DCF questions

[jace5869 9]

I was wondering about some things regarding DCF filing (Philippines).

I know DCF can considerably faster than the standard way, and that it requires at least 6 months residency in the country you're applying for. I've read for the Philippines you can possibly petition your I-130 through DCF with only a tourist visa. I'm already staying 3 months and 6 days here (Feb. 13 to May 18) with my soon to be wife (April 15th) and I'm only keeping a tourist visa extended this whole time. Some questions...

1. What's everyones experience regarding residency status? tourist visa, petition for permanent resident, etc?

2. When proving residence, I've been staying with my fiance/wife the whole time, do I need to get some type of affidavit from parents, or should I seek some cheap lease agreement, or does my passport stamps prove anything?

3. Are the filing fee's the same?

4. I'm having to get joint sponsor's regardless -- will I need to get all the information and documents beforehand?

5. What is this dream act, or whatever from Obama that is causing the extended wait times or being given higher priority?

I know there is information out there on DCF, but it's really hard applying it to my situation. I'm staying here for 3 months and I can possibly extend it out further if its worthwhile, and to possibly avoid a longer wait. I see spending 3 more months with my wife and then waiting 2-3 months in the states alone better than waiting 6-14 months on a traditional CR-1 petition.

Thank you!

[reese1 68]

From what I read you have to be living in the country for 6 months prior to filing DCF at the Manila Embassy. However, found something else that says you can not, or is up to the discretion of that Consulate to allow it. Here is the website for both.

http://www.usaimmigrationattorney.com/DCFandnoDCFcountries.html

http://www.pinayvisa.com/direct-consular-filing-dcf.html

http://www.philippines-addicts.com/forum/topic/25335-direct-consular-filing-for-visa/#

This is a website from someone that did it. Hope this helps.

[jace5869 9]

Yes, I've read some conflicting info on what "residency" is..and it does sound like it is up to the consulate. I know about it being 6 months, and I think I can pull off another 3-4 months here if I knew it would help. I know I love it here afterall, anyways.

I kind of wanted to get some opinions of people who may have tried it, or knows more than I do. I really appreciate the links. I'll be sure to look through them.

[Penguin_ie 5,987]

*** Moving from CR-1 forum to DCF forum as the process is different from filing via a US lockbox ****

[dave01 16]

I was wondering about some things regarding DCF filing (Philippines).

I know DCF can considerably faster than the standard way, and that it requires at least 6 months residency in the country you're applying for. I've read for the Philippines you can possibly petition your I-130 through DCF with only a tourist visa. I'm already staying 3 months and 6 days here (Feb. 13 to May 18) with my soon to be wife (April 15th) and I'm only keeping a tourist visa extended this whole time. Some questions...

1. What's everyones experience regarding residency status? tourist visa, petition for permanent resident, etc?

2. When proving residence, I've been staying with my fiance/wife the whole time, do I need to get some type of affidavit from parents, or should I seek some cheap lease agreement, or does my passport stamps prove anything?

3. Are the filing fee's the same?

4. I'm having to get joint sponsor's regardless -- will I need to get all the information and documents beforehand?

5. What is this dream act, or whatever from Obama that is causing the extended wait times or being given higher priority?

I know there is information out there on DCF, but it's really hard applying it to my situation. I'm staying here for 3 months and I can possibly extend it out further if its worthwhile, and to possibly avoid a longer wait. I see spending 3 more months with my wife and then waiting 2-3 months in the states alone better than waiting 6-14 months on a traditional CR-1 petition.

Thank you!

A couple of affidavits along with your passport stamps should be good enough. There have been several people approved for DCF that were here on tourist visa's. If in doubt call the USCIS in Manila and ask what they will except as proof of being here.

[jace5869 9]

A couple of affidavits along with your passport stamps should be good enough. There have been several people approved for DCF that were here on tourist visa's. If in doubt call the USCIS in Manila and ask what they will except as proof of being here.

I googled the USCIS and go the Manila office. I sent them an e-mail asking what their requirements were. If what you're saying is the case then tha can be very good news. I assume you pay all the fee's then as well. I would leave most likely after filing.

[ladylex 0]

I googled the USCIS and go the Manila office. I sent them an e-mail asking what their requirements were. If what you're saying is the case then tha can be very good news. I assume you pay all the fee's then as well. I would leave most likely after filing.

Hi, Jace! My hubby went to file our petitions bringing with him his passport, his visa extensions, along with our lease contract for the apartment we are staying at, notarized copies of our joint account passbook, affidavits of third persons attesting to the fact of our relationship and stating there also that my husband came to live with me and my son after his contract in Kuwait terminated in July 2012 until the present along with some circumstantial evidences of our relationship such as photos of different occasions/places we went to for the period July 2012 until the present, etc..which were returned to us by the lady attending him after she checked them for 30 mins. Suffice it to say too, that between July 2012 until last week of March 2013, my hubby had not continuously stayed here in the Philippines because we left Phils for our two-week honeymoon in September and he also went to US to attend to some personal matters on November 2012. Yet, he was told to pay the filing fees and they accepted our filing. Hope this helps...

[jace5869 9]

Thank you..this helps a bit. i'm wondering if I should get a lease contract even though I'm staying with my wife (who stays with parents) to make it look more residential (?). We're planning on setting up our joint account this week and I've been keeping my tourist visa extension receipts. I just don't want to take the chance of staying 3 more months and getting turned away from filing. It's not going to be cheap purchasing another plane ticket while staying here longer.