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Documents - Sponsor(Inviter)

Following documents need to be sent from the person who is sponsoring his/her relatives to visit the United States. Please send completed and legible documents. Wherever possible, send computer printed or typed documents to avoid any confusion. Also, please try to send documents as much as recent as possible. Any documents like employment letter, pay stubs, bank letter etc. must be less than 12 months old.

• I-134, Affidavit of Support Form
  
  You will need to show that you can financially support your relatives while they are in US. You need to fill a form called "Affidavit of Support form (I-134)" for that purpose. One form should be filled for each applicant. So, even though parents are applying together, you need to send two forms. Some consulates say that if you are applying for a family (such as parents, in-laws etc.), you have to submit only one I-134 and not for each person. But there is no harm in providing one for every one, instead of taking chances.
  Note: For those of you who are on H1, there is no option on the form to say that you are on H1. So just write in one of the options on the form that you are on H1.
  
  Notary: You need to get it notarized. Notary, who is government authorized witness, ensures that the document is signed by the person who is really that person, and not someone else. This helps detect/reduce fraud. It also ensures that the person who signed the document has signed it willingly and knowingly.
  Notary can be done at your bank or at AAA, for example. If you have an account with a given bank, they notarize it for free. Not all bank branches have notary service. Check before you go. Sometimes, even large employers have notary service within the company itself. You may also find notary services in Yellow Pages (at fee, of course).
  Find Notary. (If you are outside US, you can get it notarized at US Embassies/Consulates worldwide.)
  You will have to sign the form in front of notary (Do NOT sign before) and you will have to carry an identity document with you such as passport, driver's license.
• Statement from your employer (1 original for each applicant) on business stationary, showing:
  • Date and nature of employment
  • Salary paid
  • Whether position is temporary or permanent
  Sample employment letter
  
• Letter from your Bank (1 original for each applicant) on their business stationary, giving the following details:
  • Date account opened
  • Total amount deposited for the past year
  • Present balance
  • Average balance last year
  Also send copies of few recent bank statements. It should have good balance at least over last 6 months. Do not deposit money into bank just one day before to show big balance, only to withdraw next day. You really should have money to show your financial strength to be able to support the people you are sponsoring. While there is no specific guideline how much money you should have in the bank, it should be enough to take care of all their expenses. Something like $5,000/person should be good enough.
  
  It's OK for the letter to be addressed to "To Whom It May Concern".
  
• Letter from yourself stating that you will take care of their expenses in USA. This letter should be addressed to the US consulate your relatives will be visiting.
  Sample letter to consulate
• A personal letter of invitation (free format, but formal; explain here how you will be able to accommodate them in you house and take them around for tourist purposes).
  One letter should be enough for both mother and father. If your relatives don't understand English, it may be helpful to send the translation of the letter in your native language because consular officer may question that your parents might have never read the letter.
  Sample invitation letter
• Copies of recent pay stubs. 3 or 4 should be enough.
• Copy of last 3 years income tax returns and W2s. If you don't have them, you can request the transcripts from IRS using a Form 4506. Don't need to include state income tax returns.
  
  If you did not file a tax return, a written explanation explaining why you had no legal duty to file the return. If you filed a late or amended tax return, you should submit evidence of this.
  
  If you are self-employed, include self-employment schedules filed with income tax returns or financial records such as a bank statement for the business accounts.
• If you are Indian citizen:
  1. Your Original birth certificate. (This requirement earlier existed only for US consulate in Mumbai, but effective Oct 1, 2005, it has been extended for entire India.) If you are sponsoring your in-laws, your spouse's original birth certificate is required instead.
  2. Photocopy of all pages (including blank pages) of your passport. If visa is in old passport, then photocopy of all pages of old and new passport
  3. Also:
     1. If you are on H1 or L1, copy of latest H1/L1 visa approval notice (I-797 Notice of Action).
        If you are at adjustment of status (I-485 stage), send copies of I-485 receipt, EAD card and Advance Parole. These may not be required, but does not hurt to send them.
     2. If your visa has expired but has a renewed petition, photocopy of the renewed petition.
     3. If you are a legal permanent resident in the USA, provide proof of green card.
• If you are a US citizen, provide proof of US citizenship
• If you are sponsoring your spouse's relatives (such as in-laws), photocopies of all pages (including blank pages) of your spouse's passport and your marriage certificate.
• If the parents have more than one child in the US, it is advisable to send relevant documents of all children including the sponsor child.

Sponsors should send supporting documentation directly to the applicant, who can share it with the visa section during the interview. Do not send them to the US embassy/consulate/VFS. Having a sponsor or offer to guarantee a person's return to their home country does not guarantee issue of visa. US immigration law makes no provisions for offers of guarantee or the like. The burden of proof is on the applicant.