DCF in New Zealand, where do we file in general? US or NZ?

[Tompearson 3]

Hi,

We are having a hard time understanding the process on the New Zealand US Embassy website for DCF, or just filing in general.

I'm from the UK and my partner the US. We would like to start the process of immigration to the US for myself, whether that is the K1 or K3 or CR1, we do not mind which route we take. We are not currently married, but intend to either here in New Zealand or in USA depending on the best way to go about it. We are both on a year working holiday visa and i have a cousin here, we read somewhere that DCF could be possible for our circumstances, but it is incredibly difficult to find any of the right answers for our needs.

Ultimately our biggest question for DCF, or just getting the ball rolling is whether we can apply in New Zealand while we are here (we will be here for the next 6 months, or so) or if we have to start this process in the US. We are really lost in how we even start as we are not in our respective countries and would like to get this done sooner rather than later.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers

Tom

[Hypnos 6,576]

There is no DCF in New Zealand.

You can either file an I-129F in pursuit of a K-1, or get married and then file an I-130 in pursuit of a CR-1. You can file whilst you're both in New Zealand, and indeed should if you want this to go by quicker.

Edited January 2, 2015 by Hypnos

[Tompearson 3]

Ok, so no DCF.

I guess my confusion still lies with where I file things and our geographical location in relation to this.

[*Snowdrop* 604]

Read through the guides on this site to get a good overview of how and where you file:

In your case it all starts with your US Citizen partner sending the application to the US to start the processing (well, if you are going for the spousal visa it starts with a marriage ceremony of course)

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

Once you understand that, your particular issue is timing.

For either visa the non-USC is going to have a medical and an interview before the visa is granted. Those must take place in a country where you are legally resident.

So you need to have a think about the current processing times (and bear in mind they are not set in stone, sometimes they go faster, sometimes a LOT slower)

If you want to interview in New Zealand, you need to work out how long you are able to remain in the country and whether you will be able to stay long enough to get to the interview stage.

If you are going to have to leave New Zealand before the interview then you will be able to have your interview in the UK but obviously it will be a big factor in your plans going forward.

And when you are thinking about timing take into account the different stages - how long your application is taking at USCIS, then NVC, then the particular embassy where you will be interviewing. Some embassies take a LOT longer than others to schedule interviews. There will be a forum on here where other people from New Zealand or the UK if that's where you end up have interviewed.

[Tompearson 3]

Thank you, that was very helpful. I suppose it really does come down to timing. I have a lot of issues with geographical location for both me and my partner. She needs to return to the US to begin new courses and will be moving away from her home state. I'm unsure if this will affect things further but I will look into it.

Thank you all for your help.

[Wendy71 26]

Thank you, that was very helpful. I suppose it really does come down to timing. I have a lot of issues with geographical location for both me and my partner. She needs to return to the US to begin new courses and will be moving away from her home state. I'm unsure if this will affect things further but I will look into it.

Thank you all for your help.

Here is the New Zealand link I have one more to post for you as well http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=New Zealand&cty=Auckland

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?cnty=New+Zealand&cty=&dfilter=5&topic=Direct+Consular+Filing

Edited January 3, 2015 by Wendy71

[Tompearson 3]

Thank you so much for those links. We phoned the auckland consulate during their phone inquiry times from 2pm-4pm and spoke to an amazing lady named Ivy, she helped answer a bunch of questions we had.

Turns out they do have DCF but only use it for emergencies such as life or death!

Thanks once again for all your input and help.

Cheers

Tom & Kira

[Hypnos 6,576]

All US embassies have that, but it requires clearance from On High and, as you say, it needs to be quite literally a matter of life and death. In all other circumstances it is not possible unless there is a USCIS field office within the US embassy in that particular country, and in New Zealand there isn't one.

[Wendy71 26]

Thank you so much for those links. We phoned the auckland consulate during their phone inquiry times from 2pm-4pm and spoke to an amazing lady named Ivy, she helped answer a bunch of questions we had.

Turns out they do have DCF but only use it for emergencies such as life or death!

Thanks once again for all your input and help.

Cheers

Tom & Kira

Your welcome and good luck. They are very nice at the embassy here in New Zealand I had my interview up there Dec 30th Bea is who I dealt with she was so nice and very helpful

Edited January 6, 2015 by Wendy71