DCF from France for Chinese spouse?

[FredAndQiling 0]

Hello VJ!

Here are the key facts and a couple of questions regarding my case, MERCI in advance for any help you may lend!

• I am a dual citizen French/American
  
• Spent 4 years in China, including 2 as Peace Corps Volunteer
  
• My wife is Chinese national, we married in China
  
• We are in France (she has 1 year visa here)
  
• Can I file for DCF from France using French permanent address and citizenship, though I haven't been back in France 6 months?
  
• Would my wife be required to return to China for interview?
  

[GlobeHopperMama 95]

As of August 2011, France/Paris does not offer DCF as there are no USCIS international field offices there. You can file the petition to the USCIS lockbox in Chicago using your foreign address and will likely experience expedited processing (see this thread: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/357465-usc-petitioner-living-abroad/). On page 2, there is a question (#22?) asking where you intend to interview for the visa. Be sure to specify Paris. As long as your wife has legal residence status in France when interview scheduling comes around, the consulate at Paris should be fine with having her interview there, but she will likely need to interview in French or English (probably she can choose which), so make sure she's prepared for that. You may want to check with Paris to confirm eligibility, but it shouldn't be a big problem.

Edited September 9, 2012 by GlobeHopperMama