Updated November 4, 2026

Form I-134 Declaration of Financial Support: when you need it, how to fill it out and what documents to include

Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, is the USCIS form a supporter (or the beneficiary themselves) files to show sufficient financial resources and access to funds for a beneficiary's temporary stay in the United States. Under the current USCIS Form I-134 instructions (01/20/25 edition), you must file a separate 10-page Form I-134 for each beneficiary, sign it in handwritten ink under penalty of perjury without a notary, and attach proof of your immigration status, income, and assets.

Do not use Form I-134 if the beneficiary requires Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA, for permanent residence.

What is Form I-134 and when is it used?

Form I-134 is the Declaration of Financial Support issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It shows that an applicant or beneficiary for certain temporary US immigration benefits has enough financial resources or support to pay for expenses during their stay without relying on US government welfare.

Whoever signs and files Form I-134 must establish two things: that they have sufficient financial resources, and that they have actual access to those funds for the duration of the beneficiary's temporary stay. Under the USCIS Form I-134 instructions, beneficiaries are not obligated to repay, reimburse, or otherwise compensate their supporter for filing Form I-134 or for providing support while in the United States.

If you support more than one person, you must file a separate Form I-134 for each beneficiary. USCIS divides filers into these groups:

• Who must file Form I-134: Certain individuals applying for parole based on urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit on Form I-131 (Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records). Either the parole applicant files on their own behalf, or another person files for them. Lack of evidence of financial support is a strong negative factor that may lead to a denial of parole.
• Who may file Form I-134: You may file for yourself or for a B (visitor), F (academic student), or M (vocational student) nonimmigrant requesting an extension of stay or change of status with USCIS. For students preparing initial visa funding, see our guide on F-1 visa proof of funds.
• When the Department of State requests it: Consular officers may request Form I-134 in certain visa instances overseas, such as during K-1 fiancé(e) visa processing or when a B-2 visitor applicant needs to show how expenses will be covered. Read our guide on K-1 visa requirements to see how financial evidence fits into the fiancé(e) visa packet.

Form I-134 vs. Form I-864 vs. Form I-134A

USCIS states that you must not use Form I-134 if the beneficiary is required to have Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA) filed on their behalf instead.

For K-1 fiancé(e)s, K-3 spouses, and K-2 or K-4 children, USCIS rules on the Affidavit of Support page state that you do not submit an I-864 when you file your Form I-129F petition. Instead, the Department of State may request Form I-134 for the temporary K visa stage, and you submit the legally binding Form I-864 later, when your fiancé(e), spouse, or child applies to adjust status to permanent resident (Form I-485) after coming to the United States.

Form I-134A (Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support) is a separate online form for categorical parole processes. On January 28, 2025, due to the January 20, 2025 Executive Order (Securing Our Borders), USCIS paused acceptance of Form I-134A while it reviews all categorical parole processes.

How to calculate income, dependents and assets on Form I-134

In Part 2 of Form I-134, every supporter must disclose their existing financial obligations, current annual income, and available cash or assets. Do not count the beneficiary named in Part 3 in your prior-obligation or dependent counts. USCIS requires you to count and report:

• Dependents and active support forms (Items 13-15): Count family members dependent on your income, plus beneficiaries on any previously filed and still active Form I-134, I-134A, I-864, I-864EZ, or I-864A.
• Annual income (Item 16): If you filed a federal tax return, enter the exact Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from IRS Form 1040. If you did not file a federal tax return, enter your total household income from all lawful sources for the previous 12 months. If you did not file a tax return but have an IRS Form W-2 covering the previous 12 months, subtract federal, state, and local income taxes withheld from your total income and enter that figure.
• Cash and assets (Item 17): List only assets convertible into cash within 12 months that will be used to support the beneficiary, valued in US dollars (whether held inside or outside the US). Exclude any assets belonging to the beneficiary in Part 3.
• Home and automobile rules: You may include the net value of a home (appraised value minus all loans secured by a mortgage, trust deed, or other lien). You may not include the net value of an automobile unless you own more than one automobile and exclude at least one from your assets.
• No illegal income or assets: You cannot count income or assets from illegal acts, such as illegal gambling or drug sales, even if you paid taxes on them.

Worked example: calculating Form I-134 household size, AGI and net assets

Here is a worked example showing how Part 2 works.

Scenario: Jordan is a US citizen filing Form I-134 for a K-1 fiancé, Alex. Jordan lives with one minor child. Two years ago, Jordan co-sponsored a brother-in-law on Form I-864, and that obligation is still active. Jordan's last IRS Form 1040 shows $58,400 in Adjusted Gross Income. Jordan has $12,000 in savings, a home appraised at $320,000 with a $245,000 mortgage, and one car worth $18,000.

• Item 13 (Prior unexpired support forms): Enter 1 (the brother-in-law on the active Form I-864). Exclude Alex.
• Item 14 (Other dependents supported, including yourself): Enter 2 (Jordan + minor child). Exclude the brother-in-law and Alex.
• Item 15 (Table of dependents and other supported individuals): List the minor child and the brother-in-law (with A-Number and receipt number). Do not list Jordan or Alex.
• Item 16 (Current annual income): Enter $58,400 (AGI from IRS Form 1040).
• Item 17 (Cash or assets available): Enter $12,000 for savings and $75,000 for net home value ($320,000 appraisal minus $245,000 mortgage). Exclude the $18,000 car because Jordan owns only one automobile. Total assets: $87,000.

Checklist of required supporting documents for Form I-134

File legible photocopies of supporting documents unless originals are specifically requested. USCIS warns that unrequested originals may be destroyed. Any foreign-language document must include a full English translation and a signed certification from the translator stating that the translation is complete and accurate and that the translator is competent to translate from the foreign language into English, with the translator's signature, printed name, date, and contact information.

Use the checklist below, built from the Form I-134 instructions:

• Proof of immigration status: For a US citizen or national, a copy of your birth certificate, certificate of naturalization or citizenship, consular report of birth abroad, or US passport biographic page. For a lawful permanent resident, both sides of Form I-551 (Green Card) or an unexpired temporary I-551 stamp in a foreign passport or Form I-94. For a lawful nonimmigrant, a copy of an unexpired visa in a foreign passport.
• Bank or financial institution officer statement: Must show (A) date account opened, (B) total amount deposited for the past year, and (C) present balance.
• Employer statement on business stationery: Must show (A) date and nature of employment, (B) salary paid, and (C) whether the position is temporary or permanent.
• Federal tax return or alternative income proof: Copy of your last US federal income tax return filed (tax transcript). If you did not file or it does not reflect current income, submit consecutive pay statements (stubs) for at least the past month, a recent Form W-2, or Form SSA-1099.
• Bonds and assets (if claimed): A list of bond serial numbers, denominations, and record owner(s). For other assets, proof of ownership, holder's name, description, and basis for net cash value. For a home's net value, attach proof of ownership, a recent appraisal by a licensed appraiser, and evidence of all mortgage or lien balances.

How to fill out Form I-134 part by part

Use the current Form I-134 (10 pages, OMB No. 1615-0014, expiring 12/31/2027). In this edition, Part 2 is the supporter and Part 3 is the beneficiary. All pages must come from the same edition with the edition date and page numbers visible at the bottom, and if any pages are missing or from a different edition, USCIS may reject your form. Type or print legibly in black ink, use "N/A" where an item does not apply, and write "None" for zero numeric answers.

• Part 1, Item 1 (Basis for Filing): Select the first box if you are filing Form I-134 on your own behalf and intend to financially support yourself (complete Parts 2, 4, 7, and 8, and skip Parts 3, 5, and 6). Select the second box if you are the individual agreeing to financially support another person as the beneficiary (complete Parts 2, 3, and 5 through 8, and skip Part 4).
• Part 2, Items 1-7 (Supporter Identity, Addresses, and Birth): All filers must complete Part 2. In Item 1, enter your current legal name (last, first, and middle) as shown on your birth certificate or legal name change document, using a hyphen if you have two last names and never a nickname. In Item 2, list all other names ever used, including aliases, maiden names, and nicknames. Enter your current mailing address in Item 3, indicate in Item 4 whether it matches your physical address, and if you answer "No," provide your physical address in Item 5. Enter your date of birth in mm/dd/yyyy format in Item 6. In Item 7, enter your city or town, state or province, and country of birth using the historical country name at the time you were born, even if the name has changed or the country no longer exists.
• Part 2, Items 8-12 (Identifiers, Immigration Status, Relationship, and Employment): In Item 8, provide your Alien Registration Number (A-Number) from DHS or USCIS correspondence, or write "N/A" if you do not have one. In Item 9, enter your USCIS Online Account Number (OAN) only if you previously filed a form with a receipt number beginning with IOE (found in your online account profile or at the top of your Account Access Notice). In Item 10, select your current immigration status (US Citizen, US National, Lawful Permanent Resident, Nonimmigrant, Asylee, Refugee, Parolee, TPS holder, Beneficiary of deferred action including DACA or Deferred Enforced Departure, or Other) and attach status evidence. State your relationship to the beneficiary in Item 11. In Item 12, check your employment status (Employed full-time, part-time, or seasonal with job title and employer name, Self-Employed, Unemployed or Not Employed, Retired, or Other).
• Part 2, Items 13-19 (Financial Information and Specific Contributions): Report the number of prior unexpired support forms (Forms I-134, I-134A, I-864, I-864EZ, and I-864A) in Item 13 and other dependents supported (including yourself) in Item 14, excluding the beneficiary in Part 3 from both counts. List each dependent and supported person in the Item 15 table with full name, date of birth, relationship, A-Number, and receipt number (do not list yourself or the Part 3 beneficiary). Enter your current annual income in Item 16 and your available cash and convertible assets in US dollars in Item 17 (excluding the Part 3 beneficiary's assets). If supporting another person, indicate in Item 18 whether you intend to make specific contributions to cover their basic living needs, and in Item 19 describe those contributions (such as safe and appropriate housing, securing employment opportunities once authorized to work, enrolling in school, or enrolling in eligible benefits) and provide the residential address if furnishing room and board.
• Part 3, Items 1-12 (Information about the Beneficiary): Complete Part 3 only if you are supporting another person. Enter the beneficiary's current legal name in Item 1 (hyphenating two last names if appropriate) and any other names used in Item 2. Enter the beneficiary's date of birth in mm/dd/yyyy format in Item 3. In Item 4, select Male or Female as shown on the birth certificate issued at the time of birth (or closest to birth, or in secondary evidence provided to USCIS). Enter the beneficiary's A-Number (or "N/A") in Item 5, and place of birth using the historical country name at birth in Item 6. In Item 7, enter the country of citizenship or nationality, or write "stateless" and explain in Part 8. Select marital status in Item 8 (Single, Never Married, Married, Divorced, Widowed, Legally Separated, Marriage Annulled, or Other). Enter the beneficiary's mailing address in Item 9, check whether it matches the physical address in Item 10, and enter the physical address in Item 11 if different. In Item 12, enter the anticipated start date of the US stay (From mm/dd/yyyy) and either the anticipated end date (To mm/dd/yyyy) or select "No End Date."
• Part 4 and Part 5 (Beneficiary and Supporter Certifications and Signatures): Self-filing beneficiaries complete and sign Part 4, while supporters filing for someone else complete and sign Part 5. In Item 1 of the applicable part, check Box A if you can read and understand English, or Box B if the interpreter named in Part 6 read every question and instruction to you in a language in which you are fluent. Check Item 2 if a preparer named in Part 7 prepared the declaration at your request. Provide your daytime phone, mobile phone, and email address in Items 3 through 5, and sign and date in handwritten ink in Item 6.
• Part 6, Part 7, and Part 8 (Interpreter, Preparer, and Additional Information): If an interpreter assisted you, they must provide their full name, business or organization name, contact information, language, signature, and date in Part 6. If someone other than the supporter prepared the form, they must complete and sign Part 7 (if the same person acted as both interpreter and preparer, they must complete both Part 6 and Part 7). Use Part 8 if you need extra space for any item, or attach separate sheets that show your name and A-Number at the top, the Page Number, Part Number, and Item Number referenced, and your signature and date on each sheet.

Signing, fees and where to submit Form I-134

Sign Form I-134 with your full name in handwritten ink. Because you sign under penalty of perjury under US law, you do not need a notary. USCIS rejects unsigned forms and stamped or typewritten signatures, but accepts a photocopied, faxed, or scanned copy of an original document containing a handwritten ink signature. A parent or legal guardian may sign for someone under 14 or mentally incompetent.

Where you submit Form I-134 depends on whether the beneficiary is inside or outside the US and which application it accompanies (such as Form I-131, Form I-539, or a consular visa interview). Check the primary form instructions or your embassy packet, and verify the fee on USCIS Form G-1055 (Fee Schedule). Non-US citizen supporters who move must report their new address within 10 days via uscis.gov/addresschange or the USCIS Contact Center (never a USCIS Lockbox).

What officers check and ask when reviewing Form I-134

Officers first check Form I-134 for completeness and a valid signature, then decide whether you have established sufficient financial resources and access to funds for the beneficiary's temporary stay. USCIS or the Department of State may request extra evidence, original documents (returned when no longer needed), an interview, or biometrics (fingerprints, photo, signature) for FBI criminal history and security checks.

If the beneficiary brings Form I-134 to a consular interview, their spoken answers must match the form. See our guides to K-1 visa interview questions and B2 visa interview questions for parents. Prepare for these financial questions:

• "What does your petitioner or sponsor do for work, and how much do they earn?" Checks whether the applicant knows the supporter's situation and matches Part 2, Items 12 and 16. Review the employer name, job title, and exact IRS Form 1040 AGI before the interview.
• "Where will you live in the United States, and how will your expenses be covered?" Checks consistency with Part 2, Items 18 and 19. Know the exact US street address and room-and-board details on the form.
• "Does your sponsor support anyone else in the United States?" Checks whether dependents or prior Forms I-134, I-134A, or I-864 (Part 2, Items 13-15) stretch the supporter's income. Know the supporter's household size.
• "Can I see your sponsor's tax return and employment letter?" Checks documentary proof. Keep the signed Form I-134, IRS tax transcript (or W-2 and past month of pay stubs), employer letter, and bank officer statement together in one folder.

Visaful is an AI mock interview app for US visa interviews: an AI officer asks your visa's questions out loud and shows what to fix.

This is interview practice, not legal advice. For questions about your own case, talk to an immigration attorney. Visaful is not affiliated with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or any government agency.