Joint Bank

[S.J.R 1]

My Husband and I are in the process of putting together our I-130 Petition. Upon doing this we've noted Joint Finances as a reccuring point of interest. Upon trying to obtain a joint account/add each other to existing accounts in either the UK or USA, we have been unsuccessful. Our situation has been more than complicated and what started with a denied Tourist Visa to stay with S/O when we first met resulted in a then denied ESTA and I am yet to be allowed to visit S/O in the states. So the option of being there with him in person to sign any forms is impossible until we go through C-R1 Visa process. We have navigated around my not being able to visit S/O issue by taking frequent trips together and him coming to visit me. He will be here again in December and upon speaking to my bank about a joint account they have stated they cannot allow us to open a joint account as S/O is not a citizen. I thought as such would happen but want to ask if anyone else has come upon these issues and how they navigated around them. We feel very alone in this whole process and nothing has gone right for us in terms of visas/my trying to spend time and visit S/O in America. I hope someone can help or offer some words of kindness. I wish I'd found this site a long time ago.

[arken 4,197]

You don’t need joint finances when you two are living in separate countries, just focus on other evidences.

[Jmeleecur 347]

It seems fairly common that people in our situation, with their spouse abroad, and waiting on the I-130, cannot really have joint finances. Nearly impossible in some cases, and I believe USCIS must understand that.

[LilyJ 1,258]

As others have said it isn't required to have a joint bank account/finances. USCIS gets that it isn't possible for most, especially those who have never lived together and/or are newly married, to have joint finances. Focus on evidence of time spend together instead (photos, boarding passes, passport stamps, hotel receipts, etc)

[Samantha & Rad 56]

3 hours ago, S.L.R said:

My Husband and I are in the process of putting together our I-130 Petition. Upon doing this we've noted Joint Finances as a reccuring point of interest. Upon trying to obtain a joint account/add each other to existing accounts in either the UK or USA, we have been unsuccessful. Our situation has been more than complicated and what started with a denied Tourist Visa to stay with S/O when we first met resulted in a then denied ESTA and I am yet to be allowed to visit S/O in the states. So the option of being there with him in person to sign any forms is impossible until we go through C-R1 Visa process. We have navigated around my not being able to visit S/O issue by taking frequent trips together and him coming to visit me. He will be here again in December and upon speaking to my bank about a joint account they have stated they cannot allow us to open a joint account as S/O is not a citizen. I thought as such would happen but want to ask if anyone else has come upon these issues and how they navigated around them. We feel very alone in this whole process and nothing has gone right for us in terms of visas/my trying to spend time and visit S/O in America. I hope someone can help or offer some words of kindness. I wish I'd found this site a long time ago.

Hello. Sorry to hear of your experience. We're new to the site too. But a bit further along in the process, having received our NOA1 in June. I'm also from the UK. We weren't able to do joint current account either. But felt (hoped) that we had enough evidence with other things, including joint US credit card. Which seemed easy enough for him to apply for. Can you/have you tried that? Look forward to seeing you progress through your journey.

[S.J.R 1]

11 minutes ago, Samantha & Rad said:

Hello. Sorry to hear of your experience. We're new to the site too. But a bit further along in the process, having received our NOA1 in June. I'm also from the UK. We weren't able to do joint current account either. But felt (hoped) that we had enough evidence with other things, including joint US credit card. Which seemed easy enough for him to apply for. Can you/have you tried that? Look forward to seeing you progress through your journey.

I wish I had found this site long ago! I feel comforted knowing how confusing it seems to have been for everybody else and appreciate the kind words. Can I ask how you went about doing so without being there in person? Do they need anything from me in order for said account to be opened?

[Samantha & Rad 56]

Just now, S.L.R said:

I wish I had found this site long ago! I feel comforted knowing how confusing it seems to have been for everybody else and appreciate the kind words. Can I ask how you went about doing so without being there in person? Do they need anything from me in order for said account to be opened?

I know how you feel. We had so many questions too at your stage and thought we'd need to pay a lawyer for all these questions. But the answers are all there on the forums (from the quick scan I've had since joining today!)
For the joint credit card, no I didn't need to be there to do anything. I think he just contacted them and asked for his wife to be added to his existing account. I then got a card in my name. And the letter from the bank with my name on to add to our evidence pile. 

[S.J.R 1]

4 minutes ago, Samantha & Rad said:

I know how you feel. We had so many questions too at your stage and thought we'd need to pay a lawyer for all these questions. But the answers are all there on the forums (from the quick scan I've had since joining today!)
For the joint credit card, no I didn't need to be there to do anything. I think he just contacted them and asked for his wife to be added to his existing account. I then got a card in my name. And the letter from the bank with my name on to add to our evidence pile. 

Great! Thank you so much! We'll try that and if all else fails resort to a cover letter explaining the situation. I appreciate the help! Looking forward to seeing everything progress for you two! 🥰

[Juliet57 304]

My husband made me an authorized user of his credit card, so I have a credit card linked to his account but only really use it when he visits and we go out to eat. 

I am not in the US, he is a USC. 

[Ryan H 3,834]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.