Timeline DCF Frankfurt 2022

[Andrew+MM 7]

On 11/19/2022 at 10:47 AM, Black Unicorn said:

So I got my first automated response  from the embassy. Seems they are really busy. As all my other emails where responded to very quickly. Has anyone else gotten this email after sending in the DS-260 confirmation (as stated in the instructions)?  I tried to attach/insert a screenshot of the email idk if it shows up.

Yes I got the same. I think it is a blanket reply for everyone. Now we wait to see how long it will take for them to come back with information on the interview.

[Black Unicorn 22]

For anyone who is curious about DCF in Germany I have a few updates. They are now emailing DS260 / packet 3 instructions and allowing the beneficiary to bring all supporting docs (i.e. I-864, taxes, paystubs, lease, originals etc) to the interview appointment. So after you complete the DS260 online application. You'll get email to sign up to request for an interview. This is done via the link they send you. Once the consulate approves you to make an appointment you will get an email to schedule. Login via the same link and select an appointment date. When we did it we noticed that no appointments were available so I kept refreshing the page about 10 minutes later appointments starting on Dec 9 and going into Jan were available to be booked. 

 

After reading all the experiences on this site we realize that the medical should be done prior to the interview. Even though the consulate states that it can be done after the interview via email. We aren't taking any chances so we have been searching for a medical appointment in Dec. but have yet to find one. My husband's interview is scheduled for early December but we will likely have to change it due to the medical. Anyway I thought this might be helpful to someone looking to do DCF in Germany and /or just curious of the process after the I-130 is approved. 

[Chancy 6,241]

7 hours ago, Black Unicorn said:

We aren't taking any chances so we have been searching for a medical appointment in Dec. but have yet to find one.

 

Note that Frankfurt accepts visa medical results from any DOS-accredited clinic in the EU.  So if you don't mind traveling, you might want to check for available appointments at a clinic in a nearby country.

 

[Black Unicorn 22]

I did ask about that and the response I received from email was that they will only accept medical done in Germany by the CDC approved doctors. We will just keep checking till we find a spot😏

[Chancy 6,241]

6 minutes ago, Black Unicorn said:

I did ask about that and the response I received from email was that they will only accept medical done in Germany by the CDC approved doctors.

 

I wonder if they changed the policy recently, or if they limited the privilege of EU-wide medicals to Ukrainian applicants.

 

[Black Unicorn 22]

@chancy I think you'er right. It seems lots of changes have been happening lately at the Frankfurt consulate and we are in the midst of it😆. I'll keep y'all updated!! It's highly likely that there are special situations to expedite immigration for Ukrainians which I completely understand. Which is why it's important to ask questions directly to the consulate.

[Andrew+MM 7]

Medical completed successfully in Frankfurt (2 missing vaccinations given, and confirmation I need glasses lol). Now my interview is on Monday.

 

Doctor told me that they transmit the report over same day, but that there could be a delay in getting to the case officer. Do we know if there is a delay there and by how much?

 

I'm not overly worried, just trying to set my expectations.

[Andrew+MM 7]

I shouldn't have worried as the medical was already with the Consulate despite it only taking place on the 15th (1.5 business days ago). I had my interview today and got approved! Really happy with that.

 

I got there around 7.20am, it was already pretty busy. Presented my appointment paper at the first kiosk and stood in line for a security check. This was slow until they opened properly at 8am, when they started taking 5 people at a time. There is a strict no laptop policy and people were turned away who had laptops and told to store them at a local store. They did emphasize that even if that made them late, they would wait for them. Mobile phones, smart watches, fit bits etc are all stored at the security kiosk. They even took my car keys and a random charging cord from my briefcase.

 

I went to Window 22, where they asked for a photograph (I had a couple spare US size from my last batch) and a payment. I used my Mastercard Debit. I asked if they had received my medical and the lady confirmed. She also described what would happen should the visa be approved on the day. I then waited about 15 mins to be called to another window (15 I think) where they took the rest of the required documents - birth certificate, marriage certificate, police certificates with copies and the I-864s (with joint sponsor in my case).

 

I then waited another 20-30 mins (no watch, no phone and couldn't see a clock) before being called for my interview at Window 19. There she went through all my documents systemically and asked me questions under oath. It took around 15-20 mins to go through everything but I felt the process was quite thorough. There were typical questions - how did we meet, where and when did we get married, who is your joint sponsor, have you served in the military and a few more besides.

 

Then she went through it all one more and told me that the Visa is approved, and handed me a receipt and paperwork about what to expect. I thanked her, and got myself together and back to the car. I would say all in all about 2 to 2.5 hours total from waiting in line. Pretty efficient overall.

[Black Unicorn 22]

@Andrew+MM Congrats on getting Approved🥳 That is great news indeed! Thanks for sharing with us. Quick question - Did you provide copies of the marriage, birth certificates and police certificate? in addition to the originals.

[Andrew+MM 7]

4 hours ago, Black Unicorn said:

@Andrew+MM Congrats on getting Approved🥳 That is great news indeed! Thanks for sharing with us. Quick question - Did you provide copies of the marriage, birth certificates and police certificate? in addition to the originals.

Thanks! Yes, I was asked to provide copies of all three - birth certificate (just my own as beneficiary, my Wife's was sent with the I-130), marriage and police certificate (in my case this was UK and German certificates). I handed these over during the document check at the second window after payment.

 

Oh and a note on scheduling the medical. Keep checking Doctolib for Frankfurt. They are open between Christmas and New Year. Appointments keep appearing all the time if you want to get it done as soon as possible.

Edited December 20, 2022 by Andrew+MM

[Andrew+MM 7]

Sorry meant to say originals AND copies of all three.

[texcal 9]

Quick question about the Frankfurt DCF interview request: do you get an interview letter? I submitted the request to schedule an interview (as they requested me to) and haven’t heard anything in 10 days.

[Andrew+MM 7]

For me this was all done through the online portal. Link sent via the email inviting us to request the interview. No physical letter.

 

P.S. Your dates for DCF say 2016?

[texcal 9]

29 minutes ago, Andrew+MM said:

For me this was all done through the online portal. Link sent via the email inviting us to request the interview. No physical letter.

 

P.S. Your dates for DCF say 2016?

Thanks for the quick response!
 

And that was immediately after requesting it through the portal? I did get a screen that they’ve received my request to schedule and they will get back to me but never an email confirmation…

 

Yes, sorry it might be a little confusing. We filed for the I130 in 2016 and are now proceeding with our application.

[Andrew+MM 7]

4 minutes ago, texcal said:

Thanks for the quick response!
 

And that was immediately after requesting it through the portal? I did get a screen that they’ve received my request to schedule and they will get back to me but never an email confirmation…

 

Yes, sorry it might be a little confusing. We filed for the I130 in 2016 and are now proceeding with our application.

24 hours after I requested to interview, I received an email with a different link which allowed me to schedule the interview. The email was one line, and could easily be filtered by a spam bot.

 

If it's taking longer for you (10 days seems like longer than normal), it might be worth emailing the Consulate to see if there is an issue. They just changed the process a little and maybe the I-130 approval from 6 years ago is causing them some problems.