Hi everyone,
I am in the process of preparing my I-130 petition for my spouse. We are in an F2A category (I am a GC holder, she is on a student visa in Canada). We were married in March 2026.
Because we have been living in different countries (I am in the US, she is in Canada for her studies), we are struggling to provide the "standard" types of proof for a bona fide marriage. We currently lack:
Joint ownership of property.
A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence.
Documented co-mingling of financial resources (joint bank accounts/credit cards).
I have our birth certificates ready, and I am looking into getting affidavits from friends/family. However, I want to ensure my case is as strong as possible.
My questions for the community:
For those who lived apart during the petition process, what alternative evidence did you provide to prove your relationship was bona fide?
What types of "other relevant documentation" have you successfully used in place of joint leases or joint finances?
How much weight do sworn affidavits actually carry, and do you have any tips on what specifically the authors should include to make them effective?
Any advice or experiences you can share would be incredibly appreciated. Thank you!
Hi everyone, I am in the process of preparing my I-130 petition for my spouse. We are in an F2A category (I am a GC holder, she is on a student visa in Canada). We were married in March 2026. Because we have been living in different countries (I am in the US, she is in Canada for her studies), we are struggling to provide the "standard" types of proof for a bona fide marriage. We currently lack: Joint ownership of property. A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence. Documented co-mingling of financial resources (joint bank accounts/credit cards). I have our birth certificates ready, and I am looking into getting affidavits from friends/family. However, I want to ensure my case is as strong as possible. My questions for the community: For those who lived apart during the petition process, what alternative evidence did you provide to prove your relationship was bona fide? What types of "other relevant documentation" have you successfully used in place of joint leases or joint finances? How much weight do sworn affidavits actually carry, and do you have any tips on what specifically the authors should include to make them effective? Any advice or experiences you can share would be incredibly appreciated. Thank you!