Re-Establish Domicile - Do I need to transfer money to US accounts?

[canadavisa22 202]

I'm nearing the NVC stage and we'll need to prove intent to re-establish domicile. My wife (the petitioner) has kept her US bank accounts since she moved overseas several years ago. However, there's always just been a nominal amount of money (less than $500) in the account and has sparingly used it (along with her US credit card).

 

When we are sending in bank and credit card statements showing the fact that these accounts still exist and also have the permanent address we'll be staying at when we move back (her parent's home) does it matter that most of the statements will show no activity?

 

Is what they're looking for just proof that you have the accounts opened and they're tied to a US address you're planning to live at?

 

If not, do I need to be transferring money to these US accounts to show that we're planning to use them in the future?

[patrick33 19]

If you are interviewing in Montreal, I'm not sure if that will be enough. They are very strict on domicile. At least they were when I interviewed in 2015. As far as I know, the bank accounts are helpful but won't mean much. They are mostly looking for a job offer and/or an actual residency. Simply telling them that you'll be living with her parents may not be enough. You should look into having them draft a formal lease agreement for you guys - that's what Montreal is really looking for. You can probably find templates for a lease agreement online. 

[canadavisa22 202]

1 minute ago, patrick33 said:

If you are interviewing in Montreal, I'm not sure if that will be enough. They are very strict on domicile. At least they were when I interviewed in 2015. As far as I know, the bank accounts are helpful but won't mean much. They are mostly looking for a job offer and/or an actual residency. Simply telling them that you'll be living with her parents may not be enough. You should look into having them draft a formal lease agreement for you guys - that's what Montreal is really looking for. You can probably find templates for a lease agreement online. 

Yes, this would just be supplemental information. I am having a lease drawn up and signed and will present that to Montreal. 

 

I'd rather just keep the money in my CDN accounts until we have the visa, but not sure how much emphasis Montreal would place on supplemental information if you do have the lease in place already. Don't want to overdo something like wire transfers which cost a lot of cash if it's not really needed.

[patrick33 19]

You should look into RBC bank, they have Canadian and US banks that make it very easy to transfer money across the border. It's not just a Canadian bank account with US dollars either, they have US based operations where you can open a totally American bank account. That's what we did, worked very well. 

[canadavisa22 202]

4 minutes ago, patrick33 said:

You should look into RBC bank, they have Canadian and US banks that make it very easy to transfer money across the border. It's not just a Canadian bank account with US dollars either, they have US based operations where you can open a totally American bank account. That's what we did, worked very well. 

I have one set up actually and thought about just moving the money into there and showing those statements but it's not tied to the permanent US address we'll move to.

 

Might be overthinking it but wanted to show statements with money in our Chase account that is tied to the US address, but you're right it's probably enough to just have it in a US bank account. 

[stephanie918 46]

any other tips besides bank accounts for domicile? i've been in touch with day care, potential employers (my husband and I both live overseas) so at the moment we can't do too much until we have an actual approval...I have my US credit card and plan to stay with my sister when we arrive until we can get jobs & then a lease. has anyone had any luck on correspondence only? or can you suggest anything else to add to prove?

[Hank_ 9,174]

Bills sent to that address; cell phone, internet, utility .... 

[canadavisa22 202]

2 hours ago, Hank_ said:

Bills sent to that address; cell phone, internet, utility .... 

That's difficult to do when you both live overseas though.

[Hank_ 9,174]

2 hours ago, canadavisa22 said:

That's difficult to do when you both live overseas though.

Yes I understand.  But those are the suggestions I had ..