Form I-134A, Explained

Form I-134A, or the Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, is an online document filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by individuals who wish to sponsor a foreign national for admission to the United States. Form I-134A is specifically for financial sponsorship, and is currently only accepted for two specific immigration programs:

• Sponsorship for Ukrainian refugees as part of the Uniting for Ukraine program; or
• Sponsorship for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, or Venezuelan migrants as part of the new humanitarian parole program for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans

Form I-134A includes detailed information about the sponsor’s financial status and their ability to provide financial support for the beneficiary in question. The I-134A is typically used to show that the sponsor has the financial resources to support the beneficiary during their temporary parole in the U.S.

The requirements to be a Form I-134A sponsor are:

• You must be U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or visa holder with legal immigration status
• You must be physically present in the U.S. when filing
• You must undergo and pass a background check
• You must personally file and sign Form I-134A – beneficiaries seeking parole under these processes may not file the form on their own behalf
• You must include the name of the beneficiary on Form I-134A
• You must be willing to file a separate Form I-134A for each beneficiary you are planning to support, including children under the age of 18

1. A U.S.-based sponsor must submit Form I-134A with USCIS through the online myUSCIS web portal to initiate the process. The form includes questions about both the sponsor and the beneficiary, including basic biographical information and immigration history.
2. The sponsor must also provide a comprehensive overview of their finances, including information on their assets, liabilities, income sources, and general expenses.
3. Once filed, USCIS will review the form and all supporting documents to ensure that the sponsor is able to financially support the beneficiaries. At this stage, USCIS will also conduct a background check on the sponsor to detect any potential fraud, exploitation, or legal red flags.

The I-134A form is an important part of the sponsorship process, as it helps demonstrate that a potential beneficiary of a parole program will not become a public charge in the United States. To ensure that a foreign citizen can be successfully sponsored and admitted to the United States, it is important that Form I-134A is filled out completely and accurately.

You can find more information on how to start filing Form I-134A on USCIS’ official form portal here. If you have more immigration questions, Fengey’ easy questionnaire helps guide you through your options to find the right path for you.

The Uniting for Ukraine program provides a pathway for Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members to come to the U.S. and stay temporarily for a two-year parole period. In order to be eligible for parole, Ukrainian nationals must have a sponsor in the U.S. who agrees to support them financially during their stay in the country.

Sponsoring a Ukrainian refugee through the Uniting for Ukraine program requires a commitment to providing financial and emotional support throughout the resettlement process. The sponsorship process typically involves helping the individual find employment in the new country, locate housing and healthcare services, secure transportation, and other tasks.

In order to sponsor a Ukrainian refugee through the Uniting for Ukraine program, sponsors must first fill out Form I-134A and submit electronically to USCIS.

After the sponsor files Form I-134A, USCIS officers review the form and supporting evidence to ensure that the sponsor has sufficient financial resources to support the beneficiary for the duration of the parole period. At this time, USCIS will also conduct a background check on the sponsor. If Form I-134A is approved, Ukrainian beneficiaries will receive an email directly from USCIS on how to set up a USCIS and other instructions on next steps.

Immigrating to the U.S. can be complex, Fengey is here to help. Answer our 5-minute questionnaire to get started.

The Biden administration’s humanitarian parole program applies to migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. This policy offers an alternative pathway for migrants from these specific countries who are facing dangerous conditions, violence, or severe economic hardship at home.

October 2024: The Biden administration announced it would not renew the temporary parole program for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The government will still accept new applications for the program, but beneficiaries of the program will not be able to extend their stay in the U.S. beyond two years.

Under the special parole program, eligible individuals may apply for U.S. travel authorization at U.S. Embassies or consulates without having to exit their home countries. If approved, they will be able to enter the U.S. on parole status, and legally reside and work in the country for a period of up to two years.

In addition to finding a financial sponsor in the U.S., eligible applicants must demonstrate that they meet certain criteria such as being at risk of serious harm in their home country. They must also demonstrate that they are not inadmissible to the U.S. based on criminal history, previous immigration violations, and other guidelines outlined in U.S. immigration law.