Financial evidence for CR1 I-130

[caliguy77 1]

I got married last Dec, I will be filing for the 130 as soon as I take my oath. Since we are both not living in the same country, I can't add her to my checking or savings account in US. I called and they said that they need social security #. I do send her money.

I looking into opening up a stock brokerage account but they are asking for min $25k. Plus she still needs to send her passport copy and its complicated due to tax reasons.etc.

I can make her beneficiary for my 401k may be..

I went to the IRS office and they said I can show her as my dependent on my 09 taxes by filling out some form. But they still won't give her any number.

What can I show for financial documents ? Any suggestions ?

Thanks

[QAtester 0]

I am in the same boat.

Put in mind this is not an advice, instead I am telling you what I did and what I think works/will work in my situation

* I opened separate checking account, requested a debit card under my name and sent that debit card to her. Since she lives in a different country than me, any withdrawal she makes will be recorded on my statement to show the location of that withdrawal. I can also transfer money between my main checking account and the checking account that I opened for this purpose over the internet (both accounts are with the same bank). You could then show your statements at the interview to prove that you financially supported her since you got married by pointing that you are living in the US and the withdrawals happened at her location of residence.

* I did add my wife as beneficiary to my 401K, they didn't need a SSN for that.

* There is a way to file your taxes joint with her as a nonresident aliens dependant but you would need to get her an ITIN Number. Read the instructions in this link and see if this fits your situation.

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.html

good luck

[Canadiandggal 49]

Hello,

I am the ben not the pen. My husband put me on his bank account at wachovia they didnt need a SSN to do that. I can also advise that you look into maybe opening a paypal account with her on your account. My husband just did his taxes last week and he put me on his taxes..he filed married filing jointly however we did send a W-7 Itin form along with his tax papers so that they would be a ITIN number on his taxes. If you visit her maybe she could open an account and put you as a joint owner. As it always helps to be in person when opening an account with someone. I can give you some more info on the ITIN if needed.

Good luck and all the best.

[caliguy77 1]

Thanks. I just pulled the ITIN form. They need a certified copy of her passport, which can take a week.

I too have an account at Wachovia, I called them, but they said they cant add her. May be I will go to the branch.

Did put her as beneficiary on my 401k.

Excellent Idea about paypal, but don't know if 'not so tech savy' USCIS officers would know what it is...

I am planning to wire her money every month and keep records.

If you guys come up with any other proven ways, please inform.

Thanks

Hello,

I am the ben not the pen. My husband put me on his bank account at wachovia they didnt need a SSN to do that. I can also advise that you look into maybe opening a paypal account with her on your account. My husband just did his taxes last week and he put me on his taxes..he filed married filing jointly however we did send a W-7 Itin form along with his tax papers so that they would be a ITIN number on his taxes. If you visit her maybe she could open an account and put you as a joint owner. As it always helps to be in person when opening an account with someone. I can give you some more info on the ITIN if needed.

Good luck and all the best.

[Scott and Mhay 57]

The best way I found to give my wife money was to give her an atm card that she could withdraw out in the philippines. Just let your bank know that it will be used outside the country. You can open another account for this and do free transfers within the same bank in most cases. The ATM fee is only like 1% of the transaction. You can get a full history of transactions showing the ATM withdrawals in their country.

Edited February 10, 2010 by Scott and Mhay