CR-1 Interview Experience DCF Mumbai India

[Just Paul 4,595]

 Sorry,  I was traveling at at a conference in Philippines.   There really isn't a way to escalate when you trying to start the DCF.  The usual stateside options aren't available.

 

Hopefully someone with half a brain gets the email you addressed to the VIsa Service Desk.

[Kuneesa 92]

On 2/25/2020 at 9:03 AM, Vivaan said:

Thanks again @Paul & Mary.  

I got a response from USCIS New Delhi to contact the "Consular Section Department of State."  They did not provide any contact information for this department but I assume it is the consulate office in Mumbai.

As you suggested, I wrote to mumbaiacs@state.gov.  Got a response today saying that they do not address any immigration related questions, and directed me to the US Visa Center at support-india@ustraveldocs.  So I am back to square 1.  I went online to schedule an appointment at the Consulate but, after creating my profile and entering all the requisite information, at the last step the website indicated that there are no appointments available at this time.

So, I called the Visa Service Desk again, and they have asked me to resend the email along with the USCIS response, which I just did.  Let's see...

Do you know if there is any way to escalate this matter?

It would help if you could just go to USCIS Delhi office and talk to an officer in person. They allow walk-ins for US citizens and from my personal experience, people there are really helpful and they will definitely tell you if they will accept your petition or not so that you can move on to the next step in your process. 

[geowrian 22,337]

1 hour ago, Kuneesa said:

It would help if you could just go to USCIS Delhi office and talk to an officer in person.

The issue is USCIS field offices abroad no longer process DCF (with a few (3?) exceptions, but New Delhi is not one of them). This is a change from late 2019 (after when you did it). The request has to go through the consulate now and meet exceptional circumstances.

 

1 hour ago, Kuneesa said:

We applied through DCF and it is a requirement for the petitioner for that process to prove residency in both countries. 

They generally have to have residency abroad for DCF, but then later either show US domicile or sufficient intent to establish US domicile. Having residency in both locations is not necessary (and trying to show US residency before the I-130 is accepted could actually backfire).

Edited February 29, 2020 by geowrian