Backtocali

16 hours ago, MRSW1709 said:

Thanks so much. I freak out about the smallest things and worry I'll be denied because I don't have correct postage, for example. 

We live in Karlsruhe, so are filing with Frankfurt. 

 

Don't worry, I actually really recommend to be extremely careful about every detail, so good for you! It is better than not.

The freak out part, one might be able to control,  I did a lot of meditation the last months to go through this process   But again, why worry about things out of your control? Just do your best with your application, try to add as much evidence of your marriage/relationship and you will be more than fine! The process is set to approve people with strong evidence and who have established their credible claim to the benefit under the law.

16 hours ago, MRSW1709 said:

Do they only deduct the $535 if they approve the package, or how did you come to that conclusion? 

I read before that if they do not accept your package, they will simply return the whole thing, therefore not charging the fee So, they have a 1st assessment for DFC acceptance, does this person qualify to file? If yes then they take the case in and charge the fee, If not, they simply return the package and ask you to file via Lockbox.

It is different if they accept the fee and later deny your application (due to other reasons pertaining to the case, but not to the acceptance requirements to file directly)

This was at least my experience, they charged the fee, meaning the accepted the case to DCF, not meaning the will approve.

my 2 cents

46 minutes ago, Heather Mcnally said:

Hi guys, 

 

My Husband ( UK Citizen ) and myself ( American born citizen) are planning to move back to the States.

 

We've been planning for some time to get this started and finally have the cash together for the filing fee so thought I best get my butt in gear. 

 

I had previously downloaded the I130 form and example as listed on the London Embassy website that you are directed to for Direct Consular Filing, but it appears it has changed...   So.. I clicked the I130 link got the form and started filling things in.  There is no longer an example listed as available.

 

I get to the part where it says Address.. with drop down boxes for stuff.. like state... ermmmm... i LIVE IN THE UK!!! with my HUSBAND... I do have a permanent address in the US ( my dad's address is listed on my US Drivers License and we own a home nearby as well. ) but that cant be what they are looking for ???

 

help ?

 

I've included a screen shot of the area ?

 

Another question that is concerning me .. we will to have a co sponsor and have offers of that from my Dad in the States.. and amazingly lol my Ex Inlaws who like my new husband better than they like their son lol ...  my husband also has relatives in other parts of the US that would probably do as well. 

 

I dont want to really want to involve the Ex inlaws though they have a better financial position... so i'd like my Dad to do the job.  I note the amount you have to have on the website, Dad should be able to cover that...  He is retired though.. He has a military pension as well as his social security.  Will this affect his ability to co sponsor?  Also, while I wont be going back to the States with work arranged,we do own a home, free and clear no mortgage.   Would this help in any way ? 

 

Thanks in advance... 

 

Heather

17

If you download the form and then  open on Acrobat, you should be able to type in, instead. I also filed from Germany and did this. When not able to fill some fields, I left blank and I added manually once printed. That should be a work around on the pre-determined fields.

1 hour ago, MRSW1709 said:

Hi everyone! I've researched my butt off but cannot understand the email I received from my inquiry on postage from Frankfurt. Here's what was sent to me: 

Normal letter size envelope with postage. We will be sending a copy of the form I-407 to you.  Normal letter size, one page.

 

I only asked what postage should be included for the return envelope (instructions are for US postage) when filing I-130. Why would we be sent form I-407??? 

 

hi

They have standarized answers, most likely they do not even know what you asked, sad but true.

I just went through the same process, just send everything needed for the i-130 and add a normal envelope with the postage (check Deutshce Post if you are in Germany) But 1 Briefmark is enough, they will use this to send you the "receipt" right away (which is a stupid copy of another standarized letter about the process.

Then from there you only wait and wait, aprox 45 days later you will have the approval letter, if they do not need any more info.

Good luck

Hi guys

Just wanted to update you that I got the APPROVAL NOTICE today for our I-130! Super happy now. Was approved on MArch 10th and just arrived in the mail today.
 

Just to highlight that my DCF was approved even though I did not submit my actual residence permit for Germany (as I lost the little card) but, I did provide a lot of evidence of living here like Anmeldebestätigung and taxes in Germany together with employment contract.

Next step is Visa through Frankfurt Embassy.

Here we go

10 hours ago, mallafri76 said:

Your immigration visa IS tied to your passport so when you're at the NVC stage, input the passport number of the passport you intend to use for immigration purposes. 

 

FYI, there's no such thing as an ESTA visa. ESTA is an authorization to enter the US without a visa for up to 90 days. 

 

 

 

Due to the little info given, I assumed the OP was already inside the US under an ESTA and doing Adjustment of Status. Therefore I said Green card not linked to Passports.  Clearly we need more info of his situation

Hi, to the best of my knowledge is that Green cards are not linked to passports, neither passport numbers. You will declare both your citizenships in your application, so I would send both photocopies of the bio page.  Then once you get your greencard, you will be able to travel with your British or Irish as you wish, as long as you present them with your green card upon exit and extry from the US.  When you send your application just explain clearly that you have entered with the British passport and therefore your I-94W Number is issued under that passport.

4 minutes ago, sdpatsfan12 said:

Hi there!

Just so happens that I am from San Diego as well. I filed for my wife at the Frankfurt office in fall of last year. First you get the receipt, next you will receive a letter from USCIS called "Approval Notice", and then you will receive another letter from the US Consulate General explaining that you can now apply for the DS-260, or whatever visa you are eligible for, along with a web address where to go and the case file number.

 

It took exactly 7 weeks to get the first letter (not the receipt) and then another week to get the second letter. I know it is nerve wracking since you really cant contact anyone, but I am sure you will receive it within the next 2 weeks.

 

Hope this helps!

 

 

 

Hi

This is great, thanks for the info. I was gettting worried as did not receive anything official at all. Only a standard copy and a tiny Credit card receipt for the payment.

And you are right, it is nerve wrecking I can't wait for the approval so we can start the visa process.

Thanks for the info.

Hi guys,

for those that used DCf in Frankfurt. Did you receive a Case number? I filed in January and all I got was a payment receipt (is not a case number) Other than that, a standard copy of some information, but no personal informaiton.

Is this normal? Or should I have gotten a Case number?  I am at aprox 50 days from filing, getting worried as most people got approved within 25-45 days for this office

For those that filed in Frankfurt office.... did you receive a receipt number for your case in the first NOA? I filed our I-130 in January and I only got a receipt for the Fee payment, but no Case Receipt number. Should I be worried? It has been about 50 days since filing.

Thanks

4 hours ago, NickHelen said:

Hello 
I'm living in China with my wife. She is Chinese. I need some advice about how to fill out the G-325A form. On our G-325A forms on the part next to where you sign, it says "This form is submitted in connection with an application for: I think I should choose other (specify) but what do I type next?I-130 spouse or CR-1?  We will be going to Guangzhou in April to fill hand in our forms.

 

Hi

Yes You click  OTHER and write I-130. I just did the same earlier this month.

16 minutes ago, Lenchick said:

so here it is detailed how it said in the letter (packet 3): "If you are planning on immigrating to the US within the next six months. please visit our website.....''   ........''if you do not intend to immigrate to the US within the next six months, due to the limited validity of an immigrant visa, we suggest that you communicate with this office again six months prior to your intended date of departure, in order to continue with the visa process'' 

When you receive that letter, you will have to write down your intended dates of travel and sign it and send it back to them.

 

Great, Thanks for sharing the script.

I actually just checked our Credit Card account and they did deduct the $535 USD on my Credit Card Meaning that they did accept my application for DCF, so it was accepted with the documents I sent out.

Once we get the approval of I-130 and receive the IV Packet,  we will start to collect the documents needed and will apply online until August or so, so we can fly into US early next year

Thank you! I will continue to update my Timeline once I receive an approval

3 hours ago, Lenchick said:

There was no problem  embassy wise, It was my omission. Since we didn't plan to travel to the states in the year 2014, I thought that i-130 could wait forever lol. The thing is we had to start i-130 in order to be able to reside together but we didn't get a chance to travel to the states. The embassy also sent a letter after the petition's approval, I think they call it packet 3, that I need to communicate with the office within 6 months of my departure, and since we didn't plan to depart, my husband got a new contract, I mistakenly thought it could wait until we get close to those 6 months. We also moved to another city and the embassy sent me another letter that they might close the case if I don't respond to it within one year and it was actually 2015. Good the letter found us! So I instantly sent them explanations to their e-mail address and also in writing with the dates of my expected departure on the paper they attached to the letter. They replied the next day to my e-mail address that my case would be open for another year. At the end of 2015 I got back to  my case as we planned to leave in 2016. The immigration visa unit in Frankfurt is very helpful, they always answered me instantly but this is when your i-130 will get  transferred after approval there.

 

Very interesting, I will for sure let them know we need 6 extra months, between the approval (if approved) and the visa application. Thanks for your detailed info

9 hours ago, MikMac said:

Hi @smm,

I'm also in the same situation. My wife (US citizen) has been working abroad for 6 years, but still has plenty of proof of her ties to US (Bank accounts, transferred funds, driver's license, paid taxes, voter's record, parents letter agreeing we can stay with them, as well as showing our work contracts abroad and rental agreement abroad will soon end.)

 

On form I-864 my wife must state: 'Country of Domicile'. Would she therefore put US (as she has a lot of proof of maintaining ties) or should she put UK (and explain the plan to re-establish domicile, explaining the above?)

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

I am in the same situation and after reading a lot about Domicile, I believe that she has more than enough to prove US Domicile, Voter records, Taxes filed, US Drivers License and Bank accounts are more than enough to proof ties to the US, in addition she can add that she will relocate  after visa issuance, etc.  I will be doing the same soon.

my 2 cents.

16 hours ago, Lenchick said:

Don't worry if they list that Anmeldebestätigung will be enough, then it will be enough. I am sure they will do a check up anyway.

Hi Lenchick

I see on your timeline that you waited between approval of I-130 until IV Package (more than a year?)....was this no problem at all? I am thinking we will need about 6 months after approval of I-130 until we are ready for the actual interview and visa issuance.... I hope is ok with the embassy to wait a few months... what was your experience?

Just to let you all know, I have sent out my application today Jan 17th!

I will keep you posted if they accepted it or not for DFC at Frankfurt.

Oh yeah, I will add the emails too, thanks for the tip!

(I just did not want to overwhelm them with bunch of documents, but will have to do in this case).

Well,  I wouldn't leave without my husband, and he can't move without the IV, so I guess I have to wait.  I am planning to send it all in the next weeks and I will let you all know if they accepted my DFC processing

Thanks for all your advice, and good luck with your Visa process!

br

That is a good idea!

The problem for me is here in Germany the Immigration office (Ausländebehörde) is overwhelmed, specially in Munich due to the huge influx of refugees, in the past, one was able to walk in and now I need an appointment, next appointment available...... waiiiiit...... May 2017!!!!!  Meanwhile they told me via e-mail my status is not affected by loosing the card, and I can go get a new one and bring again a million documents they always ask for (sigh)

I sort of want to leave soon, I have been here for over 2 years and while I enjoyed parts of living here, I am mostly annoyed by many others and is simply not good for me anymore. Is time to move on.

Hi millefleur

Thanks for the encouragement!   

I will definitely try to get DFC.

Actually, aside from the Resident Card (which I recently lost and would take me 2 months to get a new one), I have many ways to prove I am residing here:

• the letter of Residence Registration in Munich
• German Bank account and credit card
• German Taxes and US taxes with Munich address
• Work contract and company ID with Munich as location

I will definitely try DFC because, to be honest, I do not want to stay in Germany much longer, Sunny California is calling!

Thanks

Wow

12 weeks? That is fast, congrats! 

I will go ahead with what I have, after all the "Anmeldungbetätigung" is on the list and perhaps will add the ID from work and my German Taxes with my Address here.

If that doesn't work I guess will have to file via Chicago .

Thanks for your help

br

Hi Mark88

Thanks for your response.

Was this your personal experience?  I am asking because when you look at the requirements for DFC in Frankfurt (below) they list 3 primary documents as "one of the following"  "or, or..."   and the "Anmeldebestätigung" is listed as one of those...any thoughts about that? I will include my ID badge from my company which states my location in Munich...

I do not want to send a copy of a document I no longer have, imagine if they ask to see the original? They will claim I lied.

At no point, I read that one must proof "legal residency", just curious how you come to that.

Thanks and br

Directions from USCIS Frankfurt:

Filing and Other Special Instructions:

Residents of Germany filing with USCIS Frankfurt must submit the petition and supporting evidence by mail.  Petitions are adjudicated in the order in which they are received.  You may use our Form I-130 Petition Checklist (PDF) or Form I-130 Petition Checklist for Members of the Armed Forces (PDF) to help ensure you submit a complete application package.

Evidence of residency must be submitted with the petition.  The evidence you submit must support a determination that you are a resident in Germany.  Please note that certain pieces of evidence may more strongly support a finding of residency than others.  For petitions filed at this field office, you must submit one or more of the following:

• Residence Permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis); or
• Residence Registration (Anmeldebestätigung)
• U.S. Military orders – Please do not wait until you are being reassigned to the United States to file the Form I-130, this will ensure your family can accompany you.

In addition, other evidence of residency may include, but is not limited to:

• Housing lease in your name
• Work contract or other employment documents
• Proof of local registration
• Bank statements in your name
• Proof of school enrollment
• Vehicle registration
• Valid local driver’s license
• Tax documents
• Foreign property deeds or registration (although proof of property ownership in itself, may be insufficient if there is no evidence that the petitioner resides at that property)

Hi all

I am new here and I am about to file via DFC FRN for I-130 for my German Spouse.

Have any of you successfully applied i-130 with the "Anmeldenbestätigung" only?

In the requirements of FRN checklist is noted as one of the accepted documents. Have any of you filed with only this document without problems?

I have been living in Munich for aprox. 2 years now living with my spouse (German) and now we want to move back to California.

I have a resident permit but of course, I lost it last minute (I am still legally in Germany, just lost the card)  and now only have the Anmeldung "Residence Registration"

I will not be requesting a new Card as it costs extra money and loads of time at the Behorde and I wanna move back as soon as we get the IV for my spouse.

Any thoughts or experiences?

Will I be ok for DFC only with the "Anmeldungbestätigung"? 

Thanks for your advice!