admitted as K-1, too late to go back to DCF? and anyone done DCF in Auckland?

[sadie33138 0]

Sadie would you be willing to please outline the actual steps and process and about how long they each took? I've read the info here but as it and the lady in Auckland says it's all different. Would the first step be actually filing the I-130 in Auckland? I think I have all the necessary documents; I-130, G-325s, I-864, proof of relationship, vaccinations, and would just need to re-do my medical exam there - the Consulate said this takes 3 weeks and I'm not sure why? maybe waiting for results? Can you use any doctor in Auckland? In London there was only one company you were allowed to visit. I wonder if I got my medical from London if an Auckland doctor would accept that?

Thanks very much.

Hi,

Filing the I-130 is the first thing to be done. Your husband has to file this in person at the Auckland Embassy/Consulate. When I filed the I-130 for my husband, we had all our other paperwork with us with the exception of the medical and the NZ Police Report. The Embassy attaches the request for NZ police report to the DS2001, you sign it and give it to them and they order that report themselves. Since you have not been living in NZ, I would think you don't need that but they will tell you. When you file the DS-2001 and they give you an interview date, they give you the medical forms. Remember we were living in New Zealand so it may be different for you in some way. However, the Consulate there will answer any questions for you if you are not sure about the procedures. Beginning last January we began gathering all the police certificates, certified divorce certificate, certified birth certificates, bank letter, IRS transcripts, etc. I wanted to wait to file until we had been married two years so my husband would get IR1. So on May 30th we went to the Auckland Consulate early in the morning to file the I-130. Living in Auckland we were able to do a walk-in to file without having to get an appointment. You can read my description of it in Embassy/USCIS Reviews under New Zealand.

Not all doctors/clinics in New Zealand do US Immigration Exams. The Embassy/Consulate will give you a list of the ones who do. We used City Med as they were our regular clinic but also they are within walking distance of the Embassy/Consulate and you can get the blood test, xray & exam all right there. They are very efficient. The day we filed the I-130 the Consulate accepted the DS2001 & DS230, Part I as well & gave us an interview appointment and letter for two weeks later, as I told the lady officer that we had all the forms ready, all the police certificates, the I-864 and supporting docs, etc. Since we lived in NZ we were not required to do the G325s but since you don't live there, you probably do need them, ask them. Also, you need police certificates for any country you lived in for more than 6 months since age 16.

As you can see from my timeline and my review, from the time we filed the I-130 until my DAH had his visa in his hot hands, was 15 days. Filed I-130 (and they accepted DS230 & DS2001 same day & gave interview letter same day) on May 30, 2006, Interview June 14, 2005, visa arrived in mail by courier June 15, 2006.

Let me know if I can help you more. I have kept copies of everything we got from the Consulate.

Sadie

[evets&netsrik 0]

This is a great help Sadie, thank you very much. I hope to get the packet of info from Auckland this week.

And then might have more questions if that's ok.

Michelle - I would really consider the DCF if you can. I have gone through all the K visa procedure to only now discover there was a better way. Additionally the DCF (at least for Auckland) seems to cost about the same as the AOS in the US (not including plane tickets) but you end up entering the US in a much better position than you do as a K visa holder. You can work straight away and also travel outside of the US and the DCF process is so much faster. And you can probably use your medical and some of the other info you have already collected for your DCF application. Anyway as Meauxna says you need to make the best decision for the 2 of you. good luck!

[sadie33138 0]

This is a great help Sadie, thank you very much. I hope to get the packet of info from Auckland this week.

And then might have more questions if that's ok.

It will be my pleasure to help if I can.

[evets&netsrik 0]

Thanks Sadie. 1st quick question - My husband needs to submit the I-130 in person to the Consulate, but does he also have to attend the interview? do you think it would be 'better' if he did?

We're trying to figure out how long we might have to be in Auckland for.

Thanks.

[sadie33138 0]

Thanks Sadie. 1st quick question - My husband needs to submit the I-130 in person to the Consulate, but does he also have to attend the interview? do you think it would be 'better' if he did?

We're trying to figure out how long we might have to be in Auckland for.

Thanks.

No, he doesn't have to be there for the interview, just to file the I-130. I think if you tell the Consulate your travel plans, they will accomodate you if they can. They are extremely helpful and considerate and if you don't need a NZ police certificate, it will be even quicker as all you will need additionally will be your medical. I will emphasize again that you must have all your documents to support the I-130, DS230 and the I-864. This is crucial to getting a visa quickly.

Edited September 7, 2006 by sadie33138

[CarolineM 0]

Australia and New Zealand aren't one of those harsh countries that can be cruel to the person being interviewd. I went to the interview with STewart bc it was all in one day...but I would have been TOTALLY fine with not going...I knew he'd be fine.

As SAdie has said...have all your docs...have them all complete, correct and in order...

That's the best way!

[evets&netsrik 0]

Hi

Just a quick update - we have sent the DS 230, DS 2001 & request for NZ police check to the consulate for pre-processing.

They have already scheduled an appt for us in late Oct to file the petition and do the interview on the same day! - providing we have everything else completed which we will. They answer all our questions so quickly and efficiently and are very helpful - I can't believe the difference! I'm going to fly down first so I can complete the medical before our interview and then hubby and I can return to the US together.

[evets&netsrik 0]

Just another quick update before I leave for New Zealand tomorrow!

We are giving up on our application in the US and proceeding with DCF at the Auckland Consulate - they have been extremely helpful, answering all of our questions, some within hours of sending the email!

We have all our paperwork in order and will petition (I-130) and be interviewed on the same day which is very helpful. I will update again when we return. Thanks for all the assistance and advice.

[meauxna 15]

Have a wonderful trip, a breathtaking wedding and a successful filing and application!

And tell all when you get home.

[CarolineM 0]

YAY!!

have an amazing trip.

hope you are flying air new zealand - killer rates

[evets&netsrik 0]

Success!!! We have returned from NZ and re-entered the US at SFO with my CR-1 visa!

It is a huge relief to have it completed and was absolutely the best decision to start again, thank you again for all the advice and assistance offered here. The Consulate in NZ was great and we have managed to accomplish in a few weeks what it could have taken years to do in the US. I have written a more in depth review in the Embassy review section. Thanks again!