UK DCF -- the ins and outs and ups and downs

[Matt_UK 0]

It does seem to be very dependant on how well the I-130 progresses. A RFE seems to take about a week minimum to gather all the information and seems to add about 3 weeks on average.

I do think they've caught up somewhat after an early 2010 rush, as they are now processing applications around 5 weeks after receipt.

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/dhs/uscis/i130filing.html

I'm sending mine back this week so hopefully things will seem to speed up, or at least feel like they're progressing again.

[jhphi 0]

It does seem to be very dependant on how well the I-130 progresses. A RFE seems to take about a week minimum to gather all the information and seems to add about 3 weeks on average.

What helped us avoid delay was preparing affidavits in advance, in anticipation of getting a request for evidence (I expected one as we'd only been married for a month when I filed the I-130). It sounds like getting a RFE asking for 3 family/friends statements plus a "couple" statement is quite a popular request. I would definitely advise that any London DCFers get these prepared at the same time as filing the I-130, or shortly after, if you're in any sort of rush. All it takes is getting three family and friends to write a brief statement, and preparing one yourself. Then, if you get that particular RFE, you can turn it around quickly and get the requested statements back in the mail that same day.

Keep us updated, Matt_UK!

[Taavy 0]

Congrats Taavy! Glad my letter helped you. Hope your visa shows up sooner than two weeks from now!

Yaaay visa and MBE came this morning . I am really happy that this is over. It took 7 working days after the interview. Good luck guys and thanks once again.

[jhphi 0]

Yaaay visa and MBE came this morning . I am really happy that this is over. It took 7 working days after the interview. Good luck guys and thanks once again.

That's great news, Taavy!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Matt_UK 0]

Congratulations Taavy ^^

[Taavy 0]

Thanks jphi and Matt_UK

[uk2usa2010 2]

Packet 4 arrived today and interview set for 24 May. Waahoo. Need to get collecting the evidence on the establishing domicile stuff now!

[jhphi 0]

Sending out good wishes to Hokie97 and londonhornet, who are interviewing tomorrow! Good luck, all!

Congrats, uk2usa2010!

Edited April 15, 2010 by jhphi

[Hokie97 5]

Thanks everyone for the well wishes. Will see you all here on Saturday.

[Hokie97 5]

Hi everybody. We just got back from London today and our interview yesterday was great. The word "interview" really doesn't describe it... the only question they asked was directed at my husband, and was "where are you moving to?"

I posted my review on my timeline here: http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=70063

They said we should have the passports back within a week.

[ohlpomr 0]

Sorry I've never posted here before, I've been in the UK interview thread, jphi asked me to post here though I don't have anything helpful to anyone. DCF'ed London beginning August 09, got RFEd, replied, got NOA2d, interviewed, got denied, and on Friday sent back the passport via courier with additional domicile documents. Pretty much at the end of the line here but checking in anyways. Best of luck to everyone.

[jhphi 0]

Thanks for coming to visit us, ohlpomr!

I think reading your posts has been very useful as your journey helps show those of us still in the process how to handle problems/stumbling blocks. For example, if you hadn't had success calling to get your interview date changed, Hokie97 may have never known that she could call and ask for an earlier interview date, and she would still be sitting around waiting, instead of getting approved on Friday. Plus, your experience at the interview is a really good reminder to all of us awaiting interview to make sure we prepare our proof of intent to reestablish domicile. Some people have said that London is being more strict on that issue recently. My husband definitely now knows what to anticipate being asked, and how he should answer.

Fingers crossed that they send over your approval soon, after they get all your domicile docs! Good luck!

[Hokie97 5]

Plus, your experience at the interview is a really good reminder to all of us awaiting interview to make sure we prepare our proof of intent to reestablish domicile. Some people have said that London is being more strict on that issue recently. My husband definitely now knows what to anticipate being asked, and how he should answer.

I was surprised that all they wanted from me was my lease (it was an email print out, nothing official) and a photocopy of my voter registration card. I offered the lease, he asked to see the voter card (it was listed the statement I handed him). To me, having a voter registration card in my possession does not prove anything as far as my intent to return to the US. I had all this stuff ready and he didn't want any of it. Honestly, his tone was almost apologetic, as if to say you meet all the requirements, but I have to get you to prove this because they make me... I don't know, it's just how it seemed to me.

[englese 0]

Hey there! We are currently waiting for our NOA2 and the consulate has been processing our NOA1 date (March 1st) for the past 3 weeks now. Does anyone know much about this part of the cycle? Any idea if they send approvals or RFE's all together at once or do they slowly send them out throughout the month? We are just getting a little impatient.

[Hokie97 5]

We just got a text that said the courier will be delivering tomorrow between 8 and 6. That will be the third business day. There was also an option to upgrade to a specific time of day delivery(which you also could have done at the embassy), but we'd made plans to be here all day anyway so no sense in spending the extra money.