No recent physical address, just a P.O. Box

[WarzauWynn 0]

Summary:

I do not have a permanent physical address, just a PO Box in my city. I don't know how to fill out some forms.

Long story:

Some forms require you to list the history of your residence. Three months ago I quit my job and went to travel SE Asia. Now I am back in San Francisco but I'm just staying with friends, so it's been over three months that I've been homeless. I've been receiving all of my mail at a P.O. Box in San Francisco where I intend to stay long term.

In employment there is the option to list "unemployed", but I haven't seen anything like this for "homeless." It's not like I'm poor and living on the street, I'm just still traveling around the USA and catching up with friends and family since I'm funemployed and have no obligations for the first time ever in my life.

I've searched the Visa Journey forums and found no conclusive answer on how to handle the PO Box issue. I called the CIS number listed on page 5 of G-325a and they were frustratingly unhelpful, quoting from the website and then directing me to find an immigration attorney for further answers.

I can't use my parents because they are in a different state.

I have been staying at a few residences in San Francisco frequently since being back in the USA. My friends live at these locations and would be able to handle mail for me, but sleeping on a couch isn't what I call residing and I don't pay any utilities or anything at these locations.

So, my question is this... how do I complete forms such as G-325a if I have had no permanent residence but only a P.O. Box for the last 3+ months?

[Old Dominion 26]

Are you petitioning for a fiance visa? Then your mailing address is OK, if that's all you have. There are many places in the U.S., especially rural, where a post office box is the only address one can give.

Edited August 20, 2009 by Old Dominion

[Boiler 46,274]

You ned an address, your Parents one is the obvious one.

You do not need a job, however with Vietnam you need to check on the Consulate's requirements, they may well require you to have income comensurate with the income support.

[Dakine 26]

Vietnam is a TOUGH embassy and requires GOOD records of having a bonafide relationship. Hopefully you communicate with your mate daily and keep records of such.

Seems to me it would be difficult for you to do so living the lifestyle you are currently living.

It will be interesting what your mate will answer when asked by the CO at the interview where you live and what you do for work!!

[Otto 83]

Mailing address (other than one's home) is perfectly fine - you don't, however, live in a P.O. Box so when it comes to the biographical information on forms, you're going to have to pick one (in my opinion).

Just because you may not own/lease a home/apartment doesn't necessarily mean you're homeless - unless in fact, you are homeless, in which case you're probably not going to have as smooth a visa journey as you'd probably like. (Again, in my opinion.)

[WarzauWynn 0]

Re Visa type: I am petitioning for a K-1.

Re Evidence: We have letters from years ago, chat logs and e-mails from our continual nearly daily communication. Photos and videos of when I went to Vietnam and from our trip to Malaysia together and photos from our engagement party in Long Xuyen. I would expect that these things would be enough, but I'm also dumbfounded at how ƒ difficult this whole process is, so it wouldn't surprise me if it were not enough evidence.

Re Parents: Again, I can't use them because they live in a different state.

Re Address: I will most likely end up using the address of a friend who lives near my old apartment where I have been staying frequently since being back in the USA. I still have not received a straight, solid answer on how this should be handled.

[Otto 83]

Re Evidence: We have letters from years ago, chat logs and e-mails from our continual nearly daily communication. Photos and videos of when I went to Vietnam and from our trip to Malaysia together and photos from our engagement party in Long Xuyen. I would expect that these things would be enough, but I'm also dumbfounded at how ƒ difficult this whole process is, so it wouldn't surprise me if it were not enough evidence.

Letters, emails/chat-logs and photos are secondary evidence - passport stamps (entry/exit), boarding passes, hotel/car-rental etc. receipts would be your best proof of having met in person. All need show that you met, in person, within the last two years. If you do not meet the minimum requirements (having met in person withiin the past two years, and are both free to marry) your petition will not make it past the first stage.

Re Parents: Again, I can't use them because they live in a different state.

So don't use them.

Re Address: I will most likely end up using the address of a friend who lives near my old apartment where I have been staying frequently since being back in the USA. I still have not received a straight, solid answer on how this should be handled.

You're going to have to decide on an address where you're living (or wherever you want to say you're living). No one is going to ask to see your lease or utility bills. Can't be any more straight/solid than that - pretty simple really.

You will eventually be dealing with the US Embassy/Consulate in Vietnam (presumably) - this is one of the toughest out there - you will need to have your ducks in a row if you want to be successful. This means educate yourself on the process beforehand and get everything possible in order. If you feel you need help, you should seek the assistance of a qualified family-based immigration attorney BEFORE you begin the process.

[Boiler 46,274]

Read the replies?

[Old Dominion 26]

If you use your friend's address as your place of residence, and you really do live there much of the time, that's probably OK. I assume your situation is very rare except for the truly homeless, and that's why there are no direct answers to give.

Given your gypsy lifestyle, and the fact that your intended is from Vietnam, all kinds of concerns can be raised along the way. Just plan to follow the rules by the number, and be truthful. At some point, you will need to find someone with a sufficient, stable income to sponsor her. Good luck.