How does one qualify for direct consular filing?

[El_killer47 22]

I understand you (the American) have to be living abroad with your spouse/ fiance and then you can file directly with the embassy in that country and it's much quicker. Like the whole thing, done in about 3 months. I want to know what is the specific criteria for DCF?

[Morganalmonshid94 84]

Every country has different requirements but usually you have to be a resident of that foreign country some countries make you get a certain visa to be classified as a resident and have lived there for at least six months . There should be something on the countries website about the requirements .

Or if you have dual citizenship I'm pretty sure that's an easy way as well .

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Also the country has to have a USCIS office in the country. Not all countries have that

[lost_at_sea 995]

You can see the list of countries that have Field Offices here (which is what you require to be able to submit DCF): http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-uscis-office/international-immigration-offices You can then go through to the embassy website for each, find the page about submitting I-130, and see the requirements (there's usually a minimum residency requirement).

[awaywego 28]

To quickly add to the above: You ask about spouse or fiance(e). DCF can be an option for a spouse, but not for a fiance(e); marriage is another requirement for filing.

[Penguin_ie 5,984]

You need to have lived there for 6 months.

[Ryan H 3,790]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to DCF Discussion.

[roadrunnertony 0]

As mentioned above already, but I can confirm. Most consulates you must prove residency for 6 months or longer. You must show lease, utility bills or something, and proof in your passport that you have been there with entry stamps for this duration.

You must already be married, as this kind of filing is for a relative already such as spouse, brother, sister, etc. So you cannot do the fiance one.

And, only certain countries have consulates allowing this method.

If you have been living abroad for longer than 6 months, as some have been abroad for many years, you must also be able to prove that you have still maintained USA domicile. Meaning that you have a USA address to go back to and a job for income and so forth. You have to show that you are still filing taxes, etc.

This method is faster, but its structured to only fit the people that meet these criteria.