Huh???

[bigdog 377]

Could it be that you ticked the box stating your foreign spouse is currently inside the USA?

While interviews with the petitioner sometimes happen before I-130 approval, this letter they sent you sounds like they thing she is here.

[NikLR 13,232]

Of note: I found the joint bank etc. only can apply to couples who were married and living in another country together. If you are married and have to return your country of residence to start paperwork the financial evidence doesn't exist.

I know in US on my visits I could not open joint account because I did not have Permanent Resident card, or a SSN#. This worked the same in Canada, I needed the PRcard or SSI# for my husband. I provided copy of my extended heath benefits as my husband and stepdaughters as dependents, as well as my work pension showing my husband the beneficiary but not for "step1".

You just have to have a bank that is smart enough how to do it. I am on my husband (the USC) bank account. I needed to fill out a special form and send them two pieces of government ID. The form was a W-8ben. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRS_tax_forms#W-8_Series However, they are USAA and familiar with foreign spouses (it's a military bank.) So you do not need a SSN for a bank account. There are others in the Canada forum who are on the USC bank account as well, they just had to find the right manager, bank branch, etc...

However with the OP I think the issue is simply they think she is in the USA and she's not. I hope he can get a phone call in and figure out what's going on before the interview!! Best of luck!

[destiny64 222]

It does sound like a mistake on their part thinking that your wife is here. However I would jump at the opportunity to represent myself in person to USCIS, not many are blessed with this opportunity at this stage. Just my opinion. In addition I noted some people commenting on , was not being able to be on a lease agreement. I did get my husband's name on my current lease by asking my association to send him a lease agreement so he could sign it.

Seems silly since he's not here yet but its possible to do

[USSR 1]

Okay, here's the scoop. I called USCIS this morning and spoke with an Immigration Officer after being forwarded to him from the lady who initially took my call. He said, about 6 months ago they started moving things to the local office level, that it was perfectly normal and not to worry. He said to go to the local office on the assigned date, and just take copies of everything I mailed in originally. When I said "how come nobody else on the VisaJourney website has had to do this, he made it sound like there are a lot people that have had to do this. Not sure if I believe him, but I have no choice but to show up for the appointment. Needless to say, I will have everything I originally sent in and much more to prove an ongoing and bona-fide marital relationship.

Don

[pushbrk 13,213]

Okay, here's the scoop. I called USCIS this morning and spoke with an Immigration Officer after being forwarded to him from the lady who initially took my call. He said, about 6 months ago they started moving things to the local office level, that it was perfectly normal and not to worry. He said to go to the local office on the assigned date, and just take copies of everything I mailed in originally. When I said "how come nobody else on the VisaJourney website has had to do this, he made it sound like there are a lot people that have had to do this. Not sure if I believe him, but I have no choice but to show up for the appointment. Needless to say, I will have everything I originally sent in and much more to prove an ongoing and bona-fide marital relationship.

Don

Transferring most I-130 for spouse cases to local offices started in August. Calling you in for an interview is not for everybody but it IS NOT something to be overly concerned about. They sent you a boilerplate list of things to bring. Just bring the ones that are applicable. Bringing your foreign spouse, obviously is NOT applicable. The good news is they should make their decision at the end of the interview and your NOA2 should arrive within a few days.

[NikLR 13,232]

I'll take an interview and an NOA2 super fast! I hope it works out for you!

[Nick1980 11]

Okay, here's the scoop. I called USCIS this morning and spoke with an Immigration Officer after being forwarded to him from the lady who initially took my call. He said, about 6 months ago they started moving things to the local office level, that it was perfectly normal and not to worry. He said to go to the local office on the assigned date, and just take copies of everything I mailed in originally. When I said "how come nobody else on the VisaJourney website has had to do this, he made it sound like there are a lot people that have had to do this. Not sure if I believe him, but I have no choice but to show up for the appointment. Needless to say, I will have everything I originally sent in and much more to prove an ongoing and bona-fide marital relationship.

Don

Also, remember the members here are just a small fraction of the total number of petitioners and applicants worldwide. So, it is possible they do this alot and we don't know about it. Anyhow, good luck to you

[USSR 1]

Thanks for the encouragement! I was pretty bummed out having received this letter the day before Thanksgiving, but now I am looking forward to presenting my case in person next month. I will be sure to let you all know about the interview experience and it's impact on the timeline of the receipt of the NOA2.

Don

[bsd058 296]

You're not expected to have joint leases and co-mingled finances at this stage. They *should* know that you don't live in the same country - yet. Evidence of co-mingled finances is much more important in a few years when you'll be filing for removal of conditions on her green card.

As of now, pictures, chat logs, phone bills and the like will suffice.

Though Jay Jay is right that they may not expect you to have co-mingling finances, if you have them it's a bonus. My wife and I lived in Canada before deciding to move to the US, and so we had a joint bank account in Canada for which I sent statements to USCIS. It's evidence in favor that your relationship is genuine, but not having this evidence is not evidence against you.

[jaycali 415]

Okay, here's the scoop. I called USCIS this morning and spoke with an Immigration Officer after being forwarded to him from the lady who initially took my call. He said, about 6 months ago they started moving things to the local office level, that it was perfectly normal and not to worry. He said to go to the local office on the assigned date, and just take copies of everything I mailed in originally. When I said "how come nobody else on the VisaJourney website has had to do this, he made it sound like there are a lot people that have had to do this. Not sure if I believe him, but I have no choice but to show up for the appointment. Needless to say, I will have everything I originally sent in and much more to prove an ongoing and bona-fide marital relationship.Don

Keep in mind that VisaJourney members constitute only a very small fraction of the millions of people each year who apply for immigration benefits. As Pushbrk told you, while it's not overly common, it's likely not something to be overly concerned about either.

Though Jay Jay is right that they may not expect you to have co-mingling finances, if you have them it's a bonus. My wife and I lived in Canada before deciding to move to the US, and so we had a joint bank account in Canada for which I sent statements to USCIS. It's evidence in favor that your relationship is genuine, but not having this evidence is not evidence against you.

[USSR 1]

Had my interview yesterday. The immigration officer asked me just a few questions, and I provided the following documention: letter from my banks stating why they could not add my wife to my bank accounts, letter from my employer stating that I had added my wife and step-daughter to my medical insurance policy, and a letter from my priest stating that he knows me, has met my wife on Skype, and will be marrying us in the church upon her arrival. He made copies of our wedding photos and I gave him copies of our Skype sessions, and that was pretty much it. At the conclusion he said that he believes my petitions are approvable, and that I should hear from the NVC in about 2 weeks. To say that I am happy is an understatement.

Don