Direct Consular Filing Support for Expat

Step By Step: DCF CR1 or IR1 Spouse Visa

READ FIRST:
Sorry, but between 2019 and 2020, USCIS has reduced their presence at US Embassies worldwide, by closing the majority of their offices at these locations. It was at the USCIS office that DCF could be submitted. Today (May 2022)  the only remaining USCIS international offices are in China,  Guatamala, El Salvadore, India, Kenya, Mexico. These offices MAY or MAY not still be accepting DCF. If you (American Expat) live in one of the countries that still has a USCIS presence, BEFORE proceeding, contact the local USCIS office and confirm whether they are STILL accepting DCF or not. 

I regularly help expatriate couples prepare their petitions while they are living together outside the USA. We work together using email, Internet (I provide a password access page for you at visacoach.com where I post specific instructions and documents for your case), and by? priority mail or courier.

I lived in Taiwan for 9 years and Hong Kong for 8, I know exactly what issues an expat faces.

Below is how we work together:

1. I know all the questions USCIS have and all the questions the Department of State AND the Consulate have. I combined them into two proprietary questionnaires, one for you and one for your Spouse. I send these to you, to provide me with all the needed details about your backgrounds. I ask the questions early, so that we know EXACTLY where you stand, and that you are eligible for the whole Spouse Visa Process.

2. You and your Spouse complete the background questionnaires and return them to me

3. I closely audit your answers, looking for inconsistencies, gaps, mistakes, illogic, anything that “doesn’t look right”. Immigration doesn’t need much to become suspicious, so it is critically important that the information provided does not accidentally trigger alarm bells.

4. I work together with you and your Spouse until the questions asked by immigration have been answered fully, logically, and are consistent.

5. I use your information to prepare all the immigration forms that are needed.

6. I create for you a private, HOMEPage at VisaCoach.com. This is where you can view the Drafts of documents that I have prepared which are ready for your signatures, as well as personalized checklists, and instructions all personalized to your case.

Click here to view a Sample Private HomePage

7. At your HomePage, based upon my detailed review of your background details, I post for you a custom personalized check list of things to do, photos, civil documents, and various ways (that I have encountered over 36 years) to demonstrate the bona fides of your relationship. The check list is extensive. Not all items can be obtained by all couples. I categorize the list into three color coded priority levels. REQUIRED, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, and RECOMMENDED.

8. Going through the personalized checklist I prepared for you, you should collect a stack of evidences, photos, correspondences, signed documents, civil documents needed for your petition. I call this your SHOEBOX. As soon as the shoebox is full, mail it me (recommended) or email me a digital copy for me to print here in California to work on. If you choose the digital route, photographs can be uploaded to Walmart.com then ask Walmart to deliver the prints of the photos to my office.

9. Once I get your shoebox I block off most of a day from my calendar, so I can quietly spread out, and examine each piece. I confirm all required civil documents and signed forms are present and legible, then check the items that demonstrate the “bona fides” of your relationship.

My plan is to give you Full Personal Support and “tell your story”, that of a genuine, bona fide couple, who deserves to be speedily brought to the USA. I pick and choose those evidences that are the most persuasive and positive, and put aside those that do not help. I devote much time with your photos. A picture IS worth a thousand words. The minimum use of your photos is to prove a face to face meeting occurred. But the photos CAN do so much more. A few well chosen photos can create a solid impression of a bona fide, genuine relationship. My objective is to choose the RIGHT ones to help your case.

10. At the start I also sent a third questionnaire prompting with questions that ask you to describe the “history of your courtship and marriage”. I use the answers to compose a compelling personal letter, addressed to immigration, to add a “human face” on to your petition. This should convince the most skeptical Consular Officer yours is a genuine relationship and merits prompt approval, and his “help” to swiftly approve and allow you to continue your lives together in the USA.

Should there be any “out of the norm issues” or so called “red flags” with your history that might if misunderstood hurt your chances, we would explain the situation in the letter, in order to “neutralize” their negative affect

11. I assemble all of your documents and evidences into an attractive, bound, tabbed, complete and compelling petition. Just like USCIS likes it. To see what one of my 100 to 150 page,

Click here to view a sample VisaCoach Presentation

Note: As in Ex-pat living outside the USA, you have three choices on how to receive the final petition.

A. I ship the presentation to a domestic USA address and they forward the presentation to you.

B. I ship to an address outside the USA, for a shipping and handling fee of $95.

C. I send via internet, a digital copy of your petition, for you to print and sign on location (but you would have to do the binding and index tabbing yourself)

12. The petition you receive has about a dozen (yellow and green flags), clearly showing where you and your spouse should sign and date. I also fill in a facsimile of what the check made out should look like, and confirm the address where to mail your petition and check.

13. I update your HomePage on the NEXT STEPS, on what you and your Spouse should do while waiting on the Consulates review. I provide detailed instructions on obtaining Police reports, and vaccinations as well as the list of 120 most likely interview questions for you to practice.

14. Once the consulateis satisfied that all of your required documents are acceptable, they assign the case for the FINAL interview. I update your HomePage, with completed forms for your Spouse to sign to take to the interview at the Consulate, detailed instructions on obtaining chest x-ray, blood tests and physicals at the embassy designated Panel Physician, how and where to pay fees, obtaining Police Certificates, and last minute details on preparing for the interview

15. Once the visa has been approved. I update you on final procedures to enter the USA, pay immigrant fees, and obtain the Green Card as proof of lawful permanent residency for your spouse.

By Fred Wahl
the Visa Coach

Spouse Visa Support for Expat

Step By Step: EXPAT CR1 or IR1 Spouse Visa

Below is how we work together:

 

Continue reading “Spouse Visa Support for Expat”

Fiance Visa Support For Expat

Step By Step: K1 Fiance Visa, Expat Couple

1. I know all the questions USCIS have and all the questions the Department of State AND the Consulate have. I combined them into two proprietary questionnaires, one for you and one for your Fiance(e). I send these to you, to provide me with all the needed details about your backgrounds. I ask the questions early, so that we know EXACTLY where you stand, and that you are eligible for the whole Fiance Visa Process.

2. You and your Fiance(e) complete the background questionnaires and return them to me

3. I closely audit your answers, looking for inconsistencies, gaps, mistakes, illogic, anything that “doesn’t look right”. Immigration doesn’t need much to become suspicious, so it is critically important that the information provided does not accidentally trigger alarm bells.

4. I work together with you and your Fiance(e) until the questions asked

5. I use your information to prepare all the immigration forms, those needed at the initial submission stage, as well as drafts of the forms to be submitted much later at the consulate interview stage.

6. I create for you a private, HOMEPage at VisaCoach.com. This is where you view the documents that are ready for your signatures, as well as personalized checklists, and instructions all personalized to your case.

Click here to view a Sample Private HomePage

7. At your HomePage, based upon my detailed review of your background details, I post for you a custom personalized check list of things to do, photos, civil documents, and various ways (that I have encountered over 36 years) to demonstrate the bona fides of your relationship. The check list is extensive. Not all items can be obtained by all couples. I categorize the list into three color coded priority levels. REQUIRED, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, and RECOMMENDED.

8. Required is your fiance(e) signature on many of the forms I have completed for her. The actual sheet she signs is required by USCIS. It must be what she touched and signed with her actual “blue ink” signature. It can not be faxed, or scanned, instead it must be snail mailed or sent via courier like DHL or Fedex. I post the forms that need her signature at your HomePage, as early as possible. This way there is no delay for your fiance(e) to review, print out, sign, and get the documents into your hands.

9. Going through the personalized checklist I prepared for you, you should collect a stack of evidences, photos, correspondences, signed documents, civil documents needed for your petition. I call this your SHOEBOX. As soon as the shoebox is full, mail it me.

10. Once I get your shoebox I block off most of a day from my calendar, so I can quietly spread out, and examine each piece. I confirm all required civil documents and signed forms are present and legible, then check the items that demonstrate the “bona fides” of your relationship.

My plan is to “tell your story”, that of a genuine, bona fide couple, who deserves to be speedily reunited in the USA. I pick and choose those evidences that are the most persuasive and positive, and put aside those that do not help. I devote much time with your photos. A picture IS worth a thousand words. The minimum use of your photos is to prove a face to face meeting occurred. But the photos CAN do so much more. A few well chosen photos can create a solid impression of a bona fide, genuine relationship. My objective is to choose the RIGHT ones to help your case.

11. At the time I created your personalized document checklist, I sent a third questionnaire prompting with questions asking you to describe the “history of your courtship”. I use the answers to compose a compelling personal letter, addressed to immigration, to add a “human face” on to your petition. This should convince the most skeptical Consular Officer yours is a genuine relationship and merits prompt approval, and his “help” to swiftly bring “the two lovers” together. Should there be any “out of the norm issues” or so called “red flags” with your history that might if misunderstood hurt your chances, we would explain the situation in the letter, in order to “neutralize” their negative affect

12. I assemble all of your documents and evidences into an attractive, bound, tabbed, complete and compelling petition. Just like USCIS likes it. To see what one of my 100 to 150 page, Front Loaded petitions look like watch the video at

Click here to view a sample VisaCoach Presentation

Note: As in Ex-pat living outside the USA, you have three choices on how to receive the final petition.

A. I ship the presentation to a domestic USA address and they forward the presentation to you.

B. I ship to an address outside the USA, for a shipping and handling fee of $95.

C. I send via internet, a digital copy of your petition, for you to print and sign on location (but you would have to do the binding and index tabbing yourself)

13. The petition you receive has about a dozen (yellow flags), clearly showing where you should sign and date. I also fill in a facsimile of what the check made out to USCIS should look like, and confirm the address where to mail your petition and check.

14. I update your HomePage on the NEXT STEPS, on what you and your Fiance(e) should do while waiting on USCIS’s approval. I provide detailed instructions on obtaining Police reports, Certificates of No Marriage, and vaccinations as well as the list of 120 most likely interview questions for you to practice.

15. It is unusual for my clients to hear anything from USCIS but “thanks for your case” and “your case is approved”. Sometimes USCIS makes a request for more evidence. This is called an RFE. Should that occur, I draft the response and help you to provide what is needed, as quickly as possible.

16. Upon notice that USCIS has approved, I update your HomePage, with completed forms for your Fiance(e) to sign to take to the interview at the Consulate, detailed instructions on obtaining chest x-ray, blood tests and physicals at the embassy designated Panel Physician, how and where to pay visa fees, obtaining Police Certificates, details on preparing for the interview, proving financial eligibility and a completed affidavit of support for your signature.

17. Once your Fiance(e) has passed the interview, I update your HomePage, with instructions on what to do during the 90 days after arrival, including How to get the Social Security number and How to apply for the Green Card (adjustment of status).

By Fred Wahl
the Visa Coach

Spouse + Fiancee Visa Service for Ex-pats

VisaCoach’s assistance for American Ex-pats to apply for Spouse or Fiancee visas while remaining outside the USA during the process

If you are currently outside the USA, living together with your foreign partner and now are ready to relocate back to the USA and bring your partner with you.

I have good news.

You do not need to leave him or her, return alone to the USA, then apply for them to eventually follow. Instead you can apply for the fiance or spouse visa from outside the USA.
You don’t have to separate. You can remain together for the entire process.

I was an ex-pat living in Asia myself for about 20 years. I did this for myself and my wife Joyce.

I can help you too.

Most couples we help are involved in long distance romances. They communicate via webcam and text,
and only get the once in a while, rare opportunity, to spend in-person time together after long trips over
international waters.

But some lucky couples, like you, are not separated by international borders. Instead they live together, outside the USA.
And once they are ready to relocate to the USA, they ask :
“Must the American return to the USA alone to apply for a fiance or spouse visa? Is there a away they can avoid long separations?’

The happy answer is they Can remain together. No long separation is necessary.

Your visa application can be submitted while they remain outside the USA. And once your fiance or spouse visa is issued,  you as a couple, hand in hand, can together can board the flight to your future lives in the USA.

I lived as an expat, living outside the USA, primarily in Taiwan and Hong Kong for about 20 years. I am very familiar with that lifestyle and the issue of bringing one’s spouse and family back to the USA. In my case when my oldest child was 6 years old I knew it was time to return as I wanted to enroll him in kindergarten and public school in the USA.

I regularly help expatriate couples prepare their petitions while they are living together outside the USA. We work together using email, Internet (I provide a password access page for you where I post specific instructions and documents for your case), and by priority mail or courier.
This is the procedure VisaCoach follows for Ex-pat cases, that allows the you to remain outside the USA for the whole process.

1. After I get to know you and your partner I set up an account page for you online at VisaCoach.com. There I post a personalized checklist of all documents and evidence needed for successful preparation of your case. I also prepare all the forms needed for the application which require your signature.

2. You follow your checklist and collect the civil documents, evidence, photographs and various proofs of bona fides. You print out the documents that have been prepared for your signature and sign them. You combine all into a single envelope, then send to my offices via international courier such as DHL or Fedex.

3. On receiving your envelope, I carefully comb through it’s contents to prepare your application. If you were living in the USA I would mail the application directly to you. But as you are overseas that is not convenient, as it means two more times passing through international customs, to send the application to you, and then for you to send it back to USA to USCIS’s offices. So what we do instead is scan the completed application package into a pdf and post it at your VisaCoach account page for you to review.

4. If you find anything you wish to change, you let me know, and these changes are made immediately, posted online. Again for you to review. Finally, once you are 100% satisfied, we mail the approved application directly to USCIS on your behalf.

5. Eventually your case will arrive to the US State Department’s National Visa Center (NVC). I will guide you through that stage. This one can be done all online.

6. NVC will forward your case to the consulate assigned for your partner’s interview. In the run up to the interview I will guide you on preparation for the interview. Such as practice questions, final checklists and how and where to arrange the interview.

7. On completion of the interview, I guide you through arranging for your partners green card.

8. That only leaves it for you to settle your affairs outside the USA, book your flights and return to USA to start this next chapter in your lives.

For an ex-pat there are two important issues that need to be planned for the interview.

How can you pass the financial eligibility requirement?

and

How can you demonstrate your “intent” to relocate to USA

Financial Eligibility

An ex-pat you probably are earning your living by working outside the USA. Well, that means that once your partner gets approved for her or his visa, you are going planning to quit your foreign job and find a new one in the USA. This means that as far as supporting your family the foreign income goes away. You will have to show you are financially eligible by some other way.

Usually this means already having enough cash assets in USA financial accounts or equity in a your home located in the USA, or asking for help from a friend or family member living in the USA to be your financial joint-sponsor. If none of these methods are available, then you will have to consider returning to USA early and find a job there.

Intent to Relocate to USA

US immigration takes immigrating to USA very seriously indeed. And when approving your fiancee or spouse’s visa must be convinced that the visa is going to be used for the correct purpose, for relocation and permanent residence in the USA. Some expat couples only want to visit the USA temporarily, perhaps for shopping, meeting relatives, for an occasional “home leave” and would like to have the “green card” to make that possible. Sorry, but for that is not considered acceptable by US immigration. They MUST be convinced you plan to relocate permanently.

So you will be required as an expat to demonstrate your sincere intention to relocate to USA by presenting evidence of your plans to move home, such as correspondences on potential places to live, to work, or to attend school. US based bank accounts, proof of disposing foreign assets, transferring monies to your USA accounts, drivers licence, voting records and
quotations from moving companies are all useful for this purpose,

This was Fred Wahl, The VisaCoach