Bonafide relationship - Cell Phone

[journeyman 0]

I tried getting a cell phone for my wife who's is on K-1 waiting to file for AOS.

I wanted to get one in her name so she can start building her own credit history as well, However AT&T asked for a deposit of $500 for one year. They will not give one in her account otherwise.

I know a lot of people submitted cell phone bills for AOS, was wondering how you guys did it.

Did anyone with NO credit history buy a new cell phone from any major wireless carriers?

I would like to submit the bills as for AOS/AOS interview.

[pnrmbr975 1]

I tried getting a cell phone for my wife who's is on K-1 waiting to file for AOS.

I wanted to get one in her name so she can start building her own credit history as well, However AT&T asked for a deposit of $500 for one year. They will not give one in her account otherwise.

I know a lot of people submitted cell phone bills for AOS, was wondering how you guys did it.

Did anyone with NO credit history buy a new cell phone from any major wireless carriers?

I would like to submit the bills as for AOS/AOS interview.

We couldn't add my wife as well since she had (and still starting to build credit to this date) no credit history by interview date as she has been here for only a couple of months. What we did was we had the cellphone & landline bills addressed to both of us, therefore showing both our names, and were used as evidences of co-habitation. It worked well for the AOS interview. If it came to a point when the interviewing officer wasn't satisfied with it, we were ready to explain that it wasn't feasible, yet. The officers are actually knowledgeable about these things and won't ask you for impossible things. Most of them know what they want as evidence and have very good reasons to ask them from you, just be prepared to reason out if it comes to it.

Edited October 1, 2007 by pnrmbr975

[Dakine 26]

I tried getting a cell phone for my wife who's is on K-1 waiting to file for AOS.

I wanted to get one in her name so she can start building her own credit history as well, However AT&T asked for a deposit of $500 for one year. They will not give one in her account otherwise.

I know a lot of people submitted cell phone bills for AOS, was wondering how you guys did it.

Did anyone with NO credit history buy a new cell phone from any major wireless carriers?

I would like to submit the bills as for AOS/AOS interview.

I added my wife to Nextel without any problems. Won't help having her have the CP in just her name for AOS.

You need a joint bill.

[journeyman 0]

I tried getting a cell phone for my wife who's is on K-1 waiting to file for AOS.

I wanted to get one in her name so she can start building her own credit history as well, However AT&T asked for a deposit of $500 for one year. They will not give one in her account otherwise.

I know a lot of people submitted cell phone bills for AOS, was wondering how you guys did it.

Did anyone with NO credit history buy a new cell phone from any major wireless carriers?

I would like to submit the bills as for AOS/AOS interview.

I added my wife to Nextel without any problems. Won't help having her have the CP in just her name for AOS.

You need a joint bill.

By adding her to your Nextel phone account, Do you see both names printed on the phone bill now ?

[Krikit 1,166]

Did you do this online? Because that's usually where the $500 deposit requests originate. The AT&T website sales link leads to a multi-vendor middleman area somewhere in the ether... most probably offshore. You are no longer dealing directly with AT&T. Try going directly to a storefront and requesting this in person.

If this did happen in person, call the customer service line and let them know the deposit request is outrageous. At the very minimum, they will reduce it significantly. However, they will not give you their lowest offer immediately. You have to insist. Let them know that such a significant deposit is unacceptable and you are going elsewhere.

My personal experience as the K-1 beneficiary.... I went directly to the Cingular (now AT&T) storefront, chose my phone and accessories, then signed a contract. I had no previous credit history in the US and a deposit was not requested.

[igomo 0]

First of all, I assume your wife has a ss#, otherwise trying to build credit is pretty meaningless.

If she has no credit history, then they will require a deposit. Of you make the deposit and pay your bill on time then you will build credit. If you want a cellphone but don't care about credit, you can just get a prepaid plan, that's what I did as it's against my philosophy to sign a contract.

For the AOS interview you're better off just calling your phone company, utilities, etc... And adding her name.

[thetreble 19]

My husband got me a cellphone on HIS plan. I had no ssn and therefore they wouldn't even put me on the bill, let alone give me my own cell phone. If you can get them to put her name on your bill, that is what USCIS is really looking for.

Building a credit history for a new immigrant is very hard. You will find that you will have a hard time with this in the next couple years trying to get her credit cards and loans.

[John & Annie 1]

I tried getting a cell phone for my wife who's is on K-1 waiting to file for AOS.

I wanted to get one in her name so she can start building her own credit history as well, However AT&T asked for a deposit of $500 for one year. They will not give one in her account otherwise.

I know a lot of people submitted cell phone bills for AOS, was wondering how you guys did it.

Did anyone with NO credit history buy a new cell phone from any major wireless carriers?

I would like to submit the bills as for AOS/AOS interview.

The best way to build credit is to add her to one of your cards. Just remember that any mistakes you make will be reflected on her new credit history

[SC & TF 1]

I've never heard of the $500 thing. That must be something new, 'cos I was able to get a cell phone (AT&T) in my name, even when I was just on an F1 visa, with no credit history. All they wanted was my checking account info. I suggest you go to the AT&T store, and talk to someone there. The best thing is to add her to your plan, so you can have a shared plan. She won't need to have credit if she's added to your plan. Good luck.

[athena_ny 1]

I kept the cell phone in my name and added his line. I used that as proof - two lines, one was his phone and one was mine. Didn't come up, but my interview was rather easy.

[journeyman 0]

Thank you all for your replies.

She does have SSN, I did not try this online.

I went to 3 AT&T stores in the area and all 3 gave me the same response.

Just went to Qwest, they gave it gladly without any deposit.

[*JG* 2]

I tried getting a cell phone for my wife who's is on K-1 waiting to file for AOS.

I wanted to get one in her name so she can start building her own credit history as well, However AT&T asked for a deposit of $500 for one year. They will not give one in her account otherwise.

I know a lot of people submitted cell phone bills for AOS, was wondering how you guys did it.

Did anyone with NO credit history buy a new cell phone from any major wireless carriers?

I would like to submit the bills as for AOS/AOS interview.

AT&T just added Andre to our bill bundle (home, cell, and internet) with just me calling with his name. I was all prepared to give his SSN and everything (we are preparing for that 10 year card filing next August---we had AOS without an interview). She didn't even want it.

[bora bora 1]

I don't think my husband had his SSN at the time - so I just put his cell phone in my name since I planned on changing companies once my contract expired. Now we have two cell phones and one bill (thank God!) - we have a family plan.

My husband is building credit by buying a car (I'm the primary person on the loan - however it's in both of our names).