Question about DCF in Russia?

[Nodir 10]

Hey guys!

I have filed I-130 for my wife back in June. As you know NBC is taking long to process I-130. My wife is in Uzbekistan and US consulate in Uzbekistan doesn't do DCF. My wife is two months pregnant, and I want her to give birth here in America. I came back from Uzbkistan last week and I am thinking to go to Moscow, Russia with my wife to do dcf. What suggestions do you give me? Are we elegible to file in third country? What are the requirements for filing DCF. Thank you a lot.

[scienceworks 64]

From what I understand, both petitioner and beneficiary should be resident of that country in which you are applying. In your case, I am not sure if you are residents of Russia. Someone more knowledgeable may pitch in.

[lost_at_sea 995]

For DCF, you generally have to be legally resident of the country you want to file in for a minimum amount of time prior to filing (usually 6 months prior, but it's as long as 12 in some countries). You don't have to be a citizen, just legally resident.

You can't DCF for a country you don't live in.

For Moscow, you need to have been resident in the country for 6 months before you can file the I-130:

http://moscow.usembassy.gov/uscis-i130.html

The USCIS Moscow Field Office accepts and adjudicates petitions for immediate relatives (spouses, unmarried children under the age of twenty one, or parents) filed by U.S. citizens who have lawfully resided in the Russian Federation for at least six months preceding the filing of the petition. USCIS Moscow does not accept or adjudicate petitions for any other family members or petitions filed by Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs).

So, as it stands, you are not eligible to take the DCF route. You would be after you'd lived in Russia for 6 months, by which time, your existing I-130 filed abroad will likely be approved/near approval.

Edited September 19, 2013 by lost_at_sea