Da Geek

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Does anyone know if Direct Consular Filing (DCF) is done by the U.S.
embassy in Lagos, Nigeria? If not, how does a USC go about bringing
their spouse from Nigeria? Appreciate all suggestions and/or response.

Jeffb

Geeky,
My Fiancee' is also in Lagos Nigeria and unfortunately there is no DCF
there. You must file an I-130 here in the US, but since I filed for
the fiancee' visa I not as familiar with the I-130, but from what I
have seen it is a little faster to bring a fiancee' here than a
spouse. The reasons for the delay for a wife is that there is more
paperwork to be done once a marraige takes place, which is forced on
the home countries embassies, before the visa can be issued. With the
fiancee' visa about 2/3's of the process is done when the visa is
issued, then the fiancee comes to the US, gets married and then the
process is completed.

    >[email protected] (Da Geek) wrote in message news:...
    > X-Noarchive: yes
    >
    > Does anyone know if Direct Consular Filing (DCF) is done by the U.S.
    > embassy in Lagos, Nigeria? If not, how does a USC go about bringing
    > their spouse from Nigeria? Appreciate all suggestions and/or response.

meauxna

Um, just because I'm interested in the subject, I looked at
http://usembassy.state.gov/nigeria/wwwhcoim.html and read

"Most immigration petitions are initiated by a close relative or an employer in the United States. The petition is filed with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. All final interviews and approvals are done at the U.S. Consulate in Lagos. After initial approval, applicants will be notified by the U.S. Consulate in Lagos about documentation requirements and how to schedule the final interview. Required medical examinations for immigrant visas are conducted only in Lagos and only by doctors certified by the U.S. Consulate there. "

Note that it is not stipulated that the petition (I-130) must be filed with INS *in the States*

And then looked at: http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/overseasoffices/romedistrict/accra/aboutus.htm and read

"Immediate Relative Immigrant Petitions (INS Form I-130):
Locally resident U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may file a Form I-130 by coming to the office on a walk-in basis or by mail. Normal processing time is one week. For local filing procedures, you may call or come to the office.

Who May File in Accra:

Lawful permanent residents or U.S. citizens who reside in Ghana may file in Accra. U.S. citizens or lawful permanent resident students studying in the various universities/schools in Ghana may file in Accra.

Individuals must present residence cards, resident permit stamps, and/or employment documents."

That procedure *is* a DCF. INS offices/Consulates are often more flexible in reality than on the web in terms of which American Citizens they will serve. Personally, Da Geek, I think it's worth the time to write or call the Consulate and ask them about it. DCF might be something you can do in a visit or extended visit there.

For Jeffb, I think your facts are not straight in terms of the process being 2/3 done on fiance visa entry to the States. I do think you'll find that at that point, the newlyweds will have to file all the same papers as any other Immigrant Visa applicant. DCFers are the ones that don't have to file more papers upon their entry. (OK, except for removal of conditions and naturalization)
meauxna

Omo

[email protected] (Da Geek) wrote in message news:...
    > X-Noarchive: yes
    >
    > Does anyone know if Direct Consular Filing (DCF) is done by the U.S.
    > embassy in Lagos, Nigeria? If not, how does a USC go about bringing
    > their spouse from Nigeria? Appreciate all suggestions and/or response.


No, the U.S. Embassy on V.I. does NOT process DCF. (They put a stop to
that many years ago as many Nigerians were abusing the system.) If
you are currently married, you must file an INS form I-130 on behalf
of your spouse to begin the process - which may take approximately one
year from filing to visa issuance. (I kid you not.)

Your best alternative is to file an I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancee
(if you're not married yet.) Processing time is shorter as there is a
time limit on the approval form for the Embassy to act on an approved
petition. The processing time for my then-fiance was close to 5
months. Had we married in his home state, I figure I would still be
waiting for him to get his interview date. The U.S. Embassy
undoubtedly likes to screw around with people's lives by using their
infamous delay tactics,...but that's another story for another day.

All the best to you and your loved one.