Money and immigration

[Nemeseax 36]

I will put my question here, please remove if not okay.

Well , inspired by similar question at K1 forum I have decided to ask you for an advice. My AOS is pending  ( B2) and I would like to transfer all my money from Swedish ane Faroese bank account to our join bank account in USA. 

USCIS wants us to have join account as the proof of bona fide marriage , right? 

But also, have read that might be a huge red flag for them- as " foreigner want to pay her/ his Green Card ".

Of course that I don't want to pay my husband anything- we simply want to have our money at one place. 

So ...what to do ? Do they really go that far and even check our bank transactions; have they right to do that? Are we allowed to do what we want  with your hard earned money or we have to be very careful not to be suspicious? 

Thank you for your advices! 

[Crazy Cat 39,233]

2 minutes ago, Nemeseax said:

But also, have read that might be a huge red flag for them- as " foreigner want to pay her/ his Green Card ".

This is news to me...I have never heard that co-mingling money would be seen as a red flag.  In fact, combining financial resources for the purpose of supporting the every-day expenses of a marriage is considered a good piece of evidence of a bonafide marriage.

[Crazy Cat 39,233]

and one more thing...yes, they can (and do) look at transactions.

[JFH 12,189]

*~*~*moved from "general discussion" to "AOS from work/study/tourist visas"*~*~*

[Nemeseax 36]

11 minutes ago, missileman said:

This is news to me...I have never heard that co-mingling money would be seen as a red flag.  In fact, combining financial resources for the purpose of supporting the every-day expenses of a marriage is considered a good piece of evidence of a bonafide marriage.

I want to transfer all my saved money .A little bit more then just for every day expenses  ( not a millions lol).

But that might be suspicious as I will pay my husband for helping me for my Green Card ( they might think) .

Also; do they have legal right to check personal accounts? Seems kinda really " too much " to me.

[D.Ba 85]

It would only be a red flag if everything else points towards fraud, you don’t live together etc. and transfer a sum to his account that you have no access to. 

[Crazy Cat 39,233]

2 minutes ago, Nemeseax said:

I want to transfer all my saved money .A little bit more then just for every day expenses  ( not a millions lol).

But that might be suspicious as I will pay my husband for helping me for my Green Card ( they might think) .

Also; do they have legal right to check personal accounts? Seems kinda really " too much " to me.

I don't see a problem if you transfer the money.  Having money in foreign accounts is a big hassle due to the reporting requirements such as FBAR, etc.  I have seen posters who said that the interviewers have examined their bank transactions to see if both spouses were using their joint account.

[Nemeseax 36]

5 minutes ago, D.Ba said:

It would only be a red flag if everything else points towards fraud, you don’t live together etc. and transfer a sum to his account that you have no access to. 

 

5 minutes ago, D.Ba said:

It would only be a red flag if everything else points towards fraud, you don’t live together etc. and transfer a sum to his account that you have no access to. 

 

[Nemeseax 36]

4 minutes ago, Nemeseax said:

 

 

 

4 minutes ago, Nemeseax said:

 

 

We live together, have all insurances and accounts at both names  ( except health insurance as my husband has VA) .

So, I will transfer and, if asked will explain the origin of money  ( my savings through years) .

[Alabamak1 688]

bonafide marriages are not just debunked by one bank transactions. you have to prove that your relationship is real. just because you came from somewhere and had huge amount of savings...doesnt't mean you where paying your wife/ husband

[Nemeseax 36]

1 minute ago, Alabamak1 said:

bonafide marriages are not just debunked by one bank transactions. you have to prove that your relationship is real. just because you came from somewhere and had huge amount of savings...doesnt't mean you where paying your wife/ husband

I know that of course- but do they realize? As I have heard- almost all might be red flag and we have to be very very careful. Have read  ( somewhere here) that even if it was absolutely bona fide marriage, and no criminal or health issues- the case could be denied. 

[Alabamak1 688]

1 minute ago, Nemeseax said:

I know that of course- but do they realize? As I have heard- almost all might be red flag and we have to be very very careful. Have read  ( somewhere here) that even if it was absolutely bona fide marriage, and no criminal or health issues- the case could be denied. 

i think you are overthinking the transfer of money. concentrate on the other parts, like time you guys spend together on trips and other activities. apartment leases and mortgages. utilities payments. i mean bona fide marriages are a group of evidences put together.

[D.Ba 85]

I am keeping a chunk of my money in Germany, and the FBAR is nothing, it’s a form with about 3 lines that you hand in annually. Not a hassle. 

 

Think about the disadvantages before you close your accounts in your home country.

[Alabamak1 688]

6 minutes ago, D.Ba said:

I am keeping a chunk of my money in Germany, and the FBAR is nothing, it’s a form with about 3 lines that you hand in annually. Not a hassle. 

 

Think about the disadvantages before you close your accounts in your home country.

i completely agree with the part of closing accounts. an established account is better with small amount of money, than a new one with a lot of it. Banking laws have changed so much that making transfers later makes it difficult. I have dual citizenship and my native country made a huge deal when i opened an account later 

Edited March 25, 2018 by Alabamak1

[Longingfor 195]

49 minutes ago, Nemeseax said:

I will put my question here, please remove if not okay.

Well , inspired by similar question at K1 forum I have decided to ask you for an advice. My AOS is pending  ( B2) and I would like to transfer all my money from Swedish ane Faroese bank account to our join bank account in USA. 

USCIS wants us to have join account as the proof of bona fide marriage , right? 

But also, have read that might be a huge red flag for them- as " foreigner want to pay her/ his Green Card ".

Of course that I don't want to pay my husband anything- we simply want to have our money at one place. 

So ...what to do ? Do they really go that far and even check our bank transactions; have they right to do that? Are we allowed to do what we want  with your hard earned money or we have to be very careful not to be suspicious? 

Thank you for your advices! 

A word of advice. Always have your own personal account for your saving and then have a joint account that you both use to pay bills, buy groceries, buy gas. USCIS wants to see transactions such as those I just list out.  

 

I love my husband but I have money saved separate from him and he has money saved separate from me. But we have a joint account we save in and one for bills and other daily expenses.