DCF was an option - did I screw up ?

[MikeMinusWife 42]

The basics - I am a dual US/UK citizen and I also have dual residency with a home in the UK and one here in Chicago.  I’m bringing my new (British) wife and her 2 children from a prior marriage over to live with me here, at the moment they are living at my UK address.  

 

So following the the rules I filed the 3 x I-130s and the I-130A in Chicago and I just received all 4 I-797C forms back in the mail indicating that they went to the Potomac processing center.  My shock was when I came to look at the processing times 6-9 months.  It suddenly occurred to me that I could potentially have made a Direct Consular Filing application to the Us Embassy in London, as I could reasonably demonstrate UK residency.

 

I’m sure that I am far from alone in wanting my wife here with me in the US, but did I miss an opportunity to reduce the processing time?

 

Any advice appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Mike

[payxibka 10,044]

3 minutes ago, MikeMinusWife said:

The basics - I am a dual US/UK citizen and I also have dual residency with a home in the UK and one here in Chicago.  I’m bringing my new (British) wife and her 2 children from a prior marriage over to live with me here, at the moment they are living at my UK address.  

 

So following the the rules I filed the 3 x I-130s and the I-130A in Chicago and I just received all 4 I-797C forms back in the mail indicating that they went to the Potomac processing center.  My shock was when I came to look at the processing times 6-9 months.  It suddenly occurred to me that I could potentially have made a Direct Consular Filing application to the Us Embassy in London, as I could reasonably demonstrate UK residency.

 

I’m sure that I am far from alone in wanting my wife here with me in the US, but did I miss an opportunity to reduce the processing time?

 

Any advice appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Mike

Possibly.   And it is like 12+ months when you factor in NVC time and waiting for the interview 

Edited July 17, 2019 by payxibka

[Nitas_man 3,100]

6 minutes ago, MikeMinusWife said:

The basics - I am a dual US/UK citizen and I also have dual residency with a home in the UK and one here in Chicago.  I’m bringing my new (British) wife and her 2 children from a prior marriage over to live with me here, at the moment they are living at my UK address.  

 

So following the the rules I filed the 3 x I-130s and the I-130A in Chicago and I just received all 4 I-797C forms back in the mail indicating that they went to the Potomac processing center.  My shock was when I came to look at the processing times 6-9 months.  It suddenly occurred to me that I could potentially have made a Direct Consular Filing application to the Us Embassy in London, as I could reasonably demonstrate UK residency.

 

I’m sure that I am far from alone in wanting my wife here with me in the US, but did I miss an opportunity to reduce the processing time?

 

Any advice appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Mike

Seems you did.

Advice could have been valuable before you filed.

Edited July 17, 2019 by Nitas_man

[Hypnos 6,576]

Yep.

[geowrian 22,335]

Agreed - yup.

[Allaboutwaiting 2,500]

Unfortunately, yes; you missed a good opportunity.

No point on dwelling on it now. 

 

Edited July 17, 2019 by Allaboutwaiting

[MikeMinusWife 42]

Is it feasible to withdraw the application and re-file with the US Embassy in London or has that boat sailed ?

[Nitas_man 3,100]

8 hours ago, MikeMinusWife said:

Is it feasible to withdraw the application and re-file with the US Embassy in London or has that boat sailed ?

Depends on what you meant by “reasonably demonstrate residency”.  If you have documentation that you are a legal UK resident then yes, you can withdraw the application and re-file.  I’d suggest that you check with the embassy first.  USCIS doesn’t have a refund department.  “You break you buy” is standard practice.

[payxibka 10,044]

1 hour ago, Nitas_man said:

Depends on what you meant by “reasonably demonstrate residency”.  If you have documentation that you are a legal UK resident then yes, you can withdraw the application and re-file.  I’d suggest that you check with the embassy first.  USCIS doesn’t have a refund department.  “You break you buy” is standard practice.

Being a dual with home in both countries.   Yeah I think that is reasonable 

[Nitas_man 3,100]

1 minute ago, payxibka said:

Being a dual with home in both countries.   Yeah I think that is reasonable 

I think so too.  Realized I missed the highly critical dualie part.  Simplifies things.

[MikeMinusWife 42]

So I emailed the US Embassy in London and they said “talk to the USCIS” - I called the USCIS and they said “there is no such thing as Direct Consular Filing” so I explained that I was pretty sure there is and could they please check.  They did and finally agreed that it did in fact exist but that I would have to talk to the Embassy about it, I explained that the Embassy told me to call them and they replied “oh, hold on” - then they came back and said the Embassy would have to make a special request to have the papers transferred to them, so then I’m back to the Embassy with another email, and so far no response.

 

It’s not looking good - but ultimately it’s my fault.

 

 

[Allaboutwaiting 2,500]

49 minutes ago, MikeMinusWife said:

So I emailed the US Embassy in London and they said “talk to the USCIS” - I called the USCIS and they said “there is no such thing as Direct Consular Filing” so I explained that I was pretty sure there is and could they please check.  They did and finally agreed that it did in fact exist but that I would have to talk to the Embassy about it, I explained that the Embassy told me to call them and they replied “oh, hold on” - then they came back and said the Embassy would have to make a special request to have the papers transferred to them, so then I’m back to the Embassy with another email, and so far no response.

 

It’s not looking good - but ultimately it’s my fault.

 

 

Well, if they eventually transfer the file, would save you money and some extra months of waiting. 

Hopefully it works. Best of luck. 

[Nitas_man 3,100]

1 hour ago, MikeMinusWife said:

So I emailed the US Embassy in London and they said “talk to the USCIS” - I called the USCIS and they said “there is no such thing as Direct Consular Filing” so I explained that I was pretty sure there is and could they please check.  They did and finally agreed that it did in fact exist but that I would have to talk to the Embassy about it, I explained that the Embassy told me to call them and they replied “oh, hold on” - then they came back and said the Embassy would have to make a special request to have the papers transferred to them, so then I’m back to the Embassy with another email, and so far no response.

 

It’s not looking good - but ultimately it’s my fault.

 

 

LOL@no such thing.  What idiots.

I really hope they transfer it as you seem to qualify.  The process for DCF is very streamlined, quick, and simple.  I missed the dual citizen comment in your initial post and did not want to suggest you pull a petition if you had arranged to leave the UK. When we DCF’d one thing I had to bring is a current residence card and proof of address to show that I was a legal resident of that country.  Best of luck to you.

[USS_Voyager 1,971]

Is the filing fee a big deal here? If not, you eat the filing fee, withdraw the 3 I-130s at Potomac and file them in the UK. Your family will probably be in the US in time for Christmas. If you keep the stateside petitions, they’ll be in time for Christmas 2020. So it ultimately comes to money, convenience and time. Your choice.

[MikeMinusWife 42]

Pulling the petitions is definitely an option I’m willing to explore.  Giving the Embassy a chance first.  I’ll keep this thread updated.

 

Thanks all.