This article provides an overview of the requirements for filing Form I-134A, which is used by individuals who commit to provide financial support to a beneficiary applying for humanitarian leave via the Union for Ukraine or the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan Processes.
How to File Form I-134A for the Union for Ukraine or Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan Processes
It includes information on filing electronically, as well as details on supporting minors under the age of 18, joint filings with multiple support persons or entities, and guidance on providing sufficient resources when submitting a joint statement.
What is the I-134A form?
Form I-134A, also known as the Affidavit of Support, is a document that is required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for individuals who are seeking to support someone who is applying for humanitarian leave to remain in the United States. This form is specifically designed for use in the Union for Ukraine or the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan Processes.
By submitting this form the person signing it agrees to provide financial support to the beneficiary and is also required to undergo a background check. This form is necessary for individuals who wish to provide support to Ukrainian nationals or members of their immediate family as well as Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans or their immediate family members.
Form I-134A Requirements: What You Need to Know
In order to be considered for the Union for Ukraine or the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan Process using Form I-134A, it is required that supporting individuals submit a separate Form I-134A for each beneficiary they commit to support.
This includes children under the age of 18. Furthermore, for minors to be eligible for this process, they must travel to the United States accompanied by their parent or legal guardian, who must have legal custody over them. Additionally, they must provide the necessary documentation to prove their relationship to the accompanying adult.
In the event that you pledge to financially support a beneficiary who is seeking humanitarian leave to remain and is not applying for temporary leave to remain via the Union for Ukraine or the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan Processes, it is necessary to complete a Form I-134, Affidavit of Economic Sponsorship, which must be submitted along with the Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, to the appropriate USCIS Lockbox.
For individuals seeking more information about humanitarian leave, the Humanitarian or Significant Public Benefit Leave for Persons Outside the United States page offers further resources.
Complete Guide to Form I-134A
Form I-134A filings are exclusively accepted from those who commit to providing financial support to Ukrainian nationals or their immediate family members, as part of the Union for Ukraine.
It is required that individuals filing Form I-134A must be U.S. residents. It is not possible for beneficiaries to submit Form I-134A on their own behalf.
Please note that the purpose of this form is to apply for the role of a support person and commit to providing financial assistance to a beneficiary. The submission of this form also includes agreeing to undergo background checks, as part of the Union for Ukraine or the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan Processes. It is necessary to submit a separate Form I-134A for each beneficiary.
The filing of Form I-134A can be done electronically through the following link, and there is no fee for this service. It is essential that individuals submitting this form file a separate copy for each beneficiary they commit to supporting. This requirement extends to include minors under the age of 18.
For individuals seeking eligibility in any of these processes, it is crucial that children under the age of 18 travel to the United States with their parents or legal guardians, while providing documentation to verify their relationship to these accompanying individuals.
How to File a Joint Form I-134A to Support Beneficiaries: Guidelines and Requirements for Individuals and Entities
In situations where multiple individuals or entities wish to come together to support a beneficiary, they may do so by filing a joint Form I-134A. In such cases, an individual is responsible for filing and signing the form, while providing evidence that clearly establishes the identity and resources to be provided by the additional support persons or entity.
It is necessary to include a statement explaining the intended sharing of responsibility for supporting the beneficiary among individuals or the entity’s commitment to providing the required support. It should be noted that organizations, businesses, and other entities are also eligible to provide some or all of the necessary support to the beneficiary.
In cases where multiple individuals come together to support a beneficiary, the collective ability of all support persons to provide the necessary financial support will be evaluated.
If an individual submits a joint statement in partnership with an organization, business, or any other entity to support the beneficiary, it is not mandatory for them to provide their personal financial information if the resources and level of support demonstrated by the entity are sufficient to support the beneficiary.
