To DCF or not to DCF...that is the question...

[visaveteran1 33]

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I will be getting married to my Russian fiancee in late October or early November in Krasnoyarsk, Russia. I have gotten the OK to file the I-130 directly with the Moscow consulate (DCF), although I do not meet the 6 month residency requirement. I asked for a wavier due to my disabled veteran status and handicap issues, so I assume that is why I got the OK. For any doubters, I just doubled checked with the Embassy and got the OK.

Unfortunately, I must travel to the Moscow Embassy to file in person. I already checked and the consulate said they will NOT accept the I-130 packet via the mail or couriers. And the cost to travel to Moscow and back to Krasnoyarsk and stay in a hotel is substantial for two people.

Question 1: I can only stay in Russia for 30 days, so although I might have time to get married and file the I-130 in Moscow, I would not be able to stay until the petition is approved and further steps to get her visa are finished. But, I think once I file the petition, my fiancee could finish the process without me being in Russia. is this correct?

Question 2; I'm wondering, all things considered, if it's just as wise to come back to the USA alone and file the I-130 through the USCIS office in Vermont?

I'm looking for feedback, thoughts, suggestions on the best way to file considering both time and money considerations. Moscow DCF or USCIS?

[MargotDarko 0]

It is seriously way faster to file directly with an embassy. Once you've made the trip to Moscow and they've accepted your I-130, the rest of the process should be okay for your future wife to handle alone. I believe Moscow even gives petition approval the same day or very quickly. In the US, you'd be waiting MONTHS just for petition approval right now. You'll be staying with her when you're in Russia, right? I would use her address as your address on the I-130 if you file in Moscow.

So yes, one very emphatic vote for filing in Russia from me.

[rika60607 215]

May be your fiance has friends in Moscow who would not mind you staying with them for a couple of nights? Russians do it all the time, nobody is keen on paying those high hotel rates. It is not like US, where you think twice before barging in on your close relative

As for travel, I am sure you can travel relatively cheaply by train. And Russian "long distance" trains are not all that bad

So, considering that with DCF you will have your future wife following you in about 3-4 months, and filing from the US it will take more than 9 months to get a visa...

Definitely, a vote for DCF!!!

Rika

PS Your wife will not need you presence to complete paperwork in Russia either way, whether you file in US or the embassy.