How can I marry a Syrian refugee?

[aaron2020 11,651]

Do more research on Turkish laws, your Turkish visa (such as extending it - but two foreign visitors/non-resident aliens can get married in Turkey rather easily), if the US Turkish embassy will allow DCF (direct consular filing), and what you will need to do to qualify for the US spousal visa.

If you do fiance or spousal, you will still need time and Arslan brought up great points that you will need to overcome during your USEM interview. Here's some links that may help you in researching your questions:

http://turkey.usembassy.gov/consular_general_information.html

http://turkey.usembassy.gov/consular/packet_35_turkey_100909.pdf

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/turkey/5/instruction_packages/Syrian%20Libyan%20Filing%20I_130%20In%20Turkey%20Instructions%20.pdf

There is no DCF in Turkey.

[Amhara 460]

There is no DCF in Turkey.

Why do you say? I'm not saying you are wrong, because I completely don't know, but the Ankara site says, "U.S. Embassy Ankara is currently able to accept I-130 immigrant visa petitions filed for Syrian relatives of American citizens for immediate processing. Parents, spouses, and children of U.S. citizens can apply for immigrant visas at the Embassy."

[Hardfacts123 50]

People aren't reading it wrong, he wrote it in the incorrect context. If he was going for an arranged marriage, than say so. An arranged marriage has nothing to do with the party being a refugee.

That's why written and spoken words should be given correctly to give the correct message.

But Aaron did answer his questions clearly and correctly based on how the OP wrote them. When I first read the post, FRAUD jumped out all over his post. So the OP should restate his questions if he should find the need to ask these same questions from an immigration officer.

[Sandra G. 5,016]

First of all you will not be able to bring her here in less than one year if you get marriedy, second you will not be able to help her family getting married to her, just when she becomes American she can sponsor her family, we are talking here about 4/5 years later. Considering she gets GC in 2017, become a US Citizen In 2019/2020, then she can sponsor her family 2019/2020 and in 2020/2021 she will be able to bring her parents NOT HER SIBLINGS, her siblings have to wait years and years, then be realistic and do not give false hope to the girl,third do not get married to someone that you do not love,and I doubt someone develops feelings in 30/90 days,we had here hundreds of people that had a short courtship and I would say most of them are divorced already.

Arranged marriage I will not even post here what I think about it, since 60% of the 6.000 Vawa cases that I had approved were arranged marriage, men/women from Pakistan, India and Middle East. You can show compassion volunteering and not getting married.

[LionessDeon 2,060]

Why do you say? I'm not saying you are wrong, because I completely don't know, but the Ankara site says, "U.S. Embassy Ankara is currently able to accept I-130 immigrant visa petitions filed for Syrian relatives of American citizens for immediate processing. Parents, spouses, and children of U.S. citizens can apply for immigrant visas at the Embassy."

http://www.visajourney.com/content/dcf

[aaron2020 11,651]

Why do you say? I'm not saying you are wrong, because I completely don't know, but the Ankara site says, "U.S. Embassy Ankara is currently able to accept I-130 immigrant visa petitions filed for Syrian relatives of American citizens for immediate processing. Parents, spouses, and children of U.S. citizens can apply for immigrant visas at the Embassy."

Excellent job. I was wrong. You are correct.

While there is no DCF in Turkey, there is a special rule for Syrian refugees who are Immediate Relatives of a USC. Syrian refugees who are IR of a USC can have an I-130 filed at the US Embassy in Turkey.

If the OP can prove a bona fide relationship, then it might be possible to get everything done in 3 months under this special rule.

http://turkey.usembassy.gov/visas/syrian-applicants.html

Immigrant Visas:

U.S. Embassy Ankara is currently able to accept I-130 immigrant visa petitions filed for Syrian relatives of American citizens for immediate processing. Parents, spouses, and children of U.S. citizens can apply for immigrant visas at the Embassy.

For detailed information about how you can file an I-130 Immigrant Visa Petition at our office please click here.

Edited September 8, 2015 by aaron2020

[Amhara 460]

Excellent job. I was wrong. You are correct.

While there is no DCF in Turkey, there is a special rule for Syrian refugees who are Immediate Relatives of a USC. Syrian refugees who are IR of a USC can have an I-130 filed at the US Embassy in Turkey.

If the OP can prove a bona fide relationship, then it might be possible to get everything done in 3 months under this special rule.

http://turkey.usembassy.gov/visas/syrian-applicants.html

Immigrant Visas:

U.S. Embassy Ankara is currently able to accept I-130 immigrant visa petitions filed for Syrian relatives of American citizens for immediate processing. Parents, spouses, and children of U.S. citizens can apply for immigrant visas at the Embassy.

For detailed information about how you can file an I-130 Immigrant Visa Petition at our office please click here.

Actually, the PDF link says the USC spouse needs to be legally residing in Turkey for at least six months to do this special thing. But hey, his plan isn't until 2016, so he has time to research the steps he needs and make his decision.

My great-grand parents were married as they fled Nazi invasion of Poland to come to US. Yes, the OP needs to meet all the relationship requirements, but I don't see the same negative view point of someone meeting on happy lovely cherry blossoms Asian love.com and those relationships get approved the same as arranged marriages. Just know that you are stepping into a very sensitive situation. It may work out to be beneficial, or it could work out the opposite. Men may not always be as cautious as women (for reasons left unsaid) and you don't want to return to US with someone that changes their mask at the first opportunity. Just means you can be at risk, too, OP.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Actually, the PDF link says the USC spouse needs to be legally residing in Turkey for at least six months to do this special thing. But hey, his plan isn't until 2016, so he has time to research the steps he needs and make his decision.

My great-grand parents were married as they fled Nazi invasion of Poland to come to US. Yes, the OP needs to meet all the relationship requirements, but I don't see the same negative view point of someone meeting on happy lovely cherry blossoms Asian love.com and those relationships get approved the same as arranged marriages. Just know that you are stepping into a very sensitive situation. It may work out to be beneficial, or it could work out the opposite. Men may not always be as cautious as women (for reasons left unsaid) and you don't want to return to US with someone that changes their mask at the first opportunity. Just means you can be at risk, too, OP.

Where are you finding the requirement that the USC must be legally residing in Turkey for at least six months. I can't find it in the PDF.

[Amhara 460]

Where are you finding the requirement that the USC must be legally residing in Turkey for at least six months. I can't find it in the PDF.

Two places, either the third of the three links I provided earlier, or the link you provided under Immigrant Visas then click the link at: For detailed information about how you can file an I-130 Immigrant Visa Petition at our office please click here.

But now that I'm looking at it, this link (http://photos.state.gov/libraries/turkey/5/instruction_packages/Syrian%20Libyan%20Filing%20I_130%20In%20Turkey%20Instructions%20.pdf), which is specific for Syrian/Libyan nationals does not say 6 months, but this link (http://turkey.usembassy.gov/consular/packet_35_turkey_100909.pdf) does say six months. So which one goes? Who knows?

[SuperSaiyanVisa 21]

Actually, the PDF link says the USC spouse needs to be legally residing in Turkey for at least six months to do this special thing. But hey, his plan isn't until 2016, so he has time to research the steps he needs and make his decision.

My great-grand parents were married as they fled Nazi invasion of Poland to come to US. Yes, the OP needs to meet all the relationship requirements, but I don't see the same negative view point of someone meeting on happy lovely cherry blossoms Asian love.com and those relationships get approved the same as arranged marriages. Just know that you are stepping into a very sensitive situation. It may work out to be beneficial, or it could work out the opposite. Men may not always be as cautious as women (for reasons left unsaid) and you don't want to return to US with someone that changes their mask at the first opportunity. Just means you can be at risk, too, OP.

I second what is in bold.

First off i want to welcome my Syrian friend to the forum, there aren't many of us here. Its good to have you and i hope you stay connected on this forum. Everyone here has great insight just ask and learn!

Second off i want to try and shed light on this whole "helping" and "arranged marriage" discussion for those that aren't from the Middle East. Many of us once established academically or financially or in a career begin to look for a spouse, most decide to find a spouse from their native country (because the language and shared culture give them so much in common) So usually the person takes some time off and flies there. Once there his family usually sets him up on a few dates with available single ladies. They get a chance to talk and know one another, if there is no chemistry they call it off and look again. If chemistry sparks and a relationship develops they usually get engaged rather soon then plan for an early or late wedding. This is the classic situation.

Now that Syrians in the US cannot go back to Syria, we can only fly to neighboring countries and look for a spouse there. That being said everyone outside the country is a refugee and will need financial and emotional support now more than ever.

I agree with the people that contributed to this topic, your original post makes it read like fraud. I advise you to choose your words more carefully not for our sake but for the sake of the consular reviewing your case. As for the specifics on the matter and your big question can i marry a Syrian refugee? I'm sure this site will provide you all the answers and its good that you are reading up ahead.

Stay in touch and I wish you the very best.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Two places, either the third of the three links I provided earlier, or the link you provided under Immigrant Visas then click the link at: For detailed information about how you can file an I-130 Immigrant Visa Petition at our office please click here.

But now that I'm looking at it, this link (http://photos.state.gov/libraries/turkey/5/instruction_packages/Syrian%20Libyan%20Filing%20I_130%20In%20Turkey%20Instructions%20.pdf), which is specific for Syrian/Libyan nationals does not say 6 months, but this link (http://turkey.usembassy.gov/consular/packet_35_turkey_100909.pdf) does say six months. So which one goes? Who knows?

There is a general rule - no DCF.

Then there is a special exception to the rule for Syrian refugees who are IR of a USC.

You cannot use the special rule and then go back to the general rule and pull out the 6 months residency requirement IMHO.

It seems that the special rule is there to facilitate USC getting their IR to the US as quickly as possible. It also requires the USC to be in Turkey for the entire process.

[El_killer47 22]

That's good that you're thinking of helping out a family in distress. I don't think there's any quick way about it, except perhaps fiance visa, which will be a little faster then the marriage visa but still a few good months before visa becomes available in hand. Good luck.

[Amhara 460]

You cannot use the special rule and then go back to the general rule and pull out the 6 months residency requirement IMHO.

I don't know. I wasn't trying to use anything - I'm sorry!

But, since you mentioned being there for the whole time - watch out for what it says on the last page - the infamous, the dreaded, AP!!! Plan for the AP, which ever way you can...

Keep US domicile, make sure you don't over stay any Turkish visa, and plan to maintain a separate household in Turkey for a time while in AP if you find a marriage mate. Oy vey, the AP.

[aaron2020 11,651]

I second what is in bold.

First off i want to welcome my Syrian friend to the forum, there aren't many of us here. Its good to have you and i hope you stay connected on this forum. Everyone here has great insight just ask and learn!

Second off i want to try and shed light on this whole "helping" and "arranged marriage" discussion for those that aren't from the Middle East. Many of us once established academically or financially or in a career begin to look for a spouse, most decide to find a spouse from their native country (because the language and shared culture give them so much in common) So usually the person takes some time off and flies there. Once there his family usually sets him up on a few dates with available single ladies. They get a chance to talk and know one another, if there is no chemistry they call it off and look again. If chemistry sparks and a relationship develops they usually get engaged rather soon then plan for an early or late wedding. This is the classic situation.

Now that Syrians in the US cannot go back to Syria, we can only fly to neighboring countries and look for a spouse there. That being said everyone outside the country is a refugee and will need financial and emotional support now more than ever.

I agree with the people that contributed to this topic, your original post makes it read like fraud. I advise you to choose your words more carefully not for our sake but for the sake of the consular reviewing your case. As for the specifics on the matter and your big question can i marry a Syrian refugee? I'm sure this site will provide you all the answers and its good that you are reading up ahead.

Stay in touch and I wish you the very best.

Thank you for your insight about arranged marriages.

However, the U.S. requires the petitioner and beneficiary to provide evidence of a boba fide relationship to qualify for a spousal visa. Regardless of traditions, what evidence would a couple that just met and decided to get marry show to prove an ongoing boba fide relationship?

People who meet online will have evidence of communicating over a period of time.

How would the OP show any of this? This is the problem. It's not about culture or arranged marriages. It's about what evidence the OP can provide to show a bona fide ongoing relationship.

Edited September 8, 2015 by aaron2020

[SuperSaiyanVisa 21]

Thank you for your insight about arranged marriages.

However, the U.S. requires the petitioner and beneficiary to provide evidence of a boba fide relationship to qualify for a spousal visa. Regardless of traditions, what evidence would a couple that just met and decided to get marry show to prove an ongoing boba fide relationship?

People who meet online will have evidence of communicating over a period of time.

How would the OP show any of this? This is the problem. It's not about culture or arranged marriages. It's about what evidence the OP can provide to show a bona fide ongoing relationship.

When I said they see each other and go on dates then if there is chemistry they will proceed to get engaged. Obviously like little love birds the minute they get back from their date they are going to text each other all night then all day everyday. The relationship will only grow with constant communication, there will be plenty of evidence to show by the time he petitions. I personally don't think he is going to meet, engage, marry, bring her with him all in three months. It's never that easy.

But as far as "arranged" marriages if you want to call it that, I think all marrages are arranged at some level even if it was your wingman introduccing you to a girl at the bar.