EstambulPR

Kind of late reply but your comment is excellent. I can tell you the agents in the field appreciate the consideration and respect.

OK! Perfect. That takes the worry about. Here in Turkiye they don't have mailboxes in most neighborhoods. *BTW* I was a missile tech on Trident subs back in the 80's...* ;0)

Hello fellow travelers. This question is specifically aimed at K/CR/IR visa petitioners and beneficiaries in Türkiye. *How does the NVC, consulate Immigrant Visa Unit, etc communicates with all? Do they send paper mail or is everything done via email or text (like on B2 process)? I ask because (as you know) PTT does not leave mail in boxes and instead hands delivers. If we’re traveling out of the country, we would like to stay updated and not miss important correspondence.* Thank you for you input.

*UPDATE* We were disapproved for DCF at Ankara yesterday. The immigrant visa unit was very helpful and corresponded a handful of times requesting more information and documentation. They suggested we file regular channels then request expedite from USCIS directly. I had NO idea that was even an option! Thanks to all who commented.

Thanks so much for the encouragement. I'll try to get letter from the doctors but I realize some may not like doing that. I figure we don't loose anything by trying, and if not, we go back to plan A, normal CR-1/DCF in country. Thanks!

Hello all/Merhaba, BLUF: How to get a DCF with exigent circumstances not exactly listed as exceptions. BACKGROUND: I am a US military retiree, Permanent & Total rated disabled veteran (this is relevant) living in Istanbul with my Turkish wife for over a year. She (very easily, I should say!) obtained a B2 visa last December and met me in the USA. We'd known each other almost two years and planned to marry later this year in Istanbul (where I'd lived with her on and off for a year previously), but decided to move the date and marry in USA with my family and friends present instead. We never even thought of AoS since she has a teenage daughter and a job, so she departed back to Istanbul, and I came to meet here soon after. I have a few medical issues that I have been putting off for years and have finally caught up with me. I am programmed to have surgery next month at the VA hospital plus kidney and liver studies (and possibly more procedures?). I also was referred to a 2-month treatment program by the mental health provider for service-connected PTSD issues. These referrals are a couple of years old but I did not follow through so I could come to Istanbul to be with my wife. And no, I will not seek local medical help here; I prefer to use the VA hospital system stateside. So, while I do not have a life-or-death situation NOW, if I do not get this surgery next month, I won't be able to go #1. If I don't get the liver scans soon, the things growing on my liver could become dangerous if we don't identify them. And if I don't continue my mental-health treatment, I *could* become a danger to myself. Oh, and last year I was poisoned (roofie in a drink) at a bar in Istanbul and that obviously damaged my liver further. So while our intention was always to file CR-1 for her and her teenage daughter at the end of this year (to give the girl tine to finish H.S.) from overseas and wait, we're gonna have to move that deadline. Having my wife in the US with me to provide aid and comfort during surgery recovery and treatment is essential to my recovery. Afterwards, we could just continue our lives in the US and she could work, etc. HELPFUL comments are appreciated. Thanks!

In all fairness I believe you should cancel interview until you are absolutely positive your spouse is ready to go. There are plenty of people whom have waited months or years to arrive at the interview stage while being separated from their loved ones. I am sure they would greatly appreciate having your slot on the line so they can reunite. Thanks.

I am also in the process of gathering and translating my spouse’s and stepdaughter’s BC, prior marriage divorce decree, NUFUS, etc. Both USCIS and US DOS immigration related pages instruct applicants to submit any foreign documents with a translation and a ”Certificate of Translation” by the translator. See attached PDF for two examples of such document. Good luck. Certificates_of_Translation_for_Foreign_Affidavits_and_Documents.pdf

https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/replace_your_card.html. - SS Card replacement DMV- depending on your state yes, you can just show up with your passport and SS number or birth certificate and get an ID. Make sure it is REAL ID compliant or otherwise you may have difficulty entering federal facilities or flying domestically without passport in the future. Taxes- yes....you have to file taxes every year from anywhere in the world as long as you are a US Citizen (and even if you renounce!). And, you may even get a refund even if you have no income!

Nope. Absolutely 100% hypothetical. Just doing research, performing due diligence, and covering all possible alternatives and options. Thanks.

10-4. Thanks!

Good to know! Thanks.

Amazing! Thanks! Yes, the concern is medical coverage while traveling and Veterans benefits for dependents. Super!

Yeah, I figured could even work to the foreign spouse’s benefit when applying for CR-1. Thanks!!

I was referring to The commonly cited “90-day rule” in immigration-themed pages like this, I.e., filing for immigration or applying for any .gov benefit within certain amount of days of arrival to USA (unless on K-1, of course), could be interpreted as attempt to circumvent the system. Thanks.

I think I am being paranoid after reading all the horror stories here. Maybe I was thinking it would seem as the foreign spouse was trying to jump the gun before returning to her country and waiting for sponsor to file I-130. Thanks!

HYPOTHETICAL QUESTION- OK sorry for the lenghty preamble but I have to set the assumptions first: 1. A foreigner with a B2 visa comes to USA and meets/falls in love with a US military veteran with full benefits (and SSDI); 2. Weeks/months later (well within the visa stamp time frame) they decide to marry, but the foreign spouse will not stay in the US or file for AOS since the foreigner has a life/family overseas AND the US Citizen is a part-time resident in that country as well. They will follow the rules and submit an I-130 via DCF (if possible) or via online AFTER they both return to her/his country; 3. US citizen tries to get foreign spouse a military dependent ID card to enroll her in TRICARE medical insurance and gets told at the ID Card office that the foreign spouse must have SSN or a letter from SSA denying it. The Veterans Administration says the same thing when US Citizen military veteran attempts to file for new dependent(s) benefits. 4. SSA (contrary to myths) will issue a SSA card/number (Type 3) which: "...Shows your name and Social Security number with the restriction, "NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT". We issue it to people from other countries who: are lawfully admitted to the United States without work authorization from DHS, but have a valid non-work reason for needing a Social Security number; or need a number because of a federal law requiring a Social Security number to get a benefit or service." https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/cards.htm So....the predicament is: If the SSA issues an actual SSN instead of a letter, should we refuse it since it could represent a problem of (erroneous, IMHO) perception? Since the spouse has a lawful reason to obtain a SSN to secure her lawful benefits as the dependent of a military veteran, I cannot imagine USCIS/NVC questioning the couple's motives...but then again we are talking about bureaucrats. NOWHERE in US law is marriage while on x or y visa or under xx days prohibited. The prohibition (DOS/NVC) is on the 30/60/90 days for FILING a petition and/or adjusting status from inside the USA, correct? I would appreciate your analysis. Thanks!

Bipolar Disorder is not a disqualifying illness AFAIK. Is a MOOD disorder and not a MENTAL disorder, as per the DSM-V. 🙃 I believe they focus on communicable diseases (hepatitis, TB, STDs, etc) and things like alcoholism with DUIs, heavy illegal drug use, etc.