Supporting U.S. citizens in Europe: Our recent discussion with AIWC Frankfurt

Recently, we had the pleasure of connecting with the members of the American International Women’s Club (AIWC) of Frankfurt to discuss with the members and attendees the difficulties and practicalities of navigating the complex process of U.S. Immigration. Having helped hundreds of U.S. citizens obtain visas for their spouses and families based in Europe, we have a unique view in supporting those who need to relocate back to the United States, quickly and effectively. 

The event was met with an incredibly positive response from those who attended, and it highlighted just how critical immigration guidance and support are for those based in Europe. 

In this blog, we discuss 3 of the main topics we discussed during the session and how they may relate to you in returning to the United States. 

Direct Consular Filing (DCF) for spouses

If you’re based in Germany, the Netherlands or any other European country with your foreign spouse, having to return to the United States at short notice can be daunting and overwhelming, especially considering the standard domestic visa backlog. 

Not only are you faced with having to leave your spouse in their resident country, but having to manage the lengthy visa application process from the U.S. can be complex. 

During the event, we discussed with members who may not have been aware of the DCF route, especially for those under exceptional circumstances, such as a sudden PCO order or an emergency transition. The Direct Consular Filing process is designed to help those who need to return to the United States quickly and bypass the standard visa route. 

Expedited Naturalisation Abroad (Section 319b)

During the event, we took questions and discussed one of the most powerful, yet underutilised tools U.S citizens need to bypass the requirements for their spouses to get permanent residency in the U.S. 

Typically, if your foreign spouse holds a Green Card, they must physically reside in the U.S. for three years before they can apply for citizenship. However, Section 319(b) offers a unique and highly advantageous pathway for families based overseas.

If you are a U.S. citizen employed abroad by a qualified American business, a public international organisation, or a recognised research body, your spouse may be eligible to waive the physical residency requirement entirely. We explained to the members how this allows your spouse to undergo the naturalisation process and obtain U.S. citizenship before you relocate, preserving your family’s global mobility and eliminating the stress of residency timelines.

Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)

Another core topic we focused on during our session was how to properly register a child born to a U.S. citizen while living abroad. For couples building their families in Germany or elsewhere in Europe, establishing your child’s U.S. citizenship is a vital first step that often comes with a lot of administrative confusion.

We discussed the practical steps of securing a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, which officially certifies that your child acquired U.S. citizenship at birth. Navigating this process through the U.S. Embassy in Frankfurt or local consular agencies ensures you can secure your child’s first U.S. passport efficiently, preventing administrative complications later in life and ensuring your family is ready for travel whenever you need to be.

A note of thanks to the AIWC

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the leadership and members of AIWC Frankfurt for welcoming us so warmly and sharing their insightful questions during the event.

If you are navigating the US immigration system from Germany, or if your family requires bespoke guidance on any of the pathways outlined above, speak to our team today.