Renting Before Applying for AOS from ESTA due to COVID-19

[BearxBelle 23]

Hi everyone,

 

My partner and I recently tied the knot on May 30, 2020. Originally we had planned for him to apply for his K-1 when I got my divorce decree and he returned home to the UK from visiting me for Easter. Well, my divorce decree came earlier than we thought it would as I got it the day he landed in the USA. Then, all this COVID-19 stuff had his flights canceled so we figured the stars aligned and we went to get a marriage license and got married a week ago. We are currently getting our I-130 and I-485 packets together to send in ASAP as his ESTA runs out next week and we want him to enter into authorized stay as soon as possible.

 

One of the evidences that is listed on the checklist on USCIS is a lease with both our names on it. We are currently looking to move out of our friend's place, but I'm wondering how to explain our situation to potential landlords/leasing agents? Seeing as he does not have a SSN yet, I'm worried about getting him on the lease and would love to hear anyone's personal experiences with such a thing. What did you say? How did it go? Where should I be looking?

 

Thanks so much!

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

It’s going to be landlord specific. They may not want to add him, understandably so, because they can’t run a background check. Don’t focus on this one aspect for AOS. Both of you can create wills and you should be able to add him to your bank account. You can eventually obtain IDs with the same address and add his name to utility bills.

[igoyougoduke 1,676]

There are alternatives other than having a combined lease like bank accounts, health insurance, bills etc 

 

[BearxBelle 23]

Yes, I understand there are other evidences we will be pursuing but I just wanted to see if anyone had any experience getting their spouse on a lease with them so that I had some background on the process. I will be adding him to my bank account next week!

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

3 minutes ago, BearxBelle said:

Yes, I understand there are other evidences we will be pursuing but I just wanted to see if anyone had any experience getting their spouse on a lease with them so that I had some background on the process. I will be adding him to my bank account next week!

Did you search VJ first then? https://www.visajourney.com/sitesearch/?cx=partner-pub-3407508467788263%3A9725800110&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=Adding+spouse+to+lease&sa=Search

[Cndn 98]

You don’t need every single example of evidence there is you just need a decent amount that shows you are more than likely legitimately married. 

[Chi_Rinze 14]

16 minutes ago, BearxBelle said:

Yes, I understand there are other evidences we will be pursuing but I just wanted to see if anyone had any experience getting their spouse on a lease with them so that I had some background on the process. I will be adding him to my bank account next week!

I was able to add my husband to the lease as a tenant as my specific complex only asked for his proof of identification. We explained the situation to them, but we oddly didn’t run into any roadblocks. I definitely would talk to them and try to deal with one leasing agent during the entirety of the process so you don’t have to keep explaining you all’s situation and you can ensure the person you’re dealing with has all of the facts. 

[mlong1397 3]

On 6/5/2020 at 2:36 PM, BearxBelle said:

Hi everyone,

 

My partner and I recently tied the knot on May 30, 2020. Originally we had planned for him to apply for his K-1 when I got my divorce decree and he returned home to the UK from visiting me for Easter. Well, my divorce decree came earlier than we thought it would as I got it the day he landed in the USA. Then, all this COVID-19 stuff had his flights canceled so we figured the stars aligned and we went to get a marriage license and got married a week ago. We are currently getting our I-130 and I-485 packets together to send in ASAP as his ESTA runs out next week and we want him to enter into authorized stay as soon as possible.

 

One of the evidences that is listed on the checklist on USCIS is a lease with both our names on it. We are currently looking to move out of our friend's place, but I'm wondering how to explain our situation to potential landlords/leasing agents? Seeing as he does not have a SSN yet, I'm worried about getting him on the lease and would love to hear anyone's personal experiences with such a thing. What did you say? How did it go? Where should I be looking?

 

Thanks so much!

Hi, kind of related. My husband arrived with an ESTA in March and was going to return but we decided to adjust status due to covid. He'll be overstaying starting tomorrow. I think I'm just being anxious because his overstay is forgiven, right? I live in a border town so that's extra stressful... AOS package arrived last week but still waiting to hear back. 

 

Back to your question. We didn't have any shared residences or bank accounts and our i130 was approved. We just had lots of pictures,  screenshots of call logs, and affidavits from friends and family. 

[BearxBelle 23]

19 minutes ago, mlong1397 said:

Hi, kind of related. My husband arrived with an ESTA in March and was going to return but we decided to adjust status due to covid. He'll be overstaying starting tomorrow. I think I'm just being anxious because his overstay is forgiven, right? I live in a border town so that's extra stressful... AOS package arrived last week but still waiting to hear back. 

 

Back to your question. We didn't have any shared residences or bank accounts and our i130 was approved. We just had lots of pictures,  screenshots of call logs, and affidavits from friends and family. 

As far as I know, as soon as they start processing your AOS package your husband enters into authorized stay. I am super nervous because my husband began his overstay today and it has me all jittery but we will just have to push through until we can get our AOS package in.

 

Thank you for the reply. I went to add him to my bank account today and I am unable to since he is not a lawful alien yet... sigh. It is good news that photos, call logs, and affadavits worked for you though because we certainly have plenty of that.

[KurtDarryl23 14]

Bank of America allow non residents to be added onto a joint bank account if you open up a new account. He/she will need to bring there passport.

 

bank of America don’t require SSN to have an account. It’s what we did :)

[RPC 67]

We were in a similar situation 2 months ago, we have our I-797 and copies of my U.K. credit report as well as my husbands us score and employment details