TootsieTails

Thanks for your answer. No, the RFE was not because of residency, and the I-130 is already approved. It was because package 3 was lost by the Deutsche Post (a claim has been filed for the lost mail; unfortunately the Deutsche Post wants to reimburse for costs, and did not find the lost package). Therefore, the Embassy did not receive the package containing the I-864, Police Certificates, etc. and that was what was requested. 

We are processing DCF through Frankfurt Embassy. We just were given an RFE, but I have to return to the US immediately (I'm the US Citizen). Does the Embassy need notified of my departure, or can I just leave without notification? Does this work differently since I was claiming residency (until now) and we are filing DCF?

On 5/1/2018 at 7:21 PM, MRSW1709 said:

We never did receive the letter to schedule an appointment. They sent it per email, but that was it. And yes, the Frankfurt office is extremely responsive and helpful. 

Oddly, our package really was lost. As in - the Deutsche Post lost packet #3. We were pretty devastated.

3 hours ago, Hattivatti said:

Thanks, Tootsie.

I sent out our IR1 package 3 (ds-260 confirmation, i-864 etc) as priority mail, because it was sent from outside Germany. Priority mail comes with a tracking number so you can see online where your package is going. That package has been missing in the mail (ugh, all those original papers in it) and then some few days later it's been scanned here and there and has still not arrived to Frankfurt if trusting on those tracked scans.

 

Which is why I was so curious about when you had sent in your package and when did you receive the interview letter. From your other post it seems you have not used ceac (where you can see online what is going on in your immigration process). Our case updated as "ready for interview" there this week, and I was rather surprised by it, since our papers has not got to consulate yet as far as I know. But, since it's a weekend, can't even ask about it from the consulate. But, I'll be emailing them at the start of the week to see what's going on there.

Ah, this makes a lot more sense now. Ok, per our letter from Frankfurt, we were directed to file the DS-260 online (I assume you did as well) and sent the IR1 package 3 (same as you) which was sent 4/10. I'm wondering if yours is going through Deutsche Post once it went through the international system. Perhaps there is something wrong with their tracking right now, if it is. 

We sent ours via Deutsche Post, since we are in Germany, with a tracking number, and it hasn't updated at ALL since we sent it. As far as the CEAC, I looked this up because I actually didn't know what you were talking about. I think the reason I didn't know was because my husband is the beneficiary, and hence filled out the DS-260. We had the confirmation page from CEAC/DS-260, of course, which we mailed, but our entire package is still "missing." As I mentioned in the first sentence, it says it's just sitting here in Düsseldorf since the 10th, which not only seems unlikely - but also really strange, per Deutsche Post tracking.

The e-mail that you register your document mail address return is the one we received the confirmation from to schedule both the medical exam AND the actual appointment. This isn't through the federal (CEAC) website at all; I didn't really even know you could check your status there, to be honest. So I would say it's possible that you're actually ready to make the appointment since CEAC says so, I just don't have any experience with that. Check the website with the document mailing address. If for some reason you didn't register (you should have already, with the packet 3), it is listed in checkbox #2 in the Immigrant/Fiance & K Visa Applicant Checklist from Frankfurt. Go to the web address, log in, and see if you have a message or e-mail waiting for you that says it's ok to schedule the medical / and / or the appointment. And if for any reason you didn't fill that out already, make sure you do - you also have to bring the confirmation page from that to the interview in Frankfurt (if I understand correctly). So although it's possible they already received packet 3 from us and Deutsche Post just didn't update the status for some strange reason, I have no real confirmation that they have this - and they still sent us the Medical appointment e-mail (first) and once that was scheduled, they e-mailed us the confirmation to schedule the actual interview appointment. I hope all this makes sense. 

On 4/1/2018 at 9:28 AM, Hattivatti said:

Oh gosh, I need some serious help finding a rental place in Germany to maintain my residency through the visa process. My husband already had to travel back to States and I'm having serious troubles finding a rental due me not speaking Germany. I have a place to live but I can't do Anmeldung to this place. We already received NoA 2 and now I'm terrified to finish ds-260 because of this.

 

Any and all help appreciated! And please, somebody help!

So I see I'm a little late replying here. What city are you in? I know that Düsseldorf has several FB groups for expats and the like that are constantly posting flats/rental places, and sometimes they are looking for a roommate to help share costs. I'm in several groups on Facebook and I see that several times per week. I am guessing that other cities here in Germany have this too. I looked for "Americans in Düsseldorf," "American expats in Düsseldorf" "Expats in Düsseldorf" and the like to find the groups on Facebook. If you're not particularly concerned with the city, you could even try "Americans in Germany" or the like, on Facebook. I understand you're not the expat since you're the beneficiary, but maybe you can join some of the groups and explain the situation, especially if you need a rental place for just a short time? Did you find anything or did the Embassy clear it up? The Expat Facebook groups all communicate primarily in English so being an English speaker with these rental units shouldn't be an issue, I don't think. The only other thing I can think of is trying something like Air BNB, and just renting a small room or place for a few weeks (or however long it takes to finish processing - sounds like you're nearly done). Since Air BNB is used to renting to foreigners, this would also probably be a way to get a place for temporary residence, but you might want to check and see if it was ok to get mail or whatever you need there (?) and with that I have absolutely no idea if that would be possible. Sorry, I know it's not a GREAT suggestion, and maybe you've already tried that route- but if you still need something, maybe you could try that. 

On 4/11/2018 at 7:24 PM, Hattivatti said:

If you are K1 applicant, you need to pay advance. IR1 and CR1 applicants pay at the consulate right before the interview as the letter states.

Thanks for the help, we figured it out!

The letter we received states both, that applicants should "be prepared to pay the visa fee on the appointment date," and that "you will not be able to schedule your appointment without payment of the online fee," which is where the confusion occurs. The information on the website, however, is much clearer (quoting from the website):

"Visa applicants whose case was filed with USCIS in Frankfurt will be required to pay the fee on the day of the visa interview (except K-Visas and SQ visas); those whose application was filed with USCIS in the U.S. and is being processed through the National Visa Center (NVC), pay the fee before the NVC begins processing the case."

The line of the letter that states:

"You will not be able to schedule your appointment without payment of the online fee" should read something like "You will not be able to schedule a Fiance/K-Visa appointment without payment of the online fee," as the way the letter currently reads applies to both categories of visas. 

Hopefully this will clear it up for any other DCF Frankfurt applicants that may have that question in the future.

On 4/12/2018 at 2:06 PM, Hattivatti said:

Mrsw1709 did you ever receive your interview letter?

My package tracker isn't working, so I don't know if they've received my package, but ceac shows ready for scheduling the interview. And last (only) update since the case was created is today. I wonder if I should wait for few days for the letter or straight email the consulate.

Our package tracker isn't working either, our package of required documents was sent but just says the same thing every day on tracking (??? a bit weird we both are experiencing this) but it seems they work on the honor system with this and trust you are sending it. We received an e-mail from Frankfurt telling us we were approved for scheduling (is this what you are meaning about the CEAC ready?). In our experience the Frankfurt consulate is very responsive to e-mails, if you have any questions make sure to include your case number (if you have it) and just ask them if you can schedule your appointment, explain you received the approval to schedule already. Best wishes! 

14 hours ago, Hattivatti said:

How long did it take to get the interview letter after they received your package or from the time ceac showed ready for interview?

 

My package seems to be missing in the mail, but ceac had updated "ready" for interview so I wonder if the letter might already be in the mail and my package tracking just isn't working. Or if they marked it ready for interview by mistake.

From what you wrote here, I'm having trouble understanding which part of the process you are going through, and which package is possibly missing. Are you doing the K-3 or the CR-1 Visa? I wasn't sure of that either from your question, so I wanted to make sure that you know which one we are doing in case yours is different. We are doing the CR-1 Visa, as we are already married. I have no experience with the K-3 Visa application process, and this is just our experience, so everyone has a different timeline, so a slightly longer time wait could be totally normal. 

We are DCF Frankfurt also. Feel free to check out our timeline to see how long it has taken us, filed the I-130 in February, we now have an interview date (towards the end of April). 

I have the same question - what did you find out? Thanks! 

Hello all, we just received the NOA2 for my husband's I-130 Application through Frankfurt, and the A# for him is also the same: all zeros. We also never received a case# as far as we can see, just a transaction number for a receipt of payment from the NOA1. Other than that, we have no case number or A#, just A000-000-000. Does this mean we can't do anything until we receive the NVC Receipt notification, and if so how long is this? Do we need to e-mail Frankfurt and ask for a case#? Since we are clearly approved on the NOA2, I was mistakenly of the belief our case number would come with this confirmation. Still no case number OR A number. So now I'm wondering, does the case number only come with NVC Receipt? Thank you in advance!