DCF or CR1...which one???

[MumtazG38 1]

Details about my situation:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=168772

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=168972

As you can probably see from the above topics I started. I want to go the cr1 route because it is typically quicker, cheaper and also makes for my husband to be capable of getting a job much sooner then the k3 process. I don't know much about DCF or what it even is but know that I can use it if I go back to Pakistan and stay with my husband while filing right? Would I still be filing for cr1, only that I'd be filing from abroad? Would it make my situation any more complicated or take longer? Or would it possibly even be quicker? What are the facts I need to know about DCF and how to use it in my situation?

Is DCF initially the same as filing for i130/cr1?What are the differences? How long would it typically take? Could I still use a joint sponsor? Would being unemployed and not having a personal income source hurt our chances? I really want to get started with this procedure of being with my husband soon.....please help.

EDIT:

I just checked out the DCF guide, and it says that establishing permanent residency for at least 6 months abroad is a must? What if I have a multiple entry visa valid upto 06-16-2013? I don't think that would suffice....any possible way I could work around it? Or would I still end up having to wait 6 months...and getting a residency?

Edited December 28, 2008 by MumtazG38

[Zayd 0]

Details about my situation:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=168772

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=168972

As you can probably see from the above topics I started. I want to go the cr1 route because it is typically quicker, cheaper and also makes for my husband to be capable of getting a job much sooner then the k3 process. I don't know much about DCF or what it even is but know that I can use it if I go back to Pakistan and stay with my husband while filing right? Would I still be filing for cr1, only that I'd be filing from abroad? Would it make my situation any more complicated or take longer? Or would it possibly even be quicker? What are the facts I need to know about DCF and how to use it in my situation?

Is DCF initially the same as filing for i130/cr1?What are the differences? How long would it typically take? Could I still use a joint sponsor? Would being unemployed and not having a personal income source hurt our chances? I really want to get started with this procedure of being with my husband soon.....please help.

EDIT:

I just checked out the DCF guide, and it says that establishing permanent residency for at least 6 months abroad is a must? What if I have a multiple entry visa valid upto 06-16-2013? I don't think that would suffice....any possible way I could work around it? Or would I still end up having to wait 6 months...and getting a residency?

To use DCF, you must be RESIDENT in the country for at least six months. Even living there without being a resident is insufficient to use DCF. You do not have a residency visa for Pakistan so you could not use your multiple entry visa for that. There is no way around this condition. Since you live in Michigan, your case would most likely be assigned to the California Service Center for processing. They specify the timeline for adjudicating I130 petitions (assuming no additional security checks which can happen for Pakistanis) at six months. Therefore, your I130 with USCIS would most likely be approved before you even fulfilled the DCF conditions. As such, the fastest route would be to just apply through the standard process as soon as possible.

Also, having joint sponsorship for I864s in Islamabad appears to be a red flag that almost guarantees administrative processing (AP). If you can in any way fulfill and exceed the I864 conditions without a joint sponsor, I highly recommend it.

[pushbrk 12,877]

Details about my situation:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=168772

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=168972

As you can probably see from the above topics I started. I want to go the cr1 route because it is typically quicker, cheaper and also makes for my husband to be capable of getting a job much sooner then the k3 process. I don't know much about DCF or what it even is but know that I can use it if I go back to Pakistan and stay with my husband while filing right? Would I still be filing for cr1, only that I'd be filing from abroad? Would it make my situation any more complicated or take longer? Or would it possibly even be quicker? What are the facts I need to know about DCF and how to use it in my situation?

Is DCF initially the same as filing for i130/cr1?What are the differences? How long would it typically take? Could I still use a joint sponsor? Would being unemployed and not having a personal income source hurt our chances? I really want to get started with this procedure of being with my husband soon.....please help.

EDIT:

I just checked out the DCF guide, and it says that establishing permanent residency for at least 6 months abroad is a must? What if I have a multiple entry visa valid upto 06-16-2013? I don't think that would suffice....any possible way I could work around it? Or would I still end up having to wait 6 months...and getting a residency?

To use DCF, you must be RESIDENT in the country for at least six months. Even living there without being a resident is insufficient to use DCF. You do not have a residency visa for Pakistan so you could not use your multiple entry visa for that. There is no way around this condition. Since you live in Michigan, your case would most likely be assigned to the California Service Center for processing. They specify the timeline for adjudicating I130 petitions (assuming no additional security checks which can happen for Pakistanis) at six months. Therefore, your I130 with USCIS would most likely be approved before you even fulfilled the DCF conditions. As such, the fastest route would be to just apply through the standard process as soon as possible.

Also, having joint sponsorship for I864s in Islamabad appears to be a red flag that almost guarantees administrative processing (AP). If you can in any way fulfill and exceed the I864 conditions without a joint sponsor, I highly recommend it.

DCF is simply a filing method for which you must qualify based on resident status. The visa is CR1 whether you file stateside or Direct Consular Filing. (DCF)

[Shawnra 0]

Details about my situation:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=168772

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=168972

As you can probably see from the above topics I started. I want to go the cr1 route because it is typically quicker, cheaper and also makes for my husband to be capable of getting a job much sooner then the k3 process. I don't know much about DCF or what it even is but know that I can use it if I go back to Pakistan and stay with my husband while filing right? Would I still be filing for cr1, only that I'd be filing from abroad? Would it make my situation any more complicated or take longer? Or would it possibly even be quicker? What are the facts I need to know about DCF and how to use it in my situation?

Is DCF initially the same as filing for i130/cr1?What are the differences? How long would it typically take? Could I still use a joint sponsor? Would being unemployed and not having a personal income source hurt our chances? I really want to get started with this procedure of being with my husband soon.....please help.

EDIT:

I just checked out the DCF guide, and it says that establishing permanent residency for at least 6 months abroad is a must? What if I have a multiple entry visa valid upto 06-16-2013? I don't think that would suffice....any possible way I could work around it? Or would I still end up having to wait 6 months...and getting a residency?

To use DCF, you must be RESIDENT in the country for at least six months. Even living there without being a resident is insufficient to use DCF. You do not have a residency visa for Pakistan so you could not use your multiple entry visa for that. There is no way around this condition. Since you live in Michigan, your case would most likely be assigned to the California Service Center for processing. They specify the timeline for adjudicating I130 petitions (assuming no additional security checks which can happen for Pakistanis) at six months. Therefore, your I130 with USCIS would most likely be approved before you even fulfilled the DCF conditions. As such, the fastest route would be to just apply through the standard process as soon as possible.

Also, having joint sponsorship for I864s in Islamabad appears to be a red flag that almost guarantees administrative processing (AP). If you can in any way fulfill and exceed the I864 conditions without a joint sponsor, I highly recommend it.

I was able to do DCF right after recieving my permanent residency in Brazil. I was granted a temporary visa after I married a Brazilian and filed for residency. After my permanet residency was granted 9 months later (we took our time with it) I was able to immediately file the I-130 directly with the consulate. To meet the 6 month requirement all I had to do was show my temporary visa and my permanent residency visa. The embassy said I had to be a legal resident and have been residing legally within Brazil for 6 months. Not be a permanent resident for 6 months.

You should find out the exact requirements from the embassy in Pakistan.

[Shawnra 0]

Details about my situation:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=168772

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=168972

As you can probably see from the above topics I started. I want to go the cr1 route because it is typically quicker, cheaper and also makes for my husband to be capable of getting a job much sooner then the k3 process. I don't know much about DCF or what it even is but know that I can use it if I go back to Pakistan and stay with my husband while filing right? Would I still be filing for cr1, only that I'd be filing from abroad? Would it make my situation any more complicated or take longer? Or would it possibly even be quicker? What are the facts I need to know about DCF and how to use it in my situation?

Is DCF initially the same as filing for i130/cr1?What are the differences? How long would it typically take? Could I still use a joint sponsor? Would being unemployed and not having a personal income source hurt our chances? I really want to get started with this procedure of being with my husband soon.....please help.

EDIT:

I just checked out the DCF guide, and it says that establishing permanent residency for at least 6 months abroad is a must? What if I have a multiple entry visa valid upto 06-16-2013? I don't think that would suffice....any possible way I could work around it? Or would I still end up having to wait 6 months...and getting a residency?

To use DCF, you must be RESIDENT in the country for at least six months. Even living there without being a resident is insufficient to use DCF. You do not have a residency visa for Pakistan so you could not use your multiple entry visa for that. There is no way around this condition. Since you live in Michigan, your case would most likely be assigned to the California Service Center for processing. They specify the timeline for adjudicating I130 petitions (assuming no additional security checks which can happen for Pakistanis) at six months. Therefore, your I130 with USCIS would most likely be approved before you even fulfilled the DCF conditions. As such, the fastest route would be to just apply through the standard process as soon as possible.

Also, having joint sponsorship for I864s in Islamabad appears to be a red flag that almost guarantees administrative processing (AP). If you can in any way fulfill and exceed the I864 conditions without a joint sponsor, I highly recommend it.

I was able to do DCF right after recieving my permanent residency in Brazil. I was granted a temporary visa after I married a Brazilian and filed for residency. After my permanet residency was granted 9 months later (we took our time with it) I was able to immediately file the I-130 directly with the consulate. To meet the 6 month requirement all I had to do was show my temporary visa and my permanent residency visa. The embassy said I had to be a legal resident and have been residing legally within Brazil for 6 months. Not be a permanent resident for 6 months.

You should find out the exact requirements from the embassy in Pakistan.

But I think your best bet would be to apply stateside. Really DCF is more beneficial for those already living abroad with their spouses. I wouldnt leave the US just to do DCF.