How to establish domicile in U.S. while living abroad?

[adnaps1 0]

I'm a US citizen and my wife has the 2-year home residency requirement (HRR) and now we are interested in getting her green card. Her home country for the HRR is Argentina. We are currently living in Canada, but she has completed the HRR in Argentina with numerous visits adding up to 2 years. The problem we have is that in order to file I-864, I need to be domiciled in the U.S. or satisfy the U.S. government that I will establish a domicile in the U.S. on the date of my wife's admission to the U.S. As soon as my wife has her green card, we will be seeking employment in the U.S. How do we show proof that we will be seeking employment in the U.S.? I am currently working on my Ph.D. in Canada (I moved here because of my wife's 2-year HRR).

[N-o-l-a 7,168]

Did you search the forums before posting this? I suggest searching "establishing domicile" and see what others have done.

If your wife is going to be interviewing in Canada, the requirements are stricter and will likely require you to move back first to obtain housing, etc.

The I-864 instructions also provide guidance

"Part 4. Information on the Sponsor

Item Number 5. Country of Domicile.

If you are not currently living in the United States, you may meet the domicile requirement if you can submit evidence to establish that any of the following conditions apply:

2. You are living abroad temporarily.

   If you are not currently living in the United States, you must show that your trip abroad is temporary and that you have maintained your domicile in the United States. You can show this by providing proof of your voting record in the United States, proof of paying U.S. State or local taxes, proof of having property in the United States, proof of maintaining bank or investment accounts in the United States, or proof of having a permanent mailing address in the United States. Other proof could be evidence that you are a student studying abroad or that a foreign government has authorized a temporary stay.

3. You intend in good faith to reestablish your domicile in the United States no later than the date of the intending immigrant's admission or adjustment of status.

   You must submit proof that you have taken concrete steps to establish that you will be domiciled in the United States at a time no later than the date of the intending immigrant's admission or adjustment of status. Concrete steps might include accepting a job in the United States, signing a lease or purchasing a residence in the United States, or registering children in U.S. schools. Please attach proof of the steps you have taken to establish domicile as described above. "

[Lemonslice 4,885]

Also a long thread in the Canada forum; Montreal is known to be somewhat picky about domicile; http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/164618-proving-domicile-when-not-living-in-the-us/