Living in RV for a couple of years. Upcoming removal of conditions.

[Ar77668 16]

My wife and I going to move to California in a few months. Right now I have a conditional green card and will be applying for removal of conditions in around a year and half.

 

California rents being the way they are, we thought we’ll give RV living a try, while getting an yearly lease at RV park. And planning to move back to our home state NC after two or 2.5 years. This will also give us a chance to travel around west coast more since we’re going to be there just for a couple of years.

 

Has anyone tried this while applying for removal of conditions? Any tips or caveats?

 

Here are my concerns,

- We will be selling our primary residence here, so no shared fixed asset, though we will be reporting historical address and ownership in removal of conditions application.

- Can RV be permanent address? We have family in home state but not in California. So can’t use their address for anything permanent. We’ll need to get new driver’s licenses etc.

- USCIS rule states that I have to update my address every time I move. Can RV park address be used for that and for official USCIS letters?

- RV title will have our joint ownership , does that look bad to USCIS? And no shared utilities (except mobile)

 

Is it worth the hassle while being a conditional permanent resident? Or should we just stick to the usual rent a place? (Owning not a good idea since it is a temporary move)

Edited February 19, 2021 by Ar77668

[aaron2020 11,651]

An RV is a vehicle.  It can not be used as a permanent address.  

 

For ROC, you will need to show a life together as a married couple.  Being nomadic will make it harder since you wouldn't have utilities together.  If you decide to do this, make sure that all bills and receipts on the road have both your names on them.  

Immigration laws and the US Government do not address modern trends such as nomadic living.  You will have to be super diligent in keeping records and providing evidence that you were on the road together.  

[SalishSea 17,829]

I can’t  imagine they’d care.   Will the RV be situated permanently in a trailer park, where you could receive mail (addressed to you, with a “unit” or “space” number)?   If not, then I suppose you’d have to rent a local PO Box, which might be an issue for USCIS.  

 

Really it’s no different than permanently residing in a mobile home park.

 

They basically want to see that you have a current address for mail, you’re not a public charge, you’ve commingled your finances and continue to have a bonafide marriage, and that you’re abiding by the local and federal laws, etc.

 

The only issue I can see, and I think this is what Aaron2020 was getting at, is that USCIS wants to be able to spontaneously visit anyone seeking an immigrant benefit, You would need a real, navigable US residential address to satisfy this.   I think that if you rent a space in a  commercial RV park where mail is delivered, you’ll be fine.

[Sukie 1,460]

In addition to all the advice above, be SURE to write an explanation of your living situation in a cover letter, or on a separate page in your ROC package when you submit.

 

Other than an address to which mail get delivered (NOT A PO BOX!), I don't think living in an RV will be a big issue.  However, as stated above, you will need to be sure to document your life together in a way that it is clear that you co-habitate, that you care about each other through coverage with insurance, that you have wills and medical powers of attorney, etc.  Wills and MPoAs are NOT required, but since you have a slightly different lifestyle situation, those documents really show USCIS that you are planning for the future.  Do be sure to have those documents drafted in California, if that is where you are RVing, and where you will be going through the ROC process.  Wills and MPoAs are state-specific.  You'd have to update these when you come back to NC to make sure that they are current and follow state law.

 

Use joint credit cards when you can.  When you submit your credit card bills to USCIS, copy BOTH cards and attach the copy to the bills.

 

Just a thought...you say you will be eligible for ROC in 1.5 years, and that you are thinking of moving back to NC in 2 - 2.5 years.  ROC is taking 14-24 months these days.  You might want to be settled back in NC before you file so you don't have to go through a change-of-address.   That way, you will have a permanent address at the time of filing.  Go have fun RVing for a year and a half.  Keep all receipts.  If you spend the night in a hotel, have BOTH names on the bill when you make the reservation.  I know this is possible, because I did this for our ROC.

 

Best of luck.  RVing sounds fun!

 

Sukie in NY

[Ar77668 16]

Thank you for the response and info @aaron2020 , @Jorgedig and @Sukie

1. So the biggest issue will be the permanent address. That has been my concern too, have to get new license and registrations in new state anyway. I am trying to find more info on other people's experience on using RV Park lot no. as a permanent address, I hope that will be possible. I read about RV mail service, but it is just regular mail forwarding service.. cannot prove residency using that.

2. Second, if the above is possible.. it is as good as renting an apartment together. Anyway any lease with RV park will have both our names. For the weekend travels we'll take the RV with us, but if we park somewhere in national / state parks will be sure to get the temporary permit in both our names too, for documentation.

 

If #1 is not possible, then have to be super meticulous about keeping all documentation of shared asset etc. But personally I'll feel more comfortable if we have a "permanent" address....

Sukie, good point on ROC timeline. If we apply 90 days before GC expiration and we're still in CA.. at some point have to change address to NC with USCIS before ROC interview. So it will be a transfer definitely from CA field office to NC and I may lose my place in the queue But unfortunately we are moving for the new job, and thinking about staying at least 2 year at that job just to make it worthwhile (possibly career building opportunity)

Worst case, we'll just postpone our nomadic living plans a few years  until I get naturalized. My wife has been really dreaming of that lifestyle.. me too, but at least not for now, maybe near retirement time. But still excited about trying it out for a couple of years though, if possible right now. Let's see.

P.S. unrelated note - Even RV parks are not cheap in Bay Area CA, the park lease costs more per month than our whole 15yr mortgage payment per month of our house in Charlotte, NC  and a 1-bd apartment is double that!

[NandV 87]

1 hour ago, Ar77668 said:

P.S. unrelated note - Even RV parks are not cheap in Bay Area CA, the park lease costs more per month than our whole 15yr mortgage payment per month of our house in Charlotte, NC  and a 1-bd apartment is double that!

Welcome to CA! 😂 Rent prices have actually gone down quite a bit due to the pandemic and the "free" months of rent. Most people live in the east or south bay as it's "more" affordable 

[ms_bobdog 501]

Can I just chime in to say that USCIS is notoriously bad about change of addresses. I have read more than a handful of cases of people going online to change their mailing address and even receiving an acknowledgement, but mail still gets sent to the old address, and a friend I know personally had the same problem. In most cases, once you file and have a receipt number, you will be able to keep track of updates online, but things like appointment letters are still sent by mail, without any updates online (that is the experience so far).