Direct Consular Filing from India

DCF- for Parents

Hi Ratrat I am back with some question.
My dad is USC and he also thinking to do DCF for my Grandparent. IF i dont mistaking, Is there any age limitation for parents before you file. Like i was under impression that your parents have to be 70yrs old before you do DCF.
Please let me know regarding in this matter.
Thank you
 
DCF question

Hi- I am a USC living in India with my fiancee. We plan to get married soon here in India, but we want to move back to the US in about a year. Does anyone know if the DCF option in New Delhi still exists for filing an I-130 after getting married? If so, is the 3-month timeline from filing till receipt of green card still applicable at this time? We are trying to decide if we should go the K-3 route or not and are researching our options. Any feedback?
 
lily2006, as far as I know dcf is India is still a viable option and it also appears to fare better than K3. I only say that because couple of other members on this forum are pursuing that option -- rajtheking and bobbyz. You may want to check out their threads for more possible information.


lily2006 said:
If so, is the 3-month timeline from filing till receipt of green card still applicable at this time?
Click to expand...
Btw, what do you mean by this? Could you explain some more?
 
DCF timeline in India

What I meant by my question about the 3 month timeline was:

From reading old posts, it looks like doing a DCF in India tended to take somewhere between 2 and 3 months from the time the I-130 was filed until the green card was received. I was wondering if this time frame still holds for straightforward cases, given that this thread goes back a few years and info may be outdated.
 
I am hoping for 2-3 months timeline. From what I know the US citizen has to stay in India for 60 days before applying I-130. After you apply your spouse gets the immigrant visa (not GC) in under 3 months. Then your spouse need to go to US within 6 months and he/she will get the GC in mail after 2-3 weeks.

I am thinking that you will have to get married first, wait 60 days and then apply.
 
DCF for H1 visa holder

Is it possible to have DCF if the spouse has H1B visa. Will they reject the application. If so if the spouse resigns the job b4 leaving US (meaning no H1 status) will it be ok then to do DCF (assuming all other conditions are met).
 
anand74 said:
Is it possible to have DCF if the spouse has H1B visa. Will they reject the application. If so if the spouse resigns the job b4 leaving US (meaning no H1 status) will it be ok then to do DCF (assuming all other conditions are met).
Click to expand...

From what I know DCF is for spouses of US citizens who are not in US. Your spouse is on H1 and already in US. If you are US citizen and your spouse is on H1B, then why you want to file DCF? To get GC faster?

I assume you also know that you (as US citizen) have to stay in India for 60 days before you can file I-130.
 
I had the same response as bobbyz, but from your original post, it appeared like you may possibly have some personal situation that warranted your moving to India, for some reason -- your spouse willing to give up her job.

But if that's not the case, and if it is only for the purpose of expediting the processing for your spouse, it seems too much to pay for. You have to live in India for 60 days before you apply, and your spouse must also be a resident (as far as I know, since otherwise it goes against the whole intent of the DCF, no?).

Anyway, I'm just speculating. I don't know for sure, whether this is possible. But I do know that most of the people opt for DCF so they can be unitd and reunited with their spouses sooner, which is not true in your case since your spouse is already with you.
 
Thanks but more questions

The spouse has a H1B visa stamp but had resigned the job. She had to move to INdia for some personal reasons and has no status in US. Her H1B stamp is still valid but she is no longer in that company.
 
domicile question

I have researching the DCF option in India, and to know if anyone has experience with the domicile issue in India, specifically in Chennai.

My situation: I am a USC, currently working and living and in India with my Indian partner. I have been in India for about a year, and we are planning to get married soon. After that, we would like to file DCF for him so that we can relocate to the US. I need to find out more about whether or not I will be able to show domicile in the US, since that is a requirement for me to serve as a sponsor and to fill out the Affidavit of Support (I-864). I have bank accounts, investments, tax returns, and an adress there, but no utility bills, rental agreement, or job there yet.

I called the Delhi office, and I was told that when we file the I-130, demonstrating domicile in the US is not required. However, at the time of the interview of my partner in India for the visa, some 3-4 months later, the sponsor (me) has to demonstrate domicile in the US since that is a requirement for the I-864. The person I spoke to in Delhi said that I would most certainly NOT be able to prove domicile in the US if I have been living in India for a year without a US job. He suggested that I relocate to the US immediately after filing the I-130, so that I can establish domicile there in time for my partner's interview 3-4 months later.

However, since we are located in S. India, my partner will have his interview in Chennai, not Delhi. So I called the Chennai office just to see what they would say about the domicile issue. The person I spoke to there said that domicile wouldn't be an issue at all, as long as the I-864 sponsor (me) has a US passport! She said that all I need is to get the I-864 notorized there, and that the domicile issue would not come up at all.

The Mumbai website gives a different answer, too, though I have not called them directly. See: http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov/ivdomicile.html

Is there anyone out there who was living in India, WITHOUT a US-based job, who filed DCF? What was your experience in terms of proving US domicile, and what consulate was the interview at?

Obviously the answer to this matters, as it would be far better to know in advance whether or not I will need to relocate to the US ahead of my partner's interview in Chennai!

Thanks.
 
Well, there are certain things that you need to keep in mind. Yes, you can file DCF but once you file you need to move back to USA and look for a job. During your spouse interview ( after 3-4month) he will submite your sponser and basically they need your job information so it will prove that you will suppport your spouse once he/she will get visa. if you read carefully I-864 instruction it will tells you everything.
so i would sugget that read the I-864 instruction and then if you decide to file at DCF then move back to USA asap.
Thank
bye
 
Need help with following 2 questions

I have 2 questions in regards to filing DCF from New Delhi:

1. What information is requested in pkt 3, which the spouse need to send back to the embassy?

2. How long PCC certificates (from police & passport office) are valid? Mine are dated sometime mid Dec, 2005.

I will have to file again in mid March so just want to be ready with everything once the process starts.

Rahul - Can you please make this thread sticky?
 
Updated info @ DCF in late 2005 or 2006

hi:

i'm looking for some recent (late 2005 or 2006 )feedback about Direct Consular Filing in India.

1) What are the forms that I need to fill-in and submit ?

2) Is there an official website/ link relating to DCF ?

3) What is the general avg time for the complete processing ?

Thank you and i look forward to some reply.

-Abhijit
 
ab2ab said:
hi:

i'm looking for some recent (late 2005 or 2006 )feedback about Direct Consular Filing in India.

1) What are the forms that I need to fill-in and submit ?

Simple, you need
I-130
Copy of US passport
Copy of naturalization or US birth certificate
Copy of Indian spouse passport or birth certificate or school certificate
marriage photos - religious for hindu marriage
Copy of marriage certificate
Copy of divorce certificate if applicable
Copy of death certificate of ex-spouse if applicable
G325A for you & your spouse with 1 passport size picture of each.
If petition filed in US then proof of withdrawal of that case.


2) Is there an official website/ link relating to DCF ?

Just email embassy at Delhi at http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/immigrant_visas.html

3) What is the general avg time for the complete processing ?

3 months I guess.

Thank you and i look forward to some reply.

-Abhijit
Click to expand...
 
Appointment Needed?

I see all of you guys who did DCF had a walk-in process. But is it possible to have an appointment fixed before for guarenteed processing just in case.
Have any of you tried it.
Bobbyz, I did CP for my GC so I did the same Packet 3 stuff. It is a simple form mostly biographical. No big deal. You could also get it from NVC website.
Since you filed once before can you clarify about the appt process. Regarding the PC for my CP i got it in June for Sep interview as NYC Indian Consulate took a month to do it. But it wasn't mandatory then. I guess you need to check with the Consulate.
Also do you know how long is I864 valid meaning how much ahead should we get it notarized.
 
I have made 2 recent trips to the USCIS office at new Delhi. It seems everything concerning USCIS (including DCF filing) is first come first serve. No appointments. Also same officials which help with the DCF filing are interviewing people when they come for final interview. So even though you reach office early (like 9:00am) you can not be gurantee of anyone to serve you till 11:00am. That's what happened to me last week. Since I needed to talk to someone inside the office, I had to make request to the lady on the only counter they have and she kept telling me that everyone is busy. I was lucky to get an official to explain my situation.

Also note - DCF filing is only done till 12:00pm. if you come after than you are out of luck. There is no mention of this. I found after talking to the guards who take you inside the building. I would suggets be early, like by 7:30AM as line start at that time. Guard only let 4 people at a time and having 8-10 people before you can mean 1 hr extra time.

Can you be more specific as to the name of the form in pkt 3. I have already filled DS-230 Part I & II (no signature on part II) for my wife. I hope that's the only thing needed. I do have PCCs.

Not sure about I864. My company letter is dated Nov 8th, guess I will need new one.
 
DCF Delhi info

Hi,First thanks to to everyone on this forum for all the help.
I did DCF in Delhi on Jan 4th,2006.The procedure is pretty much the same as posted in the previous posts here above.You have a walk in appointment with your wife after staying for 60 days in India.The consulate opens at 8.30 AM ,so be there by 7.15 AM.And this time of the year,it was freezing cold in Delhi,so had to take some warm clothing.The guard asks you for what have you come.Say,I am a US citizen and have come for I-130 Direct filing.You cannot take sealed bottles inside.They make you open the bottle and ask to take a sip from it.After a security search,you are taken inside.Once inside,you are given a security ID tag and a lady escorts you inside.The immigration officer inside checks all your documents and sees the entry stamp on your passport.And asks some basic questions like---What is your job,where do you stay in US,are you studying,,etc.She then gives a token and asks us to pay the I-130 fee at the cashier.You are again escorted out to the cashier's counter.
You have to pay $190 in US dollars or Indian equivalent Rs.8470.{The current exchange rate as of Nov.2005 is 1US$=Rs.46}.They accept only 100 rupee denominations only.They do not accept 500 or 1000 rupee notes.There is a notice stating this on the cashier's window.So take 100`s only.And you have to takeexact change,b'cos I don't think they give back any change.We paid in US$ and then he gave us 2 receipts--One for us to retain as our proof of having filed I-130 at Newdelhi and the other to be given to the guard outside while leaving.That's it.It is a very simple walk-in procedure.The staff at Delhi embassy are very courteous and polite.[Wish the Chennai consulate officials were so nice}.The immigration officer said I would receive further info and packet 3 from the Chennai consulate within a month.{since i come under Chennai jurisdition} Important things I have noticed while DCF filing ::
1.Only the first page of for G325A for both husband and spouse is needed.They don't need the other 3 pages.But take it anyway to be on the safe side.
2.Take an entire marriage album along with invitation card and loose photos.If the officer is not convinced with the loose photos,you may have to show the entire album.
3.Dress appropriately.Some people were dressed in shorts,some in jeans and sneakers,some in rubber bathroom slippers---will not affect you case but the immigration officers, one could sense ,were not very happy with that attire.Anyway it`s a personal choice.It creates a better impression if you appropriately dressed and well organised.
4.Relatives and friends not allowed inside.They have to wait outside.
5.Make sure when you enter India,the immigration officer at the airport properly stamps your US passport with the correct date.If he forgets to stamp it,it just makes lmatters tough for you.My suggestion--check your passport when he stamps it,retain your boarding passes,your baggage id tags,retain your arrival/departure customs form and your copy of the airticket.[The passport officials in the US do not stamp the US passsport either when leaving or even when arriving back in the US].
That's it.Any further info if wanted,please feel free to ask .I will try to answer your query.Also i will soon post info regarding hotels in Delhi where you can stay.Thanks.Waiting for packet 3 to arrive.
 
rajtheking,

Congrats for having a smooth sailing!

Any idea on the estimates of how long it takes for dcf these days?

Personally I'm about to apply N-400 in a couple of months for myself and am having a *very* tough time deciding between k1, k3 and dcf for my partner who is stuck back home.
 
mailing packet3

Hi,How do we mail back the packet 3 contents--Govt. speed post or courier like DHL/DTDC/BLUEDART?Which is better and accepted?Please help.Waiting to mail the forms.
 
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