Co-mingling Finances important for interview?

[dkunkle 2]

I am a U.S. Citizen. My husband is immigrating from Alberta, CA to US. We have received our NOA2 and are waiting on the NVC to send us the fee bill so that we can submit our visa application paperwork (through our attorney) and then my husband will interview in Vancouver. We have a case # that starts with VAC.

We are married but since he lives and works in Canada, and I live and work in U.S., we have kept our finances thus far separate because it has just not been necessary to have it any other way. I read that the consulate wants to see proof of "mingled finances," such as his name on the mortgage of my house or carrying him on my group health insurance, but of course I am not carrying him on my health insurance because that is very expensive and not needed while he is still living in Canada and covered by the national insurance. Putting him as a beneficiary on my retirement accounts seems premature when he is not even here yet, but I could certainly do that if it is helpful.

We DID open a joint savings account here in Texas and we put all our wedding gift money into it so that we would have proof of SOMETHING comingled in case they ask for it.

How important is it that we do more? Should we open a joint checking account as well? Or should we be careful to both make deposits into our joint savings account? Should we apply for a credit card together? Any advice on what else we should do is appreciated.

[Anh map 2,098]

If you are newlyweds then the comingling will be less than folks that have been married for a while. Making your spouse a beneficiary of a life insurance policy is fairly normal and expected. Where he lives isn't material to a death benefit. Filing taxes as married, joint accounts and memberships, having utilities in both names are ways to show a comingling of lives. Spending time together if you are living apart would be something to show. Each couple has different circumstances.

[canadiangirl39 16]

Me and my husband did not have anything together as its understood that we live in different countries..I was not asked for any of that...he should be fine. Since your marriage is under 2 years he will be granted a CR1 visa valid for two years after which he will have to file ROC that is when you will have to prove all that stuff.

[dkunkle 2]

Thanks guys - that is helpful. What is an ROC?

[MariaR323 199]

Thanks guys - that is helpful. What is an ROC?

ROC is removal of conditions. When a marriage is less than 2 yrs the initial green card is "conditional" and you have to apply for removal of conditions after 2yrs.