No More Direct Consular Filing (DCF) in India

[catknit 144]

I still am curious if this is temporary due to their offices moving. Given the volume that goes thru this specific office, I can't imagine the backlash from the large expat community in Delhi and the surrounds.

[sara..... 371]

I still am curious if this is temporary due to their offices moving. Given the volume that goes thru this specific office, I can't imagine the backlash from the large expat community in Delhi and the surrounds.

it just boggles my mind, i guess i have to hear it or see it someplace that states it clearly cuz that will sure put an end to our plans

sara

[Nik+Heather 121]

Ummm, according to the website for the Embassy in Delhi - all the info is still there:

http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/uscisi130fil.html

Only thing that has changed recently is not being able to accept cash for the fees.

I read the whole link. There is NOTHING in there about the I-130 no longer being accepted. It only speaks about cash, as Milo said.

Stop whipping people up into a frenzy. State your source and back it up, if you believe otherwise.

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

As others said, please source any information like this. Members, please keep in mind this is un-sourced information and as such it should be treated accordingly.

[CA dreamer 3]

Each embassy can make up their own rules, based on their local conditions as boby umit mentioned,cause usem employees study the local sociology of the country and traditions before they deal with it's people,so sure u guys misunderstood the situation they may say that the usc must have residence in india and not file dcf on a tourist visa,thats what is going in egypt,to have residence on the us passport for 6 months,and obliged to stay continious 6 months with the beneficiary with no exits.so i think dcf is the best solution for usc who reside and work in diff countries and it is not a way to fasten the process.

[sara..... 371]

Each embassy can make up their own rules, based on their local conditions as boby umit mentioned,cause usem employees study the local sociology of the country and traditions before they deal with it's people,so sure u guys misunderstood the situation they may say that the usc must have residence in india and not file dcf on a tourist visa,thats what is going in egypt,to have residence on the us passport for 6 months,and obliged to stay continious 6 months with the beneficiary with no exits.so i think dcf is the best solution for usc who reside and work in diff countries and it is not a way to fasten the process.

i for one am not trying to fasten anything, i been stuck at csc for almost two years and planning on going to india to get married and stay long enough to do direct filing at least that it the plan at some point in the crazy ride. k1 was suppose to be the fast route

sara

Edited June 16, 2009 by estadia

[catknit 144]

I emailed the consulate since I will be filing DCF shortly - This was there response as of 6/17/09:

"Please be advised that only the U.S. Citizens whose principle abode is in India are eligible to file the I-130 application for their immediate relative. You need to provide the evidential documentation to prove your abode in India .

For more detailed instructions please click here for filing I-130 application.

Effective May 1, 2009; the exchange rate will be $1.00 = Rs.50.00. And you need to submit the filing fee of Rs.17,750/- in the form of demand draft favoring American Embassy, New Delhi .

Sincerely,

USCIS, New Delhi

India"

I stand by my earlier comment that given the USCIS office at the consulate is physically moving their office [what their email autoreply states] that the week listed on the email when the offices are closed they will NOT be open to the public and by default will NOT accept petitions that week. I have NOT found anything stating that the New Delhi consulate is permanently stopping the DCF process.

[gqbabson 0]

Catknit - thanks for providing proof for your claims!!!

=)

I emailed the consulate since I will be filing DCF shortly - This was there response as of 6/17/09:

"Please be advised that only the U.S. Citizens whose principle abode is in India are eligible to file the I-130 application for their immediate relative. You need to provide the evidential documentation to prove your abode in India .

For more detailed instructions please click here for filing I-130 application.

Effective May 1, 2009; the exchange rate will be $1.00 = Rs.50.00. And you need to submit the filing fee of Rs.17,750/- in the form of demand draft favoring American Embassy, New Delhi .

Sincerely,

USCIS, New Delhi

India"

I stand by my earlier comment that given the USCIS office at the consulate is physically moving their office [what their email autoreply states] that the week listed on the email when the offices are closed they will NOT be open to the public and by default will NOT accept petitions that week. I have NOT found anything stating that the New Delhi consulate is permanently stopping the DCF process.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

I emailed the consulate since I will be filing DCF shortly - This was there response as of 6/17/09:

"Please be advised that only the U.S. Citizens whose principle abode is in India are eligible to file the I-130 application for their immediate relative. You need to provide the evidential documentation to prove your abode in India .

For more detailed instructions please click here for filing I-130 application.

Effective May 1, 2009; the exchange rate will be $1.00 = Rs.50.00. And you need to submit the filing fee of Rs.17,750/- in the form of demand draft favoring American Embassy, New Delhi .

Sincerely,

USCIS, New Delhi

India"

I stand by my earlier comment that given the USCIS office at the consulate is physically moving their office [what their email autoreply states] that the week listed on the email when the offices are closed they will NOT be open to the public and by default will NOT accept petitions that week. I have NOT found anything stating that the New Delhi consulate is permanently stopping the DCF process.

Concur - I wrote an email to them to - and got the same answer.

They will be closed as noted - but only because they are moving...

For reference - here is the mail I received:

First auto responder:

Out of Office AutoReply: Hello - question‏

From: NDI, CIS (cis.ndi@dhs.gov)

Sent: Wed 6/17/09 12:03 PM

To: Stone

This USCIS office will be closed to the public from July 13 to July 24, 2009 - Monday to Friday - due to relocation of the office. The office will be open to the public July 27, 2009. We regret any inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding. For emergency matters please contact the Embassy Control Line at +91+11+2419-8000.

Then the answer:

RE: Hello - question‏

From: NDI, CIS (cis.ndi@dhs.gov)

Sent: Thu 6/18/09 3:09 AM

To: Stone

Please be advised that only the U.S. Citizens whose principle abode is in India are eligible to file the I-130 application for their immediate relative. You need to provide the evidential documentation to prove your abode in India.

For more detailed instructions please click here for filing I-130 application.

Effective May 1, 2009; the exchange rate will be $1.00 = Rs.50.00. And you need to submit the filing fee of Rs.17,750-00 in the form of demand draft favoring American Embassy, New Delhi.

Sincerely,

USCIS, New Delhi

India

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Stone

Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 9:33 PM

To: NDI, CIS

Subject: Hello - question

Someone told me that New Delhi is no longer allowing DCF’s for visas. Is this true?

Thanks

Bob

pretty fast in the reply I thought

Edited June 18, 2009 by Bobby_Umit

[amnyc86 1]

No More Direct Consular Filing (DCF) in India??????????????

Hey Shergill...my husband and I (USC)went to NDelhi to do DCF but was turned away on May 13th...we were told by an American woman that they do not do DCF any more...and that we did not meet their residential criterias as I did not own property, pay taxes, have employment there etc...we both were of course shocked, b/c we knew someone who had gone to do this and was able to file...we went back w/ more info the following Mon 5/18 and was accepted...

I also met another filer(USC) who was turned away; her brother(USC) had in fact filed just 3 weeks prior and accepted...

So be careful, or be vigilent...they are asking more questions and want proof of residency...a joint bank account is recommended once the USC and Indian citizen has gotten married...

We are still waiting for the check off list/packet from the Mumbai embassy... I figured that there may be a delay b/c of the Memorial Day holiday, but now it has been over 30 days since we have filed...does anyone else have anything to add?

[P Biju 0]

To qualify for DCF from Delhi, Whether the US Citizen must stay in India more than 3 months? Is there any time frame for applying? What all are the evidential documentation to prove us citizen as abode in India?

[Niraj shah 0]

To qualify for DCF from Delhi, Whether the US Citizen must stay in India more than 3 months? Is there any time frame for applying? What all are the evidential documentation to prove us citizen as abode in India?

same question please reply...

any one who knows @ current status of US embassy ,delhi..final status....

any contact person..

[kaffy 2]

http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/uscisi130pet.html

[daboyz 36]

http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/uscisi130pet.html

Pretty clear. Looks like DCF is fine if you follow their rules.