I-130 Processed at the Local Embassy

[constntvlocity 0]

Hello All,

My name is Chris and I am currently in South korea servig in the USAF. In my time being here I've met a lovely South Korean women and will be marrying her soon. The military does not make this process easy at all! After about 2 months of phone calls and head aches, the military finally approved my Pre-marital Certificate to allow us to get married under Korean law..Now that we have all our paperwork together, were heading down to the US Emabssy in Seoul to Fianlize the marriage paperwork and get started on the Immigration portion of our rollercoaster ride...

Ok now that i've given a little background info, I understand to a certain extent what all has to go into an Immigration visa IR-1/CR-1. I have to fill out a I-130 and submit it to a CIS service center.. where it is supposed to get approved and mailed back to my address here in Korea. My question is, the US Emabssy in Seoul has a CIS branch office, does that mean my I-130 will be reviewed and approved here in Korea without actually leaving the penninsula? I've heard mixed stories and want to set things straight. I've emailed the consolate and have yet to get a response. I've heard that this process is actually quicker because the flow of applications is much lower here and you factor out the mailing/post office system. I hope some one can help, it seems there are some highly educated immigration people on this site so any info would be great. Thanks in advance.

-Chris

[Dakine 26]

I don't know about military personnel but any USC that has lived in another country for 6+ months can do a DCF. Direct Consular Filing at that countries US enbassy. Lots faster than filing at USCIS in the states.

[trailmix 77]

Hi Chris,

Don't know if you have seen this page: http://seoul.usembassy.gov/spouse_of_american.html hopefully might help answer some of your questions.

[constntvlocity 0]

I don't know about military personnel but any USC that has lived in another country for 6+ months can do a DCF. Direct Consular Filing at that countries US enbassy. Lots faster than filing at USCIS in the states.

Thanks alot, But I've done some research, South Korea doesnt offer DCF.. I wish I did because ive heard many times it is much much faster then submitting it to USCIS... Thanks for your Input.. Good luck!

-Chris

[Dakine 26]

I don't know about military personnel but any USC that has lived in another country for 6+ months can do a DCF. Direct Consular Filing at that countries US enbassy. Lots faster than filing at USCIS in the states.

Thanks alot, But I've done some research, South Korea doesnt offer DCF.. I wish I did because ive heard many times it is much much faster then submitting it to USCIS... Thanks for your Input.. Good luck!

-Chris

I'd double check on that. Looks to me like they allow DCFs!

http://seoul.usembassy.gov/spouse_of_american.html

[MargotDarko 0]

I don't know about military personnel but any USC that has lived in another country for 6+ months can do a DCF. Direct Consular Filing at that countries US enbassy. Lots faster than filing at USCIS in the states.

Thanks alot, But I've done some research, South Korea doesnt offer DCF.. I wish I did because ive heard many times it is much much faster then submitting it to USCIS... Thanks for your Input.. Good luck!

-Chris

I'd double check on that. Looks to me like they allow DCFs!

http://seoul.usembassy.gov/spouse_of_american.html

Definitely looks like it's allowed!

Something to remember is that DCF is just a slang term we use in the fourms - someone in an official office won't usually know what you mean. Just need to find out if your I-130 can be submitted and processed there.