DCF or K-1 Visa??

[Justin1303 0]

Hey guys im from the Dominican Republic i have been with my girlfriend for a year and 3 months and have known each other for a year and 6 months. I do reside here in the Dominican Republic for 8 years and recently i have been thinking of going back to the states (I was born in NY) and i want to bring my girlfriend with me. I started to do the fiance visa process then i found out right here about the DCF dont really know how it really works but what would be the best process for me to do. ( DCF was told to me it is alot shorter and i have no problem in getting married here but is it safer?)

Should i finish the K-1 visa process or go for the DCF CR1/IR1 VISA ???

[Dbkrantz 16]

DCF is good because you don't have to deal with AOS, this means that when she enters the US, she will have a green card.

It's hard to advise on whether or not you should cancel the k-1, it depends on how far you are in the process.

If you choose to do the DCF:

You need to get married than file the I-130 with supporting documents to the embassy and then follow the process.

Get police certificates, birth certificates and other supporting documents as well as an affidavit of support...

[MrTee12 64]

This is what I put together so far. There may some things I need to find out further information for. This should answer most of your questions. To proceed with this you will need to cancel your K1. But again, the choice is yours. This process is much much quicker.

DIRECT CONSULAR FILING (DCF)

For those filing for a visa through the U.S. Consulate, you will have to get married first and file for IR1/CR1 visa called Direct Consular Filing (DCF). This is the fastest visa process. To qualify for this, you must be currently living with your partner (beneficiary) in their native country (Dom Rep.) for at least 6 months prior to filing (some rare exceptions may apply).

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

After marriage, you can call the Consulate or even go in person to initiate the process. You will have to make an appointment to drop the “required documents” off and have your case reviewed to ensure qualification.

You will have file the I-130 directly with the Consulate along with supporting evidence. Make sure you have the following.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
-I-130 (petition)

-Supporting Evidence of Relationship (Joint property ownership, joint bank accounts, joint insurance, joint bills, pictures, etc...)

-Cedula

-$420US fee

-I-864 (Affidavit of Support)

-G-325 (both petitioner and beneficiary)

-Two 2x2 Passport photos

-Marriage Certificate (Inextensa/legalized) plus translated version
-Birth Certificate (certified plus a translation

-Divorce Decree/Certificate (Inextensa/legalized)

-Police Certificate

Afterwards you will receive an interview appointment (OPEN CITA) in 60 days or less. Get your medical exam done and prepare for your interview.

For your interview, take the following things.

From Petitioner
-US Passport (copy of front page only)
-Birth Certificate/Certificate of Naturalization
-Dominican Issued Cedula/ID
-Document of Entry/Exit (get Immigration letter from local Passport Agency)

From Beneficiary (Dominican-born resident)
-Dominican Passport (copy of front page only)
-Marriage Certificate (extensia/legalized) plus translated version
-Birth Certificate (certified plus a translation)

*Any additional evidence that will prove you 2 are living and sharing a life together.

INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?trim=no&cty=&cnty=Dominican%20Rep&page=1&dfilter=5&topic=Direct%20Consular%20Filing

[RD007 4]

Go with DCF! From what it looks like its easier! Good Luck!

[Justin1303 0]

thanks i will guys have been very helpful

I will dig up more information on this and get everything prepared

guys hve been awsome

[Brens47 1]

Research ... I think one time I heard you have to be married for at least 2 years to qualify; there are other important stuffs to consider.

Think about it, if is that much much easier why don't much much people choose this way??

If the two years requirement is not for CDF, then I am pretty sure it's the best. Anyways you have been living there and you said you are dominican, so you'll have cedula and all the other requirements.

Good luck!

[Dbkrantz 16]

Research ... I think one time I heard you have to be married for at least 2 years to qualify; there are other important stuffs to consider.

Think about it, if is that much much easier why don't much much people choose this way??

If the two years requirement is not for CDF, then I am pretty sure it's the best. Anyways you have been living there and you said you are dominican, so you'll have cedula and all the other requirements.

Good luck!

You don't have to be married for 2 years to qualify.

If you are married for more than 2 years, and your DCF gets approved, you automatically get a 10 years green card. If you are married for less than 2 years, (like me), once you get approved, you get a 2 years green card and have to ask to get your conditions removed to then get a 10 year one.

So, if you are married for less than 2 years, you quality for CR-1 (Conditional Resident - 1) as opposed to IR-1 which grants you 10 years green card.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Research ... I think one time I heard you have to be married for at least 2 years to qualify; there are other important stuffs to consider.

Think about it, if is that much much easier why don't much much people choose this way??

Requirements are just about residency, usually. Length of marriage does not matter.

Most people don't do it this way simply because it's not available to them. Either they don't both live in the same country, or they don't for long enough, or they don't live in a country that offers DCF. Last year, a lot of USCIS offices in foreign countries shut down, so the number of countries where this option is available has reduced dramatically. If you're in a country that does DCF still, you're super lucky and it's almost always the best option if you get the choice. But that's why most people don't do it that way.

[Brens47 1]

Then green lights all the way in your journey!!

Best wishes either way!

[MrTee12 64]

thanks i will guys have been very helpful

I will dig up more information on this and get everything prepared

guys hve been awsome

No problem. Also, I forgot one thing from my original post. Once you get you Interview date, you will need to follow the information on this page.

http://santodomingo.usembassy.gov/iv-visa_appointment.html

[someshine 0]

Requirements are just about residency, usually. Length of marriage does not matter.

Most people don't do it this way simply because it's not available to them. Either they don't both live in the same country, or they don't for long enough, or they don't live in a country that offers DCF. Last year, a lot of USCIS offices in foreign countries shut down, so the number of countries where this option is available has reduced dramatically. If you're in a country that does DCF still, you're super lucky and it's almost always the best option if you get the choice. But that's why most people don't do it that way.

Hi, lost_at_sea,

I'm a USC married to a UKC, we got married in the UK and I've been living here as a resident for six months. Your situ looks really similar to mine so I'd like to ask you a question.

In the DCF Explained forum, under 'typical DCF Procedure' it says that after the I-130 is approved, the foreign spouse may apply for the IR-1 or CR-1 Visa. My question is: Have others found the need to apply for the K3 visa (the one that allows foreign spouse to live in the US while visa is processing) while waiting for the IR-1/CR-1 to go through via the DCF, or is the DCF speedy enough that the K3 isn't needed?

I see from your profile (sorry, feel like a stalker lol) you went from I-130 approval to a CR-1 in 10 weeks, that's brilliant. Sounds like the DCF is the way to go! Even better if we don't have to mess around with the K3. Just wanted to check with someone who has done it; it sounds too good to be true. Thanks for any help you can give me.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Hi, lost_at_sea,

I'm a USC married to a UKC, we got married in the UK and I've been living here as a resident for six months. Your situ looks really similar to mine so I'd like to ask you a question.

In the DCF Explained forum, under 'typical DCF Procedure' it says that after the I-130 is approved, the foreign spouse may apply for the IR-1 or CR-1 Visa. My question is: Have others found the need to apply for the K3 visa (the one that allows foreign spouse to live in the US while visa is processing) while waiting for the IR-1/CR-1 to go through via the DCF, or is the DCF speedy enough that the K3 isn't needed?

I see from your profile (sorry, feel like a stalker lol) you went from I-130 approval to a CR-1 in 10 weeks, that's brilliant. Sounds like the DCF is the way to go! Even better if we don't have to mess around with the K3. Just wanted to check with someone who has done it; it sounds too good to be true. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Yeah. So, most folks don't do the K3 any more, even without the DCF option. Generally speaking, they'll get their IR/CR1 long before that would ever be processed and complete.

If you go DCF, you won't get the option to submit the K3 anyway - London will respond to your I-130 and state that there is no need to file it. I don't think London would even process the K3 locally even if you tried. As you say, DCF is extra fast so if you've got that option available to you just go for it and ignore the K3.

[bellavita38 1]

Anyone have experience with DCF with USCIS in Rome? I'm preparing to submit I-130 while I am here visiting my fiance. Sounds like a quicker option than returning to USA.

We dont have any joint assets yet as we married recently overseas. Will USCIS have issue with this?

Thanks for all your help in advance. So nice to have this community!

[bellavita38 1]

Anyone have experience with DCF with USCIS in Rome? I'm preparing to submit I-130 while I am here visiting my fiance. Sounds like a quicker option than returning to USA.

We dont have any joint assets yet as we married recently overseas. Will USCIS have issue with this?

Thanks for all your help in advance. So nice to have this community!

[lost_at_sea 995]

Anyone have experience with DCF with USCIS in Rome? I'm preparing to submit I-130 while I am here visiting my fiance. Sounds like a quicker option than returning to USA.

We dont have any joint assets yet as we married recently overseas. Will USCIS have issue with this?

Thanks for all your help in advance. So nice to have this community!

When you say "visiting" what do you mean? DCF is only for people resident in that country (usually for a minimum of 6 months before filing).