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Beginning K-1 Process while residing outside the US

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Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Philippines
Timeline

This thread started about K1 and got moved to the DCF topic... i dont know how we all got so confused!

 

Deep breath, laugh.

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4 minutes ago, millefleur said:

The only place on the official Frankfurt field office website where it mentions the Department of State is for military service members:
 

The OP did not mention being a military service member, therefore OP would file at the USCIS Frankfurt field office via mail (as Frankfurt requires mail filing). The actual mailing address is USCIS, not the Department of State. See here for yourself on the official checklist from Frankfurt:

 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Refugee%2C Asylum%2C and Int'l Ops/IO/I-130_Petition_Checklist.pdf

 

It specifically says that military members file to the Department of State and everyone else files to USCIS Frankfurt. I am going to tag @Penguin_ie as she is also familiar with DCF and this thread has become way more confused than even necessary when all the information is right there on the Frankfurt website.

The gap in communication stems from the following. You stated multiple that filing with the USCIS international office is Direct Consular Filing. That is not accurate. You are using both terms interchangeably and they are not. And it snowballed from there. 

 

I-751 Joint Filing.

06-15-2021 - Case was updated to show fingerprints were taken. 

05-26-2021 - Received NOA/extension letter. Notice date and postmarked 05-20-2021.

05-23-2021 - Received text message with Receipt #. YSC Potomac Center.

05-21-2021 - Checks cashed (processing on joint checking account)

05-07-2021 - I-751 received in Arizona.

 

Marriage-based AOS - Concurrent filing.

05-07-2019 - AOS Approved. Resident since date 05/07/2019.

05-06-2019 - AOS Interview

04-23-2018 - "Case is ready to be scheduled for an interview"

03-16-2018 - Priority Date.

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6 minutes ago, USC4SPOUSE said:

First things first. I am not attacking you. There is a gap in communication. DCF is in fact filing your I-130 with the Embassy. If you file with the USCIS International Office, you are filing with USCIS. That is not the same as DCF

 

DCF entails that the petitioner:

1. resides in a country without a USCIS International Office 

2. has exceptional circumstances that merit filing with the US Embassy

3. explains their exceptional circumstances to the US Embassy, which then presents that information to USCIS. At that point, USCIS either approves the request or declines it. If declined, then the petitioner must file their petition with the Chicago Lockbox. 

 

But ALL OF THAT is not needed because OP resides in a country that has a USCIS International Office.

Actually DCF means that you are filing directly with the USCIS office in the country you are residing as the petitioner.  There is also exceptional circumstances DCF where the I-130 is sent to a USCIS office that is outside the country of the petitioner but not to the lockbox in the USA.  For instance Canada does not have a USCIS office.  To file for exceptional circumstances DCF you send the I-130 to the USCIS office in Mexico.  The office in Mexico would make the decision on if the petitioner residing in Canada actually qualifies for DCF.

The OP would do DCF and file directly with the USCIS office in Frankfurt at the US embassy.  This is DCF in its traditional sense. 

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.  - Dr. Seuss

 

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5 minutes ago, NikLR said:

Actually DCF means that you are filing directly with the USCIS office in the country you are residing as the petitioner.  There is also exceptional circumstances DCF where the I-130 is sent to a USCIS office that is outside the country of the petitioner but not to the lockbox in the USA.  For instance Canada does not have a USCIS office.  To file for exceptional circumstances DCF you send the I-130 to the USCIS office in Mexico.  The office in Mexico would make the decision on if the petitioner residing in Canada actually qualifies for DCF.

The OP would do DCF and file directly with the USCIS office in Frankfurt at the US embassy.  This is DCF in its traditional sense. 

That is inaccurate. Even if the USCIS International Office is physically attached to the US Embassy, the fact remains that they are two different and separate agencies. 

 

This memo explains it nicely. https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Laws/Memoranda/2011/August/Locally-Filed_I-130s_Interim_PM_Approved_for_Pubic_Comment_8-8-11.pdf

 

I-751 Joint Filing.

06-15-2021 - Case was updated to show fingerprints were taken. 

05-26-2021 - Received NOA/extension letter. Notice date and postmarked 05-20-2021.

05-23-2021 - Received text message with Receipt #. YSC Potomac Center.

05-21-2021 - Checks cashed (processing on joint checking account)

05-07-2021 - I-751 received in Arizona.

 

Marriage-based AOS - Concurrent filing.

05-07-2019 - AOS Approved. Resident since date 05/07/2019.

05-06-2019 - AOS Interview

04-23-2018 - "Case is ready to be scheduled for an interview"

03-16-2018 - Priority Date.

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
Timeline
1 minute ago, USC4SPOUSE said:

That is inaccurate. Even if the USCIS International Office is physically attached to the US Embassy, the fact remains that they are two different and separate agencies. 

 

This memo explains it nicely. https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Laws/Memoranda/2011/August/Locally-Filed_I-130s_Interim_PM_Approved_for_Pubic_Comment_8-8-11.pdf

Are you saying that a couple can file DCF at any embassy/consulate?

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

August 7, 2022: Wife filed N-400 Online under 5 year rule.

November 10, 2022: Received "Interview is scheduled" letter.

December 12, 2022:  Received email from Dallas office informing me (spouse) to be there for combo interview.

December 14, 2022: Combo Interview for I-751 and N-400 Conducted.

January 26, 2023: Wife's Oath Ceremony completed at the Plano Event Center, Plano, Texas!!!😁

February 6, 2023: Wife's Passport Application submitted in Dallas, Texas.

March 21, 2023:   Wife's Passport Delivered!!!!

May 15, 2023 (about):  Naturalization Certificate returned from Passport agency!!

 

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

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1 minute ago, missileman said:

Are you saying that a couple can file DCF at any embassy/consulate?

DCF entails that the petitioner:

1. resides in a country without a USCIS International Office 

2. has exceptional circumstances that merit filing with the US Embassy

3. explains their exceptional circumstances to the US Embassy, which then presents that information to USCIS. At that point, USCIS either approves the request or declines it. If declined, then the petitioner must file their petition with the Chicago Lockbox.

 

But ALL OF THAT is not needed because OP resides in a country that has a USCIS International Office.

 

I-751 Joint Filing.

06-15-2021 - Case was updated to show fingerprints were taken. 

05-26-2021 - Received NOA/extension letter. Notice date and postmarked 05-20-2021.

05-23-2021 - Received text message with Receipt #. YSC Potomac Center.

05-21-2021 - Checks cashed (processing on joint checking account)

05-07-2021 - I-751 received in Arizona.

 

Marriage-based AOS - Concurrent filing.

05-07-2019 - AOS Approved. Resident since date 05/07/2019.

05-06-2019 - AOS Interview

04-23-2018 - "Case is ready to be scheduled for an interview"

03-16-2018 - Priority Date.

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1 minute ago, missileman said:

Are you saying that a couple can file DCF at any embassy/consulate?

As long as there are exceptional circumstances you can file anywhere.

March 2, 2018  Married In Hong Kong

April 30, 2018  Mary moves from the Philippines to Mexico, Husband has MX Permanent Residency

June 13, 2018 Mary receives Mexican Residency Card

June 15, 2018  I-130 DCF Appointment in Juarez  -  June 18, 2018  Approval E-Mail

August 2, 2018 Case Complete At Consulate

September 25, 2018 Interview in CDJ and Approved!

October 7, 2018 In the USA

October 27, 2018 Green Card received 

October 29, 2018 Applied for Social Security Card - November 5, 2018 Social Security Card received

November 6th, 2018 State ID Card Received, Applied for Global Entry - Feb 8,2019 Approved.

July 14, 2020 Removal of Conditions submitted by mail  July 12, 2021 Biometrics Completed

August 6, 2021 N-400 submitted by mail

September 7, 2021 I-751 Interview, Sept 8 Approved and Card Being Produced

October 21, 2021 N-400 Biometrics Completed  

November 30,2021  Interview, Approval and Oath

December 10, 2021 US Passport Issued

August 12, 2022 PHL Dual Nationality Re-established & Passport Approved 

April 6,2023 Legally Separated - Oh well

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ireland
Timeline

My DCF was 11 years ago, and we both lived together in the same country... I have  no idea on this case, sorry.

Bye: Penguin

Me: Irish/ Swiss citizen, and now naturalised US citizen. Husband: USC; twin babies born Feb 08 in Ireland and a daughter in Feb 2010 in Arkansas who are all joint Irish/ USC. Did DCF (IR1) in 6 weeks via the Dublin, Ireland embassy and now living in Arkansas.

mod penguin.jpg

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
Timeline
5 minutes ago, Paul & Mary said:

As long as there are exceptional circumstances you can file anywhere.

and just who approves the petition?

Edited by missileman

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

August 7, 2022: Wife filed N-400 Online under 5 year rule.

November 10, 2022: Received "Interview is scheduled" letter.

December 12, 2022:  Received email from Dallas office informing me (spouse) to be there for combo interview.

December 14, 2022: Combo Interview for I-751 and N-400 Conducted.

January 26, 2023: Wife's Oath Ceremony completed at the Plano Event Center, Plano, Texas!!!😁

February 6, 2023: Wife's Passport Application submitted in Dallas, Texas.

March 21, 2023:   Wife's Passport Delivered!!!!

May 15, 2023 (about):  Naturalization Certificate returned from Passport agency!!

 

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

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1 minute ago, missileman said:

and just who approves the filing?

This memo explains it nicely. https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Laws/Memoranda/2011/August/Locally-Filed_I-130s_Interim_PM_Approved_for_Pubic_Comment_8-8-11.pdf

 

I-751 Joint Filing.

06-15-2021 - Case was updated to show fingerprints were taken. 

05-26-2021 - Received NOA/extension letter. Notice date and postmarked 05-20-2021.

05-23-2021 - Received text message with Receipt #. YSC Potomac Center.

05-21-2021 - Checks cashed (processing on joint checking account)

05-07-2021 - I-751 received in Arizona.

 

Marriage-based AOS - Concurrent filing.

05-07-2019 - AOS Approved. Resident since date 05/07/2019.

05-06-2019 - AOS Interview

04-23-2018 - "Case is ready to be scheduled for an interview"

03-16-2018 - Priority Date.

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Russia
Timeline
Just now, USC4SPOUSE said:

As per the document: "Based on recent discussions with DOS, USCIS has determined that it is more cost-effective for USCIS to adjudicate all I-130s with certain limited exceptions.  As of August 15, 2011, the instructions for the Form I-130 will require a petitioner who resides overseas to file by mail with a USCIS domestic lockbox unless the petitioner lives in a country where USCIS has an overseas field office and prefers to file with the USCIS international office.  In certain situations, circumstances may warrant expedited local processing of an I-130 by DOS at an embassy or consulate where USCIS does not have a presence."

 

The key phrase is "lives in a country where USCIS has an overseas field office." The document mentions exceptions for certain circumstances where processing will be done at a Embassy or Consulate but that is not the "traditional" DCF way, it for exceptional circumstances and you have to provide a very good reason to be approved for that. The OP has proof of residence in Germany so it would be a case of traditional DCF via USCIS, not an exceptional circumstance via DOS at the Embassy or Consulate. So yes, there are 2 different DCF options, the traditional one via USCIS and the "exceptional circumstances" option via DOS-Embassy/Consulate. I suppose this is what you were trying to say.

 

🇷🇺 CR-1 via DCF (Dec 2016-Jun 2017) & I-751 ROC (Apr 2019-Oct 2019)🌹

Spoiler

Info about my DCF Moscow* experience here and here

26-Jul-2016: Married abroad in Russia 👩‍❤️‍👨 See guide here
21-Dec-2016: I-130 filed at Moscow USCIS field office*
29-Dec-2016: I-130 approved! Yay! 🎊 

17-Jan-2017: Case number received

21-Mar-2017: Medical Exam completed

24-Mar-2017: Interview at Embassy - approved! 🎉

29-Mar-2017: CR-1 Visa received (via mail)

02-Apr-2017: USCIS Immigrant (GC) Fee paid

28-Jun-2017: Port of Entry @ PDX 🛩️

21-Jul-2017: No SSN after three weeks; applied in person at the SSA

22-Jul-2017: GC arrived in the mail 📬

31-Jul-2017: SSN arrived via mail, hurrah!

 

*NOTE: The USCIS Field Office in Moscow is now CLOSED as of February 28th, 2019.

 

Removal of Conditions - MSC Service Center

 28-Jun-2019: Conditional GC expires

30-Mar-2019: Eligible to apply for ROC

01-Apr-2019: ROC in the mail to Phoenix AZ lockbox! 📫

03-Apr-2019: ROC packet delivered to lockbox

09-Apr-2019: USCIS cashed check

09-Apr-2019: Case number received via text - MSC 📲

12-Apr-2019: Extension letter arrives via mail

19-Apr-2019: Biometrics letter arrives via mail

30-Apr-2019: Biometrics appointment at local office

26-Jun-2019: Case ready to be scheduled for interview 

04-Sep-2019: Interview was scheduled - letter to arrive in mail

09-Sep-2019: Interview letter arrived in the mail! ✉️

17-Oct-2019: Interview scheduled @ local USCIS  

18-Oct-2019: Interview cancelled & notice ordered*

18-Oct-2019: Case was approved! 🎉

22-Oct-2019: Card was mailed to me 📨

23-Oct-2019: Card was picked by USPS 

25-Oct-2019: 10 year GC Card received in mail 📬

 

*I don't understand this status because we DID have an interview!

 

🇺🇸 N-400 Application for Naturalization (Apr 2020-Jun 2021) 🛂

Spoiler

Filed during Covid-19 & moved states 1 month after filing

30-Mar-2020: N-400 early filing window opens!

01-Apr-2020: Filed N-400 online 💻 

02-Apr-2020: NOA 1 - Receipt No. received online 📃

07-Apr-2020: NOA 1 - Receipt No. received via mail

05-May-2020: Moved to another state, filed AR-11 online

05-May-2020: Application transferred to another USCIS field office for review ➡️

15-May-2020: AR-11 request to change address completed

16-Jul-2020: Filed non-receipt inquiry due to never getting confirmation that case was transferred to new field office

15-Oct-2020: Received generic response to non-receipt inquiry, see full response here

10-Feb-2021: Contacted senator's office for help with USCIS

12-Feb-2021: Received canned response from senator's office that case is within processing time 😡

16-Feb-2021: Contacted other senator's office for help with USCIS - still no biometrics

19-Feb-2021: Biometrics reuse notice - canned response from other senator's office 🌐

23-Feb-2021: Interview scheduled - notice to come in the mail

25-Feb-2021: Biometrics reuse notice arrives via mail

01-Mar-2021: Interview notice letter arrives via mail  ✉️ 

29-Mar-2021: Passed interview at local office! Oath Ceremony to be scheduled

13-Apr-2021: Oath Ceremony notice was mailed

04-May-2021: Oath Ceremony scheduled 🎆 Unable to attend due to illness

04-May-2021: Mailed request to reschedule Oath to local office

05-May-2021: "You did not attend your Oath Ceremony" - notice to come in the mail

06-May-2021: Oath Ceremony will be scheduled, date TBA

12-May-2021: Oath Ceremony re-scheduled for June 3rd, then de-scheduled same day 😡 

25-May-2021: New Oath Ceremony notice was mailed

16-Jun-2021: Oath Ceremony scheduled 🎆 - DONE!!

17-Jun-2021: Certificate of Naturalization issued

 

🎆 Members new and old: don't forget to fill in your VJ timeline! 🎇 https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/

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32 minutes ago, TandSarahJane said:

This thread started about K1 and got moved to the DCF topic... i dont know how we all got so confused!

 

Deep breath, laugh.

Maybe VJ ought to create a separate section for Filing with USCIS International Offices. That may be partly why folks equate DCF to Filing with a USCIS International Office. 

 

 

I-751 Joint Filing.

06-15-2021 - Case was updated to show fingerprints were taken. 

05-26-2021 - Received NOA/extension letter. Notice date and postmarked 05-20-2021.

05-23-2021 - Received text message with Receipt #. YSC Potomac Center.

05-21-2021 - Checks cashed (processing on joint checking account)

05-07-2021 - I-751 received in Arizona.

 

Marriage-based AOS - Concurrent filing.

05-07-2019 - AOS Approved. Resident since date 05/07/2019.

05-06-2019 - AOS Interview

04-23-2018 - "Case is ready to be scheduled for an interview"

03-16-2018 - Priority Date.

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Russia
Timeline
7 minutes ago, USC4SPOUSE said:

Maybe VJ ought to create a separate section for Filing with USCIS International Offices. That may be partly why folks equate DCF to Filing with a USCIS International Office.

What makes you think that filing via a USCIS field office abroad is not DCF?

 

As per VJ subforum description: "Direct Consular Filing: Discussion on an expedited IR1 / CR1 Visa processing procedure if both the US Citizen and their non US Citizen spouse are living overseas (residence)."

Edited by millefleur

🇷🇺 CR-1 via DCF (Dec 2016-Jun 2017) & I-751 ROC (Apr 2019-Oct 2019)🌹

Spoiler

Info about my DCF Moscow* experience here and here

26-Jul-2016: Married abroad in Russia 👩‍❤️‍👨 See guide here
21-Dec-2016: I-130 filed at Moscow USCIS field office*
29-Dec-2016: I-130 approved! Yay! 🎊 

17-Jan-2017: Case number received

21-Mar-2017: Medical Exam completed

24-Mar-2017: Interview at Embassy - approved! 🎉

29-Mar-2017: CR-1 Visa received (via mail)

02-Apr-2017: USCIS Immigrant (GC) Fee paid

28-Jun-2017: Port of Entry @ PDX 🛩️

21-Jul-2017: No SSN after three weeks; applied in person at the SSA

22-Jul-2017: GC arrived in the mail 📬

31-Jul-2017: SSN arrived via mail, hurrah!

 

*NOTE: The USCIS Field Office in Moscow is now CLOSED as of February 28th, 2019.

 

Removal of Conditions - MSC Service Center

 28-Jun-2019: Conditional GC expires

30-Mar-2019: Eligible to apply for ROC

01-Apr-2019: ROC in the mail to Phoenix AZ lockbox! 📫

03-Apr-2019: ROC packet delivered to lockbox

09-Apr-2019: USCIS cashed check

09-Apr-2019: Case number received via text - MSC 📲

12-Apr-2019: Extension letter arrives via mail

19-Apr-2019: Biometrics letter arrives via mail

30-Apr-2019: Biometrics appointment at local office

26-Jun-2019: Case ready to be scheduled for interview 

04-Sep-2019: Interview was scheduled - letter to arrive in mail

09-Sep-2019: Interview letter arrived in the mail! ✉️

17-Oct-2019: Interview scheduled @ local USCIS  

18-Oct-2019: Interview cancelled & notice ordered*

18-Oct-2019: Case was approved! 🎉

22-Oct-2019: Card was mailed to me 📨

23-Oct-2019: Card was picked by USPS 

25-Oct-2019: 10 year GC Card received in mail 📬

 

*I don't understand this status because we DID have an interview!

 

🇺🇸 N-400 Application for Naturalization (Apr 2020-Jun 2021) 🛂

Spoiler

Filed during Covid-19 & moved states 1 month after filing

30-Mar-2020: N-400 early filing window opens!

01-Apr-2020: Filed N-400 online 💻 

02-Apr-2020: NOA 1 - Receipt No. received online 📃

07-Apr-2020: NOA 1 - Receipt No. received via mail

05-May-2020: Moved to another state, filed AR-11 online

05-May-2020: Application transferred to another USCIS field office for review ➡️

15-May-2020: AR-11 request to change address completed

16-Jul-2020: Filed non-receipt inquiry due to never getting confirmation that case was transferred to new field office

15-Oct-2020: Received generic response to non-receipt inquiry, see full response here

10-Feb-2021: Contacted senator's office for help with USCIS

12-Feb-2021: Received canned response from senator's office that case is within processing time 😡

16-Feb-2021: Contacted other senator's office for help with USCIS - still no biometrics

19-Feb-2021: Biometrics reuse notice - canned response from other senator's office 🌐

23-Feb-2021: Interview scheduled - notice to come in the mail

25-Feb-2021: Biometrics reuse notice arrives via mail

01-Mar-2021: Interview notice letter arrives via mail  ✉️ 

29-Mar-2021: Passed interview at local office! Oath Ceremony to be scheduled

13-Apr-2021: Oath Ceremony notice was mailed

04-May-2021: Oath Ceremony scheduled 🎆 Unable to attend due to illness

04-May-2021: Mailed request to reschedule Oath to local office

05-May-2021: "You did not attend your Oath Ceremony" - notice to come in the mail

06-May-2021: Oath Ceremony will be scheduled, date TBA

12-May-2021: Oath Ceremony re-scheduled for June 3rd, then de-scheduled same day 😡 

25-May-2021: New Oath Ceremony notice was mailed

16-Jun-2021: Oath Ceremony scheduled 🎆 - DONE!!

17-Jun-2021: Certificate of Naturalization issued

 

🎆 Members new and old: don't forget to fill in your VJ timeline! 🎇 https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/

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5 minutes ago, millefleur said:

As per the document: "Based on recent discussions with DOS, USCIS has determined that it is more cost-effective for USCIS to adjudicate all I-130s with certain limited exceptions.  As of August 15, 2011, the instructions for the Form I-130 will require a petitioner who resides overseas to file by mail with a USCIS domestic lockbox unless the petitioner lives in a country where USCIS has an overseas field office and prefers to file with the USCIS international office.  In certain situations, circumstances may warrant expedited local processing of an I-130 by DOS at an embassy or consulate where USCIS does not have a presence."

 

The key phrase is "lives in a country where USCIS has an overseas field office." The document mentions exceptions for certain circumstances where processing will be done at a Embassy or Consulate but that is not the "traditional" DCF way, it for exceptional circumstances and you have to provide a very good reason to be approved for that. The OP has proof of residence in Germany so it would be a case of traditional DCF via USCIS, not an exceptional circumstance via DOS at the Embassy or Consulate. So yes, there are 2 different DCF options, the traditional one via USCIS and the "exceptional circumstances" option via DOS-Embassy/Consulate. I suppose this is what you were trying to say.

 

There are no 2 different DCF options. You made those up. I was NOT trying to say what YOU are saying. I read the document and fully understand it.

If you file with the USCIS International Office, that is not DCF, because USCIS adjudicates your I-130. Like I said earlier, even if the USCIS Office is physically attached to the US Embassy, you are still filing with USCIS and not the department of state. Even if USCIS walks the approved I-130 petition down the hall to the US Embassy, that is not DCF. You are equating Filing with a USCIS International Office to Direct Consular Filing. That is inaccurate. And that is the source of the communication gap on this thread.

 

 

I-751 Joint Filing.

06-15-2021 - Case was updated to show fingerprints were taken. 

05-26-2021 - Received NOA/extension letter. Notice date and postmarked 05-20-2021.

05-23-2021 - Received text message with Receipt #. YSC Potomac Center.

05-21-2021 - Checks cashed (processing on joint checking account)

05-07-2021 - I-751 received in Arizona.

 

Marriage-based AOS - Concurrent filing.

05-07-2019 - AOS Approved. Resident since date 05/07/2019.

05-06-2019 - AOS Interview

04-23-2018 - "Case is ready to be scheduled for an interview"

03-16-2018 - Priority Date.

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Russia
Timeline
1 minute ago, USC4SPOUSE said:

There are no 2 different DCF options.

From the official Wiki here on VisaJourney, https://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php?title=DCF:

 

Quote

 

Direct Consular Filing (DCF) is the colloquial term for filing an Immediate Relative (spouse, child, parent) petition I-130 overseas, rather than through the US Service Center. The goal is Permanent Resident status, also know as a Green Card. Residents holding this card have permission to live, work and travel in the US. Many K Visa holders get this status after completing their AOS/Adjustment of Status.

 

If the US Citizen lives overseas, they may always file the I-130 for a foreign spouse, child or parent at the US Consulate OR the USCIS Field Office serving their residence abroad. An I-130 filed abroad is adjudicated (decided) in a very short time, certainly faster than a US Service Center. Upon approval, the foreign spouse applies for an Immigrant Visa (class CR-1 or IR-1). In some countries, the USC may file the I-130 at the Consulate, even if they are not resident abroad. This is the most common use of the DCF term.

 

The phrases "or" and "most common use of the term" indicate that DCF entails more than one definition.

 

 

🇷🇺 CR-1 via DCF (Dec 2016-Jun 2017) & I-751 ROC (Apr 2019-Oct 2019)🌹

Spoiler

Info about my DCF Moscow* experience here and here

26-Jul-2016: Married abroad in Russia 👩‍❤️‍👨 See guide here
21-Dec-2016: I-130 filed at Moscow USCIS field office*
29-Dec-2016: I-130 approved! Yay! 🎊 

17-Jan-2017: Case number received

21-Mar-2017: Medical Exam completed

24-Mar-2017: Interview at Embassy - approved! 🎉

29-Mar-2017: CR-1 Visa received (via mail)

02-Apr-2017: USCIS Immigrant (GC) Fee paid

28-Jun-2017: Port of Entry @ PDX 🛩️

21-Jul-2017: No SSN after three weeks; applied in person at the SSA

22-Jul-2017: GC arrived in the mail 📬

31-Jul-2017: SSN arrived via mail, hurrah!

 

*NOTE: The USCIS Field Office in Moscow is now CLOSED as of February 28th, 2019.

 

Removal of Conditions - MSC Service Center

 28-Jun-2019: Conditional GC expires

30-Mar-2019: Eligible to apply for ROC

01-Apr-2019: ROC in the mail to Phoenix AZ lockbox! 📫

03-Apr-2019: ROC packet delivered to lockbox

09-Apr-2019: USCIS cashed check

09-Apr-2019: Case number received via text - MSC 📲

12-Apr-2019: Extension letter arrives via mail

19-Apr-2019: Biometrics letter arrives via mail

30-Apr-2019: Biometrics appointment at local office

26-Jun-2019: Case ready to be scheduled for interview 

04-Sep-2019: Interview was scheduled - letter to arrive in mail

09-Sep-2019: Interview letter arrived in the mail! ✉️

17-Oct-2019: Interview scheduled @ local USCIS  

18-Oct-2019: Interview cancelled & notice ordered*

18-Oct-2019: Case was approved! 🎉

22-Oct-2019: Card was mailed to me 📨

23-Oct-2019: Card was picked by USPS 

25-Oct-2019: 10 year GC Card received in mail 📬

 

*I don't understand this status because we DID have an interview!

 

🇺🇸 N-400 Application for Naturalization (Apr 2020-Jun 2021) 🛂

Spoiler

Filed during Covid-19 & moved states 1 month after filing

30-Mar-2020: N-400 early filing window opens!

01-Apr-2020: Filed N-400 online 💻 

02-Apr-2020: NOA 1 - Receipt No. received online 📃

07-Apr-2020: NOA 1 - Receipt No. received via mail

05-May-2020: Moved to another state, filed AR-11 online

05-May-2020: Application transferred to another USCIS field office for review ➡️

15-May-2020: AR-11 request to change address completed

16-Jul-2020: Filed non-receipt inquiry due to never getting confirmation that case was transferred to new field office

15-Oct-2020: Received generic response to non-receipt inquiry, see full response here

10-Feb-2021: Contacted senator's office for help with USCIS

12-Feb-2021: Received canned response from senator's office that case is within processing time 😡

16-Feb-2021: Contacted other senator's office for help with USCIS - still no biometrics

19-Feb-2021: Biometrics reuse notice - canned response from other senator's office 🌐

23-Feb-2021: Interview scheduled - notice to come in the mail

25-Feb-2021: Biometrics reuse notice arrives via mail

01-Mar-2021: Interview notice letter arrives via mail  ✉️ 

29-Mar-2021: Passed interview at local office! Oath Ceremony to be scheduled

13-Apr-2021: Oath Ceremony notice was mailed

04-May-2021: Oath Ceremony scheduled 🎆 Unable to attend due to illness

04-May-2021: Mailed request to reschedule Oath to local office

05-May-2021: "You did not attend your Oath Ceremony" - notice to come in the mail

06-May-2021: Oath Ceremony will be scheduled, date TBA

12-May-2021: Oath Ceremony re-scheduled for June 3rd, then de-scheduled same day 😡 

25-May-2021: New Oath Ceremony notice was mailed

16-Jun-2021: Oath Ceremony scheduled 🎆 - DONE!!

17-Jun-2021: Certificate of Naturalization issued

 

🎆 Members new and old: don't forget to fill in your VJ timeline! 🎇 https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/

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