Does anyone know what the current processong/turnaround is for DCF?

If I fly to Sydney to file my I-130 am I required to stay beyond filing it or can my husband take care of the rest? We'll have a new baby at that point and I'll likely leave baby in the States with my parents.

Also, after I file it, how long does it seem to be taking for the interview to be granted and visa to be received?

I guess the answers will be different for people who filed before August...


Thanks everybody!

From what I read DCF is the option used when husband and wife both live outside USA, from your post you give the impression that you do not live in Austrailia. How did you meet and where did you marry?

If you are not living in Australia then your only option may be K3 visa.

Read the guides on DCF http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...om&page=dcf

Incorrect for Australia. The USC does not have to be a resident of australia to file through DCF. One of only a couple of consulate that offer this.

Jo
As I stated in PM I have no idea of the current timeframe from filing the I-130 by walkin, to the scheduling of an interview but Im sure someone will be along soon that will have that answer. Im afraid I havent been keeping right on top of DCF in australia especially past couple of months.

Lorelle

Hi JoIan

I'm not sure about the timeframe yet, but as we're about to go through the process in Australia I'll be sure to let you know how long it takes me to get an interview once the I-130 is filed. You also won't need to stay in Australia after this has been filed.

The answer tp how long it might take will also depend on how organized you are in relation to getting police checks and things. As you will have seen, your partner will only receive packet 3 once the I-130 has been filed. This contains the information about police checks and the medical, but you could plan ahead with both these things so that you'll be in a position to ask for an interview as soon as possible. In relation to the police check, you could always get that early. You could also make an appointment for the medical in advance (I had to book mine four weeks in advance to get an appointment in Melbourne, for example).

Good luck!

Jo

Below are a couple of links for a copy of the vaccinations needed and Doctors addresses etc as well as the form for the criminal record check for NSW. I used Dr Millar in Macquarie Street, Sydney and both he and his receptionist are lovely. Hubby can have a titre test done to check on immunity if he doesnt have all his vaccination records or they are imcomplete. What he needs is dependant on age. He will need to be up to date with his tetunus shots too. He can have any shots needed privately but HIV test from memory has to be done on day of medical as well as the chest x-ray.

List of Doctors
Vaccination Requirements
Application for National Criminal History Record Check - P799

As Lunamel stated, he can organise to have the police check prior to the filing of the I-130. Mine took just under 2 weeks. He will need to make an appointment at his local police station to have fingerprints done and to submit the form. Have to watch them somewhat though as a lot of the time they have no idea when it comes to these. They tried to argue the point with me that the results would be sent to the consulate but eventully I convinced them they were wrong and they were to be sent to my address. Suggestion.......book the medical for straight after the walkin for the I-130. Im not sure on how long it will take you in the consulate though.

Here's my shot at a guess at timelines once petition is filed.

3-5 weeks to do everything in packet 3
3-4 weeks to an interview date once you have finished everything in packet 3.

You might be able to streamline it a little, and overlap it, but with the new way of the DCF, I'd say at least 4 weeks after the petition, and that's still pushing it.

Personally, I think doing DCF is much better than any other method, and I'd do whatever process the Sydney consulate asked me to follow. Even if it took 8 weeks, worst case scenario, that's a hell of a lot faster than K3 or IR1/CR1.

As for your earlier question, you can leave as soon as the petition is filed and your husband can take care of the rest. You can be in Sydney for just a week if you want to head back (Just make sure the consulate is open on that particular Thursday!)

AussieDude

Thank you guys and gals for taking time to answer. It's much appreciated. This option is looking better and better all the time and at first it was the one we discounted!

hi there,
There is no way to say with any certainty what the turnaround time is now. All Consulates in Australia are participating in the change that happened in July, and there are probably few enough cases that even Sydney couldn't give you an answer that would hold true. It will be fairly fast.

The USC is only required to be there for the I-130 filing. If you have to leave before the visa appointment, that is OK visa-wise.

I would expect that Australia cases will still take less than 30 days to complete. Be prepared with ALL the documentation you'll need and have a great visit!

Australia rocks.

I am not sure if there are significant differences between the consulates. But here in Manila it would NOT be possible for you to fly in, file, and fly out. In Manila, I had to show AT LEAST 6 months of local residence such as a rental contract, electricity bills with my name on them, bank accounts, etc.. and the DHS assistant was very reluctant to accept the I-130 even then. She sent me away to get more copies of more evidence before she would accept the filing.

Certainly worth checking with the consulate before you fly.

DaveHorton,

Be assured - there are.

Yodrak

Dave
There is no need for the OP to check. One does not have to be a resident in order to file in Australia and the USC spouse can just fly in and out. There are significant differences with some consulates and Australia is one of them.