Threshhold for Proof of Domicile

[Wingnutfish 18]

Hi all,

I haven't yet filed my I-130, so I'm not to the point of having to prove domicile yet, but in the interest of preparing early (not to mention peace of mind), I have a question.

In general, how much proof is required for establishing that the USC petitioner has or will re-establish domicile in the U.S.? Obviously this is a subjective, case-by-case type of thing, but does anyone have a rough idea? Here's my situation:

I am a USC who has been physically present in Taiwan for most of the last 3 1/2 years, returning for a few weeks each year to the U.S. Until now my visa status in Taiwan has been that of a tourist (completely legal), but I expect to be receiving residency in Taiwan in about a month from now. I understand that when filing my AOS package I will need to provide proof of domicile or intention to reestablish it. I have taken a look at the list of example documents in this FAQ, and here's what I will and will not be able to provide based on that list:

I CAN provide:

• Voter registration card showing permanent US address

• XXXX Credit Union statement showing permanent US address

• XXXX state ID card showing permanent US address (hopefully - I seem to have misplaced it)

• Possibly some other documents showing my US address, which I use for most purposes (ideas?)

I CANNOT provide:

• XXXX credit card statement showing US billing address

• Retirement fund statement showing permanent US address

• Mutual fund statement showing permanent US address

• XXXX license currently up to date

• Renewal of XXXX membership

• County tax bill showing I still own a vehicle

Is this too little to establish proof of domicile? And if so, what should I do?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

[MeredythB 38]

Hi all,

I haven't yet filed my I-130, so I'm not to the point of having to prove domicile yet, but in the interest of preparing early (not to mention peace of mind), I have a question.

In general, how much proof is required for establishing that the USC petitioner has or will re-establish domicile in the U.S.? Obviously this is a subjective, case-by-case type of thing, but does anyone have a rough idea? Here's my situation:

I am a USC who has been physically present in Taiwan for most of the last 3 1/2 years, returning for a few weeks each year to the U.S. Until now my visa status in Taiwan has been that of a tourist (completely legal), but I expect to be receiving residency in Taiwan in about a month from now. I understand that when filing my AOS package I will need to provide proof of domicile or intention to reestablish it. I have taken a look at the list of example documents in this FAQ, and here's what I will and will not be able to provide based on that list:

I CAN provide:

• Voter registration card showing permanent US address

• XXXX Credit Union statement showing permanent US address

• XXXX state ID card showing permanent US address (hopefully - I seem to have misplaced it)

• Possibly some other documents showing my US address, which I use for most purposes (ideas?)

I CANNOT provide:

• XXXX credit card statement showing US billing address

• Retirement fund statement showing permanent US address

• Mutual fund statement showing permanent US address

• XXXX license currently up to date

• Renewal of XXXX membership

• County tax bill showing I still own a vehicle

Is this too little to establish proof of domicile? And if so, what should I do?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

Not bad, but I'd include some quotes from moving companies, establishing that you are making inquiries into moving back to the states. Also, maybe some contacts with estate agents or leasing agencies, looking for an apartment or rental house in the city you're moving to? Add your letter and that's a pretty good group of documents.

Good Luck!

[Roosha 51]

Also, contact the embassy and see if they can give you an idea about how strict they are about the domicile requirement. Or try to post in the forum for Taiwan here http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/90-asia-east-and-pacific/ and see if any others have gone through this, they could also give you an idea about how worried you should be.

Here's my list, just so you can compare if you want

Steps I have taken to maintain US Domicile:

• Maintained my XXXX voter registration

• Maintained my Virginia drivers license

Supporting Documents for the above steps I have taken:

• Copy of Voter registration card showing permanent US address

• Virginia drivers license showing permanent US address

Steps I have taken to return to the US to take up residence:

• Made arrangements for us to move in with my parents

• Contacted XXXX Schools for requirements of things to bring to register my son in school

• Contacted shipping company for estimate of costs to ship belongings

Supporting documents for the above steps I have taken:

• Lease agreement between my spouse and I with my parents

• Email from XXXX regarding registration requirements as well as copies of all documents I have prepared so far

• Email from XXXX with estimate and correspondence regarding shipping our belongings

Will you be going back to the states in the next couple of months for any reason? If so, then you could open a bank account and put some money in there, that's also good proof. Have you paid state taxes by any chance? Include those if you have. Document any and all steps that you'll take in order to move back to the states and include all of it, everything helps!

Hope that helps, and good luck!

[The Mean Lady 604]

Best to post in your regional forum to find out how strict they are about that.

Those that have been through the process in your exact country will be most helpful.

Edited February 21, 2013 by KDH

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

I think you'll definitely want to show what you've done to secure housing. That is a biggie from what I can gather.

[Wingnutfish 18]

Thanks! I'm feeling a little less worried now.

So if we're moving in with my parents, we should try to have some formal lease agreement with them? Might a simple signed letter do the job?

[MeredythB 38]

Thanks! I'm feeling a little less worried now.

So if we're moving in with my parents, we should try to have some formal lease agreement with them? Might a simple signed letter do the job?

Just to be on the safe side, I'd go for the lease agreement. You can find free ones online, I'll include a link below. If you can formalize the agreement, even if it is with your parents, it's just another link in the chain to establish your intent to relocate. Good Luck!

http://www.ezlandlordforms.com/documents/41050/free_lease_agreement/

[Roosha 51]

Ok see I was just going to include a letter from my parents stating that they'll be hosting us until we get on our feet b/c I couldn't find a good lease. Now I can use this, thanks MeredythB!

One question though, we won't be paying rent (at least not at the beginning until we can) so should I put an actual amount on the lease or be honest and leave it at $0?

[ktb 15]

I am in a similar situation and I provided my current NV driving license, a current 401k statement showing my mother's address (we used her address on all of our forms as address we intend to live at), and a current credit union statement (showing the same address). I also sent one moving quote (I know a lot of people suggest getting several, but there aren't a lot of options in Cyprus so I only had one). We didn't have my mom write up a lease for us. Our case was approved by NVC yesterday!

Wingnutfish, please update your timeline!

[The Mean Lady 604]

Ok see I was just going to include a letter from my parents stating that they'll be hosting us until we get on our feet b/c I couldn't find a good lease. Now I can use this, thanks MeredythB!

One question though, we won't be paying rent (at least not at the beginning until we can) so should I put an actual amount on the lease or be honest and leave it at $0?

The lease I'm going to provide is going to state that I can stay rent free for a maximum of (2) months at which time rent will then become X amount of dollars if still occupying the premises past the (2) month mark.

I Think it sounds realistic and completely fair to my parents as well.

[Roosha 51]

The lease I'm going to provide is going to state that I can stay rent free for a maximum of (2) months at which time rent will then become X amount of dollars if still occupying the premises past the (2) month mark.

I Think it sounds realistic and completely fair to my parents as well.

I do too, might just steal it but change it to four months Thanks for the suggestion! Can you send me where you got your lease from? I can't seem to find one that would allow me to write that, they all want me to put certain dollar amounts per month...

[Ryan H 3,812]

***OP, in the interest of keeping the discussion on this topic in one place, I removed your duplicate thread in the regional forum and replaced it with a post in that forum with a link to this thread.***

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

I do too, might just steal it but change it to four months Thanks for the suggestion! Can you send me where you got your lease from? I can't seem to find one that would allow me to write that, they all want me to put certain dollar amounts per month...

If you can't find what you are looking for, you can copy and paste from other leases. It doesn't have to be too fancy.

[The Mean Lady 604]

If you can't find what you are looking for, you can copy and paste from other leases. It doesn't have to be too fancy.

^this

i havent even made one yet.

not at that point

[Wingnutfish 18]

Thanks for all the great information and ideas! My parents are the sort of people who would never ever accept rent from me though, and would be averse to even claiming otherwise. In this case I wonder if a letter might be just as good as a lease that just says "rent is free forever"....

Wingnutfish, please update your timeline!

I haven't actually mailed in my I-130 yet. I'll take the time to set up the timeline once I do that. Unless there's some reason I should do it sooner?

***OP, in the interest of keeping the discussion on this topic in one place, I removed your duplicate thread in the regional forum and replaced it with a post in that forum with a link to this thread.***

Sounds good, thanks. Would have done that myself if I'd thought of it.