domicile concerns

[MMW 2]

good day fellow VJ people,

My wife and i are at the NVC point in our journey but were reviewing our CO interview data. Her concern is around the issue of domicile requirements. I am with her here in the Philippines awaiting the Embassy portion of our journey. I gave up my apartment in the states because of financial reasons being the expense of 2 apartments would be an unnecessary burden for us. I am using my sister's address in the states as my primary address for the visa process and have from the beginning of the process. My banking mail of my stateside account goes to her address as well as all my medication that i receive from my mail order pharmacy. I have my US taxes current and receive SS and a pension from US based company. I maintain a bank account in the States that i have had for over 10 years at the same bank. I did not register to vote this time around for personal reasons.( I didn't like the choice). Like i said i am here with my wife finishing the visa process and am currently on a visitor visa that i renew by-monthly. Is this a domicile problem for us? My wife is just very worried about the possibility of a CO issue with it. ANY suggestions or comments are appreciated.

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

You should have no problem, as you clearly have a mailing address in the USA and still receive bills there, as well as a US bank account. Just bring all these things to the interview as proof of domicile. If you have a current US driving licenese, even better (though not absolutely needed).

[honeybadger 0]

good day fellow VJ people,

My wife and i are at the NVC point in our journey but were reviewing our CO interview data. Her concern is around the issue of domicile requirements. I am with her here in the Philippines awaiting the Embassy portion of our journey. I gave up my apartment in the states because of financial reasons being the expense of 2 apartments would be an unnecessary burden for us. I am using my sister's address in the states as my primary address for the visa process and have from the beginning of the process. My banking mail of my stateside account goes to her address as well as all my medication that i receive from my mail order pharmacy. I have my US taxes current and receive SS and a pension from US based company. I maintain a bank account in the States that i have had for over 10 years at the same bank. I did not register to vote this time around for personal reasons.( I didn't like the choice). Like i said i am here with my wife finishing the visa process and am currently on a visitor visa that i renew by-monthly. Is this a domicile problem for us? My wife is just very worried about the possibility of a CO issue with it. ANY suggestions or comments are appreciated.

hi there!

my fiance then (husband now) lived in the Philippines for more than a year. He also used his sister home address, we showed all documents that will proved his US domicile. we waited the visa for 2 months..and while waiting we send lots of letter to his senator and congressman and keep bugging the USEM.

They (USEM) wanted a picture of my fiance in front of a US post office or any major US landmark as if it will prove a home record duh!! My fiance was soo upset and he demanded a American supervisor (he was with me during the interview in Manila). It was not easy to have this kind of issue. been there done that......btw, how long have u been staying in PI?

I hope it wont be an issue in your case.

I suggest that u bring all documents that will prove your US domicile and if u can have your sister send u a letter that u are renting a room in her place that would be good too.

Good Luck!

Edited February 1, 2009 by honeybadger

[MMW 2]

good day fellow VJ people,

My wife and i are at the NVC point in our journey but were reviewing our CO interview data. Her concern is around the issue of domicile requirements. I am with her here in the Philippines awaiting the Embassy portion of our journey. I gave up my apartment in the states because of financial reasons being the expense of 2 apartments would be an unnecessary burden for us. I am using my sister's address in the states as my primary address for the visa process and have from the beginning of the process. My banking mail of my stateside account goes to her address as well as all my medication that i receive from my mail order pharmacy. I have my US taxes current and receive SS and a pension from US based company. I maintain a bank account in the States that i have had for over 10 years at the same bank. I did not register to vote this time around for personal reasons.( I didn't like the choice). Like i said i am here with my wife finishing the visa process and am currently on a visitor visa that i renew by-monthly. Is this a domicile problem for us? My wife is just very worried about the possibility of a CO issue with it. ANY suggestions or comments are appreciated.

hi there!

my fiance then (husband now) lived in the Philippines for more than a year. He also used his sister home address, we showed all documents that will proved his US domicile. we waited the visa for 2 months..and while waiting we send lots of letter to his senator and congressman and keep bugging the USEM.

They (USEM) wanted a picture of my fiance in front of a US post office or any major US landmark as if it will prove a home record duh!! My fiance was soo upset and he demanded a American supervisor (he was with me during the interview in Manila). It was not easy to have this kind of issue. been there done that......btw, how long have u been staying in PI?

I hope it wont be an issue in your case.

I suggest that u bring all documents that will prove your US domicile and if u can have your sister send u a letter that u are renting a room in her place that would be good too.

Good Luck!

I have been here over a year also but have been maintaining my visa status here as tourist visa by paying every 2 months the extension fees. This is to show that i have not intended to make the Philippines my permanent address and have been here only to work the visa with my wife. Is this also evidence of my intent to return to the states that we should bring to the interview if asked?

[geezer 1]

Your evidence looks fine just go to the interview with her in case their are any questions. I'm assuming you meet the poverty guidelines even though you have been there a year.

[MMW 2]

Your evidence looks fine just go to the interview with her in case their are any questions. I'm assuming you meet the poverty guidelines even though you have been there a year.

yes as far as the support question goes that is not an issue i have income proof of 30,000.00 + a year since 2001 to present and also have proof from my pension that she is beneficiary for my pension as well as my life insurance, also i have proof from my medical insurance that she is a covered dependent to my plan. We also have the conformation letter from her hospital stay here in the Philippines where my insurance paid the bill. So as far as her being a potential burden to the US Government that is not a problem i don't believe.

[geezer 1]

Your evidence looks fine just go to the interview with her in case their are any questions. I'm assuming you meet the poverty guidelines even though you have been there a year.

yes as far as the support question goes that is not an issue i have income proof of 30,000.00 + a year since 2001 to present and also have proof from my pension that she is beneficiary for my pension as well as my life insurance, also i have proof from my medical insurance that she is a covered dependent to my plan. We also have the conformation letter from her hospital stay here in the Philippines where my insurance paid the bill. So as far as her being a potential burden to the US Government that is not a problem i don't believe.

Ur good to go

Just go to the interview with her. I hate going to the embassy but in my experience it makes things alot easier if there are any questions.

[MMW 2]

Your evidence looks fine just go to the interview with her in case their are any questions. I'm assuming you meet the poverty guidelines even though you have been there a year.

yes as far as the support question goes that is not an issue i have income proof of 30,000.00 + a year since 2001 to present and also have proof from my pension that she is beneficiary for my pension as well as my life insurance, also i have proof from my medical insurance that she is a covered dependent to my plan. We also have the conformation letter from her hospital stay here in the Philippines where my insurance paid the bill. So as far as her being a potential burden to the US Government that is not a problem i don't believe.

Ur good to go

Just go to the interview with her. I hate going to the embassy but in my experience it makes things alot easier if there are any questions.

geezer, i had one more question it has to do with the DS230 we are filling out for her, like i said before i am using my sister's address for my mailing address in the states, so on line 10 where it asks about the permanent address and contact person should we put my name or my sister's name? I don't want to create a domicile issue there by listing my sister but at the same time i dont want to have a problem with putting my name there and then me being in the Philippines. Do they normally call the residence or is that a "just in case" part of the application?

[geezer 1]

Put your name and in the unlikely event they call have your sister take a message as you are out of town.

I travel back and forth every every three or four months I call back to my office or my relatives every once in awhile just to see if anyone has tried to contact me, its not unusual.