Form I-134A: Status, Requirements, and Next Steps

Form I-134A was the federal form U.S. residents used to sponsor migrants from Ukraine, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela for humanitarian parole. Sponsors could use this form to declare financial responsibility for a beneficiary during their temporary stay.

On Jan. 28, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) stopped accepting new Form I-134A filings after an executive order directed a review of all parole programs. The form remains inactive as of 2026. Anyone with a pending case or plans to file should check the USCIS website for updates and speak to an immigration attorney before taking any action.

What is Form I-134A?

Form I-134A, officially called the Online Request to Be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, was a form used by U.S.-based sponsors to declare financial responsibility for a foreign national during a temporary stay.

Then-President Joe Biden’s administration introduced Form I-134A in January 2023, replacing the existing Form I-134 as the required sponsorship form for three humanitarian parole programs:

• Uniting for Ukraine (U4U): Provided a pathway for Ukrainians displaced by the Russian invasion
• Process for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV): Offered a humanitarian parole pathway for migrants from those countries
• Family Reunification Parole (FRP): Allowed certain nationals of designated countries with an approved family-based petition to seek parole while waiting for a visa to become available (the program ended as of January 2026)

Who can file Form I-134A?

To file Form I-134A, a sponsor had to meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Legal status: U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (LPRs), and certain nonimmigrants in valid status were eligible to file.
• Physical presence: The sponsor had to be physically present in the United States at the time of filing.
• Background check: USCIS conducted a background check on every sponsor as part of the review process.
• Personal signature: The sponsor had to personally complete and sign the form. The beneficiary could not file on their own behalf.
• One form per beneficiary: A separate Form I-134A was required for each person being sponsored, including children under 18, even when sponsoring members of the same family.

Form I-134A income requirements

As a general benchmark, USCIS looked for sponsors to demonstrate income at or above 100% of the federal poverty guidelines for their household size. Those guidelines are published annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and vary based on household size and state of residence. Current poverty guideline figures are available on the HHS website. Sponsors were also evaluated on their ability to cover the beneficiary’s basic living needs, including housing, for the duration of their stay.

Income from illegal sources or federal means-tested benefits, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), did not count toward the requirement.

Financial documentation needed for I-134A

Sponsors were expected to document their financial situation with supporting evidence. Accepted documents included:

• Bank statement: Signed by a bank officer and stating when the account was opened, total deposits for the past year, and current balance
• Employer letter: On business letterhead and stating the date and nature of employment, salary, and whether the position was temporary or permanent
• Federal tax return: Most recent year; a tax transcript was acceptable
• Bond list (if applicable): With serial numbers, denominations, and names of record owners

If including assets to prove financial means, sponsors were expected to provide proof of ownership, a description of the asset, its net cash value, the basis for that assessment and, for real estate, a recent appraisal by a licensed appraiser.

How to file Form I-134A

As of 2026, USCIS is not currently accepting Form I-134A. The steps below describe how the process worked before the January 2025 pause.

1. Confirm eligibility. Verify that you meet the sponsor requirements and that the beneficiary qualifies under one of the covered programs.
2. Gather documents. Collect financial documentation for yourself and basic biographical and immigration information for both you and the beneficiary.
3. Create a USCIS online account. Form I-134A could only be filed electronically through the myUSCIS portal.
4. Complete the form. Fill out all sections accurately. File a Form I-134A for each beneficiary you intend to support, including minor children.
5. Sign and submit. Personally sign and submit the form. Only the sponsor can submit, not the beneficiary.
6. Monitor your case. After submission, USCIS reviews the form and supporting documents and conducts a background check on the sponsor. Case status can be tracked through your USCIS online account. USCIS would not accept case inquiries until at least 180 days after filing.

Form I-134A cost

There was no filing fee for Form I-134A. Supporting documents in a language other than English had to include a certified translation, which could potentially cost around $25 a page.

What to do if your Form I-134A was denied

If USCIS denied your Form I-134A, your first step is to read the denial notice carefully. The notice will specify what options, if any, are available to you, and the deadlines that apply.

General options may include:

• Motion to reopen or reconsider: You may be able to ask USCIS to review its decision. A motion to reopen must be based on new evidence. A motion to reconsider argues that USCIS misapplied the law or made a factual error.
• Resubmission: If the denial was due to insufficient or incorrect information—and if USCIS is accepting filings—you may be able to file a new I-134A with updated documentation.
• Consult an immigration attorney: An attorney experienced in humanitarian parole can review your denial notice, identify the strongest available option, and guide you through next steps.

Next steps if you’re affected by the Form I-134A pause

Form I-134A sits at the center of some of the most significant humanitarian parole programs in U.S. immigration. Whether the form is reinstated, revised, or replaced, the rules are likely to keep changing.

If you have a pending case or a family member affected by the pause, an immigration attorney can help you understand your options and prepare for what comes next. Request a consultation with Manifest Law today.

FAQs on Form I-134A

What is the difference between Form I-134A and Form I-134?

Form I-134A was an online-only form created specifically for the U4U, CHNV, and FRP humanitarian parole programs. Form I-134, the Declaration of Financial Support, is a paper-based form used in traditional visa cases.

Can I use Form I-134A to sponsor multiple beneficiaries?

Yes, but you must file a separate Form I-134A for each person you intend to support, including minor children, even if they’re part of the same family.

What should I do if my financial situation changes after I file?

If the change significantly affects your ability to support the beneficiary, notify USCIS and submit updated financial documents with a written explanation. You should consult an immigration attorney before contacting USCIS.

Will USCIS resume accepting Form I-134A?

USCIS has not announced a timeline for resuming acceptance of Form I-134A. The pause remains in effect pending a review of categorical programs under an executive order from Jan. 20, 2025.