DCF FAQ

[david_dawei]

I had resisted a separate DCF FAQ (it is in the Visa FAQ with the other visa types, although it is really a filing issue)...

 

But, the information I have has outgrown the visa FAQ... so I will break out a separate DCF one.

 

Here is what I have been thinking for a while... as an FAQ:

 

1) How to marry in china

2) How to file in china (DCF) ; and sample timelines

3) other consulate filings... (ie: audelair's experience in Australia and Adam's in HK...)

4) Living in china (after greencard received and issues to be careful of-- keeping your docimile in US)

 

Not sure if this should be one FAQ with sections or separate FAQs...

 

I know that it is good to have FAQs which are probably kept to a topic, but I tend to prefer grouping by themes so that not so many FAQs have to be reviewed to get related info. As an example, If one is going to DCF, then they would of been married in China.. so seems that these go together. And DCF is not restricted to China...

 

Any thoughts...

[Jocelyn]

Seems like you've hit most of the main points down there....

 

One thing though, you can file for a K1 visa using DCF as Amber did -- so DCF doesn't mean you have to get married in China. Of course, it will be a lot faster if you get married in China b/c you won't have to do AOS when you arrive in the US.

 

Also, something some of us touched on before, seems that DCF is the fastest when you file it in Beijing or the BJ consular district. Both beijingjenny and Lourose had their I-130's approved after two weeks or so of filing. But I filed on January 4 in Shanghai, it didn't actually arrive in BJ until January 20 and I didn't get my NOA until April 5.

[david_dawei]

um.. not sure I agree with this (K1 can do DCF) , but checking...

 

Your observation about the timelines for DCF is very astute !! I recently collected timelines on DCFers and was surprised to discover the same.. seems that it is a little like the variation of stateside filing.

 

Here is an example so people can see:

 

Beijing:

 

(10 months)

11-16-04 - I-130 Petition for CR-1 in Beijing

12-08-04 – P2 received

12-29-04 - P3 Received from GUZ

01-19-05 - DS-230 Part 1 sent to GUZ

03-26-05 - OF-169 (checklist) sent

03-28-05 - OF-169 (checklist) entered into computer

04-01-05 - Namecheck complete

07-27-05 - P4 sent to my wife

09-14-05 - Interview passed

 

(7 months)

11-20-04 - Filed in Kerry mall(paid $180 and got the receipt which is p1)

11-20-04 – P1 received

12-20-04 – P2 received

12-30-04 - P3 from Guangzhou [and returned 01-01 , including DS-230, part I]

04-30-04 - P4 from Guangzhou (includes receiving DS-230, part II)

06-21-04 - Interview day (paid $380; delivered I-864 ,DS-230, etc)

 

(6 months)

12-02-04 - Filed I-130 by DCF

12-21-04 – P2 received

12-29-04 – P3 received

01-11-05 - P3 returned

03-37-05 - Namecheck done (not sure when)

04-29-05 - P4 [first one] sent and lost

05-18-05 – P4 replacement

06-16-05 - Interview Passed

 

(7 months)

08-12-04 - Filed I-130 direct at USCIS in BJ

08-14-04 – P1 received

08-24-04 – P2 received

09-06-04 - P3 received

09-14-04 – P3 Sent back

10-20-04 - Name check complete

02-15-05 - P4 arrives

03-23-05 – Interview

 

(8 months)

02-23-05: I-130 DCF File through Beijing

04-04-05: I-130 approval date (mailed 4/11)

04-13-05: P2 received

04-18-05: Case received by GUZ

04-22-05: P3 received

04-25-05: Returned DS-230 Part 1 to GUZ

05-13-05: Name Check Complete (first... second unknown)

08-31-05: P4 Sent

10-20-05: Interview date

 

 

Chengdu:

 

(8.5 months)

02-20-05 - DCF-ed in Chengdu

04-15-05 – P2 Received

04-23-05 – P3 Received

04-28-05 – P3 Mailed to GUZ

06-16-05 - Passed all name checks

10-01-05 – P4 Received

11-02-05 - Interview

 

 

Guangzhou:

 

(6 months)

11-30-04 DCF Guangzhou

12-0x-04 P3 received

12-0x-04 P3 returned (except checklist)

01-0x-05 P3 checklist returned

04-2x-05 P4 received

06-01-05 Interview (Passed!)

 

Shanghai:

 

(10 months)

01-04-05 - DCF in Shanghai

04-05-05 – P2 received

04-20-05 - P3 received

04-24-05 - OF 230 sent to GZ

05-14-05 - OF-169 sent to GZ

06-21-05 - 2nd namecheck completed

10-01-05 -- P4 received

11-15-05 -- interview -- PASS!!!

[beijingjenny]

DCF does require getting married. Amber was K-1 I think.

[jbray]

Yeah, they wouldn't let me DCF without the marriage book. So, I think it's just CR-1, but honestly, I don't know for sure... There is so little info about DCF. I really didn't even know it was something special until several months later. I thought it was just how you were supposed to file.

[david_dawei]

I'm straight on this... I think Jocelyn threw me a curve in her euphoria...