June DCF filers, gather together!

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

My main comment and question is, why does it take months for some people to obtain DCF Visa? My understanding is it should be only a few weeks through the DCF process, not months as I see some people reporting.

Ah... well, the short answer is: yes, it should only take a few weeks, 2 months tops, but in reality it depends totally on the consulate/ embassy, how picky they ae, how much staff they devote to DCF etc etc.

[kaffy 2]

Hi all, I have received my interview date - August 12, a week earlier than I anticipated

[The Red Baron 0]

SO, why am I reading here that it's taking months? What is the purpose if a standard filing process is 6 -9 months?

You do need to be resident in the foreign country for 6 months, so DCF may not be suitable for you. DCF is really more for people who lived abroad, and now as a couple decide to move back to the US, rather than US residents moving to their loved one for a short time to make things quicker. That being said, processing times very much depends on the embassy/ country your loved one is in. As you can see above, we have a June filer who has been approved already, and I just got my interview notice- if I pass and get the visa that day, it'll have taken me just shy of 6 weeks to get through the process.

Probably you didn't understand my comments. I have lived in China all these years doing business for foreign corporations so I've been a Resident in China all those years. However I cannot obtain a document of "Legal Residence" status unless I live here and also work for a China Corporation. ...but my point is, I have always lived in China all these years doing business on a Business Visa, not a tourist coming to find a wife.

My main comment and question is, why does it take months for some people to obtain DCF Visa? My understanding is it should be only a few weeks through the DCF process, not months as I see some people reporting.

I think the answer to that is. It just Does. Ive been reading this thread with interest as i filed in April and have only last week sent in my packet 3 and June filers seem to be sprinting ahead. But then it varies from country to country and case to case

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

Went for my visa interview today, and it was a bit of a non-event. You know when you prepare for all eventualities, double check everything, hold your breath and then... it is much less difficult than you thought

My appointment was at 1pm, so I arrived at 12.30pm, and was told to come back at 1pm, they wouldn't let me in beforehand. An old lady was there at the same time and they wouldn't let her in either, not even to the benches inside the security hut, so I walked her to the bus stop bench 50 yards away. Turns out she is 98 and wants to visit the US one last time (she used to be a green card holder). I hope I am that fit mentally and physically at that age! Went back at 1pm, handed over my mobile (cell) phone for them to keep in the security hut, and went to the visa section. There was only myself, an Indian man who I think was there for a work visa, and another gentleman applying for a spousal visa who had to return because he needed to file a waiver.

When I went in I handed in my docs, they seemed surprised how well I was prepared (had a file with dividers for everything as recommended on hee), and didn't even ask for all of our proof of assets and income (I have some income from writing which will continue when I am in the US). Unfortunately my Irish police cert has me listed as being born in 1976 instead of 74, so they could not accept it. Then I went to pay the visa fee and sat back down.

Only a few minutes later I get called by the consular officer, who asks me when we got married- I said 1995 instead of 2005, doh! But he said "are you sue?", and I corrected myself. He asked why we are moving to Arkansas (I said due to better house prices, to which he smiled), and whether the address we gave as our US address (my husband's sisters address)- is near Little Rock, to which I said no, it is in the NW. Not sure if that was a test or just conversation. He asked if I had any kids from my previous marriage (no), and if the twins from this marriage had been registered with the embassy yet (yes), and then said I was all set, just to call them when I had the corrected Irish police cert, and I could come in right away and get the stamp for my passport. So after all this, all the prep and worry that they wouldn't take assets only (a rumour I heard from other Irish applicants), it was actually really easy, they didn't look at any of the bonafide evidence I brought, and I was out of there within the hour.

I won't post a "I have my visa" tpic yet as things can still happen until I have that stamp, but it is looking very very good.

[chartreuse 0]

I think the answer to that is. It just Does. Ive been reading this thread with interest as i filed in April and have only last week sent in my packet 3 and June filers seem to be sprinting ahead. But then it varies from country to country and case to case

I reckon you're right, Red Baron. I'm a little late to this thread, as I've been following the London May filers, on the theory that whatever happens with them, we can expect a month later. Probably not strictly accurate, but maybe close enough.

Anyway, we filed beginning of June and, as of today, the embassy site says processing 20 May (quite a jump from 8 May, where it was last Monday). So, according to our timeline, we could hear any day now or by 12 Aug. Who knows, SWMBO might even call me today to say that a letter has arrived.

But it the end, it takes as long as it takes is probably the way to look at it. Judging by the experience of some of the May filers who've been posting recently, we're probably likely to get an RFE for affadavits!

PS - Congrats, Penguin!

Edited July 28, 2008 by chartreuse

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

Got my visa!

It was no bother at all, other than a bit of a wait

[kaffy 2]

Congrats on being our first graduate!

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

Congrats on being our first graduate!

Second- Leah got there before me

[Deanne and Carlos 0]

Wow, you guys are speeding through!

We filed in Brazil June 23rd and just got the DS 230 instruction packet in the mail yesterday. On to the next step!

[kaffy 2]

My interview is tomorrow so please wish me luck!

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

Good luck!

I am sure if you read the forums and guides here you are well prepared and will pass with flying colours.

[kaffy 2]

I passed!! It was a busy morning at the Consulate (I arrived at 8.30 and was already #11 of the immigrant visa applicants) but as soon as I got called everything went quickly! I wish that more ppl knew about VJ because there were quite a few applicants before me who were unprepared/had the wrong info/etc

Anyway thanks for the support and guidance guys!! and good luck to those still continuing on their visa journeys!

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

Hurray!

Looking forward to your embassy review (well, the second review). What sort of questions did they ask?

Edited August 12, 2008 by Penguin_ie

[kaffy 2]

Thank you!

When do you fly to the States?

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

Thank you!

When do you fly to the States?

We don't have a date yet, still need to sort out a letting agent for our apartment here and find a good home for the cats (they are healthy but too old to move that far according to the vet). We are hoping eerly October but definitely for Thanksgiving.