... in response to Direct Consular Filing ??, posted by Deckard on Jan 21, 2003Deckard,
While I did NOT file DCF, I *did* very nearly cancel my K-1 petition (waiting on Nebraska INS) and re-file DCF, so I checked it out very thoroughly.
I also discussed DCF with the Consular staff at the Embassy in Kyiv. My guess is that you spoke with someone that was not terribly knowledgeable (or helpful). It is also possible that they simply refer to the DCF by the primary form used for its filing - the I-130. It's just like some INS staff will only refer to a fiance visa by the I-129 form used to file the petition. Simple semantics.
The process as described on Doc Steen's (just reviewed it again) is exactly the process used in Kyiv - except that Kyiv does the document intake, then sends the package to Warsaw for processing.
I don't recall now if the interview is held in Kyiv or in Warsaw. I seem to have a vague recollection that it was in Kyiv - but am not certain about that. In any case, Kyiv is your primary point of contact.
The *huge* advantage of filing DCF is that the entire process is managed by the Consular Corps under the US Department of State rather than split between them and the INS under the Department of Justice.
Good luck Deckard. If you have any specific questions, please post them and I'll do my best to help - as I'm sure others will.
- Dan