Frankfurt DCF

[US/EU_in_Czech 6]

Has anyone done the "emergency" IR-1 DCF via Frankfurt for job relocation? I'm actively applying to jobs in the US now, and have just learned that I'll need to get my wife an immigration visa. How strict are they with DCF for job relocation as well as domicile requirements?

 

Thanks!

[millefleur 5,047]

**Moved from Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia) subforum to the DCF forum**

[Just Paul 4,595]

Are you in Germany?   If so you can do an infopass appointment for the USCIS in Frankfurt. 

 

If not them email the immigrant visa section of the embassy in the country you are in once you have the job offer.  They will then seek the approval based upon the circumstances.

 

You can still file, and pay the fee, at the US lockbox now since you don't have a job offer.   Once you have the job offer  and if you are approved for DCF, you can file , and pay the fee, another I-130 petition.  Once you are approved you write and cancel the other petition.

[US/EU_in_Czech 6]

7 minutes ago, Paul & Mary said:

Are you in Germany?   If so you can do an infopass appointment for the USCIS in Frankfurt. 

 

If not them email the immigrant visa section of the embassy in the country you are in once you have the job offer.  They will then seek the approval based upon the circumstances.

 

You can still file, and pay the fee, at the US lockbox now since you don't have a job offer.   Once you have the job offer  and if you are approved for DCF, you can file , and pay the fee, another I-130 petition.  Once you are approved you write and cancel the other petition.

I'm in another European country, so while Frankfurt is my regional office, I can't DCF there by default.

 

To clarify, I'm a US/EU dual citizen, while my spouse is not a US citizen.

 

I didn't realize I could double-file. It'll cost twice as much, but I guess it's better to be secure than to bet that I'll get approved for DCF. Good idea, thanks!

Edited February 23, 2019 by US/EU_in_Czech

[millefleur 5,047]

3 minutes ago, US/EU_in_Czech said:

I'm in another European country, so while Frankfurt is my regional office, I can't DCF there by default.

 

To clarify, I'm a US/EU dual citizen, while my spouse is not a US citizen.

 

I didn't realize I could double-file. It'll cost twice as much, but I guess it's better to be secure than to bet that I'll get approved for DCF. Good idea, thanks!

If you are seeking DCF due to "exceptional circumstances" such as a job offer, I believe you will do that via the US Embassy in Czech Republic since that's where you are now. You can contact them directly about it as @Paul & Mary mentioned. The Frankfurt office is for folks who live in Germany mostly, when it comes to filing the I-130.

[US/EU_in_Czech 6]

8 minutes ago, millefleur said:

If you are seeking DCF due to "exceptional circumstances" such as a job offer, I believe you will do that via the US Embassy in Czech Republic since that's where you are now. You can contact them directly about it as @Paul & Mary mentioned. The Frankfurt office is for folks who live in Germany mostly, when it comes to filing the I-130.

OK, thanks. I was under the impression that I would be asking the Prague embassy, who would in turn petition the Frankfurt USCIS on my behalf to adjudicate my case. That's incorrect?

[millefleur 5,047]

9 minutes ago, US/EU_in_Czech said:

OK, thanks. I was under the impression that I would be asking the Prague embassy, who would in turn petition the Frankfurt USCIS on my behalf to adjudicate my case. That's incorrect?

That's a great question...I am only familiar with the USCIS version of DCF. I don't know any VJ users off the top of my head who have done the "exceptional circumstances" DCF. I hope someone who knows will chime in soon. Otherwise, hopefully the Embassy in Prague can help answer your questions, be sure to let us know what they say.

Edited February 23, 2019 by millefleur

[US/EU_in_Czech 6]

3 minutes ago, millefleur said:

That's a great question...I am only familiar with the USCIS version of DCF. I don't know any VJ users off the top of my head who have done the "exceptional circumstances" DCF. I hope someone who knows will chime in soon. Otherwise, hopefully the Embassy in Prague can help answer your questions, be sure to let us know what the say.

OK, thanks. I'll reach out to them next week and report back here.

[Just Paul 4,595]

9 minutes ago, US/EU_in_Czech said:

I was under the impression that I would be asking the Prague embassy,

Correct, you email the immigrant visa section explaining the situation.   They will then contact Frankfurt for permission.  You are then processed in Prague.

 

Someplace on here is a link to the DOS policy manual on this. Too hard to search off of my cellphone. I'll grab it later if no one else chimes in.

[US/EU_in_Czech 6]

1 minute ago, Paul & Mary said:

Correct, you email the immigrant visa section explaining the situation.   They will then contact Frankfurt for permission.  You are then processed in Prague.

 

Someplace on here is a link to the DOS policy manual on this. Too hard to search off of my cellphone. I'll grab it later if no one else chimes in.

Aahaaaa Ok, got it. So the consulate checks in with the local USCIS to make sure it's all gravy, but does the actual processing in-house.

[US/EU_in_Czech 6]

22 hours ago, Paul & Mary said:

Are you in Germany?   If so you can do an infopass appointment for the USCIS in Frankfurt. 

 

If not them email the immigrant visa section of the embassy in the country you are in once you have the job offer.  They will then seek the approval based upon the circumstances.

 

You can still file, and pay the fee, at the US lockbox now since you don't have a job offer.   Once you have the job offer  and if you are approved for DCF, you can file , and pay the fee, another I-130 petition.  Once you are approved you write and cancel the other petition.

Just wondering -- if I do this, and if it goes according to plan, with a job offer and then approved to file in Prague, how exactly do I write to the Chicago office to cancel my original application? Are you sure this is permitted?

[Just Paul 4,595]

7 minutes ago, US/EU_in_Czech said:

how exactly do I write to the Chicago office to cancel my original application?

If it is at the USCIS stage you simply write them with the receipt number (from the NOA1) and tell them you wish to cancel that petition.  If for some reason the petition gets to the NVC you can write them or you should get "denied" at that level because you "obtained  the (immigrations) benefit by other means".

 

It is ok to have two or more petitions filed at one time.  This is typically done in Family Petitions when a naturalized sibling and naturalized parent each file for another sibling under family preference.  Filing as a parent is faster but if the parent were to die, so would the petition. It is used like insurance and in countries that have longer waiting times like the Philippines and Mexico.

 

I would go ahead and file at the lockbox now and WHEN you get that job offer you can decide to apply via Prague.   For us we got out DCF done in 103 days, but in Mexico where DCF is offered at the consulate.

 

You won't be out the whole filing fee for the second petition as you would not have to pay to file the Affidavit of Support at the NVC. You will provide the I-864(s) at the interview.

[US/EU_in_Czech 6]

 

3 minutes ago, Paul & Mary said:

You won't be out the whole filing fee for the second petition as you would not have to pay to file the Affidavit of Support at the NVC. You will provide the I-864(s) at the interview.

Thanks, this clarifies things a lot. Just to make sure, we're talking about the $535 fee to file the I-130, right?

[Just Paul 4,595]

12 minutes ago, US/EU_in_Czech said:

 

Thanks, this clarifies things a lot. Just to make sure, we're talking about the $535 fee to file the I-130, right?

Yes, you will have to pay $535 twice.   But you don't have to pay the Affidavit of Support filing fee at the NVC of $120 if your DCF is approved.  Plus you can get in line now by filing in Chicago and if you don't get that job offer you haven't lost anything.

[US/EU_in_Czech 6]

Just now, Paul & Mary said:

Yes, you will have to pay $535 twice.   But you don't have to pay the Affidavit of Support filing fee at the NVC of $120 if your DCF is approved.  Plus you can get in line now by filing in Chicago and if you don't get that job offer you haven't lost anything.

OK, understood. It's steep, but it covers my ### in case I get denied the emergency filing with a job offer, should I receive one.