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

[Holly2234 66]

No i hadn't. Thanks for that, its a great help. I read somewhere (cant remember where, done so much reading about all of this) that they need to be filled in on a computer. Can it just be printed off and written on for the DCF?

[Keeto 12]

No i hadn't. Thanks for that, its a great help. I read somewhere (cant remember where, done so much reading about all of this) that they need to be filled in on a computer. Can it just be printed off and written on for the DCF?

The DS-230 says: "Please print or type your answers to all questions."

The I-864 does not give any guidance on how to complete...

I've completed all my documents on my PC. Printed and then signed and dated. You need Adobe Reader to complete most of them. It's a free download if you don't have it already.

I think they (consulate) would prefer if you can type them. It will make life easier for them and you and remove confusion from illegible handwriting etc...but that is my personal opinion BTW.

[Holly2234 66]

Thanks Ive done all of my forms on my laptop then printed, its just the I-864 thats the issue because my father in law is doing one for me but they cant seem to get their printer set up! Its been sitting there a year so theres no chance its going to happen. I was either going to snail mail it for him to fill in by hand or do it on my computer then send it to him to check over and sign.

[Keeto 12]

BTW I found this

I-864 can be typed or completed in black ink - CAPITALS.

[Holly2234 66]

Thanks so much You've been a great help! Thats exactly what i needed to know on that page. I feel like im going round in circles some days with so much conflicting information out there! Everything seems to be different from London.

[Keeto 12]

Thanks so much You've been a great help! Thats exactly what i needed to know on that page. I feel like im going round in circles some days with so much conflicting information out there! Everything seems to be different from London.

Yeah. I know how you feel. The domicile "thing" has got me confused right now....I can't understand how you supposed to proof (or the intent thereof) "domicile" if the USC has lived in the UK for 6 years.......maybe some one can comment on that please?

The options that are on the US London Embassy website and the Dept of State website does not apply to my wife right now...

[Holly2234 66]

Im not really sure what needs proving since i havent got to that stage yet (And youve been the one helping me with mine ) But i hope somebody can answer for you

NOA1 Email arrived today It says the current processing time is approximately 4 months. The waiting game has begun! Gives me plenty of time to find a professional to sign my photo for the police certificate anyway I dont want to take advantage of my poor dentist since she signed my daughters passport one just a couple of months ago free of charge for me. So i bought chocolate for her (chocolate for a dentist is ok i think ).

[Chrissy&Mark 0]

Yeah. I know how you feel. The domicile "thing" has got me confused right now....I can't understand how you supposed to proof (or the intent thereof) "domicile" if the USC has lived in the UK for 6 years.......maybe some one can comment on that please?

The options that are on the US London Embassy website and the Dept of State website does not apply to my wife right now...

The instructions for the I-864 (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864instr.pdf) and the Embassy website (http://london.usembassy.gov/faq_i864_domicile.html) indicate that things such as a valuation of property in the UK (ie showing you are selling your home), rental contract for property in the US, job offer in the US, etc are all suitable to show intent to re-establish domicile in the US.

Our interview is tomorrow, and we have included both a rental contract (other counterparty is a relative; we have done a 6 month contract) and the valuation/memorandum of sale for our property. I have already resigned from work, as I am on 3 months notice, and am tempted to also include the letter from my employer confirming my resignation for further evidence. Hopefully all this suffices, but I will let you know if not.

[Keeto 12]

The instructions for the I-864 (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864instr.pdf) and the Embassy website (http://london.usembassy.gov/faq_i864_domicile.html) indicate that things such as a valuation of property in the UK (ie showing you are selling your home), rental contract for property in the US, job offer in the US, etc are all suitable to show intent to re-establish domicile in the US.

Our interview is tomorrow, and we have included both a rental contract (other counterparty is a relative; we have done a 6 month contract) and the valuation/memorandum of sale for our property. I have already resigned from work, as I am on 3 months notice, and am tempted to also include the letter from my employer confirming my resignation for further evidence. Hopefully all this suffices, but I will let you know if not.

Thanks. But as I said before most of those options don't apply to us right now.

1 - We don't have property here in the UK - we rent unfortunately.

2 - We're going to live with my MIL to save money to buy a house - so therefore no rental contract Stateside.

3 - Seems job offer in the US is the only thing left at the mo...but even that is quite difficult to do as both of us need to give 3 months notice in the UK...as I don't think a US company is going to sit and wait around for 3+ months after a job offer....

OR will anything else like US Bank Statements etc work as most of my wife's "stuff" still goes to her mum's address in the US?

GOOD LUCK with your interview tomorrow! Hope everything goes 100%!

Edited May 21, 2012 by Keeto

[Chrissy&Mark 0]

Thanks. But as I said before most of those options don't apply to us right now.

1 - We don't have property here in the UK - we rent unfortunately.

2 - We're going to live with my MIL to save money to buy a house - so therefore no rental contract Stateside.

3 - Seems job offer in the US is the only thing left at the mo...but even that is quite difficult to do as both of us need to give 3 months notice in the UK...as I don't think a US company us going to sit and wait around for 3+ months after a job offer....

OR will anything else like US Bank Statements etc work as most of my wife's "stuff" still goes to her mum's address in the US?

GOOD LUCK with your interview tomorrow! Hope everything goes 100%!

Thanks!

I think you should agree a 'rental contract' with your MIL (this is what we are doing). I've previously heard the UK are less strict on this than other countries, so even contacting recruiters actively in the US or copy of notice given to your work or landlord may suffice to show you are winding things up here. At the end of the day, you are seeking to legitimately move there, so it is just a matter of documenting how you are going about it, even if they aren't documents as significant as a valuation, etc.

[dukespecial 0]

I thought this would be better to reply to rather than starting a new topic. We plan to move back to America next year but are unsure when to apply via DCF, whether it should be 10 months before or 4 months? My wife (USC) will be returning to America on March 17th and I intend for the interview to be approximately 2 months after that date so what would be the best date for us to begin the application?

[Holly2234 66]

The process from NOA1 to NOA2 is currently 4 months (according to the letter they sent me last month) and then from what i have seen it can be another 2-4 months after that until the interview if you have all of your forms ready and can get the medical done asap after NOA2.

Im not saying this is 100% accurate because things change all the time and it is different for every case, but if i were in your position and wished for the interview to be May 2013, i would send off the I-130 in about September/October. If things happen fast for you, you could always take a couple of weeks to schedule the medical etc and buy yourself another month that way.

[Keeto 12]

...if you have all of your forms ready and can get the medical done asap after NOA2.

Just a small correction on that - I have all my forms ready....but is still waiting for Packet 3 with our case number on it.

You need the case number to book the medical.

I phoned the surgery that does the medicals last week and they told me I can't book the medical without a case number...then I phoned the embassy to check with them and they could find nothing on the system. The guy asked me: "Did you get your approval for the I-130?" (NOA2) I said yes on the 9th. He replied: "Well I think you'll have to wait another week...."

[Holly2234 66]

Yes what Keeto said! I missed that part

[Chrissy&Mark 0]

I thought this would be better to reply to rather than starting a new topic. We plan to move back to America next year but are unsure when to apply via DCF, whether it should be 10 months before or 4 months? My wife (USC) will be returning to America on March 17th and I intend for the interview to be approximately 2 months after that date so what would be the best date for us to begin the application?

I would apply sooner rather than later; it is much easier to length the process than it is to speed it up; for example you have 6 months to submit the visa application after NOA2 - we sent ours in immediately, but you could delay it. The visa is also valid for 6 months after you receive it, so you don't have to enter the US straight away. Our process took about 6 months in total, and we were on top of everything - sent back all forms immediately, booked the medical ASAP, etc. I would suggest applying at least 10 months before you want to go to the US, as USCIS suggests.