GirlWithAGerman

As long as he keeps an address in the US, I think it would be ok if he came to Germany. The thing is, once you get your visa, you have 6 months to move to the US otherwise it is invalid. Also, if you choose to stop the process now, you don't get any money back, and you'll have to pay the same fees in the future.

They take your fingerprints at the same window after the interview. Why is this a concern?

Great story! I can totally understand where you are coming from with the language barrier, not working, and being away from family. I only stayed here for one year, so I can't imagine 5 years. You're a strong woman! I'm glad that everything is looking up for you and your family. Good luck on your journey!

And from what I know. All you need is the green card and ss#!

Tschüss!

Did you ever find out more information. We're moving at the end of the month, and so far we've been selling everything we can... Things are cheaper in the US...

Ugh........85 days since NOA1 & still no word. I'm trying to be patient, but I'm leaving Germany in 7 weeks & it would be nice if my husband could come with me - or at least if we knew when he'd be coming! With the 4th, etc I'm sure we won't get anything this week either.

I'm glad the others are moving right along, just wish I was part of that club

Only 5 more days for you. I think with frankfurt everyone just has to wait their turn. 90 days... then another 30 or so until the interview... I think your husband will be able to go with you as long as you have all your papers in order.

We had our interview on Friday! I just tracked the package we're waiting on... And it came TODAY! Right when we were walking the dog! Can you believe it?! We're going to try to pick it up this afternoon from the office. Fingers Crossed!

Note to everyone that has to use the new DHL labels... Track your package and be home when they come, cause I guess you have to sign for it.

Good luck everyone!

Hi there. As long as you have been living in Germany on a residence permit for over 6 months, I think it is ok. I only had a 1 year erlaubnis. And no. You don't need it translated. As long as the original documents are in English or German I don't think anything has to be translated except criminal records...

Hope that helps!

We got our NOA1 in about a week, but it's been nearly 2 months and still no NOA2. Getting kind of impatient

I was so impatient, too! We got ours a couple days after the 90 day mark. I would expect that ljandlj.

Hey guys...i'm new here too! I'm inquire alot of information about DCF. I\m so glad I found a forum that gives alot of details about the DCF. My boyfriend and I want to be together..we live in the Philippines. Im the US Citizen (DUAL) and his non-US citizen...so by the looks of it..we have to get married first here in Manila right? Then after start filing?

Please advice...I would like to learn about this so I dont want have any errors in the long run and have to re-do all the process again.

Thanks!!

I don't know how it is in Philippines, but yes. You have to be married. And here, you have to live here for at least 6 months to start. Good luck!

Hi. I wanted to ask the OP about what happened since the process has changed since May 1, 2012.

And didn't they change the fee to $230?

Hey everyone. Our I-130 was approved!

Now onto the next part.

I was just reading on the website that it takes 4-8 weeks after you send DS-230 and all the final documents before you get an interview.

I was wondering how long it took from you guys from sending your final documents to the time when you were given an interview, because from what I have seen on the timeline board it seems like it could be faster? ::Crosses fingers::

P.S. Did anyone notice that a couple of months ago we didn't have to send all these documents, and now it says we have to send the originals and copies and we will get them back at the interview? This freaks me out!! I don't want to risk anyone losing our original documents.

Thank you for the advice Anh map. I do realize that everyone wants to get back to the US otherwise you wouldn't be here. I do believe I'm getting the (I mean another ) Ulcer you were talking about.

AmyWrites- Seems like you're in an even worse situation than me. What exactly did you do that made the interview so bad? Maybe you can help us out so we don't make the same mistake? Thanks for the advice and much luck to your situation. It's tough when your life is in the hands of others.

ljandjl- Yes, you're right. I decided to email and it was completely unproductive. The first email didn't answer anything, so I sent a second one and the reply was:

Hello,

Your case is under review.

Sorry there’s nothing that we can do to speed it up.

USCIS FRANKFURT

We have most everything we need. I will have to look at that list again. It's been months now since I looked at the stuff.

Actually we tried to make an appointment, but the dr's office said they need our case number, which we obviously don't have since we haven't had any contact with the embassy.

I am bringing up the idea of going back before my husband tonight, but we've been through this long distance experience before, and I'm not sure we really want to deal with that again.

We will most likely extend the lease another month, have some kind of answers by June, and use the month and make sure all the i's are dotted. I just hope we have enough money to stay another month, be able to buy our inflated plane tickets, and pay some more to the embassy.

Hello visajourney members. So, it has been 70 days since we have official notice that the embassy received our papers and I wanted to throw out a question to those of you who've gone through this before or are in the same position.

Before I mailed out our papers they gave us an estimate of 60-90 days before approval. I have been applying for jobs back in California hoping we would be back there in June. Now that the deadline is approaching and we haven't heard anything we're starting to get nervous. We have most of our contracts ending this month and we will move in with my husband's family until we can leave. As most of you know airline tickets significantly go up in the summertime. But most importantly, I'm passing up really great job opportunities! This is the most frustrating part because one, we won't have jobs when we get there, and two, I had the opportunity to interview for one of my dream jobs! As if that wasn't enough, my dad just got out of surgery and isn't in the best health condition, so I'd like to get back to California so we can help him out.

How have you handled the wait and what advice do you have for us?

I want to call the embassy but I've seen all the warnings not to contact them until 90 days have passed. I don't want to step on toes, but it is really important for us to get through this process ASAP. I just thought there was a little more hope for the beginning of 60-90days and not the end. I also thought the WHOLE process would be over in this time, but we haven't had a Dr. appointment, interview, or even sent in the second set of papers.

I'm feeling pretty helpless right now. What should I do?

It may be true that you are required to file taxes while in another country, however, I believe there is a threshold (Maybe 8,000/yr) you must be over in order to be required to pay taxes.

If there is no record of it (no w2) why even tell them about it?

Hello. I thought I'd start a support group for those of us that recently filed DCF this year.

I think it's a difficult process waiting, and wondering if you're doing everything right. It might be nice to have an outlet and people you can talk to that understand how you feel.

Anyone interested?

Well if you are under a time strain like you say, an RFE could slow you down. I mailed my I-130 off Sept 2011 and got an RFE in the mail two months later. My wife replied within two weeks but they lost the documents at the consulate. I had no idea the documents were missplaced until I called in Jan and they informed me they could not find the docs. I made an appointment for my wife to go in. She came in and brought the additional documents and it was approved the same day. Going in does have advantages as in if you are missing something or have done something improperly, you do not have to wait to find out. I turned in my international marriage certificate which i was told was fine and they sent me an RFE for my German marriage certificate plus certified translation. If I were you I would go ahead and have that translated just in case. 60-90 is fine but it could take 110+ if if you get place in my situation.

Thanks for the information.

I really hope that doesn't happen. We are canceling our contracts this week to give 3 months notice. But, an extra 200euro for the bahn just doesn't seem very smart for us right now. Ugh. Now I'm worried... I just hope it all works out.

WOW thanks im glad im not the only one we had a talk with them to let them know everything and her mother was crying the whole time i was so nervouse and uncomfortable and they were asking where ar eyou going to live who will watch the baby and things of that nature and it almost made be start to worry. but then i rember how easy it is to get a job and all the contacts that i know. and i can imagine my wife being able to get a job and actually doing something she likes and her being able to practice her english with new people and the sun and the sand and the ocean that we see so little of here in Italy.. i know its going to push me to prove to them that i can take care of my family and there daughter thanks for all your good energy and hope you get back to the states soon as well to renergize !!

oh BTW DCF is the way to go germany and italy is not to diffrent so if I cand let you know something about my expirence i will! its been pretty quick and painless process so go for it!

Oh yes. We actually told his father last night, and he didn't really say too much. I think he was being polite because I was there and might speak with my husband privately at a later time. We were also supposed to tell his grandmother, who is the one we are both worried to tell. He just couldn't do it last night. She was so happy to see him and he just didn't want to make her feel bad. I don't know when he will tell her, but I'm very anxious for that experience because he wants me to be there, too. She will surely cry and question everything, too.

It sounds like you handled it pretty well. And your outlook is also positive, so that's good.

Thanks for the offer. The only thing I'm worried about is that we applied for K1 Visa last year when I was in the states for him to come over. Then we ended up getting married here and staying. We were denied because we didn't respond to any more inquiries from USCIS. I'm afraid that might negatively influence how they see us, like I was trying to go around their process, when really, we were just doing what was best for us at the time...

I can relate to you very much. Although I don't have a baby, we moved very fast, too. I got married and began to live in Germany. My husband's family also always makes me feel bad about bringing him to the US. And living here has been such a weakening experience. I also have barely any drive left because I was also self sufficient in the US. But I have no purpose here, and everyone is taking care of me. I have no job, all the bills, contracts & bank accounts are in his name, and I have nothing to take care of except the dog/cleaning/cooking. It's a tough situation.

All I can say is hang tough. Look forward to the future because it isn't too far away for you now. My husband's family is also very close, and because of that, you have to let them deal with the fact that their child is leaving and starting a new life without them. It took me a year to figure that out. And they may never forgive you for that, too. But you have to do what is best for you, your wife and your new little baby.

I wish you good luck!

For anyone that is wondering, I emailed Frankfurt with the questions I had.

The process is still 60-90 days as of February 23, 2012.

And mailing it in should not take very much longer than going there in person as long as you have all the right documents. So, if you live far away, like us, maybe you can save yourself the first trip.

Hello everyone. I've been looking over what I can find specifically about the Frankfurt DCF process.

My first question is how long did it take? We want to move ASAP, and we need to book flights, get a housing arrangement set up, jobs, etc...

Secondly, it seems like most people went to the office to turn in the first papers, and it would be nice to just mail them in and not spend all the money going there and back with the train. Do you think it is a disadvantage to mail it in rather than handing it in yourself?

I appreciate all the help we can get.

Thanks to everyone in advance!

-CJ

Hey December family. I'm so excited that everyone is starting to receive their NOA2s! I thought I would come to the group with my question, because we are, after all, a family... Right? lol Another fun fact... If you choose to help me, it may mean less time waiting for you all!

Welp... My fiance and I have decided to get married in Germany. It has been a rough journey through this K1 process and for so many reasons we have decided that living in Germany for a couple years before we settle down in the United States will be the best option for our family. If only we had realized this sooner!

So now my question is this... What process do we have to go through to cancel our petition? We also wonder if it will hurt our chances of refiling when we are ready to come back. :-/

Thank you December filers for helping us through this process and for giving me something to read to keep this miserable process off my mind! You are all so strong! I hope the best for each and every one of you!

I will be with my fiance in two weeks, now... and I wish you all are holding your fiances close soon, as well.

Thanks for your question! I am thinking about moving to Germany for a few years and come back with my husband instead of waiting SOOOOO LONG for this K1 Visa. We will have to go through the same process! Please let me know if you find anything else of interest.

-CJ

Once Again...

How are the ladies bringing their fiances over doing the I-134? Its been a rough ride for us trying to figure out our financial situation... I just graduated from college and the job hunt is as slow as this process. Lots of stress put on both of us right now. Wondering how everyone else is doing...

-CJ

Welcome CJ & W to the Thread!!!!

Happy to could join this Decemberite Family.

Our Thread Map will help you navigate around.

We're working now on NOA2 documents, Wedding planning, Health & Fitness and our Decemberite Int'l Cookbook!

Have fun here and look forward to your postings.

Mari

Thanks Mari. It looks like you guys have a well organized discussion here & I'm happy to be a part of it. Getting up to date with past posts...

We just got "fondled" as well. It is nice to know our papers aren't just collecting dusk and being moved around once in a while!

Wedding Plans: Extremely minimal. We want to get married in a courthouse and have a big wedding one year later so we have time to save & make it FABULOUS!

Fitness: Working on it! Just lost 5 lbs and counting.

Cookbook: Not much cooking with the diet going on right now. At least nothing post worthy.

How are the ladies bringing their fiances over doing the I-134? Its been a rough ride for us trying to figure out our financial situation... I just graduated from college and the job hunt is as slow as this process. Lots of stress put on both of us right now. Wondering how everyone else is doing...

-CJ

I recognized a few people have already downloaded my file from a previous post. I thought I would make it a main topic for those who are wondering about this. It is directly from the USCIS website.

Wishing everyone a quick and not too complicated journey...

-CJ

Poverty Guidelines.pdf

Verbal abuse leads to physical abuse often. If you send me a message and tell me where you are located I might be able to find some kind of shelter or people that can help you get out of that situation before it gets any worse! No one deserves that kind of treatment. I don't know you, but I'm worried for you... And I hope you make the right decision for yourself, your safety and your well being.

I believe it is $23,162. I've attached the poverty guidelines so you can decide for yourself.

Poverty Guidelines.pdf