Is DCF always the way to go?

[Jenni 0]

My husband and I got married 2 months ago in Albania. We are still living here. Is it always the better option to do direct filing in the country you are in? I've heard bad things about the Albanian embassy.. Is DCF always faster? We are debating whether to file here or in the states (I live in Michigan).

Your input is appreciated!

Jenni

[MaydayDas 1]

DCF is faster .....plus you can stay with your love one until you get the visa so you fly together to the States

[MargotDarko 0]

It should always be faster, but whether or not it's better depends on personal circumstances. If you are happy enough in Albania with him and if you have a joint sponsor for him in the US with sufficient income, you are better off with DCF. I would investigate how strict the embassy in Albania is regarding the domicile requirements. I'm going through the embassy in London and I won't have any trouble with domicile as I've filed my US tax returns while overseas and receive US mail at my parents' house. I have heard of some embassies being stricter, and I think sometimes the USC even goes ahead to America first.

First, find out the residency requirements for DCF in Albania. It should generally be six months or less now on certain types of visas. If you've only been in Albania for the past two months, you may not meet the requirements and could possibly save time by filing at a US service center right now instead of waiting to meet the requirements for filing DCF in Albania. You can send the I-130 from Albania using a US address that you plan to return to.

[Dakine 26]

DCF is faster but requires evidence of domicle in the US which can be a problem for some people.

Since you've only been there a couple months and you haven't "burned bridges" in the US it may not be for you.

Finances can also come into play.

I've no idea what yours are but if you do a DCF or normal petition now it looks like your 2007 ITR will be required at the interview.

[MargotDarko 0]

DCF is faster but requires evidence of domicle in the US which can be a problem for some people.

Since you've only been there a couple months and you haven't "burned bridges" in the US it may not be for you.

Finances can also come into play.

I've no idea what yours are but if you do a DCF or normal petition now it looks like your 2007 ITR will be required at the interview.

What does 2007 ITR mean?

[elmcitymaven 9,711]

DCF is faster but requires evidence of domicle in the US which can be a problem for some people.

Since you've only been there a couple months and you haven't "burned bridges" in the US it may not be for you.

Finances can also come into play.

I've no idea what yours are but if you do a DCF or normal petition now it looks like your 2007 ITR will be required at the interview.

What does 2007 ITR mean?

2007 Income Tax Return, I believe.

Why would someone doing a DCF or US filing "now" need a 2007 income tax return? Isn't that an impossibility until the end of the tax year? After all, you would be unable to report total earnings for 2007 until after 31 December 2007. Surely this is only applicable if the OP decides to delay filing until 2008.

[MargotDarko 0]

DCF is faster but requires evidence of domicle in the US which can be a problem for some people.

Since you've only been there a couple months and you haven't "burned bridges" in the US it may not be for you.

Finances can also come into play.

I've no idea what yours are but if you do a DCF or normal petition now it looks like your 2007 ITR will be required at the interview.

What does 2007 ITR mean?

2007 Income Tax Return, I believe.

Why would someone doing a DCF or US filing "now" need a 2007 income tax return? Isn't that an impossibility until the end of the tax year? After all, you would be unable to report total earnings for 2007 until after 31 December 2007. Surely this is only applicable if the OP decides to delay filing until 2008.

I thought it might be that, but then since there's no way it could be done until 2008, I thought perhaps they meant something else. I'm sure you're right though.

[Jenni 0]

DCF is faster but requires evidence of domicle in the US which can be a problem for some people.

Since you've only been there a couple months and you haven't "burned bridges" in the US it may not be for you.

Finances can also come into play.

I've no idea what yours are but if you do a DCF or normal petition now it looks like your 2007 ITR will be required at the interview.

If you do file in the US, is it required that you stay in the US? I have my parents in the US and my address is still there and they also have power of attorney for me.

I have been in Albania for 6 months but I am still waiting for a reply for them about my visa situation here..

I have also heard some bad things about the embassy here and it looks like the one other couple that went the DCF route got their visa after about a year!

[pushbrk 12,246]

DCF is faster but requires evidence of domicle in the US which can be a problem for some people.

Since you've only been there a couple months and you haven't "burned bridges" in the US it may not be for you.

Finances can also come into play.

I've no idea what yours are but if you do a DCF or normal petition now it looks like your 2007 ITR will be required at the interview.

If you do file in the US, is it required that you stay in the US? I have my parents in the US and my address is still there and they also have power of attorney for me.

I have been in Albania for 6 months but I am still waiting for a reply for them about my visa situation here..

I have also heard some bad things about the embassy here and it looks like the one other couple that went the DCF route got their visa after about a year!

You're going to deal with the same Embassy either way. DCF just gets the USCIS part of the process done in Albania instead of the US. If you file in the US, it is good to stay in the US until your case file is forwarded to the Consulate abroad but to do do is not required. It just helps with the logistics to be in the US while the case is at NVC. Actually, you don't have to return to the US to file in the US but most people do.

[MaydayDas 1]

You can start DCF to the Embassy in Albania and you can use like US address (later in the process you need an US address) your parents' address.