Military spouse intending to accompany husband overseas , not on orders

[Asiula 15]

6 hours ago, Roel said:

Just wanted to add - you might want to start working on that reentry permit ASAP - since you need to get it before you leave US.

My husband called USCIS- he was told I don’t need reentry permit if I am abroad less than a year even though I am not on orders.

 

 

thank you very much for advises

[Crazy Cat 41,984]

Just now, Asiula said:

My husband called USCIS- he was told I don’t need reentry permit if I am abroad less than a year even though I am not on orders.

 

 

thank you very much for advises

That is common knowledge.  But over 6 months out of the country can result in a lot of questioning and scrutiny......and what if your return is delayed? 

[Mollie09 1,543]

8 minutes ago, Asiula said:

My husband called USCIS- he was told I don’t need reentry permit if I am abroad less than a year even though I am not on orders.

 

 

thank you very much for advises

I wouldn't trust what USCIS tells you over the phone, it won't hold up if CBP denies you entry.

Absences of over 6 months are scrutinized. Re-entry permit is a must, in my opinion. You're cutting it way too close.

[CEE53147 559]

10 minutes ago, Asiula said:

There are local services I can use ( I.e hospital) so I am not worried about well being of my baby.  Moreover I am SAHM so I don’t need a child care. Currently we don’t live on base. 

 

 

You need to check on insurance and emergency med-evac for health care.  Hope for the best but know the plan for the worst.

 

I know many SAHMs who use drop-in at the CDC just to have time to themselves for doctors visits, lunch with friends,...  It is important to take time for yourself (from a mom of 4). A 3 month old is far more portable than an 15 month old who is running, climbing, and has embarrassing screaming on the floor tantrums mastered.

 

When the military makes a tour unaccompanied, they do so for good reasons.  These may not be obvious - or what you are told. Be very cautious.

[Asiula 15]

15 minutes ago, missileman said:

That is common knowledge.  But over 6 months out of the country can result in a lot of questioning and scrutiny......and what if your return is delayed? 

Assignments at this base are not prolonged. And I plan to return end of September / beginning of October. We are leaving around 29th of October this year. 

 

 

[Asiula 15]

3 minutes ago, CEE53147 said:

You need to check on insurance and emergency med-evac for health care.  Hope for the best but know the plan for the worst.

 

I know many SAHMs who use drop-in at the CDC just to have time to themselves for doctors visits, lunch with friends,...  It is important to take time for yourself (from a mom of 4). A 3 month old is far more portable than an 15 month old who is running, climbing, and has embarrassing screaming on the floor tantrums mastered.

 

When the military makes a tour unaccompanied, they do so for good reasons.  These may not be obvious - or what you are told. Be very cautious.

We are going to Lajes on Azores. The only reason why families don’t go there together officially is because the command there can’t provide with family facilities anymore: hospital on base, school etc. there are some military families living off base. So we wouldn’t be an exception. 

[Crazy Cat 41,984]

Just now, Asiula said:

Assignments at this base are not prolonged. And I plan to return end of September / beginning of October. We are leaving around 29th of October this year. 

 

 

Are you familiar with the concept of "insurance"?  Good luck.  It sounds like you have made your decision......

[Asiula 15]

17 minutes ago, missileman said:

Are you familiar with the concept of "insurance"?  Good luck.  It sounds like you have made your decision......

Yes I am familiar with a concept of insurance. My husband is thinking of Tricare Select for me and our son ( well he is checking that if we are eligible) and if some costs have to be covered fully by us - we are happy about that. 

 

Yes i I made my mind, because my husband convinced me it’s so easy to convince immigration officer that this trip was temporary. I asked additional here , thinking someone had similar experience even on accompanying us spouse who got temporary sssigment as civil worker abroad. 

[Roel 7,192]

17 minutes ago, Asiula said:

convinced me it’s so easy to convince immigration officer that this trip was temporary

Ummmm...

Please reconsider and get yourself a reentry permit.

[Crazy Cat 41,984]

26 minutes ago, Asiula said:

Yes i I made my mind, because my husband convinced me it’s so easy to convince immigration officer that this trip was temporary.

Most military vets in my generation would take the possibility of potential, unexpected problems a little more seriously.  Anyway, I wish the very best for you and your family.

 

As military dependents, you are most certainly eligible for Tricare Select if he has enrolled you in DEERS.  

[Hypnos 6,577]

A re-entry permit would be the best way to cover yourself (and your child) if something were not to go as expected down the line. 

 

You must apply for it from within the US, but can request to have the final document dispatched overseas to a US embassy where you can collect it. 

[mushroomspore 3,044]

4 hours ago, Asiula said:

 

Yes i I made my mind, because my husband convinced me it’s so easy to convince immigration officer that this trip was temporary. I asked additional here , thinking someone had similar experience even on accompanying us spouse who got temporary sssigment as civil worker abroad. 

Your husband is not an immigration expert. The only reason he even knows anything about US immigration is because he married you, a non-American. Compare that to the people on this forum, who have been through basically all the different kinds of immigration processes and are very knowledgeable about the system. People are saying to get the re-entry permit for a reason.

 

Secondly, your husband is an American citizen. He can come back to the US whenever he wants with zero problems. You are not an American citizen. You have a legal status that needs to be protected by following the policies. It is YOUR responsibility to protect your own status, not your husband's. If you don't, YOU are the one who loses your permanent resident status. So it's really in your best interest to get the re-entry permit.

[Kevo 69]

On 8/24/2018 at 9:35 AM, Asiula said:

We are going to Lajes on Azores. The only reason why families don’t go there together officially is because the command there can’t provide with family facilities anymore: hospital on base, school etc. there are some military families living off base. So we wouldn’t be an exception. 

Almost exact circumstances for my wife and I.  I volunteered for Lajes right around the time it changed to unaccompanied - if I had known it changed I wouldn't have volunteered.  

 

My wife is from the Philippines so I had to get her a visa to enter for 90 days and they allowed one additional 90 day visa, so she left just short of 180 days.  Poland is in the EU (I think?) so you probably won't have that issue.  

 

When I left there in Dec 2015 everyone inbound had to stay on base.  Not sure if that changed between now and then, but might want to be 100% sure because depending on the rank, some were put in dorms, which wouldn't work for a family to stay.  

 

Also, there were issues with keeping BAH if you stay in Lajes past a certain time (it was either 90 or 120 days). Might want to contact the Lajes finance office for that info.  

 

But Lajes was great, one of my best assignments.  Miss it there.  

[Roel 7,192]

52 minutes ago, Kevo said:

My wife is from the Philippines so I had to get her a visa to enter for 90 days and they allowed one additional 90 day visa, so she left just short of 180 days.  Poland is in the EU (I think?) so you probably won't have that issue.  

 

...

Yes, Poland is in the EU.

[cyclone27 710]

I know Lajes very well and it’s a nice place. Terceira is a quaint little island where you can get around in a hr. Bull Festival season is awesome.

 

Go to Pescadors in Praia for Steak on a Rock!!!(beef is incredible)

 

Get a re-entry permit and ignore the misinformation line. If you don’t you sr gambling with the possibility you might be separated for a year or more.