DCF in Delhi, India - Status

[JTT88 2]

Hi Team,

 

I would like to proceed with the DCF process to file for IR1/CR1 for my spouse in Delhi, India.
Below are my few queries regarding the same:

 

1. Is DCF still active across Embassy/Consulate in Delhi, India? Are they accepting DCF applications?
2. What is the process to go for it? I have the form i130, i130A and supporting documents ready. What should be the next steps?

3. Shall i take appointment at Embassy first, and visit there to submit the documents?

 

Would appreciate if someone would provide clarity, provided things may have change post pandemic.

Thanks in advance

[SteveInBostonI130 3,471]

DCF has been phased out in 2019 with the closure of international USCIS offices.

 

Exceptions can be made by individual embassies for specific cases.  Typically, this involves the US citizen petitioner to be in the same country and living with their spouse and working for a company that is requiring the US citizen to transfer to a job/position back in the US.

 

If you believe you qualify for one of these special cases, you need to contact the embassy directly.  They will give you instructions on how to proceed.

[HRQX 4,145]

30 minutes ago, JAI TUTEJA said:

Is DCF still active across Embassy/Consulate in Delhi, India?

No. You contact the IV unit in Mumbai if you think you have exceptional circumstances: https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-6-part-b-chapter-3

USCIS has delegated authority to DOS to accept and adjudicate a Form I-130 filed by a U.S. citizen petitioner for an immediate relative^[4] if the petitioner establishes exceptional circumstances or falls under blanket authorization criteria defined by USCIS. This policy applies even in countries with a USCIS presence. Without such delegation, DOS has no authority to permit a U.S. embassy or consulate to accept a local Form I-130 filing abroad.

 

If a consular officer in a U.S. embassy or consulate encounters an individual case that the officer believes has need of immediate processing of a Form I-130, the consular officer may, but is not required to, accept the local filing in exceptional circumstances, in accordance with the guidance below.

Edited March 18, 2021 by HRQX

[JTT88 2]

Thank you for the clarification guys. This really helps!