Due to lack of resources embassies in some 3. world countries have launched routine DNA testing to verify visa eligibility.
These tests proof paternity and save time to verify documents ( at the petitioners expense ) and establish other
eligibilities.
This is not about insinuating doubt with a paternity issue rather it is implemented to save time for the embassy to verify eligibility.
If successful in the pilot program these tests will be used more widespread in countries where verification is difficult to establish.
Consider yourself fortunate if your SO is not from one of those countries.

You can read about it in the Ombudsman 2007 report.

This testing is also done routinely in Dakar to rule out that a couple is not related when from the same country and race even though
one is the USC. This saves time supposedly to establish eligibility while saving resources.

Little expensive isn't it?

Yep, very. Just another hardship to discourage immigration. Even more expensive if the SO lives in another country ( like mine ) and has to
fly with child or children to the designated embassy doctors.

Yes, this is very unfortunate.

Wow. I understand that they are trying to protect our interests and make immigration as hard as they can for scammers but how much money are we going to have to pay to get our loved ones here?

Between fees and plane tickets now we need to worry about DNA testing.

Well, if we have no choice...

Just unbelievable, it could add hundreds of more dollars to the cost of the process

Maybe this is a stupid question . . . The DNA testing is only if you have had a child together, right?

Not necessarily. The language in the report says "family relationship" so I am assuming that means if a fiance(e)/spouse wanted to bring their children or even people who want to bring parents/siblings they would be required to have a DNA test. Their reasoning is that it would reduce the number of scammers who apply for visas etc. And all this would apparently "justify the additional cost of DNA testing" which is of course on the petitioner.

Here is the Recommendation from the Ombudsman.

I wonder how soon they are going to implement this.

I hope not too soon because when they implement things through the consulates, they take effect immediately regardless of when you started your process.

So if he has no children to bring and is not bringing any family members, then they shouldn't need a DNA test at the K1 interview? I could see maybe for lifting conditions after we are married and have kids . . . .

If it is just him then no need for an expensive DNA test

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If it is just him then no need for an expensive DNA test
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WHEW!!!!!!!!!

Exactly, eligibility of a true family relationship will be established with DNA. Children, siblings, parents.

Now add to that as I said above an engaged couple, both African for example but one of them naturalized and is petitioning the fiance.
DNA will be required to proof that they are NOT related and a bona fide couple. We have such a member here on VJ going through this.
This is justified to show that you are not bringing a family member and that he/she is not a sibling you are trying to bring over as a 'fiance'.

The expense is going too far. The travel fares coming from other countries if the SO resides in a country where no K1 and K3 are processed
( as in my case ) is going too far.
Repeated required travel through violent areas ( as in my case ) is going too far. No other DNA collection point is going too far.
They have to travel to another country for a 1 min swap test. it is outrageous.

Now my crazy case :

I petitioned my fiance K1. He has a 16 year old from a previous marriage, the mother was killed in the war, he has a death certificate.
Our plans were to bring the daughter over after one year or later ( I am aware of the ' following to join within one year' derivative regulation)
and the embassy was told of that fact and the box " follow to join " was marked NO on the forms.
The embassy in Dakar has asked for DNA anyway. Are they abiding by the regulations ? I think not. DNA is irrelevant here.
They want proof that she is his daughter even though she is NOT coming over now.
A senator was unable to help. We have wasted 3 months to fight this.
We were given the option to submit documents such as birth cert. and school records but they said that will take over one year to verify.
We have been on AP already for 9 months and we were not told from the beginning that we needed DNA until July 07 through DOS when I called
inquiring about our case status.
He had to travel to Dakar for the 1. interview.
Then both traveled to Dakar for DNA testing.
Then he will get a 2. appointment and has to travel again.
Add all that up, our simple K1 has turned into a very expensive nightmare.
I don't know what else they will throw at us.
I am staying positive and God has supplied the finances out of nowhere.
We are not giving up.

To make a long story short. An applicant should not be required to test for DNA IF the child is not accompanying and if
expensive trips are involved coming from countries without home consulates, to collect the DNA.
Other collection locations should be in place.
We happen to be the guinea pigs of this insane idea.

You may want to write the Ombudsman about this not so " bright idea " to make DNA testing routine.

I am so sorry to hear about all these unnecessary hoops you have had to jump through.

In your case I do not understand why they are requesting a DNA test. And the fact that all this travelling is involved is even more outrageous. If someone petitions for a visa and provides birth records etc and they want more proof then the embassy should be paying that bill. End of story. How much more documentation do these people want for us in order for is to get on with our lives. There needs to be a limit as to how long they can stretch this already painfully long process.

Sometimes I don't understand how they work. They need to go through this process to see what it feels like and then maybe they will consider really streamlining the system.

I hope that you get all this resolved soon

Zee

My mother-in-law filed petitions for her three remaining children in the Philippines two years ago and got requests for DNA testing for all three. This was preceded by several requests for clearer birth certificate copies, which the PI govt. could not supply to us. There was a provision for her to ask to be exempted. I typed the replys for her and mailed them in. We got the standard NOA back telling us our request was recieved and filed....but didn't actually say they had been exempted. Guess it doesn't really matter for another ten years or so.

Have mercy! What will they think of next?!