http://minsk.usembassy.gov/immigrant_petit...n_relative.html

This is specifically Belarussian version, but it doesn't say that it's specific for Belarus.
I thought that would be the easiest and quickest way for me - for K3 I would have to come back to the states to sign/mail the second and third packages (the I-129F I believe, the NOA1 and NOA2 steps from K3 guide).

In general I try to stay in Belarus, but keep residence in US, so I am somewhere in the middle... that creates problems as always.

I am stationed (by a US company) in Belarus right now, flying back and forth on business, and basically trying to figure out what would be the better way to bring my family to settle in the States ASAP. Speed is important, but also the money i guess - i read that for my wife to adjust the status after K3, it would cost $1K. And we also have a child... another 1K??? Plus the $355 filing fees... that all adds up.

Anyways, it's odd that and American citizen can't bring his/her family back quickly, without going back to the states and waiting for these NOA1 and NOA2 approvals, don't you think?

I do realize one needs to have connection to the states to bring anybody in - and that's not a problem, i get my paycheck here, and pay taxes here. I can even make an affidavit of support right now, while on US soil, with US notary (not sure how long it lasts though).

I have another week before I leave for Belarus again, and any prompt advice would be very much appreciated.

Right now it seems that a better choice would be to go to the consulate and ask them - and at the same time prepare K3 package for filing in the states, but wait to file (my brother can mail it for me).

Background: we were married for 2.5 years, so that doesn't fall under "usual circumstances" for DCF that i read about somewhere. I have been stationed in Belarus all that time, and only now got my US citizenship in the States - that was the main problem with going back, as you might imagine. I am a russian citizen, and as such can freely enter Belarus - that's in case the consulate tries to figure out if i am really residing in there - i have no paperwork to prove that, and i am not residing there, i am a resident in US.

That seems like old information. Have you tried contacting the embassy directly and explaining your situation? They would be able to tell you what your options are.

Not yet, i just got my citizenship last Thursday. I definitely will contact them (they suggest email, yay!).

As far as old information, the page actually says it's "new" information, and "I-130 will be updated", along these lines. Well, i hope you are right - everyone else in this forum seems to be discussing DCF (even Ukraine - close!).
Actually, could you ever file for K3 in a consulate? Years ago? That would explain that page.

I hope that my "stationing" evidence (passport stamps and my contract actually says that i am stationed in Minsk) will be enough for DCF - I really have no official Belorussian paperwork, everything is in my wife's name - didn't need it.

And that staff reduction in the consulate... will make it even tougher.

Post back here what they say just in case others are interested. Good luck!

What is your visa/work permit situation in Belarus. Do you own or have a lease on a place there? The USCIS office will be looking for proof that you are resident there. The fact that you have maintained a residence in the US shouldn't matter if you can prove you live in Belarus.
TH

I only have the following to prove it:
1) A contract with my US employer, with attachment which states that I have my main office in Minsk
2) We rent a place with my wife, the rent agreement is in my wife's name (i guess we can get something from landlord with my name on it, if it's important)
3) I travel every 3 months, lately I have been going through Moscow (cheaper), and have russian stamps in the passport (there's no passport check between russia and belarus, and i can stay in belarus for a while with no registration)

I think #1 is most important, and i can make my company write another confirmation letter on that subject.

Another alternative i am thinking about is going through Moscow consulate - i am a russian citizen and i have a registration in moscow (that's where i grew up). However, my wife is a citizen of belarus, and i think that's more logical to go through belarussian consulate.

The filing is no longer done at the consulate, but at the nearest USCIS office. It appears that the Moscow office, which is a sub-office of the Rome district covers Belarus.
Send them a note and ask what are the requirements to be able to file the I-130 with them.
TH

You are right, i called Minsk consulate, and they said I have to contact Warsaw embassy, which Belarus belongs to (not moscow, at least according to the consulate).

I am emailing them right now to find out about this. Moscow would be much more preferable of course, since i actually have russian citizenship and still registered in moscow (since my birth), so that would be easier to prove. Another thing is getting my wife and child to the eventual interview in Warsaw - it requires getting a schengen visa since january.

Considering that the US just about closed the Belarus Embassy today maybe it is a good thing that you have the Warsaw option.