How to Prepare for ROC?

[Possiblymaybe 371]

Hey guys,

My husband was recently approved for the Adjustment of Status from a K-1 visa. While at the interview, the lady that interviewed us said that when it comes to removing conditions, having utility bills in both names is the biggest red flag for her. This totally confused us as I thought it was suggested we change some of the bills into his name (although we have not done so yet). She also said that decisions on removing conditions are generally made from the evidence that we send in the package, and that if we are called for an interview, then they suspect something is fishy with the relationship. She said that the Removal of Conditions interview will not be as "fun" as the Adjustment of Status interview (although I didn't find that one to be "fun" at all)

So my question is, what should we do NOW to get things in order for when the time comes?

Thanks!

Brief timeline in case it helps:

July 2013 - Entered on K-1

August 2013 - Married

September 2013 - Filed AOS

April 2014 - AOS interview, approved

January 2016 - eligible to file for ROC

[Daveykins 17]

Utility bills I wouldn't say are a red flag, but they definately aren't primary evidence. Financial documents are primary evidence from what I've been told. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Cosigning car loan, mortgage with both names on title, apartment lease with both names, etc.

[mike411 15]

They are looking for evidence that YOU trust your husband. Mixing finance shows you trust him. That includes putting your credit on the line, retirement accounts, investment accounts, and bank accounts. Add her as the beneficiary if you can't add to the account.

I didn't change any of my utility bills after my wife arrived. My wife receiving a bill does nothing without mixing finance.

Edited May 30, 2014 by mike411

[Possiblymaybe 371]

I bought the house before he arrived, before we married. So adding his name to that would be a major pain, and would probably hurt us financially since he doesn't have credit here.

What we have (and showed to AOS) is:

- joint bank account

- beneficiary on life insurance and 401K

- health insurance through my employer

- co-ownership of a car

- credit card in my name with him as a user

I can't think of anything more to add prior to ROC. Any ideas?

[Anonymous885 44]

Tax transcripts, affidavits from family and friends, phone bill.

[flora01 37]

Hey guys,

My husband was recently approved for the Adjustment of Status from a K-1 visa. While at the interview, the lady that interviewed us said that when it comes to removing conditions, having utility bills in both names is the biggest red flag for her. This totally confused us as I thought it was suggested we change some of the bills into his name (although we have not done so yet). She also said that decisions on removing conditions are generally made from the evidence that we send in the package, and that if we are called for an interview, then they suspect something is fishy with the relationship. She said that the Removal of Conditions interview will not be as "fun" as the Adjustment of Status interview (although I didn't find that one to be "fun" at all)

So my question is, what should we do NOW to get things in order for when the time comes?

Thanks!

Brief timeline in case it helps:

July 2013 - Entered on K-1

August 2013 - Married

September 2013 - Filed AOS

April 2014 - AOS interview, approved

January 2016 - eligible to file for ROC

You have one and half year to think about ROC.

I think right now you should more work on relationship than worrying about ROC.

Also there is no hard and fast rule to get ROC approved without interview,i have seen person who did not have name on home docs(because it was already bought by spouse) getting approved within 4 months without interview.Another case where young couple did not have much finances to show,still got approved within 4 months without rfe or interview.

USCIS looks for real relationship to approve ROC and if it is real then all things comingle themselves.

[Possiblymaybe 371]

Work on relationship??? Thanks for the advice, but there is nothing that needs to be worked on.

Yes, it's a year and a half away. And a year and a half from now I would hate to say "Oh, #######, I wish I had done ...... sooner"

[MIBEN 83]

I bought the house before he arrived, before we married. So adding his name to that would be a major pain, and would probably hurt us financially since he doesn't have credit here.

What we have (and showed to AOS) is:

- joint bank account

- beneficiary on life insurance and 401K

- health insurance through my employer

- co-ownership of a car

- credit card in my name with him as a user

I can't think of anything more to add prior to ROC. Any ideas?

Just add him to the deed it is not required that you refinance or do anything with the bank on the loan. Also I added copies of all my official documents showing I had taken his name and updated all accounts, drivers license and passport. Lastly, my hubby volunteered with Parks and recreation department and with the church and provided letters of appreciation to show he is assimilating with the community. He also gave copies of Christmas cards addressed to us both given by family, friends, and neighbors. Good luck and I agree collect evidence as it occurs and I would not recommend changes utilities to his name just simply add him to the accounts.

[Aztec&Taino 144]

Hi,

I just posted my I-751, RFE, and interview experience. You might find it helpful http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/498750-my-roc-rfe-and-interview-story/

You will have to demonstrate a bona fide marriage, mostly by financial ties. So, it would be a good idea to set up joint checking and savings accounts, along with credit cards, rental agreements, and loans together. I am too confused by what the officer told you about joint bills as this is one is listed on the recommended evidence page we received in our RFE and prior to the interview. Again, read my above post as you might find it helpful.

[aussie_jason 195]

What USCIS are looking for is proof of what a traditional married couple (not in the gender sense but back in the day when it was common to automatically co-mingle finances in a marriage, which isn't so common now so they really need to address that) so use that as a gauge. Ask yourself without immigration in a traditional marriage would you add your spouse to _______? If the answer is no then don't do it as that is what would be a red flag like the utility bills as who would normally do that? They also realize that it isn't reasonable to change your deed, mortgage etc so don't sweat about that as that isn't something a couple would usually bother with.

It is very easy to stress out and expect the worst when reading these forums but remember the golden rule for all online forums, the majority of people that come to a forum to post only do so because they have some sort of problem or negative experience to post about. There are multitudes of people out there that just breeze through this entire process without any issues what so ever. I was really freaking out about my AOS after reading through the forums and my wife thought I was a lunatic as she had been through the entire process from student visa, green card, ROC (through her ex) and USC without a single issue.

So just keep a history of what you currently have with something like a statement for every 3 months or so, the tax transcripts you will have to have by then, a few photos here & there, maybe a couple of affidavits from friends/family (am still not sold on what value that provides though) and some miscellaneous stuff like itineraries for trips taken together and you should be fine.

[QueenComley 295]

I received my AOS in March and even at that stage I started building up all paperwork for my ROC.

In my mind I am assuming that as the IO was happy with all the financial evidence and ties we presented to her at the interview, I would just continue building on that. We showed the following:

Joint lease agreement

Me listed as my husband beneficiary

Letter from hubbys employment confirming I am also listed as his next of Kin and emergency contact

Letter from Step-childrens school confirming I am registered as their step-mom and an emergency contact

Joint credit card

Joint bank account

filed tax returns (Married, joint)

Utility bills... only one name allowed on the paper bill, therefore I added my name to our online energy and Comcast account as a secondary user...

there are a few more things to add to the mix since my AOS Interview that you could think about also... We now have joint car insurance and we are looking at health insurance right now. (if my husband was to add me to his it would cost him an extra $300 a month - disgusting), so we will see what health insurance is offered when I find my first job.

Think of holidays and trips you guys may take in the next 18 months. Keep receipts, bookings photos etc... My folks are visiting me for the very first time in 2 weeks (very exciting!!!!). We have so much planned... a tour round grace land, a night at the casinos...a cruise on the Mississippi river etc.. everything I have booked for the 4 of us I have kept receipts for and will take lots of photos of us all as a family and my step-kids with their step-grandparents. We are also moving from an apartment to a large house with a yard in 3 months, so more utility bills, more joint finances and ties.

I already have a file of everything I need for ROC LOL (My hubby and immigration attorney roll their eyes at me, but my motto is its better to have too much than too little!!!!)

Good luck!!! and just keep building on the evidence that got your husband his green card

Edited May 31, 2014 by QueenComley

[myjourneytoo 49]

live your life as a married couple and enjoy it. do what normal married couple do. joint bank accounts, loans,etc.... things that shows you are a unit a family.

you guys have nothing to hide. everything will be just fine. enjoy each other. best of luck.