I-130 DCF in Moscow, petitioner has dual citizenship. Success story.

[galephys 12]

Here are my threads on the topic.

Long story short, I am a USC living in US, husband lives in Russia. I am also a Russian citizen with all required documents like local registration (propiska),technically eligible to apply for CR-1\IR-1 in Moscow under DCF. However, it's absolutely clear from my passport when I am in the country and when I am not. So I consulted an immigration attorney (not much use for what I needed, but overall proof-read my package) and went to Moscow last week.

I flew in on Sunday night, had InfoPass scheduled for Monday. We had everything mentioned in my threads above.

Arrived at the embassy an hour early. First I went into the US citizen's services section, where everybody was extremely pleasant, but didn't let my husband in. They told us if they need my husband, they will call him. I spoke to an officer and he redirected me into the consular section. There we left our phones, went through security and... got lost. No one explained to us where to go, and the entire place was empty. Finally I remembered something about the second floor and found a way. We waited upstairs for almost 20 minutes, then I went down to ask the security about it. They told me there must be a phone I need to use to call for assistance. I went up again and searched the place. One door was locked (which conveniently said USCIS reception on it), others had no phone. I went down again and then to the cashier to ask for assistance. They called USCIS, someone unlocked the door and I found The Phone.

The officer (a Russian man, secretary?) took the forms and asked for a proof that I indeed live in Russia. I showed him a paper from local housing department stating that I am registered at the address of my permanent registration. He said "you can be registered anywhere, but actually live on the Moon. Go get a note that says you live there." And he said we need translations of everything, even if it's in Russian, despite the fact that on their website it says otherwise. I was very nervous at that point: hands shaking and all. Secretary attempted to calm me down and was overall very nice.

We rushed back home and I called my mother to start on the process with the note. Same evening we got the note which was identical to the first one, except 1 word: "...is actually registered and LIVES at the (address)". Next day we rushed to translate our bona fide evidence and on Wednesday went back to Moscow. We were so lucky! InfoPass was only available for M, W, F, and on Friday morning I was flying back... if we scheduled the original appointment for Wednesday,we would have been screwed.

At the embassy one couple was ahead of us and a few people waiting for non-immigrant visas. We were relaxed, unlike Monday. We were at peace with any outcome. This time the same secretary looked at my note and said "see, not too hard, right?" He took our forms, our marriage certificate and divorce decrees, our bank statements for joint accounts, few tickets and hotels for the trips we took together (but not all), affidavits from our friends and some photos. He asked for copies of both our Russian passports in addition to my US passport. He did not take proofs of domicile in the US, letters or skype logs. He left and told us to wait. About 20 minutes later a consul showed up. He was very pleasant and said everything looks good, he has no further questions. He sent me to pay the fee. While I was gone, he also left and checked every now and then to see if I was back. He took all of my receipts from the cashier and said by law they are allowed up to 90 days to decide, but usually it's much faster - within a couple of days. He left, then secretary came back. He gave us a copy of a receipt (no number on it or anything. No way to track my petition) and we left.

Next day at 4:23pm I got an email with a Notice of Approval ) It said petition date - April 20, Approval date - April 20! Same day! Also my husband's visa category is listed as IR-1. I think it's a mistake, since we are only married for less than a year. I will follow up on that.

The letter said they forwarded our case to the consular section which will contact the beneficiary with further instructions.

Now I am confused: we did not list his email on any form...there was just no field for it! How would they contact him? I know they do everything by email in Moscow. I emailed back to DHS asking about it, but they didn't respond yet.

Bottom line for DCF in Moscow: if the petitioner is both USC and Russian citizen, go to ЖЭК and get a note which says you are registered AND LIVE at the address provided. Then it really doesn't matter how long you are in the country or what's your primary residence, this is enough proof for them.

I am very happy with the outcome so far, and I expect our interview to be scheduled within a month. We have everything but medical results ready.