US Citizen in Singapore - direct consular filing

[diamondpuppy 3]

Hi everyone

 

I'm the beneficiary - Singaporean citizen

Husband is a US citizen, has lived in Singapore the past decade. We met in 2019, got married in 2020, have a toddler born in 2022.

Husband lost his job in 2023, job searched since then and finally got an offer in Dec 2024 for somewhere in the US.

 

I recently found the fastest way for migration for me is through DCF. 

Questions:

1. If we file for DCF, can my husband go ahead and start his job before the process is complete?

2. Can I still travel on my ESTA to USA during the process?

 

Thank you so much! 

[milimelo 4,541]

1. Not until the filing has been accepted at the embassy. After that, free to go ahead to the US.

2. Yes. 

[Dashinka 24,731]

I agree, with @milimelo, so it is best to get the ball rolling with the US consulate ASAP.

 

Here is a relatively recent thread that may help organizing the DCF process.  

 

Good Luck!

 

 

[diamondpuppy 3]

Thanks both! I was just reading online and was getting confused as I saw information about how tourist visas would be denied so was worried I would get denied entry at immigration if I arrived for our already planned trip in March. 

[Dashinka 24,731]

13 minutes ago, diamondpuppy said:

Thanks both! I was just reading online and was getting confused as I saw information about how tourist visas would be denied so was worried I would get denied entry at immigration if I arrived for our already planned trip in March. 

Each entry on a B2 or ESTA/VWP is at the discretion of US CBP.  Short visits are recommended, and don't show up at the border with all your worldly possessions until you have your IR1 in hand.  That being said, many spouses visit while the I130 is being processed, and if the consulate does accept your request for DCF, your process will not be very long for you.

 

Good Luck!

[diamondpuppy 3]

6 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

Each entry on a B2 or ESTA/VWP is at the discretion of US CBP.  Short visits are recommended, and don't show up at the border with all your worldly possessions until you have your IR1 in hand.  That being said, many spouses visit while the I130 is being processed, and if the consulate does accept your request for DCF, your process will not be very long for you.

 

Good Luck!

Does it make a difference if I'm on an ESTA please?

 

Thanks for taking the time, really appreciate it!

[mam521 2,141]

Just a side note here, but make sure your preschooler has their CRBA and US passport.  Sometimes people forget the kiddos need their own ID/Visa/etc, too!

[diamondpuppy 3]

Just now, mam521 said:

Just a side note here, but make sure your preschooler has their CRBA and US passport.  Sometimes people forget the kiddos need their own ID/Visa/etc, too!

Yes she's totally covered - we applied for her US passport since she was 6months as we brought her on annual trips to see her grandparents in the US. Thanks for the kind reminder though! With everything going on, i'm not surprised if I forgot it myself because I would be traveling with her alone in March 

[Dashinka 24,731]

13 minutes ago, diamondpuppy said:

Does it make a difference if I'm on an ESTA please?

 

Thanks for taking the time, really appreciate it!

ESTA/B2 is essentially the same thing.

[diamondpuppy 3]

1 minute ago, Dashinka said:

ESTA/B2 is essentially the same thing.

Got it, thank you so much!

[diamondpuppy 3]

Hi all

 

update to my application:

7 Jan: email to embassy to apply for DCF 

7 Jan: email from embassy requesting details (almost immediately! Was about 1.5 hours after our initial email)

7 Jan night: we sent back all the information required 

 

since then we haven’t heard from the embassy. We followed up yesterday and still nothing. Is there anything else we should do? There doesn’t seem to be a phone number to call on their email response… From other posts it seems the appointments were set nearly the next day or day after? 
 

[appleblossom 2,947]

4 hours ago, diamondpuppy said:

Hi all

 

update to my application:

7 Jan: email to embassy to apply for DCF 

7 Jan: email from embassy requesting details (almost immediately! Was about 1.5 hours after our initial email)

7 Jan night: we sent back all the information required 

 

since then we haven’t heard from the embassy. We followed up yesterday and still nothing. Is there anything else we should do? There doesn’t seem to be a phone number to call on their email response… From other posts it seems the appointments were set nearly the next day or day after? 
 

Remember that 9th was a holiday, so it’s really only been 3 working days since you sent everything. I’d just give it more time. 

[diamondpuppy 3]

7 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

Remember that 9th was a holiday, so it’s really only been 3 working days since you sent everything. I’d just give it more time. 

Ah didn't realise 9th was a holiday, thanks for letting me know.

 

I was just starting to worry since I saw that most other posts got interview appointments with 1-2 days turnaround and my husband is leaving for his new job on 8th Feb 🫠

[appleblossom 2,947]

2 minutes ago, diamondpuppy said:

Ah didn't realise 9th was a holiday, thanks for letting me know.

 

I was just starting to worry since I saw that most other posts got interview appointments with 1-2 days turnaround and my husband is leaving for his new job on 8th Feb 🫠

I’ve not seen any that quick, are those Singapore specific? I just skimmed a couple of recent posts and they were about a week before hearing back so hopefully it won’t be too much longer for you. 
 

Good luck. 

[diamondpuppy 3]

21 hours ago, appleblossom said:

I’ve not seen any that quick, are those Singapore specific? I just skimmed a couple of recent posts and they were about a week before hearing back so hopefully it won’t be too much longer for you. 
 

Good luck. 

We've just got an email asking for the original birth certificate which is physically in US at the moment......