We are awaiting USCIS approval since Oct 2022. The I-864 FAQ says:
"A sponsor who is not currently living in the United States may meet the domicile requirement if he can submit evidence to establish that ... the sponsor intends in GOOD FAITH to establish his domicile in the United States no later than the date of the intending immigrant s admission to the United States."
AND
"He has taken CONCRETE STEPS to establish a domicile in the United States and will do so concurrently with the applicant no later than the date of the intending immigrant s admission."
Once I have my visa, we would naturally like to travel together and find an apartment when we arrive in the US.
QUESTION: What will be considered sufficient evidence that we intend to follow this path in GOOD FAITH, and what CONCRETE STEPS do we need to show to fulfill the domicile requirements?
We worry that we won't be able to provide the data the NVC officers are looking for. The alternative would be a hardship for us: for my husband to move to the US before the NVC submission, and pay rent there living alone, while I continue to maintain housing expenses overseas. Since we estimate at least 4-5 months before I arrive, that is $5000 extra just for US rent, utilities, etc.!
MORE INFORMATION:
Since our marriage in 2016, my husband has lived with me in Vietnam. Even so, he has maintained his domicile by:
1. Paying the US state and local taxes
2. Maintaining his bank account in the US.
3. Using his aunt s permanent address, and a US virtual mailing address (since he sold his house in the US in 2020)
4. Having his private doctor
5. Having renewed his US. driver s license
6. Writing emails to his friends about our upcoming US return when I am issued a visa.
7. Visiting his aunt in the US every year, except for the period of COVID-19 lockdowns
He also composed a letter mentioning that he has a concrete strategy to establish a domicile.
He said that when we arrive in the US., we will stay in his aunt s house temporarily while searching for an apartment.
Thanks for reading and helping me with this issue!