Getting close to filing

[rucus 1]

I am an American citizen preparing to file I-C1 and I -C2 for my wife and two step daughters. Aged 12 and 14. I have been a full time resident of thailand for nearly 10 years. My intention is to file the I-130's via DCF in Bangkok My wife and I have been married in Thailand for nearly 6 years. We file a married joint federal tax return in 2009 when I got her a Taxpayer Identification number. We have bank accounts together. There should be no problem with this marriage as be deemed bona fide.

My income qualifies for my families visas. I have an address in Idaho where I have held a bank account since 2007.

One of my questions is. does a bank account qualify for a domicile? I can get more documentation from my sister who owns and also resides there.

Also I am throughly confused by the total cost, start to finish including any required inoculations . Since we reside in Thailand aside from the I-130 what forms will I have to file. I am unclear what is required by the Bangkok embassy.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Please let me know what I may have over looked. I am aware of providing our tax returns, also G-325 and affidavit of support.

Thanks in advance.

[Hypnos 6,578]

A US-based bank account can certainly help to prove domicile, but is unlikely to be sufficient all by itself.

[Penguin_ie 5,995]

Is the address you have in Idaho a house you own and will move into with your family? That would be excelent proof. If not, show evidence of getting with realtors to find a home.

Enroll the kids in school.

You mention your income is sufficient- is it income that will continue when you move back to the US? if not, it doesn't count and you will need a co-sponsor or use assets.

[rucus 1]

Is the address you have in Idaho a house you own and will move into with your family? That would be excelent proof. If not, show evidence of getting with realtors to find a home.

Enroll the kids in school.

You mention your income is sufficient- is it income that will continue when you move back to the US? if not, it doesn't count and you will need a co-sponsor or use assets.

My income will remain the same. The house in Idaho is a 5 bedroom house onwed by my elderly sister she lives alone. Should I get a letter from her stating we will be residing with her? I plan to visit Idaho next month to talk to the schools. I don't think our daughters can enroll prior to testing.

[rucus 1]

I am interested in the total costs for everything start to finish. Or if someone can tell me where to find a list or table of costs it would be very helpful.

Thanks

[Penguin_ie 5,995]

If you look at the Guides, it'l give you an idea of the costs but some things such as the emdical are coutnry dependant, so you may want to check the regional forum for that.

A letter from the sister is a good idea. When you visit, you could also do some other things, such as renew your drivers license, get a low cost cell phone with bill going to your sister's house or similar to show you intend to re-establish domicile there.

[dakotatp 4]

you should register to vote and then do the absentee voting my mail.

I mailed my Primary Runoff 2014 Ballot last week. Doing this establishes a voting history and will, without a doubt, solve the domicile problem.

the US Embassy sent out an email with step-by-step instructions.

I printed a form "FPCA", filled it out, scanned it and emailed it to my local election administration. They then emailed me a ballot. I printed it, filled it out, and mailed it to Texas from Bangkok.

[dakotatp 4]

a ballot can be tracked online. the election administration receiving your ballot will be indicated. you can print this out and submit it with the form I-864. slam dunk!!

having a bank acct helps, but they would like to see a recent transfer into your US bank acct from Thailand.

you will want to get a letter from your employer indicating the continuation of your employment and income upon moving to the US.

[dakotatp 4]

Below is a cover letter with a check-list that might be helpful.

Date, 2014

From: John Q. American

To: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Sindhorn Building
Tower 2, 15th Floor
130-132 Wireless Road
Bangkok 10330, THAILAND

Reference: ORIGINAL SUBMISSION I-130 Petition for Alien Relative

Petitioner: Mr. John Q. American Beneficiary: Mrs. Jane Q. Thai

Dear Officer,

I am a US citizen and plan to return to the US during 2014 and I wish to bring my Wife with me. Enclosed is an I-130 Petition for Alien Relative on behalf of my wife, Mrs. Jane Q. Thai.

supporting documentation:

• 1 Passport Photo of the Petitioner and 1 of the Beneficiary with name printed on back in pencil

• Copy of Petitioner’s US Passport (all pages)

• Copy of Petitioner’s US Birth Certificate

• Copy of Beneficiary’s Thai Passport

• Copy of Beneficiary’s name change certificate with copy of official translation to English

• Copy of Beneficiary’s Thai birth certificate with copy of official translation to English

• G-325A Completed by the Petitioner and Beneficiary with 1 photo of the Petitioner & Beneficiary with name printed on back in pencil

• Completed Form G-1145

• Evidence of Bona Fide relationship
1) Copy of Thai Marriage Certificate with copy of official translation to English

2) Copy of bankbook of joint bank account in Thailand of the Petitioner & Beneficiary

3) Copy of recent monthly statement of joint bank account in the USA of the Petitioner & Beneficiary

4) Affidavit from a friend acknowledging our bona fide relationship

5) Copy of utility bills showing joint tenancy

Kindest Regards

[rucus 1]

First of all , thank all of you that are being so helpful. In regards to voting the last time I voted absentee was 2012. that was in California. The primary reason I established residency in Idaho was to obtain an American divorce while still residing in Thailand. The residency requirement in Idaho in early 2007 was only 45 days. My sister in idaho is a lawyer and took care of the divorce. I will try to obtain an Idaho drivers license while in Idaho with my sister address since it matches my bank account.

After looking at the guides I am still unclear as to what is requred by the embassy in Bankok. Assuming the I-130 goes through.

In terms of proof of income, I don't anticipate any problems. My monthy check is automatically deposited in a Caifornia credit union that could easily be changed to my Idaho bank. Proof of income letters are readily available to me.

Is there somewhere I could search for a sample lettter of domicile. How it should be written and what if any documentation is recommeded. By my sister.

Thanks for you time and patience.

Edited April 15, 2014 by rucus

[Confusedtinybird 41]

Hi,

Look at this thread. Scroll down to number 3. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/445020-i-864-re-establishing-domicile/

[dakotatp 4]

I don't know of any sample letter for domicile. I imagine any letter that clearly lists what you have to indicate domicile. I copied and pasted this from the US embassy website. This info needs to be submitted with the I-864, which is after submitting the I-130.

A convincing combination of the following types of action might be considered as an indication of residence (domicile):

• Establishing an address in the United States
• Setting up and maintaining bank accounts in the United States
• Transferring funds to the United States
• Making and maintaining investments in the United States
• Seeking employment in the United States
• Applying for a social security number
• Voting in local, state, or federal elections
• Enrolling children in schools
• Paying U.S. income taxes
• Taking steps to relinquish residency in a foreign country

[dakotatp 4]

I will submit the following documentation showing domicile with form I-864.

Form I-864 is part of Packet 3, which you will be instructed to download and print out after you submit the I-130

Documentation of Domicile

Renewed Texas Driver's License

Copy of recent US bank statement and highlight recent transfer from Thailand

Show 6 months of bank statements highlighting Individual Retirement Account monthly transfer

Copy of Individual Retirement Account statement

Copy of voter history

Copy of resume and proof of being signed up with employment websites, i.e. Monster.com

[dakotatp 4]

After looking at the guides I am still unclear as to what is requred by the embassy in Bankok. Assuming the I-130 goes through.

Step 1: file I-130 in person at the address on the cover letter

Step 2: you will be contacted, probably a few days later, and you'll be told to download Packet 3. I have attached Packet 3 for your review.

Step 3: You will compile all of the required documentation for Packet 3 - carefully read the instructions. You will then mail all of this stuff. The mailing address is in Packet 3. I-864 is part of packet 3

Step 4: You will be contacted and instructed to proceed with Packet 4. This Packet gets you ready for the embassy interview. This Packet can be downloaded. Google search: USCIS Packet 4. again....simply read and follow the instructions.

You 032014_iv_instruction_packet_3.pdf

[Confusedtinybird 41]

Rucus,

You really need to contact the Embassy! Each Embassy really seems to have their own way of doing DCF and by contacting them you will be sure to obtain the correct information.