Renting an apt before EAD/ GC

[nutmeg 0]

I've been searching the VJ for over an hour and for some reason have only seen a couple threads dealing with this topic. Unfortunately, none of those have really answered my specific question, so I apologize for possibly repeating past posts/ questions, but I'd appreciate any ideas or advice.

My husband (the non-USC) and I are looking to move out of my mom's house and into an apartment of our own. However, all apartments we've looked at require that any occupants 18 or older fill out an application. Part of the application process (besides ridiculous, non-refundable fees) is showing a "government-issued photo ID" or a visa valid for the period you will be renting. Most also ask for Driver's License numbers. But since my husband is in the gray area between K-1 and GC, and his I-94 is already expired and his K-1 visa "expires" soon, leasing agents seem to doubt his legal status. I've tried to explain the situation to a couple of them, but they seem hesitant because we have no paper explicitly stating that he is here legally. I don't exactly blame them-- to anyone unfamiliar with this process, it does look like (based on the expiration dates on his visa and I-94) he is here illegally!

I might also add that we've considered trying to rent through an individual rather than a company, but those seem to be few and far between at the moment.

I KNOW it must be possible for an immigrant to rent an apartment! Actually, many of the places we looked at were full of immigrants! But HOW do they do it? What do we do?

Here's what we have:

* His SSN and card

* His foreign passport, K-1 visa ("expires" in a few weeks), and his I-94 (expired a month ago)

* His NOAs/ I-797s for I-485, I-765, and I-131

* The statement issued by S.A.V.E saying that his case is being processed and we will receive a letter from the DMV in the mail in 2-6 weeks (so that he can get his driver's license)

* Our marriage certificate

Here's what we don't have:

* GC, EAD, or AP

* Driver's License (S.A.V.E. issue--see above)

* Colorado State ID (again impossible to get until the S.A.V.E. letter comes through)

It seems to me that, according to anti-discrimination laws and plain common sense, we should be able to rent an apartment together fairly easily. How have others done it? MORE GENERALLY, HOW DO YOU PROVE A NON-USC's LEGAL STATUS BETWEEN I-94 EXPIRATION AND RECEIVING A GC OR EAD? We DID apply for AOS before (2 days before!) his I-94 expired, so he hasn't accrued any "out-of-status" days.

Thanks!

[Bethany 1]

I guess things are easier in Texas. I would try hard NOT to over explain the whole immigrant thing. His SSN should be huge in helping you. Have you tried simply using his SSN and passport? If this doesn't work, I would explain the situation and have them rent to just you and add him to the lease when he gets the correct documentation. My apartment knows what's going on with us and when my husband finally gets here, they're letting him be a "guest" until we have the needed docs. Good luck!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Moved from "Effects of Family Change on Immigration Benefits" to "Moving Here and Your New Life in America' as more likely to get appropriate responses

[trillium13 84]

I'm not sure I have much to add in the way of help, but I can tell you that we went through the same thing. The short version of the story is that we finally found someone willing to rent to us under our circumstances. We tried looking at an apartment complex, but they wouldn't even consider us without hubby having a GC ( he entered on a VWP) We rented the apartment in my name only, using my SS number, and he was only listed as an occupant.

We're now living in a different place, and he had to fill out a whole separate application page because he isn't a USC. We had to prove he was here legally.

It really sucks being in that limbo stage. I wish I had more advice to offer you but I think it is a problem that you may continue to run into. You may want to consider waiting a few months until you had everything in order.

I wish we would have had that option, because our first apartment was a real dump.

[MalolosToUSA 0]

My fiancee will be here next week. I have already talked to the management at my apartment complex and explained the situation (that she will not have a green card immediately, etc.). They told me that all they need is a SS# and a copy of her visa to process a background check. Of course they know nothing will come up on the background check but it is required. Prior to getting her SS#, they told me she will be considered a "guest". They had no issues. I believe that if you explain the situation everything should be ok. However, if they still do not allow it, move on to another apartment complex. I wouldn't want to live in a place where the management lacks that kind of common sense!

[FortLaudy 10]

Yup, it's tough! even with my valid student visa I had a hard time renting... primarily because I was not allowed to work and had to show income from abroad etc. and had no credit history and no SS card, only the visa and my passport and later a driver's licence... luckily where I live there are about 7 colleges with a lot of international students so eventually I found a place through a local estate agent, but of course had to put down a huge security deposit and first and last month's rent, so too for getting things like a cellphone contract or comcast account etc. I did eventually get it all, but they always had to get some huge security deposit out of me first... If I was you I would try to go with a private owner, there are a lot out there, just check on websites and newspapers or contact a local agent to help you - that's what they're there for !

[thesnowman 1]

I know its not technically not right, but what we did was just said we were girl friend and boy friend when we looked at places and then used the USC name for the appartment (we told them i wasnt working there), then when I got my GC we just got me added to the lease.

I dont really feel bad, I got so sick of jumping through all these hoops because I was trying to legally come to the US.