Form I-134: Complete Guide to the Declaration of Financial Support

The Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, is the document that proves to the U.S. government that a sponsor residing in the United States will financially support a foreign visitor or fiancé(e) during their temporary stay in the country. It commonly appears in K-1 fiancé(e) visa cases and in B-1/B-2 tourist visa applications where the consular officer questions the applicant’s financial capacity. Minor errors in completing the form can cause delays, denials, or require a new interview — so it’s worth understanding exactly how the form works in 2026.

What Form I-134 Is Used For

The I-134 is the instrument through which the American sponsor commits to covering the visitor’s expenses so that the visitor does not become a public charge — that is, dependent on the U.S. government. The document is presented to the consular officer during the visa interview and, in some cases, attached to humanitarian parole requests or specific adjustment applications.

The form is not required for all nonimmigrant visas. It is common for K-1 and K-2 (fiancé(e) and children of the fiancé(e)) visas, and may be requested for B-1/B-2 when the consulate has doubts about the applicant’s financial resources.

I-134 vs. I-864: Don’t Confuse Them

The I-864 is the Affidavit of Support required for most family-based cases and some employment-based cases where a green card is on the horizon. The two forms are fundamentally different:

Who Can Be a Sponsor on the I-134

The requirements to sign the declaration are straightforward:

• Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
• Have income or assets equal to or greater than 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for the household size
• Demonstrate willingness and ability to provide support during the temporary stay

The household includes the sponsor, dependents claimed on the tax return, relatives living with the sponsor, and the foreign national being sponsored.

Minimum Income Required in 2026

The Department of Health and Human Services publishes annual Poverty Guidelines, and the I-134 requires 100% of those thresholds. The HHS 2025 cycle figures — in effect throughout 2026 — for the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia are as follows:

Alaska and Hawaii follow separate tables with higher figures. Sponsors on active military duty are subject to reduced requirements in specific cases.

Documents That Prove Financial Capacity

The declaration is only as strong as the evidence supporting it. The sponsor must attach:

• Most recent federal tax return (Form 1040) along with W-2 or 1099
• Bank statements showing account opening date, total deposits over the past twelve months, and current balance
• Employer letter on company letterhead stating hire date, tenure, salary, and whether the position is permanent or temporary
• For self-employed individuals: copy of the most recent tax return and a business classification report
• Documentation of government bonds with serial numbers, where applicable
• Life insurance policies with cash surrender value
• Real estate documentation including appraisals, mortgages, and location

Step-by-Step Instructions

Part 1 – Basis for Filing

Indicate whether you are submitting the form on behalf of another person or as the beneficiary.

Part 2 – Sponsor Information

Full name, mailing address, physical address, date of birth, city and country of birth, A-Number if applicable, Social Security Number, USCIS Online Account Number, and the basis for U.S. citizenship (naturalization, descent, marriage, or other). If you are a lawful permanent resident, enter your A-Number; if you are a lawfully admitted nonimmigrant, enter your Form I-94 number. Include your age and length of residence in the United States.

Part 3 – Beneficiary Information

Information about the sponsored foreign national: name, date of birth, gender, A-Number if applicable, nationality, marital status, address, accompanying spouse, and children with names, dates of birth, and genders.

Part 4 – Sponsor’s Financial Information

Indicate employment status (including self-employment), employer address, annual income, savings and checking account balances at U.S. institutions, value of personal property, market value of stocks and bonds, face and cash surrender value of life insurance, and value of real estate and mortgages. List dependents with their name, date of birth, and whether they are fully or partially dependent. Use Part 8 if additional space is needed.

Part 5 – Sponsor’s Statement and Signature

Before signing, read the penalties section. Confirm whether you understand English or used an interpreter; indicate whether a preparer assisted you. Provide a daytime phone number, cell phone number, and email address. Sign and date.

Part 6 – Interpreter

Complete only if an interpreter was used. Name, address, contact information, signature, and date.

Part 7 – Preparer

Complete when the form was prepared by a third party other than the sponsor, including name, address, contact information, signature, and date.

Part 8 – Additional Space

Reserved for answers that did not fit in the previous fields.

How the Form Is Submitted

The American sponsor sends the completed I-134, together with all financial evidence and an optional cover letter, directly to the beneficiary. The foreign national brings the complete package to the interview at the U.S. consulate in their country of residence. The consular officer may or may not review the document — it depends on the specifics of the case and the ties the beneficiary demonstrates to their home country.

Public Charge: What Matters in 2026

The current public charge rule relies on the concept from the 1999 Field Guidance: a person primarily dependent on the government for subsistence, demonstrated by receipt of cash assistance for income maintenance or long-term institutionalization at public expense. Not included in the public charge inadmissibility analysis are: Medicaid (except long-term institutionalization), public housing, and SNAP. One-time payments and short-term hospitalizations are also excluded. The analysis is conducted using the totality of circumstances, weighing age, health, family situation, assets, education, and skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the I-134 required for a tourist visa?

It is not required for B-1/B-2, but a consular officer may request it if there are doubts about the applicant’s financial resources. The DS-160 already asks who is funding the trip and the applicant’s monthly income.

Is it required for an F-1 visa?

It is not required. It may be submitted as additional support when the person funding the education is not the student themselves.

Is there a filing fee?

There is no filing fee for the I-134.

Does it need to be notarized?

No. The form does not require notarization.

Does the sponsor need to be a relative?

No. The sponsor simply needs to be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and meet the income requirement. Close friends may sponsor, but the relationship should be explained in a letter.

What is the minimum income to sponsor?

100% of the HHS Federal Poverty Guidelines for the household size (including the sponsored foreign national).

How quickly is the I-134 decided?

There is no standalone decision. The document is reviewed by the consular officer during the interview itself, in a matter of minutes, alongside the rest of the application package.

Can I sponsor more than one person?

Yes, but a separate I-134 is required for each foreign national. Do not list multiple beneficiaries on the same form.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.