considered to be another such undertaking.

COs are aware of the fact that form I-134 is not legally binding on the sponsor, and cannot be accorded the same weight as an I-864, they are however required to treat Form I-134 with high consideration as a form of evidence.

Bottom line is, DV applicants without strong personal financial standings are highly encouraged to get the form filled by family members/relatives or close friends. Anyone interested can read more about this below (I also recommed printing the applicable sections and attending your interview with it - for those planning on that route even if your interview letter does not specify bringing an aos with you)

Section 9 FAM 40.41 N5.6-3 Use of Form I-134, Affidavit of Support:

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/86988.pdf
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thanks for the useful link, i can see that Abudhabi embassy has general instructions for the interviews to get the (affidavit of support) during the interview, and i found a very interesting statement in your link which i mark with underline format,

USCIS states that “in determining whether an alien meets the definition for public charge inadmissibility, a number of factors are considered, including age,health, family status, assets, resources, financial status, education, and skills.
No single factor, other than the lack of an affidavit of support, if required, will determine whether an individual is a public charge.” (USCIS, Public Charge Fact
Sheet, April 29, 2011.)

what i understood is that the Consular officer can judge your situation based on different factors if you don't have the forms I-134 (for citizens sponsor) or forms I-864 + I-134 (for non-citizens sponsor ), which comply with some of the opinions we had here, thanks again for all friends in this forum who were generous with their advice.

I conclude that its better i get the Citizen sponsor AOS form I-134, along with my bank statement
 
samershahin said:
I conclude that its better i get the Citizen sponsor AOS form I-134, along with my bank statement
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That is what I will do also - I'll fill out a 134 for myself. The thing is the bank statement (and any other documents you present in support of your case) are not an affadavit. So the I-134 is a form accepted and familiar to the CO that (when signed) carries some weight. As sm1smom points out, it does not have the same weight as the I-864 but it at least says that the information provided is a truthful statement of the financial position of the applicant/person completing the form.
 
britsimon said:
That is what I will do also - I'll fill out a 134 for myself. The thing is the bank statement (and any other documents you present in support of your case) are not an affadavit. So the I-134 is a form accepted and familiar to the CO that (when signed) carries some weight. As sm1smom points out, it does not have the same weight as the I-864 but it at least says that the information provided is a truthful statement of the financial position of the applicant/person completing the form.
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I don't think the affidavit will be considered valid if you fill out one for yourself. For it to be valid, it has to be provided by someone who is domiciled in the US. I could be wrong, but that is my understanding. But, if you were doing AOS (which means you're already based in the US) as against CP for instance, your spouse happens to be the DV selectee and your spouse is currently unemployed and you are employed, then you can fill out an I-134 in support of your spouse's application.

For someone like you who is financially sound, I don't see the CO making an issue of you presenting an affidavit of support. If at all ta proof of your financial stability is required, a simple spreadsheet listing your tangible and intangible assets will suffice (they are past selectees who successfully used this).
 
Sm1smom said:
I don't think the affidavit will be considered valid if you fill out one for yourself. For it to be valid, it has to be provided by someone who is domiciled in the US. I could be wrong, but that is my understanding. But, if you were doing AOS (which means you're already based in the US) as against CP for instance, your spouse happens to be the DV selectee and your spouse is currently unemployed and you are employed, then you can fill out an I-134 in support of your spouse's application.

For someone like you who is financially sound, I don't see the CO making an issue of you presenting an affidavit of support. If at all ta proof of your financial stability is required, a simple spreadsheet listing your tangible and intangible assets will suffice (they are past selectees who successfully used this).
Click to expand...

The bolded bit is the position we will be in - I expect to be in the US on a H1-B by the time our CN is current.

The point about the form being invalid may well be right. I just thought it would be useful to summarise the proof of financial position since they are used to seeing information in that format. The I134 instructions say "Form I-134 may be used in any case in which you are inadmissible on public charge grounds, but in which you are not required to have Form I-864 filed on his or her behalf.". So no, I don't think I will have an issue on public charge grounds but I wanted to show something a bit more organised than a collection of bank statements, pictures of cars and so on ;-)
 
britsimon said:
The bolded bit is the position we will be in - I expect to be in the US on a H1-B by the time our CN is current.

The point about the form being invalid may well be right. I just thought it would be useful to summarise the proof of financial position since they are used to seeing information in that format. The I134 instructions say "Form I-134 may be used in any case in which you are inadmissible on public charge grounds, but in which you are not required to have Form I-864 filed on his or her behalf.". So no, I don't think I will have an issue on public charge grounds but I wanted to show something a bit more organised than a collection of bank statements, pictures of cars and so on ;-)
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Oh sure, I totally understand your case. I just thought additional clarification was needed for those doing CP and who might have thought they could fill out an I-134 by themselves. And like I wrote earlier, a spreadsheet is a very neat and organized way of presenting one's list of assets as against pictures of houses, cars, heirloom furniture and jewelry, etc :o
 
Sm1smom said:
Oh sure, I totally understand your case. I just thought additional clarification was needed for those doing CP and who might have thought they could fill out an I-134 by themselves. And like I wrote earlier, a spreadsheet is a very neat and organized way of presenting one's list of assets as against pictures of houses, cars, heirloom furniture and jewelry, etc :o
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Yes understood - and yes it's a good idea to clarify the point.

In my case it is easy. I can explain that my wife and I share our assets. Everything I own belongs to my wife and everything she owns belongs to her. She has always been very fair like that. As she is the selectee it will finally pay off!
 
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