Has DCF been stopped at London Embassy?

[JohnRG 0]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum and looking for some help...

My wife is a US citizen living in London, and we are hoping to use the Direct Consular Filing route to get me an IR-1 / CR-1 based immigrant Visa. This is so that we (me, a British citizen, and our 2 kids who will have dual passports) can move to the USA together.

I am reading on these forums that DCF is a very effective route to obtaining a Visa, i.e. quicker etc

HOWEVER, the official US website states that Embassies are no longer able to process petitions and applications:

"Petitioners residing outside the United States are no longer able to routinely file Forms I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with U.S. Embassies and Consulates. Petitioners residing overseas in countries where USCIS does not have a public counter presence are required to file their Forms I-130 by mail with the USCIS Chicago Lockbox. U.S. embassies and consulates can only accept and process Forms I-130 in exceptional circumstances" ( http://www.travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/immigrant-process/petition/file/filing-immigrant-petitions-outside-the-u-s.html )

Furthermore, the "exceptional circumstances" are considered to be:

"...certain emergency situations, including when:

• A U.S. service member stationed overseas becomes aware of a new deployment or transfer with very little notice.
• A petitioner or beneficiary is facing an urgent medical emergency that requires immediate travel.
• A petitioner or beneficiary is facing an imminent threat to personal safety.
• A beneficiary is within a few months of aging out of eligibility.
• The petitioner and family have traveled for the immigrant visa interview, but the petitioner has naturalized and the family member(s) require a new, stand-alone petition.
• The petitioner adopted a child and there is an imminent need to leave the country."

( https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-centralizes-filing-form-i-130 )

REGARDING DCF, IS ALL THIS CORRECT?

I also don't think that that any of the exceptional circumstances apply to us. Does this mean that DCF isn't an available route for us?

If we have to go down the longer route, via USCIS in Chicago, then I'm concerned we will not get processed in time.

I'm hoping that my fears are unfounded, as I see lots of people on this forum going through the DCF process right now. But I'd be grateful for any advice

Many thanks!

John

[Anh map 2,098]

Go back and read the paragraph above the one that you cut and pasted to your message. The answer (that you are hoping for) lies within.

[Marrienne 112]

Countries with USCIS Offices

Certain petitions may be filed at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices abroad, but these locations are limited in number. Review the list of International Offices on the USCIS website to determine if a USCIS office is located in the country where you reside.

If you reside in a country with a USCIS public office, you may either file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with that office or with the USCIS Chicago Lockbox at one of the addresses below. See USCIS Centralizes Filing of Form I-130.

[JohnRG 0]

Thanks guys, appreciate the highlight. Not sure how I missed it. My head must have been spinning from reading all those web-pages.... and the Embassy doesn't answer calls.

Anyway, just spoke to a very helpful gentleman at the London USCIS Field Office (02078940700) who told me what I need to do - and that the timescales are about 6 months start to finish (2 months USCIS then 4 months consulate inc interview and medical). I can handle that!

Thanks again

[rickster62 2]

No way will it take 6 months.We did ours in Manila and from date of filing to visa in hand took 6 weeks. Just use all the tools on this great website, be assertive, and you will be on your way in no time

[Marrienne 112]

No way will it take 6 months.We did ours in Manila and from date of filing to visa in hand took 6 weeks. Just use all the tools on this great website, be assertive, and you will be on your way in no time

Each Embassy has it's own timeline. For instance in Athens, Greece it takes 4 weeks just for NOA1. They said about 6 months for us also. Maybe Manila is super fast.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Thanks guys, appreciate the highlight. Not sure how I missed it. My head must have been spinning from reading all those web-pages.... and the Embassy doesn't answer calls.

Anyway, just spoke to a very helpful gentleman at the London USCIS Field Office (02078940700) who told me what I need to do - and that the timescales are about 6 months start to finish (2 months USCIS then 4 months consulate inc interview and medical). I can handle that!

Thanks again

They provide a relatively conservative view on how long it'll take. The embassy website says to allow "10 months". Most manage to DCF through London in about 3-4 months if they're on the ball with their paperwork.

[Marrienne 112]

You are lucky! Athens will not even acknowledge such a question. They will simply not tell you anything but ... they can't tell you!!