I-864 Domicile Issue

[Stressed Out 81]

We haven't been approved yet, but I want to be preparing for the next steps since Frankfurt seems to be going quite fast at the moment.

In August I received my new German residence permit since my old one was set to expire that month and I wouldn't qualify for DCF (and of course would have to leave my husband to return home). The problem is that everywhere on proving re-establishment of domicile it reads "temporary residence", and my new permit is no longer an "Aufenthaltstitel", which is a limited residency, but due to my husband's new income I received automatically from the German government a "Niederlassungserlaubnis", which is an unmlimited residency card.

Now, is this going to be an issue with submitting the I-864? (yes, I have a joint-sponsor) If so, what evidence will they accept that I'll relinquish my permit once my husband's visa is approved?

Edited October 6, 2014 by Stressed Out

[schinx87 1]

I had been living in Germany for nearly 5 years & had a Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residency) when we applied. It was no problem -- you can prove Domicile in other ways

(I used US Bank account, US Credit Card & Student Loan Payment Transfers to US bank Account to prove it)

[Confusedtinybird 41]

It shouldn't be a problem. I typed up a letter, but wasn't asked for it.

Some other things:

Voter ID in your state

Car parked in possession of your parents

Shipping quotes

[Stressed Out 81]

I had been living in Germany for nearly 5 years & had a Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residency) when we applied. It was no problem -- you can prove Domicile in other ways

(I used US Bank account, US Credit Card & Student Loan Payment Transfers to US bank Account to prove it)

January would make it 4 years of me living in Germany, so good to know you basically were in the same boat as me. May I ask how you gave up your residency in Germany, though? I can't seem to find any solutions online (Googling stuff in German just doesn't work, haha) and was wondering if I have to physically hand over my Niederlassungserlaubnis to the authorities or what. I just don't want to leave here on a bad note.

[schinx87 1]

Hey there! --

It's not as complicated as it sounds. Basically; you don't "hand over" your Niederlassungserlaubnis to anyone -- nor would I. I still have my card in my wallet. You never know under what circumstances you might need it. (I.e. You hear stories of people going back shortly after coming to the USA for a severe illness; as the German insurance sometimes has more advantages if you can't afford US insurance). Your permanent residency becomes invalid after 6 consecutive months of being out of the country. If you were to theoretically go back to Germany after that, you would have to start the whole visa procedure over again -- which wouldn't be terrible becuase its much more painless than re-applying for a US visa.

Either way, before you leave, you just need to make sure you tell the Einwohnermeldeamt that you are leaving. That is sufficient. You will need this "official Abmeldung" anyways. Some organizations (i.e. Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung etc.) need this piece of paper proving you are officially "giving up your residence" before they will let you out of contractual agreements.

Hope that helps!

-Schinx

January would make it 4 years of me living in Germany, so good to know you basically were in the same boat as me. May I ask how you gave up your residency in Germany, though? I can't seem to find any solutions online (Googling stuff in German just doesn't work, haha) and was wondering if I have to physically hand over my Niederlassungserlaubnis to the authorities or what. I just don't want to leave here on a bad note.

[Stressed Out 81]

Good to hear. Knowing how complicated the US makes this stuff you kind of expect it to be the same in EU countries somehow, hah. Thanks for setting that straight!

[Confusedtinybird 41]

I hope you hear back soon Stressed out!