Proof of domicile

[dandkam 0]

I, the USC plan to DCF in Qatar. Been in Qatar for over a year working as a nurse, will return as soon as ( God help us ) my spouse gets approved. I do not own property in US and I do not have family in US. Of course I don't rent, I don't live there right now. My good friend owns a big house. She always said I can go and stay with her anytime. ( I actualy plan to stay with her a couple of weeks, until I rent something ). My question is :

should I have her write a statement saying that we have disscussed and she agreed to lodge us until we get settled ? how would I phrase that ?

" I, 'Best Friend', certify that upon their arrival to US, my friend XX and her husband YY

are welcome to live on my property, at this 'Address' .

We have disscussed and agreed to sign a rental agreement at that time, and agreed

on the amount and method of payment.

Sincerely

B. Friend "

I'm just freaked out of this " proof of domicile " thing.

At what point in this whole process they ask for proof of domilcile anyway ?

I appreciate any input. Thanx

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Did you keep bank accounts? your driver's license? voter's registration? Have you continued to pay taxes?

Your friend's affidavit, drafted officially as some sort of lease would also be helpful.

As far as the affidavit of support; make sure you will be over the property lines for your state; and if not, get a co-sponsor (perhaps the same friend).

best of luck.

[dandkam 0]

Did you keep bank accounts? your driver's license? voter's registration? Have you continued to pay taxes?

Your friend's affidavit, drafted officially as some sort of lease would also be helpful.

As far as the affidavit of support; make sure you will be over the property lines for your state; and if not, get a co-sponsor (perhaps the same friend).

best of luck.

[dandkam 0]

OOps, pushed something wrong there Stress

THE ANSWER IS YES TO ALL : BANK ACCOUNT, 403b, TROWE PRICE INVESTMENT, CURRENT AZ DRIVER'S LICENCE, VOTING REG. ( didn't vote last time, but did the previous ). I'm more than 125% above poverty level to sponsor on my own.

IT'S THE HOUSING ISSUE THAT MAKES ME NERVOUS...I FEEL LIKE I SHOULD HAVE AN EMPTY HOUSE WAITING FOR ME SOMEWHERE IN US.

...AT WHAT POINT IN THE PROCESS THEY ASK FOR PROOF OF DOMICILE ?

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

They asked us at the interview, but the bank account was sufficient, so you will be fine with all that you have! You'll probably want to use your friends address as a mailing address/ first residence when moving to the USA though (we used my husband's sister's house, as we didn't know if our house would be ready).

[I Miss Her 0]

At what point in this whole process they ask for proof of domilcile anyway ?

I appreciate any input. Thanx

A sponsor must be at least 18 years old and either an American citizen or a lawful permanent resident (LPR). The sponsor must also have a domicile (residence) in the United States.

Domicile is a complex issue and must be determined on a case by case basis. To qualify as a sponsor, a petitioner who is residing abroad must have a principal residence in the U.S. and intend to maintain that residence for the foreseeable future. Lawful permanent resident (LPR) sponsors must show they are maintaining their LPR status.

Many U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents reside outside the United States on a temporary basis, usually for work or family considerations. "Temporary" may cover an extended period of residence abroad. The sponsor living abroad must establish the following in order to be considered domiciled in the United States:

He/she left the United States for a limited and not indefinite period of time,

He/she intended to maintain a domicile in the United States, and

He/she has evidence of continued ties to the United States.

What kinds of employment abroad can be counted as U.S. domicile?

Employment by the U.S. government

Employment by an American institution of research recognized by the Attorney General

Employment by an American firm or corporation engaged in whole or in part in the development of foreign trade and commerce with the United States, or a subsidiary of such a firm

Employment with a public international organization in which the United States participates by treaty or statute

Employment by a religious denomination/group having a genuine organization within the United States and is stationed abroad with that religious denomination

Employment as a missionary by a religious denomination/group or by an interdenominational mission organization within the United States and is stationed abroad with that religious denomination

[txladykat 1]

Actually the information that you maintained a residence in the US in completely and totally incorrect. The bank account, voting registration, etc. is sufficient to show you have maintained your ties to the US

Furthermore, if you have not maintained the above, you only need to show that you are taking steps to re-establish domicile in the US if you have not maintained a residence while living abroad.

Edited April 5, 2009 by txladykat

[I Miss Her 0]

Actually the information that you maintained a residence in the US in completely and totally incorrect. The bank account, voting registration, etc. is sufficient to show you have maintained your ties to the US

Furthermore, if you have not maintained the above, you only need to show that you are taking steps to re-establish domicile in the US if you have not maintained a residence while living abroad.

What is your basis of saying that “maintained a residence in the US in completely and totally incorrect”.

[txladykat 1]

My "basis" is the documentation the embassy provided to me with my interview appointment to file my petition. The documentation is clear that you can re-establish domicile if you have not maintained domicile while living abroad:

How can a petitioner establish a domicile?

When a sponsor has clearly not maintained a domicile in the United States, he/she will need to re-establish a U.S. domicile in order for him/her to be a sponsor. The sponsor may make a number of steps to show that he/she considers the United States his/her principal place of residence. Examples of things he/she can do are given below:

• Find a job in the United States

• Locate a place to live in the United States

• Register children in U.S. schools

• Make arrangements to give up (relinquish) residence abroad

• Other evidence of a U.S. residence

Further, maintaining domicile and maintaining a residence are two seperate things. You maintain domicile by providing proof of voting record, paying taxes, proof of having property, proof of maintaining a bank account, or proof of a mailing address. This is seperate and distinct from having maintained a RESIDENCE in the US. By stating someone must maintain a residence leads people to believe they must have kept an actual home in the US while abroad. This is not true, you just must have maintained domicile and, if you have not maintained domicile, you must re-establish domicile in order to sponsor as listed above.