K3 Visa - Bank Account and ITIN

[cjh234]

I am a U.S. citizen, I married my wife (Indian) last year in Taiwan where she was studying for her Master's degree and we have been separated since July. She went back to India to visit family and accepted a job as research assistant to build experience for PhD. In preparing for K3 Visa application I read that it is good to show a joint bank account and joint tax returns.

We have already filed for and received an ITIN, however, when I took the ITIN and a certified copy of her passport to my bank, they told me that she needed to be present to sign as a joint account holder.

Has anyone run in to this issue? In addition, they told me it would look bad for visa process if we showed a joint account and she had never set foot in U.S. to get one. I find this very strange considering I have online accounts that never required to see my face.

I am not sure what the interview process is like, but does it matter if the money just sits there in a joint account, or should we do transfers and deposits from time to time? Any advice is helpful. Thank you.

[cjh234]

K3 Visa - Bank Account and ITIN

My original post should have been about the CR-1 visa, not K3. I am still getting push back from my bank. They now want to see our marriage certificate and verify she changed her last name.

Questions:

Is it ok for my wife to be added to my US bank account if she has never been in this country?

For interview, is ok to show just a joint account and the money just sits there? Or should we do transfers and deposits from time to time?

Any asssitance is appreciated. Thank you.