recent timelines Frankfurt

[sandra68 10]

Hello forum members,

I'd like to find some current timelines for Frankfurt, Germany and do you think it is better to go in person to give them the paperwork or is there no difference when doing it by mail.

Thank you all

Sandra

[ClimateGuy 0]

I'm an American citizen who lives in Germany and I'm trying to get an IR-1/CR-1 visa for my wife,an Italian citizen who lives with me in Germany.

I sent my I-130 packet to USCIS Frankfurt by mail at the end of May. I was then outside of Germany until July 15th. When I got home to Germany, my packet had been returned to me because the credit card payment was denied (the bank suspected fraud for some reason).

I happened to be in Frankfurt anyway on July 25th, so I delivered it in person and paid in cash.

Then, I waited and in the meantime, I sent my DS-230 packet to the Frankfurt Consulate and my wife did her Medical Interview. Originally, I thought I would need to wait until the I-130 was approved before sending the DS-230, but when I went to deliver the I-130 packet, I talked with the Consular staff and they gave me a case number in advance of the I-130 approval.

I finally heard something from USCIS Rome at the end of September, asking for translations of some German documents.

It took me a few weeks to send those in because I was again travelling outside of Germany.

I got an email on October 30th from USCIS Rome saying my petition had been approved and that they would forward my petition to the consulate in Frankfurt.

Now, its been about 2 weeks, and I'm waiting again.

The Foreign Service Officers on the Consular side have been quick and friendly about everything. The USCIS staff seem to be overworked.

[sandra68 10]

I'm an American citizen who lives in Germany and I'm trying to get an IR-1/CR-1 visa for my wife,an Italian citizen who lives with me in Germany.

I sent my I-130 packet to USCIS Frankfurt by mail at the end of May. I was then outside of Germany until July 15th. When I got home to Germany, my packet had been returned to me because the credit card payment was denied (the bank suspected fraud for some reason).

I happened to be in Frankfurt anyway on July 25th, so I delivered it in person and paid in cash.

Then, I waited and in the meantime, I sent my DS-230 packet to the Frankfurt Consulate and my wife did her Medical Interview. Originally, I thought I would need to wait until the I-130 was approved before sending the DS-230, but when I went to deliver the I-130 packet, I talked with the Consular staff and they gave me a case number in advance of the I-130 approval.

I finally heard something from USCIS Rome at the end of September, asking for translations of some German documents.

It took me a few weeks to send those in because I was again travelling outside of Germany.

I got an email on October 30th from USCIS Rome saying my petition had been approved and that they would forward my petition to the consulate in Frankfurt.

Now, its been about 2 weeks, and I'm waiting again.

The Foreign Service Officers on the Consular side have been quick and friendly about everything. The USCIS staff seem to be overworked.

Thank you for your info. When you took the package to the consulate, had you made an appointment in advance?

I read somewhere else that someone else gave the DS-230 package the same day aswell, I have started collecting the required papers already so it will be somewhat easier, I hope.

You know if USCIS Rome is always involved when it concers Frankfurt, or was it because your wife is Italian? (sorry for all the questions)

Thanks!

[ClimateGuy 0]

Thank you for your info. When you took the package to the consulate, had you made an appointment in advance?

I read somewhere else that someone else gave the DS-230 package the same day aswell, I have started collecting the required papers already so it will be somewhat easier, I hope.

You know if USCIS Rome is always involved when it concers Frankfurt, or was it because your wife is Italian? (sorry for all the questions)

Thanks!

Frankfurt does not allow "walk-ins", you must make an an INFOPASS appointment through their website. This has been the case at every American consulate I've ever been to.

Some tips regarding the appointment:

1) Bring your appointment letter

2) If you can avoid it, don't bring any kind of electronics or bags. They will send you down the street and you'll have to pay to leave your stuff at a kiosk. If you can't avoid bringing that stuff, arrive early and make sure you have a bag big enough to hold all your stuff, because the kiosk charges per item.

3) Bring a book because their concept of "appointment" is different than mine.

USCIS Rome said they were involved because USCIS Frankfurt was overloaded with petitions. USCIS Rome is the district office with oversight over many other European and African USCIS offices.

You don't need to have all of your DS-230 package ready. You can give them DS-230 (parts 1 and 2) and whatever documents you already have. Then, you can mail the remaining documents later.

Some hints for filling out the forms.

1) Use black ink.

2) Fill in EVERY SINGLE QUESTION. Even if doesn't apply to you, instead write N/A , NONE, NO CHILDREN, etc.

3) Don't sign the DS-230 Part II form, the non-USC spouse must sign this at the Consulate during the interview

4) Provide evidence of that your marriage is Bona Fide. Wedding photos, photos with each other's friends and family, joint lease/bank statements, etc.

[sandra68 10]

Frankfurt does not allow "walk-ins", you must make an an INFOPASS appointment through their website. This has been the case at every American consulate I've ever been to.

Some tips regarding the appointment:

1) Bring your appointment letter

2) If you can avoid it, don't bring any kind of electronics or bags. They will send you down the street and you'll have to pay to leave your stuff at a kiosk. If you can't avoid bringing that stuff, arrive early and make sure you have a bag big enough to hold all your stuff, because the kiosk charges per item.

3) Bring a book because their concept of "appointment" is different than mine.

USCIS Rome said they were involved because USCIS Frankfurt was overloaded with petitions. USCIS Rome is the district office with oversight over many other European and African USCIS offices.

You don't need to have all of your DS-230 package ready. You can give them DS-230 (parts 1 and 2) and whatever documents you already have. Then, you can mail the remaining documents later.

Some hints for filling out the forms.

1) Use black ink.

2) Fill in EVERY SINGLE QUESTION. Even if doesn't apply to you, instead write N/A , NONE, NO CHILDREN, etc.

3) Don't sign the DS-230 Part II form, the non-USC spouse must sign this at the Consulate during the interview

4) Provide evidence of that your marriage is Bona Fide. Wedding photos, photos with each other's friends and family, joint lease/bank statements, etc.

Thank you!!