If Fiance / Spouse is working Abroad from their country

[Mariye & Ky 172]

Hi Everyone,

My Fiance is working abroad on US Base in Iraq, He is from TURKEY . Due to security we are limited in our communications ( phone calls limited, no internet, no postal services in that country at all), and we cannot use APO as he is a civilian contractor. So.... now I have filed our I-129F, and when it comes time for him to send in his documents to Ankara, HE CAN NOT SEND FROM IRAQ. I'm not even sure what he has with him aside from his passport. I have all copies of his documents which I obtained upon my visit. *(we knew if he got called to go, he wouldn't have been able to get the checklist completed; so we started requesting back in July before my visit).

I am new with this visa journey, so please let me know if I've got this part wrong.

I have read that Ankara will send him a package [and letter for interview appointment??] , then he is to send in copies of his documents (bringing the originals with him on interview, along with medical report, and proof of relationship, etc).

I am wondering now if his parents get the information via mail and he is not home yet, then I prepare his document copies (yes... send back another set of doc copies to Turkey, because I am certain, he did not leave a set ready to go, with Mom & Dad.) Can they send it to Ankara for him? Or, Can I send it with letter of explanation why it's coming from the petitioner, and not him, the beneficiary? Anyone have similar situation since working abroad from Turkey is not uncommon? Thanks for any help on this. Mari

[Nadja&Curtis 0]

Oh boy. Uhmm, a couple of things. If he is in Iraq on an AF base, I'm assuming it's either Baghdad or Balad? Those are the only two AF bases I know of, and they're massive, sprawling things covering tens of kilometers. There should be some sort of MWR facility for civilian contractors, even if it's the for-pay wifi that covers AF installations. However that would require him to have a laptop.

Probably the easiest way for him to get access to soldier services is to make friends with a US soldier. This way, he could have the US soldier send documents to you or the embassy or vice-versa. Most AF personnel won't be able to do this reliably because they only deploy for three to six months (or nine if they're in certain jobs). Pick an Army soldier. We're deployed forever. I don't know about contractors (I spent two tours there, once in Baghdad and the other pulling convoy security all over the country), but the idea that he wouldn't have access to internet or any postal services is appalling. I would ask him to explore options outside of his contracting company, especially visiting MWR or Chaplain facilities to find out what options he has. Chaplains are awesome and are probably the only people in the forces who work because they actually want to help people.

I'm not a good source for advice about sending in forms for him, or from his parents with a letter, but my initial instinct is that because all of these cases are case-by-case, that the person reviewing your application would accept a letter of explanation (plus documentation) from YOU since you are the petitioner and USC. I would recommend calling your service center and doing whatever you can to get "escalated" to ask about this, as the first-line phone reps seem to be script-readers more than actionable people. One thing that I could see being a snag in this idea is that he is a civilian contractor and therefore in Iraq by choice, not due to an unavoidable service obligation or something. Whatever you do, make sure the words "financial need" accompanies your explanation. In my research, that seems to be a good trigger keyword for making things happen. You might also be able to request an expedite on your case based on this whole situation, somehow relating it to a national security issue (it's not as rediculous as it sounds -- I did it for my expedite).

In any case, his parents should DEFINITELY have at least one full set of copies of his documentation and paperwork, as well as copies of everything you're sending to the embassy, just in case.

I hope some of this information was helpful at least. Take care and good luck!

[Mariye & Ky 172]

Oh boy. Uhmm, a couple of things. If he is in Iraq on an AF base, I'm assuming it's either Baghdad or Balad? Those are the only two AF bases I know of, and they're massive, sprawling things covering tens of kilometers. There should be some sort of MWR facility for civilian contractors, even if it's the for-pay wifi that covers AF installations. However that would require him to have a laptop.

Probably the easiest way for him to get access to soldier services is to make friends with a US soldier. This way, he could have the US soldier send documents to you or the embassy or vice-versa. Most AF personnel won't be able to do this reliably because they only deploy for three to six months (or nine if they're in certain jobs). Pick an Army soldier. We're deployed forever. I don't know about contractors (I spent two tours there, once in Baghdad and the other pulling convoy security all over the country), but the idea that he wouldn't have access to internet or any postal services is appalling. I would ask him to explore options outside of his contracting company, especially visiting MWR or Chaplain facilities to find out what options he has. Chaplains are awesome and are probably the only people in the forces who work because they actually want to help people.

I'm not a good source for advice about sending in forms for him, or from his parents with a letter, but my initial instinct is that because all of these cases are case-by-case, that the person reviewing your application would accept a letter of explanation (plus documentation) from YOU since you are the petitioner and USC. I would recommend calling your service center and doing whatever you can to get "escalated" to ask about this, as the first-line phone reps seem to be script-readers more than actionable people. One thing that I could see being a snag in this idea is that he is a civilian contractor and therefore in Iraq by choice, not due to an unavoidable service obligation or something. Whatever you do, make sure the words "financial need" accompanies your explanation. In my research, that seems to be a good trigger keyword for making things happen. You might also be able to request an expedite on your case based on this whole situation, somehow relating it to a national security issue (it's not as rediculous as it sounds -- I did it for my expedite).

In any case, his parents should DEFINITELY have at least one full set of copies of his documentation and paperwork, as well as copies of everything you're sending to the embassy, just in case.

I hope some of this information was helpful at least. Take care and good luck!

[Mariye & Ky 172]

I just lost what I replied when I hit the Post button.

Curtis and Nadja, I want to thank you for the information. I laughed when you said, "find an Army Soldier" as I am an Army Brat of a Ret Lt. Col. And you are right, they do go for what seems ever. I'm putting together a package for Kadir's parents for the just in case. In the meantime, I'll be following up on your recommendations; they seem reasonable. Kadir doesn't have any electronic equipment with him (cell fone, laptop, iPod), they would not allow it. They had to leave all of this type of equipment at their homes in Turkey. But the good news is, he completed his 30 day security probation time and now they gave him a cell fone so we get to talk, albeit short, almost daily when the signals are good. I will never take anything as simple as postal service, gadgets, or fone service for granted again. I cannot wait till he gets to come home (first back to Adana/ Incirlik), and then SAN FRANCISCO! Yeah!! Again, thank you for the input, I will most certainly be using it! Mari

[nicole&efe 0]

Packet 3 is simply an e-mail to Kadir to let him know that he can download the instructions off of the embassy's website and fill out the forms and send them in. If he doesn't have access to the internet then this might be a problem. In that case you will probably have to call the embassy every once in awhile to check in.

Has he signed all of the required DS forms? Efe and I actually completed this forms when he was doing his military service, but at least he was allowed to send them back to me.

One last thing, I don't see any problem with you sending in the forms. I was prepared to do this if Efe was still in the army, but it worked out that he completed his service a week before we were told that we could send in packet 3.

[Mariye & Ky 172]

Packet 3 is simply an e-mail to Kadir to let him know that he can download the instructions off of the embassy's website and fill out the forms and send them in. If he doesn't have access to the internet then this might be a problem. In that case you will probably have to call the embassy every once in awhile to check in.

Has he signed all of the required DS forms? Efe and I actually completed this forms when he was doing his military service, but at least he was allowed to send them back to me.

One last thing, I don't see any problem with you sending in the forms. I was prepared to do this if Efe was still in the army, but it worked out that he completed his service a week before we were told that we could send in packet 3.

Hi and Thanks Nicole for reply! I'll start looking into the DS forms. I think I already have a draft of it, but no, Kadir has not signed them yet. I am hoping he will return back to Adana as he only has 3 mos. left on his contract. I know he wants to get back sooner than later. Since we just started our file (WE GOT OUR FIRST NOA1 today!), it's going to be a few months as well before they finish reviewing our file. If the forms are only downloads from the USCIS, than that's no problem. But what about his official documents that are in Turkish? That's my concern. I am thinking I have to have a set in English to accompany the Turkish birth certificate, Police Records, Army Discharge, etc). Thanks for helping me Nicole, Mari

[nicole&efe 0]

Hi and Thanks Nicole for reply! I'll start looking into the DS forms. I think I already have a draft of it, but no, Kadir has not signed them yet. I am hoping he will return back to Adana as he only has 3 mos. left on his contract. I know he wants to get back sooner than later. Since we just started our file (WE GOT OUR FIRST NOA1 today!), it's going to be a few months as well before they finish reviewing our file. If the forms are only downloads from the USCIS, than that's no problem. But what about his official documents that are in Turkish? That's my concern. I am thinking I have to have a set in English to accompany the Turkish birth certificate, Police Records, Army Discharge, etc). Thanks for helping me Nicole, Mari

If he'll be out of the army in 3 months then it seems to me like he'd have plenty of time to prepare everything with you at that time (until you need to send in packet 3). Efe's brother did obtain Efe's police clearance and birth certificate, as well as have them translated, when Efe was in the army so that those documents would be ready. You could have Kadir's parents do that if you think it would help.

[brettdresseur 0]

My spouse is also working abroad (on a ship, he isn't even in a place for a day) but he will be able to go back to his country in a few weeks. We are having his parents assemble the information that he will need and he will add any additional materials when he can. I'm sure your husband's parents can send the information to Ankara as long as the proper documentation is assembled, but your husband will probably have to assemble certain materials for them if they don't have access to his accounts, yet once the packet is completely assembled anyone can mail it to Ankara.

Good luck, I know what you're going through and I hope everything goes quickly for us.