Joint bank account with a foreign spouse

[Myroslava 21]

Hello everyone 😊  we are filing I-130 for CR1 visa using help of emigration agency. They requested a joint bank account from us. My husband (US citizen) went to his bank and they said they need my signature and presence. Then he went to another and the same result. We feel so devastated by this paper work. Please help! Share your experience or bank in America that provide such service. Thank you in advance!

[SteveInBostonI130 3,434]

Hello,

 

First, I would suggest you to self apply for CR-1.  It is not that difficult, and there are several good guides here on VJ that can help walk you through the process.  And there are horror stories here of third party agencies and lawyers screwing up normally simple spouse and fiance visa applications.

 

Second, I was able to get my wife on my bank account, but it required a photocopy of a valid visa on her passport (she came here on a K1 before she had to leave).   I added her after she returned to Ukraine - she did not need to be physically present.   I would suggest your husband to check the local banks in his area first, to see if he can open an account and add you via a mail in form that you can sign.  Another option is an online bank account that can add you without a SSN.

 

The joint bank account is helpful but not absolutely necessary for the CR-1 application.  It helps prove that you are in a bona-fide relationship.  But there are other evidence that you can submit, like photos of you together, either on vacation or with each other's family.  Ask your husband if you can be added to his health insurance.  I was able to add my wife with just her passport and birth certificate information.  Have your husband declare you the beneficiary on life insurance and his will, if he has one. 

 

 

[Sparkle Sparkle 914]

You could also prepare a notarized power of attorney for your husband to take to the bank.

[cbro 59]

Yes there is no requirement from USCIS or NVC or State Department that the applicant and petitioner have a joint bank account.  As mentioned, it can help prove a bonafide marriage but there is other "evidence" that can be used to help prove that as well if needed!

[Myroslava 21]

2 hours ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

Hello,

 

First, I would suggest you to self apply for CR-1.  It is not that difficult, and there are several good guides here on VJ that can help walk you through the process.  And there are horror stories here of third party agencies and lawyers screwing up normally simple spouse and fiance visa applications.

 

Second, I was able to get my wife on my bank account, but it required a photocopy of a valid visa on her passport (she came here on a K1 before she had to leave).   I added her after she returned to Ukraine - she did not need to be physically present.   I would suggest your husband to check the local banks in his area first, to see if he can open an account and add you via a mail in form that you can sign.  Another option is an online bank account that can add you without a SSN.

 

The joint bank account is helpful but not absolutely necessary for the CR-1 application.  It helps prove that you are in a bona-fide relationship.  But there are other evidence that you can submit, like photos of you together, either on vacation or with each other's family.  Ask your husband if you can be added to his health insurance.  I was able to add my wife with just her passport and birth certificate information.  Have your husband declare you the beneficiary on life insurance and his will, if he has one. 

 

 

Thank you so much for your reply! I had tears in my eyes. I agree with you 💯% about agencies. My husband works long hours and we decided to use their help to avoid possible RFE. We provided few written affidavits from friends, many pictures, screenshots of chats, plane tickets from our trips together, many receipts. We don't have joint bank account but I am using my husband credit card here in Ukraine. He provided that document from bank. Today he will call the insurance company again. The last time he asked they wanted my SSN which I don't have...

[Crazy Cat 41,842]

5 hours ago, Myroslava said:

Hello everyone 😊  we are filing I-130 for CR1 visa using help of emigration agency. They requested a joint bank account from us. My husband (US citizen) went to his bank and they said they need my signature and presence. Then he went to another and the same result. We feel so devastated by this paper work. Please help! Share your experience or bank in America that provide such service. Thank you in advance!

Couples living in different countries are not expected to have joint bank accounts or joint property.  The best evidence is that time actually spent together.

[Crazy Cat 41,842]

A joint bank account will be much more important for Removal of Conditions on the conditional Green Card.  I, personally, have not seen anyone succeed in creating a true joint bank account when the foreign spouse was not present in the US.

[bobjennyhitched 99]

2 hours ago, Myroslava said:

Thank you so much for your reply! I had tears in my eyes. I agree with you 💯% about agencies. My husband works long hours and we decided to use their help to avoid possible RFE. We provided few written affidavits from friends, many pictures, screenshots of chats, plane tickets from our trips together, many receipts. We don't have joint bank account but I am using my husband credit card here in Ukraine. He provided that document from bank. Today he will call the insurance company again. The last time he asked they wanted my SSN which I don't have...

Hi, so we went through the CR1 (issued with an IR1 by the time I moved!), we made each other beneficiaries on things like our pensions, life insurance etc..... Do not add each other to property though as that can incur tax issues.

 

I also added him as an authorised card user to my MBNA, we didn't add me to our now joint account until October 2019 so well into the process. 

 

We also got Affidavits from friends and family, notarised (did you get them notarised by a Notary Public?) and they were also accepted.  We weren't asked for financial info, but it's useful for evidence but not actually required. We did use Rapidvisa, but I'd advise looking back to do it alone, we were worried we'd get something wrong.

[Myroslava 21]

48 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

 

 

22 minutes ago, jennywhite421 said:

Hi, so we went through the CR1 (issued with an IR1 by the time I moved!), we made each other beneficiaries on things like our pensions, life insurance etc..... Do not add each other to property though as that can incur tax issues.

 

I also added him as an authorised card user to my MBNA, we didn't add me to our now joint account until October 2019 so well into the process. 

 

We also got Affidavits from friends and family, notarised (did you get them notarised by a Notary Public?) and they were also accepted.  We weren't asked for financial info, but it's useful for evidence but not actually required. Wte did use Rapidvisa, but I'd advise looking back to do it alone, we were worried we'd get something wrong.

Thank you very for your help and support. We got written affidavits from family members and friends. Some of them notarised, some are not. Not sure how important it is. Our friends wrote them during lockdown and notary offices  were closed. 

[Myroslava 21]

I know this is off topic but without joint bank accounts and other financial proof how some people are able to file the petition I-130 so fast.

[bobjennyhitched 99]

7 minutes ago, Myroslava said:

I know this is off topic but without joint bank accounts and other financial proof how some people are able to file the petition I-130 so fast.

Not sure if this will help. Here is the list we got from Rapid Visa as alternatives, also we just got two affidavits notarised.

 

Since a Foreign national and a British citizen is not qualified to have a joint bank account after marriage in the country. 

That will not be a problem, you can simply use the third party sworn affidavit provided on your CR1 package. simply modify the information have your witness sign this form then have it notarize. 
 

Other proof for Bona fide Proof  of Relationship that you can provide are listed below:

 

• Photographs that show both spouses together and with family and friends. These photographs can be taken at the wedding, at other functions or events, and throughout their relationship.
• Letters between the couple before the marriage, with their postmarked envelope.
• Evidence of trips the couple has taken together, including bills and receipts reflecting hotel stays, car rental, plane tickets, postcards sent to family members while on the trip.
• Birth certificates of children of the marriage.
• Copies of joint income tax returns.
• Evidence of joint checking or savings accounts.
• Photo ID cards of both spouses with a new card for the wife showing her married name.
• Driver’s licenses, credit cards, check cashing cards, employment ID cards, video club memberships, etc. for both parties.
• Real property deeds showing joint tenancy.
• Apartment lease or a letter from the landlord indicating that both spouses live at the apartment or copies of rent receipts showing both parties’ names.
• Letter from an employer showing a change in records to reflect the spouses’ new marital status.
• Letter from an employer showing designation of the spouse as the person to be notified in event of accident, sickness, or other emergency.
• Evidence of life insurance policies where the spouse is named as beneficiary.
• Evidence of medical or health insurance plans, which name the spouse as a member or beneficiary.
• Evidence of correspondence between parties, including letters, birthday and holiday cards, telephone calls, and other correspondence addressed to the parties.
• Religious marriage certificates if the couple had a church wedding.
• Copies of gas, electric, telephone and other utility bills.
• Evidence of joint ownership of an automobile.
• Evidence of all major purchases made together, such as stereo, television, refrigerator, washer, dryer, etc.

[SteveInBostonI130 3,434]

Hi,

 

There is no financial proof required for I-130.  It is just used as evidence of a relationship if you have a joint bank account.  Is the agency telling you this?  If so, that is incorrect.

You listed other forms of relationship evidence and that should be sufficient.

 

Your husband will need to submit an affidavit of support later in the process, after USCIS approves the I-130.  But that is based solely on his own financials, not on joint finances.

 

P.S.  Affidavits from friends are acceptable, but considered weak evidence.  It is useful if you have nothing else to submit.  We did not submit any.  Instead we sent in photos, of our wedding, honeymoon and time spent together before and after.   Along with my wife being on my health insurance.

[carmel34 3,625]

2 hours ago, Myroslava said:

I know this is off topic but without joint bank accounts and other financial proof how some people are able to file the petition I-130 so fast.

Here's what we did:

 

1.  we got married in Brazil in June 2018

2.  I returned with the marriage certificate and started to complete the I-130 petition and other required documents

3.  I included evidence of my four trips to Brazil, passport stamps, boarding passes, hotel receipts, a few photos together from each trip including wedding photos with his family

4.  I added him to my employer's health insurance, and as beneficiary of 401K, investment accounts, bank account, and life insurance, all I needed was his name and date of birth, no SSN

5.  I added him to one of my credit card accounts and included evidence of this with the petitioin

6.  I downloaded and printed off some sample chat records, email log, etc. from the beginning of our relationship

7.  I sent everything off in July 2018, no agency or attorney, the petition was approved 7 months later, he got his visa 4 months after that and entered the US in August 2019

 

Good luck!

[gregcrs2 1,778]

We were married in Ukraine.  Here it was what we provided and did not gave any problems with docs submitted.  Some form numbers may have changed since then.

 

1.     Form G1145 E-Notification of application/petition acceptance

2.     Form I-130 with $XXX personal check for filing fee attached

3.     Forms G-325A for petitioner and beneficiary, each with one photo attached

4.     Copy of Petitioner’s U.S. passport (all pages)

5.     Copy of Divorce decrees of petitioner

6.     Copy of Divorce decree of beneficiary in Ukrainian and English language translation

7.     Copy of our marriage certificate in Ukrainian and English language translation

8.     Evidence of bona fide relationship/marriage

A.    A short summary of our story

B.    Flight itineraries & boarding passes showing trips taken together or to visit each other

C.    Hotel/Airbnb lodging receipts/Airbnb hosts providing reviews of our stays as a couple

D.    Photos of visits/travels as a couple and with family & friends

E.     Receipt for engagement/wedding ring set

F.     Photos of our wedding party event with family & friends

G.    Airline receipt for future visit to my spouse in Ukraine

 

NO FINANCIAL COMMINGLING OCCURED PRIOR TO ENTRY TO USA.

 

[JeanneAdil 6,497]

a joint bank account is only needed for high fraud countries to prove commingling of finances when the relationship may be in doubt and a person gets a letter from immigration saying it will help a CR1 to show this / otherwise not needed until the immigrant is here and has to AOS or ROC or do 3 year naturalization with the spouse who sponsored

As for getting one you apply with tax returns for a ITIN (would be 2019 returns if married in 2019 or before)

You take the ITIN to the bank along with a POA (in native language and certified English translation)  and according to Federal Banking Laws,  the person can be added 

I did it for 2010 taxes and added him 2011 when the ITIN was issued 

He was on my account and had immediate credit when he finally got his Visa in 2015 as i am a stickler for good keeping good solid credit scores