My DCF CR-1 London questions [multiple merged threads]

[JRoo 3]

On 7/14/2021 at 10:36 PM, Esylvia said:

Hello!

 

I am sorry I have not updated in a long time!

 

My husband attended his medical exam on June 24th which was about 14 weeks from when we submitted the petition in London. He said the medical went pretty smoothly and it really only took I think 1.5 hours or something like that, so not too long. He did book his visa interview prior to the medical and was able to get one for July 8th at 9:30 am (he went down the night before), which we were pretty happy about. He attended his interview on July 8th and was approved on the spot! He said the interview went smoothly. He said they focused a lot on finances as at first they saw that I did not quite make enough to sponsor him, but thankfully we had a second sponsor.  Funny enough one of the questions they asked him was "why did you guys not get married sooner?" which he was not expecting haha. We brought a ton of paperwork and supporting documents to the interview, but he said only about 10% of it was even looked at and collected (better to be over prepared than under!). Overall, he was in and out within an hour not counting the time he spent waiting in line to get into the embassy. Just a tip, get there at least 45 minutes early as he said the line took quite awhile as I think they are doing a lot of interviews now that things have opened up more. He was late for his appointment due to this but thankfully it ended up being fine. 

 

My husband will now be arriving in the US on July 31st so I am very thankful that this process is coming to an end (that is until we need to reapply haha). Thanks everyone for all the help and wish you guys all the luck going forward!

 

 

Hi @Esylvia I cam across this thread as I am currently applying for DCF in London. Thanks for sharing all your info, it's so helpful! I saw that you didn't make enough money to sponsor your partner. Do you know what the minimum income is? I haven't been able to find this info and am trying to decide if I need a second sponsor. Thank you for your help   

[Boiler 45,294]

https://www.uscis.gov/i-864p

I-864P, 2023 HHS Poverty Guidelines for Affidavit of Support
 

[Ontarkie 14,190]

~~Hijack post in a zombie thread along with related reply have been split off to their own thread.~~

[JRoo 3]

Hello everyone! 

 

I am curious if most people secure an apartment lease/housing while waiting to have their DCF application approved? I understand having evidence of housing (such as an apartment lease) can strengthen the application, but is it too risky in case it gets rejected?

 

To share more background:

I am a US citizen living in London and have a job offer relocating me to the US. My spouse is a UK citizen. We have nothing complicating our application. 

 

I would like to travel to the US while my partner's application is pending, so I can secure an apartment for when he is approved to move. 

 

I know this is a subjective question - but is it stupid to put a deposit down on an apartment while the visa is pending? Are there any common issues to look out for, to make our application as strong as possible? 

 

[JRoo 3]

Hi everyone, 

 

I will be applying for DCF due to job relocation. I currently live in London with my husband who is a UK citizen. 

 

I was recently divorced after being separated from my previous partner for 6 years. I am worried that USCIS will scrutinize my application because I was recently divorced, before remarrying. In anyone's experience, does the USCIS request extra documents in these circumstances? I can prove that my husband and I have lived together for 2+ years, and I could also provide supporting letters from friends to substantiate our relationship, but I am worried they may reject my application because I was divorced, remarried and applied for DCF in a short timeframe. 

 

Any advice or reassurance would be appreciated!

[Crazy Cat 41,594]

Has the consulate already agreed to take your case? 

[JRoo 3]

Just now, Crazy Cat said:

Has the consulate already agreed to take your case? 

No I haven't submitted my request yet, just planning in advance  

[Crazy Cat 41,594]

If the consulate accepts your DCF case, USCIS will not be involved....I honestly don't think the consulate will dig too deeply.  I would not be concerned.  Others might disagree.

Edited May 25, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[Boiler 45,294]

Where are you going to live if you do not?

 

What is your other option?

[Boiler 45,294]

I do not see this as an issue.

[Just Paul 4,595]

What the consulate will be looking for is that the USC has residency in the UK.  Meaning you need to show you have the correct Visa and paperwork to be there.  Having other proof that you are 'residing' in the UK is helpful but not absolutely required. For example having a drivers license helps.

[JRoo 3]

10 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Where are you going to live if you do not?

 

What is your other option?

We have flexibility on my start date of my job, so we could technically wait for DCF to be approved, then apartment hunt, then move. 

[Boiler 45,294]

3 minutes ago, JRoo said:

We have flexibility on my start date of my job, so we could technically wait for DCF to be approved, then apartment hunt, then move. 

That seems a bigger issue, DCF is for short notice job relocation.

[JRoo 3]

2 minutes ago, Boiler said:

That seems a bigger issue, DCF is for short notice job relocation.

 

I will have an employment contract specifying a start date for my role in the US. I have a good relationship with my manager, so basically I can say "I am planning to move XX date" and they will make the relocation contract based on that. 

 

One more question - my contract for my job move will say 12 months - is this long enough to apply for DCF? Or do they want to see that your relocation to the US is indefinite in the employment contract?

[Boiler 45,294]

The DCF cases I have seen have not been so vague so I cannot really answer.