domicile - how stringent?

[beldos 0]

Hi there - thanks in advance for your help.

I've read the general requirements for the I-864 both on this site and on the U.S. official site, but I'm still feeling confused/worried about "domicile" and am hoping some people could respond with their experiences or offer advice. Our main objective is to not be forced into living apart while I establish domicile in the U.S.

I have lived abroad as a TEFL teacher for the past few years, but now my English husband and I are settled in England and starting the visa process for the U.S.

The whole time I've been abroad, I've completed tax returns (using my parents' address in Michigan, though some income was earned in California thru a summer job there), maintained a U.S. bank account (address in Michigan), maintained U.S. credit cards (Michigan address), and have a current California driving license. I have also started a distance learning degree from a U.S. university based in California.

Is this enough to satisfy the domicile requirement, in your opinion? Will the California/Michigan difference matter?

My father runs his own business and could also offer me a potential job, but I wouldn't likely take him up on it upon settling in the U.S. Would the job offer help our case or would it sound suspicious in some way?

I'd appreciate any feedback.

Sarah

[ManuNSam 1]

No i dont think it will be

there is a whole list inside the form that gives examples of what you can show.

i am facing the same thing right now and i also had to research this.

do you have any property? (house car.....)

bank accounts in the US iwht us address

bills in the US (school loans, life insurance....) iwht us address

credit cards iwht us address

do you have a copy of a plane ticket purchased to go home?

i know you dont want to buy this until you know he has the visa..........i also felt the same. but i went ahead and bought it since i knew it would help. If you ahve to change it to a later date then you just pay the extra fee for changing.........in my mind it was worth it.

they are also more strict in some cases than others.........so you never know!

the wortst case i read was that someone was denied for the domicile reason. so the petitioner went home to us and then the applicant went back to embassy 1 month later, showed domicile, and it was done.

so even if you get denied........you have to just show domicile to get approved. you dont have to start the whole thing over.

sam

[YuAndDan 153]

You did the correct things with regard to domicile and IRS filing. You meet the domicile requirement.

The only catch is showing that you will be able to support your spouse once you return to the country, you either have to show you a job in the USA or perhaps have your parents co-sponsor, since you use their home as your domicile.