2nd rfe re: i751

[Rose13 30]

Hello all,

Our visa process had been going smoothly until we got a RFE after we submitted the i751- removal of conditions. I came in on a CR1 visa from Canada. We were asked to show joint financials. We don't share a joint bank account but sent proof from his credit card provider that I am an approved user, photos from our trips, and tax information (we file jointly). We split the bills. I pay the phone and water and he covers the rest. We have just got another RFE asking for Joint savings, IRS tax transcripts, utility bills or loans. They also asked for an affidavit regarding our marriage from its inception to date of divorce. We are NOT getting divorced nor have we ever contemplated divorce. I'm at a loss. My questions:

What other financial info can we send?

Who is supposed to write the affidavit?

We have lived at the same address throughout our 3 year marriage. I have been working at the same job for almost 2 years. I just don't know what they want .

Can anyone help?

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

See the guide here with a list of relationship evidence :

http://www.visajourney.com/content/751guide#evidence

In addition to those mentioned, wills, power of attorney, insurance policy naming spouse as beneficiary.

Joint bank accounts with bank statements showing activity from beginning of marriage are important for ROC.
Did you not keep one step ahead of the process and read the guides here, at least during your 2. RFE ?

Do it now, even though a joint checking and savings account would be created at the last minute, it may be a bit helpful still.
Write an explanation of how your household functions and why you chose to not have joint accounts, lease, loans, mortgage etc.

People that know you as a couple can write affidavits attesting to your genuine marriage.

Take this seriously, this is your 2. RFE, if you don't satisfy it this time you will be denied.

Edited January 21, 2016 by Ebunoluwa

[Darnell 8,478]

sorry, financial co-mingling is a big dealio for a RoC casefile.

What prevented you two from maintaining and using a joint bank account for 2 years ?

[Rose13 30]

We do have a joint account but don't use it as we just paid most of our bills using his visa card for the points or my amex.

[Rose13 30]

Should we get an attorney?

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

We do have a joint account but don't use it as we just paid most of our bills using his visa card for the points or my amex.

Add that to your explanation of how you do your finances and back it up with evidence.

[Ontarkie 14,222]

~~Moved to ROC from AOS~~

[andy78 178]

In my case, (I-751 with divorce waiver) we didn't have joint bank accounts or credit cards or any of that financial stuff, simply because we didn't want to. I also couldn't show real evidence of financial co-mingling, mainly because my spouse decided they don't want to work, so I ended up having to take care of everything for most of the duration of the marriage.

This meant that I had to have other types of evidence to cover the gap.

The only item that comes close to financial co-mingling that I provided was a joint car loan to buy a new car.

Also had all types of joint insurance: life, car, health... W2s showing same address... etc.

The affidavits can be signed by family members, friends, neighbours, landlord, etc. who can attest to your relationship and include some useful details. There are a lot of examples if you do an online search. What I did was write the affidavits myself, and let the people who will sign it read it, make sure everything is accurate from their perspective, and then have it signed/notarized.

[andy78 178]

Hello all,

Our visa process had been going smoothly until we got a RFE after we submitted the i751- removal of conditions. I came in on a CR1 visa from Canada. We were asked to show joint financials. We don't share a joint bank account but sent proof from his credit card provider that I am an approved user, photos from our trips, and tax information (we file jointly). We split the bills. I pay the phone and water and he covers the rest. We have just got another RFE asking for Joint savings, IRS tax transcripts, utility bills or loans. They also asked for an affidavit regarding our marriage from its inception to date of divorce. We are NOT getting divorced nor have we ever contemplated divorce. I'm at a loss. My questions:

What other financial info can we send?

Who is supposed to write the affidavit?

We have lived at the same address throughout our 3 year marriage. I have been working at the same job for almost 2 years. I just don't know what they want .

Can anyone help?

I think the affidavit they are asking for specifically is an affidavit signed by you and your spouse, explaining in detail the history of your relationship and marriage. In your case the divorce is not applicable (may have been a mistake on their part), so you will need to clarify that in your response.

But it would also be useful to include affidavits signed by others as I mentioned in the post above.

Edited January 21, 2016 by andy78

[Rose13 30]

Thanks all!!! I'm still stressed but you've all given me stuff to do which I think will help.

[Darnell 8,478]

We do have a joint account but don't use it as we just paid most of our bills using his visa card for the points or my amex.

ok - I get it now.

If I were in your shoes, I'd write a letter of attestation covering this, and reference each bill paid by a visa or amex bill.

example:

[intro Paragraph] We decided not to utilize our joint checking account for paying our monthly utility bills; instead we came up with a plan, that over 2 years, increased our points on our credit cards for frequent flyer miles and bettered our credit history reports (see attachment 2, page 1 and attachment 3, page 1). One month, I'd pay them on my Amex, another month, he'd pay them on his Visa. After 2 years of doing this, we both have stellar credit scores and have enough points to fly to Australia for our long-awaited honeymoon. (see attachment 4, page 1, items 1 and 2).

Some of the bills are in my name solely (see attachment 5, pages 1 through 83) and some of the bills are in his name solely (see attachment 6, pages 1 through 69) but we paid them together, per our agreed-on pattern.

[item Paragraph]

On March 26th, We paid the household utility bills on my amex card (see attachment 11, page 12, item 3). On April 26th, We paid the household utility bills on my husband's visa card (see attachment 11, page 2, item 3)

[davendale 10]

Forget about attorneys for this entire process. From what i have learned studying these forums for the last couple of years they are absolutely completely useless. Even senators and congressmen have extremely little influence regarding this department. Kinda scary honestly, just how little oversight or control anyone in power has over this department. Save your money, they can do notta.

[Cathi 5,748]

I sent 2 affidavits from family attesting to our marriage and relationship

[Stevephoto 230]

Create wills for each other (cheap online forms, then take two friends with you to your bank and sign/get the wills notarized). How about life insurance policies? 401K's with each other as beneficiary? I *think* that there would be an interview before any denial and/or an appeal process (court appearance) after denial. Good luck.

[Harmonia 211]

I didn't know you could get 2 RFEs. At least this is another opportunity to provide information- so that's good news!

I question whether you should do anything new like a will. It'll clearly be dated after you got the 2nd RFE, and it could look like you're just trying to manufacture proof.

I like the idea of writing an affidavit, just a letter, explaining what you just said. Show the credit card transactions to pay bills, etc. Basically back up each statement with a piece of evidence proving it.