DCF Philippines on tourist visa

[whyisthissohard 0]

I have been reading so many conflicting answers about this. I really need to be clear:

 

I want to direct consular file (DCF) a spouse visa for my wife at the embassy in Manila, Philippines.

 

I am not a permenant resident (13a). I will of been here however for a minimum of 6 months, by renewing my tourist status. I do have an ACR card. I do have a joint condo lease in both of our names. We do have a joint bank account. I do not have any utilities in my name (they are in the landlord's name). 

 

Half of the posts I read say anything short of legal permenant residence (13a) will disqualify. Half the posts say it does not matter if I am there as a tourist, or any regard of what the status is, as long as I am legally in the country and can prove it had been 6 months. 

 

I also see so many people try to ask this same question in often less direct ways, and do not get a valid straight answer. I am sure many of us in this situation would love to know. Oh, and emailing the embassy is rather pointless as you just get the robotic inconclusive responses. 

 

SO, WHICH IS IT?

 

Thank You.

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

As far as I have understood you must have some form of legal status to be staying in the country (not to include extended tourism). Such as F-1, permanent residency, work visa, ect.

[ConOfficer 167]

Emailing the consulate and asking is probably your best bet. Email the American Citizens Services and Immigrant Visa units. 

[whyisthissohard 0]

4 minutes ago, ConOfficer said:

Emailing the consulate and asking is probably your best bet. Email the American Citizens Services and Immigrant Visa units. 

Already did this, multiple times. Got a different robo-response each time. I guess I'm hoping to find some people in a similar situation as myself who have gone through the process who can say if it worked for them or not.

[millefleur 5,047]

Call the USCIS field office there and ask. Calling is a much better way to clarify things like this. I did this with the field office here in Moscow and got answers immediately via phone.

[ConOfficer 167]

4 minutes ago, Cott789 said:

Already did this, multiple times. Got a different robo-response each time. I guess I'm hoping to find some people in a similar situation as myself who have gone through the process who can say if it worked for them or not.

I would go through your Congressperson or Senator then. Theoretically the consulate is required to respond to a Congressional inquiry within 3 days. 

[millefleur 5,047]

3 minutes ago, ConOfficer said:

I would go through your Congressperson or Senator then. Theoretically the consulate is required to respond to a Congressional inquiry within 3 days. 

Totally unnecessary. Just call the USCIS field office, that's why it's there. They deal directly with DCF related issues and questions, especially about what is required to be qualified to file.

 

Phone and contact info here: https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-uscis-office/international-offices/contact-us-uscis-manila-field-office

Edited June 25, 2017 by millefleur

[Coco8 1,042]

9 minutes ago, ConOfficer said:

I would go through your Congressperson or Senator then. Theoretically the consulate is required to respond to a Congressional inquiry within 3 days. 

Some congressmen/senators get back to an inquiry in 2 weeks. So it is not like you would get an answer in 3 days.

[verwen 33]

I only have a tourist visa and I was able to file DCF. All I had was our apartment lease and joint bank account. The lease was notarized, not sure if it needed to be or not though.

[whyisthissohard 0]

3 hours ago, verwen said:

I only have a tourist visa and I was able to file DCF. All I had was our apartment lease and joint bank account. The lease was notarized, not sure if it needed to be or not though.

Thank you! This is the kind of account I want to hear! May I ask approx how long ago this was?

Edited June 26, 2017 by Cott789
Grammar correction

[verwen 33]

23 minutes ago, Cott789 said:

May I ask approx how long ago this was?

It was February 22nd, of this year. Looks like you have everything I had, so, it shouldn't be a problem.

[Redheadguy03 505]

You can DCF as a tourist if you've been there 6 months. I asked about it when I was in the Philippines too. I ended up choosing the k1 later, but I looked into it when I was there. 

[whyisthissohard 0]

5 hours ago, Redheadguy03 said:

You can DCF as a tourist if you've been there 6 months. I asked about it when I was in the Philippines too. I ended up choosing the k1 later, but I looked into it when I was there. 

Thank you for the info! I didn't realize it was even possible to DCF a K1.

[Redheadguy03 505]

1 hour ago, Cott789 said:

Thank you for the info! I didn't realize it was even possible to DCF a K1.

No, you misunderstood. You can only dcf if you're married. I meant I originally intended to dcf, but ended up doing k1 instead. Sorry for the confusion. 

[Haltom Family 40]

I agree on verwen's comment and to validate...A US Citizen with a tourist visa and living in the Philippines for about 6 months or more can possibly apply for Direct Consular Filing (DCF) -USCIS given that you are capable to provide the proof justifying your length of stay and residential tenure.  Our DCF application last February 2017 was accepted, and got approved within a month and one of the proof we used is ACR (tourist) which also one of their requirement.   

 

The ACR I-Card from the Bureau of Immigration of the Philippines that ID contains details of your present address and an enough proof of residency. And in addition,  if you want to seek a Baranggay  or Mayor's Clearance, or any letter address to your name to justify your tenure in the address you provided you can do so.  But with the documents you mentioned above, signed I-130 Form plus the fees, and proof of marriage/relationship with your spouse, God willing you are good to do DCF.  

Edited July 1, 2017 by Haltom Family