DCF in UK - How Long? We have a deadline and spouse needs to be in US by JAN.

[kiamha 0]

Hello,

I am a US citizen, I married my husband 2 years ago. I have been living in the UK on a spousal visa since then. He is now going to be starting classes in the New York in January. So, we are trying to figure our if we should go for a K-3 as this would allow him to be in the US and start studying - of do we go for I-R1 and file through DCF in the UK.

Obviously DCF is the prefferable option because as soon as he is approved it is all sorted.

But our absolute priority is that he is here in Jan to begin classes.

Has anyone recently completed the DCF at the embassy in London? Do you hava any idea of the timeline? Also, is there any way to expedite the process?

When I filled for my UK spousal visa at the UK embassy in Chicago - I got my application expedited by having a "handeler" carry the application through for me. What was supposed to be a 6 month process took only 2 weeks! Does this exist for the US applications?

Thanks so much for any help! Marsha

[Darnell 8,478]

You prolly not want to pursue any K-3 visa - see http://www.visajourney.com/news/2010/02/07/department-of-state-to-close-k-3-visas-if-i-129f-and-i-130-petitions-approved-and-received-together/

OTOH, IF you filed the I-130 on Monday to London IV Unit, you have a SLIGHT chance to have interview date close to the first date of school . Maybe. If I were in yer shoes, I'd be walking it in, face to face, USC to VO, and asking for an expedite, face to face.

London got lagged ! It's really weird !

Edited September 17, 2010 by Darnell

[Darnell 8,478]

K-3, since 1 FEB 2010, is effectively dead -

see http://www.visajourney.com/news/2010/02/07/department-of-state-to-close-k-3-visas-if-i-129f-and-i-130-petitions-approved-and-received-together/

[kiamha 0]

You prolly not want to pursue any K-3 visa - see http://www.visajourney.com/news/2010/02/07/department-of-state-to-close-k-3-visas-if-i-129f-and-i-130-petitions-approved-and-received-together/

OTOH, IF you filed the I-130 on Monday to London IV Unit, you have a SLIGHT chance to have interview date close to the first date of school . Maybe. If I were in yer shoes, I'd be walking it in, face to face, USC to VO, and asking for an expedite, face to face.

London got lagged ! It's really weird !

OK - Im really confused now. If the K-3 is going to be Administratively Closed - then why are there still all these topics and posting and information currently for the K-3? Has the K-3 just changed to the I-130 - and it still means the same thing?

And you suggested that I walk it (do you mean the I-130) to the USC to VO - what does this mean? Is this in the US? Are you suggestign that there is not enough time to do DCF in London? this is what I am worried about. And I-R1 wont work either, because agian it takes too long.

THANKS!!!!!

[Darnell 8,478]

I am suggesting that YOU, the USCitizen in this marriage -

walk into the Immigration Visa Unit for the US Embassy in London, UK

and

give the completed I-130 petition to a Visa Officer, face to face, hand to hand

and

whilst there, ask/beg/inquire for any expedite to be done, with that particular Visa Officer.

You, as an American Citizen, have several 'windows of time', each week, where yer ALLOWED to walk in to the Embassy and TALK with a Consular Official.

Since TIME is of the import to you, you really should go on Monday, or at least get scheduled to come in next week.

---

re: K-3 - sorry, K-3 , these last 3 years, is not 'much faster' than the IR-1 and sadly, since 1 FEB 2010, the K-3 is mostly unattainable.

[Boiler 45,525]

K3 is dead

CR1 or maybe a faster option would be a F1 Student Visa, but that is a non immigrant visa so could be tricky.

You have the advantage of the DCF fast track.

[kiamha 0]

K3 is dead

CR1 or maybe a faster option would be a F1 Student Visa, but that is a non immigrant visa so could be tricky.

You have the advantage of the DCF fast track.

[/quote ]

Thanks for your post!

The student visa wouldn't work because of the financial requirements and restrictions.

Also, if my understanding is correct then the CR1 wouldn't apply, as we've been married over 2 years. However, to apply for the IR1 is where the problem comes in - because he would not be able to travel to the US till approved. If we file DCF for the IR1 then it may just may happen in time - but this is what I'm trying to clarify.

What is DCF fast track and how can I find out if we qualify?

Also, if the K-3 is dead is there something that has taken its place? Why is it still on the US websites? How confusing!

Please do correct me if my understanding is wrong!

Thanks Again!!!!!

[canadian_wife 1,822]

What Boiler meant was that DCF is the fast-track. DCF shaves MONTHS off your total processing time. This is the way to go although being there by Jan. is tight. You'll want to file ASAP and contact the school to see what would happen if the January deadline comes and goes without him having an immigrant visa.

The K-3 is still on the website because there are still those who were approved before February 1, 2010 that can get a K-3. Otherwise it is a dead visa. Besides, the K-3 will take months longer than the DCF.

Expedites are typically reserved for active military pending deployment, life/death circumstances, terminal illnesses, or USCIS/consulate error. Your best bet is to file NOW.

Goo luck

[Boiler 45,525]

If you have indefinite leave to remain in the UK you qualify for DCF.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Two duplicate threads have been moved from K-3 Forum and Bringing Family members of US citizens to America forum and merged with existing duplicate thread already here. Duplicate posts have been removed.

It is not necessary or desirable to post the same topic in more than one forum. This is the correct forum for the question and the one in which you will get the best answers.

[kiamha 0]

So, am I correct in understanding that the IR1 is now my Only Option? And that it can either be done DCF or slowly? But that's it. There is no more I-30?

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

You file the I-130 at the start no matter what. The K3, even if it was an option (we have had one member on here get a K3 interview recently, but 99% are closed at NVC stage) would not be significantly faster than the IR-1, so it won't help you.If you file the IR-1 "normally" via the Chicago lockbox, no way will he have his visa by January. If you file DCF (if elligible- are you legally resident in the UK for at least 6 months?), you might get it done in time, though I believe LOndon has a backlog right now, hence Darnell's recommendation of going in person and pleading your case for a quick interview.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

IR-1 is the visa. I-130 is the name of the form you fill out. The I-130 petition will lead you to an Ir-1 visa

I suggest you familiarize youself with the guides

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

http://www.visajourney.com/content/dcf

Good luck

[Stann 3]

HI,

I did IR1 DCF thru London embassy and it took 5 months, I applied at the start of Jan and arrived in US at start of June.

Always try and have everything ready for the next steps by following the guides in here, for example apply for your police report now, my case would probably have been about 2 weeks quicker if I had really been on this as I waited for each packet to arrive from the embassy to then collect my paperwork

Good Luck

Stacey

[kiamha 0]

Wow. Thanks Everyone!

I am just really dissapointed. With the IR1 Matt is not able to come to the US. I am in the UK at the moment, but was planning on going to the US straight away and with the K3, he would have been able to come too until he was approved. And as well being able to be here by at the latest Jan to start classes.

So there is no way for him to come to the US until his IR1 is approved? This is the Only Option that we have?