Live apart due to grad school… what evidence to gather?

[INF 96]

I got my green card in June 2021 and then had to move away to another state for grad school July 2021. My husband and I have seen each other every month for 2-3 weeks at a time. Sometimes he visits me and sometimes I visit him! I have records of gas receipts/airplane tickets/pictures of when he visits. We also drove down and had a lot of fun with his extended family in South Carolina. We have a lot of financial comingling. He is on the lease for my apartment in the new state, and we own our house in Michigan where we originally are from. I’m wondering what other evidence should we be gathering besides pictures, joint bank account transactions, airplane tickets. To show that we are definitely legitimately together! 

[Moe428 129]

1 hour ago, INF said:

I got my green card in June 2021 and then had to move away to another state for grad school July 2021. My husband and I have seen each other every month for 2-3 weeks at a time. Sometimes he visits me and sometimes I visit him! I have records of gas receipts/airplane tickets/pictures of when he visits. We also drove down and had a lot of fun with his extended family in South Carolina. We have a lot of financial comingling. He is on the lease for my apartment in the new state, and we own our house in Michigan where we originally are from. I’m wondering what other evidence should we be gathering besides pictures, joint bank account transactions, airplane tickets. To show that we are definitely legitimately together! 

These situations are very common, so I wouldn't be worry about it.   Good thing is you are inquiring now, so you still have time to make adjustments if necessary.

 

Having him on the apartment lease is a good start, as are the plane tickets.   

 

You want the grad school acceptance letter, which you probably have.  Any joint vacation travel during this time is also good to have (not a big deal if you don't).  If you have renter's insurance for the apartment, get him on the insurance.  If you pay any utility bills on the apartment, get him on it.  If you registered a car in the new state and/or have car insurance in the new state, ideally you both should be on it.  You don't need all of them but more the better.

 

The rest of the things should ideally look like most other couples, such as a joint bank account (addressed at either address), jointly filed tax return, being on the deed in the house in Michigan, being on the bills on the Michigan house, etc (it's the usual list that I don't want to repeat).

 

When you file the package make sure you write a cover letter explaining your arrangement, reasons for it, and when you expect to be living back together.

 

If you get a job offer in the same location as your husband before filing, add that as well.

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

As mentioned in the previous post, it is very important to include the letter explaining in full detail why you are living apart as well as evidence -in your case, documents that prove you're enrolled in your grad program, when it ends, if there is a scholarship involved, etc.-

Without this letter USCIS won't know why you live apart - which is fine if it is justified-.

[USC4SPOUSE 506]

9 hours ago, INF said:

I got my green card in June 2021 and then had to move away to another state for grad school July 2021. My husband and I have seen each other every month for 2-3 weeks at a time. Sometimes he visits me and sometimes I visit him! I have records of gas receipts/airplane tickets/pictures of when he visits. We also drove down and had a lot of fun with his extended family in South Carolina. We have a lot of financial comingling. He is on the lease for my apartment in the new state, and we own our house in Michigan where we originally are from. I’m wondering what other evidence should we be gathering besides pictures, joint bank account transactions, airplane tickets. To show that we are definitely legitimately together! 

Take a look at the Table of contents included on the second post of this link https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/699699-i-751-march-2019-filers/

It should hopefully give you a good idea of what else to include. it is very important that you include evidence since the date you got married and not since the date you got your green card. 

He should be listed as your emergency contact on your school records. I would include that. 

Records of visiting each other are important. Though, I would focus on the financial aspect; e.g., joint checking, brokerage, 401Ks, IRAs, etc. 

 

 

 

[INF 96]

Really good suggestions to include the graduation acceptance letters! Thanks so much! 

[millefleur 5,046]

Another member started a thread about couples living apart, might be interesting for you to share or discuss with them:

 

[Rocio0010 5,579]

Hi there! Don't forget about tax returns, too. Also, does your husband work? If so, he might want to add you as emergency contact information on his workplace.

Joint health insurance would also be good. I think the marketplace is about to be open, so if you don't have health insurance you might be on time to do so.

I know that your situation is fairly common and I don't think you will have any issues. However, I always err on the safer side and in your circumstances I would be doing a Power of Attorney for you and for him where you name the other person as able to make decisions in case you can't. I think they are fairly cheap to have them done. Good luck!