Doing DCF in Morocco

[deeshla 0]

Hello -- I am relatively new to VJ and so far it has been very helpful -- especially the good news about DCF and its speed...

Husband and I are doing a DCF in Casablanca and it has been pretty easy (not counting the attitude of one horrible CO in Casa) -- maybe too easy - thus the questions. I am assuming that DCF's procedures and required p/w are the same in every country so I would appreciate information from all -- not just those going through Casablanca (are there any of you out there?)

1.) What happens at the interview? I read all the interview stories here but what about a DCF? Are they really looking to prove the relationship even if we have been together for 3 years and I am pregnant?

2.) Are they doing some sort of security check on him (if so, using which documents?) (I am asking this because his interview is July 25th and we just now got a copy of his passport to the Consulate!)

3.) What happens after the interview? They say on their website that the visa is usually ready to pick up the following day - could this be true? I hear so many stories to the contrary. Also - will his passport be stamped with something that gives him automatic PR status? I.e. will he be able to look for work, get driver's license immediately? (Today someone told me this takes 90 days after visa issuance!)

Thanks for any information. I have tried to email and ask questions of the Consulate staff but they absolutely respond to nothing. Apparently silence is their policy. Weird.

Thanks again!

Amanda

[sarah and hicham 3]

I don't know about DCF but I know that it is rare in Casa to get the Visa the next day. They almost always require security checks. Good luck, I hope things continue going as smoothly as they have so far for you guys.

[Boiler 45,482]

Hello -- I am relatively new to VJ and so far it has been very helpful -- especially the good news about DCF and its speed...

Husband and I are doing a DCF in Casablanca and it has been pretty easy (not counting the attitude of one horrible CO in Casa) -- maybe too easy - thus the questions. I am assuming that DCF's procedures and required p/w are the same in every country so I would appreciate information from all -- not just those going through Casablanca (are there any of you out there?)

1.) What happens at the interview? I read all the interview stories here but what about a DCF? Are they really looking to prove the relationship even if we have been together for 3 years and I am pregnant?

2.) Are they doing some sort of security check on him (if so, using which documents?) (I am asking this because his interview is July 25th and we just now got a copy of his passport to the Consulate!)

3.) What happens after the interview? They say on their website that the visa is usually ready to pick up the following day - could this be true? I hear so many stories to the contrary. Also - will his passport be stamped with something that gives him automatic PR status? I.e. will he be able to look for work, get driver's license immediately? (Today someone told me this takes 90 days after visa issuance!)

Thanks for any information. I have tried to email and ask questions of the Consulate staff but they absolutely respond to nothing. Apparently silence is their policy. Weird.

Thanks again!

Amanda

1. The basic same process, each interview varies slightly.

2. The security check happens after they have otherwise cleared him for a visa.

3. He enters as a GC holder, I would guess you ahve been looking at those entering on K visa's.

[kofuku 0]

Amanda,

Congratulations on the baby. You are probably the first VJ'r to do DCF in Casa. Casa CO's do have a bad rep and are known to make the interview process a living hell for some. They will surely ask questions to establish the legitimacy of your relationship regardless of your length of marriage so be prepared for some personal questions. Some people have had their visas ready the day after the interview, while others have had to wait for AR. Usually AR takes some time, but I think it is longer with K-1 visa holders because they are not proccessed at DOS like I-130's. The good news is that your husband can recieve a 10yr GC without conditions and can work immediately after entering POE. Please post after your husband's interview. It will certainly help others in the future.

Sending you best wishes,

Christine

[sarah and hicham 3]

I am a K-1. We did not do DCF but we were put on AP and it went through DOS. It lasted one week for us. I know people who were K-3's who were on it for several weeks, and some for a few days... who knows why.

[sarah and hicham 3]

I am a K-1. We did not do DCF but we were put on AP and it went through DOS. It lasted one week for us. I know people who were K-3's who were on it for several weeks, and some for a few days... who knows why.

[deeshla 0]

Amanda,

Congratulations on the baby. You are probably the first VJ'r to do DCF in Casa. Casa CO's do have a bad rep and are known to make the interview process a living hell for some. They will surely ask questions to establish the legitimacy of your relationship regardless of your length of marriage so be prepared for some personal questions. Some people have had their visas ready the day after the interview, while others have had to wait for AR. Usually AR takes some time, but I think it is longer with K-1 visa holders because they are not proccessed at DOS like I-130's. The good news is that your husband can recieve a 10yr GC without conditions and can work immediately after entering POE. Please post after your husband's interview. It will certainly help others in the future.

Sending you best wishes,

Christine

Thank you for your help! I am the first one? Wow. I know of a few people that did it before (and like me they were Peace Corps volunteers) and they both said visa was available the same day (or next afternoon) without security checks (maybe they do these before?) He was required to bring in a police certificate saying he was crime-free. But people keep telling me (online and in real life) how much harder things are going to be.

I guess it is a "wait and see" thing now. Thanks again.

Amanda

I am a K-1. We did not do DCF but we were put on AP and it went through DOS. It lasted one week for us. I know people who were K-3's who were on it for several weeks, and some for a few days... who knows why.

I am sorry -- what is AP and what is DOS? I am new to all this!

Thanks,

Amanda

(my guy is a Hicham too)

This is my first post and I'm confused. I didn't think Morocco did DCF. What are the requirements? Thank you.

Hi, Morocco does do DCF but I think there is a residency requirement on the part of the American. I have lived here for 3 years - but I think it is 6 months that they require. Don't quote me on that. The website to the US consulate in Casablanca (http://www.usembassy.ma/Consular/Services/) has more.

The same things are required as other DCFs as far as I can tell. Things are much more personal and faster this way and there seems to be less doubt cast on the relationship. Casablanca is something of a paranoia zone right now. I will share more as it happens, including a timeline for future reference.

My best,

Amanda

[kofuku 0]

Amanda,

As a fellow RPCV, it seems that security checks do go a bit quicker for our spouses. I was still in the PC when I filed for my husband's visa and the background checks that were required for us prior to marriage appeared to help speed the visa process for us.

I think Sara meant 'AR'(administrative review), and not AP. Correct me if I am wrong, Sarah. DOS is Dept. of State.

FYI, there is a timeline section, you can access on this website that can be accessed under your screen name where you post. You can add in dates so that others can see your progress.

Keep us posted,

Christine

[sarah and hicham 3]

I meant AP, Administrative Processing which was a name check at the Department of State. He was issued a 221g for processing in Washington. His name cleared in one week and we were issued the Visa.

Good luck,

Sarah