Frankfurt is Now Accepting DCF I-130 Cases for Dutch Nationals!

Frankfurt is Now Accepting DCF I-130 Cases for Dutch Nationals!

The U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt has recently announced they are accepting Form I-130 (petition for alien relative) Direct Consular Filing (DCF) cases for Dutch nationals on a case by case basis. For the last few months Dutch nationals had to go to the consulate in Frankfurt for any U.S. visa cases that required further consular processing. The consular processes offered to Dutch nationals did not fall under DCF, meaning that they were not eligible for an expedited process of their I-130 petitions. 

What is DCF?

Direct Consular Filing, commonly known as DCF, is a process that allows certain U.S. citizens living abroad to file an I-130 Petition for Alien Relative directly with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where they are residing, rather than mailing the petition to the USCIS Chicago Lockbox in the United States. This can significantly speed up the petition process – sometimes to as little as 3 to 4 months, as it eliminates the need for the case to be processed through USCIS domestically before being forwarded to the National Visa Center and then to a consulate for an interview. However, it is important to understand that DCF is not a guaranteed right, the acceptance of a DCF case is entirely at the discretion of the individual U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Not every embassy or consulate accepts DCF filings, and those that do may have their own specific requirements, appointment procedures, and eligibility criteria. Some embassies may only accept DCF filings in exceptional or humanitarian circumstances, while others may have suspended the process altogether.

DCF From Frankfurt 

The U.S. Embassy in Frankfurt reviews DCF requests on a strictly case-by-case basis, and approval is entirely at the discretion of the Consular Section. The embassy recognizes the following exceptional circumstances for DCF consideration:

• Military or medical emergencies
• Threats to personal safety, including domestic violence or regional instability
• A child approaching the age of 21 (“aging out”)
• Recent naturalization of the U.S. citizen petitioner
• Adoption cases
• Short-notice U.S. job relocation or transfer
• U.S. military members stationed in Germany
• Widow(er) of a U.S. citizen self-petitioning

Applicants must clearly identify which category applies to their situation and provide supporting documentation. Once a DCF request is submitted, the Immigrant Visa Unit will typically respond within 3–5 business days. They will let the applicant know if their DCF request is approved, or if the client must go through the USCIS Chicago Lockbox. The filing fee for Form I-130 via DCF in Germany is $675 USD, payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

It is important to understand that even if a circumstance appears to qualify, there is no guarantee of acceptance, the consulate retains full discretion over every request.

Why Do Dutch Nationals Apply for DCF Through Frankfurt?

The U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam handles routine visa cases, however, USCIS services are concentrated in Frankfurt. While there is a U.S. Embassy in Amsterdam, it does not have an active Immigrant Visa Unit, the Netherlands does not have a USCIS field office, which means there is no domestic U.S. immigration authority present in the country to accept or process petitions locally. Frankfurt houses a major USCIS Field Office, whereas Amsterdam’s consulate processing capabilities for DCF may be limited or require routing through Frankfurt. 

Dutch nationals can now apply directly in Frankfurt rather than Amsterdam! This is great news, Dutch nationals will be eligible for the expedited processing, once accepted by the consulate. 

Blue Lake Law Can Help You Today

At Blue Lake Law, we have been closely following the developments at the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt and are thrilled to share this exciting update for Dutch nationals. 

Our firm has extensive hands-on experience working with the Frankfurt consulate, having successfully handled numerous I-130 petitions and other visa cases for Dutch nationals through this post. We understand the specific requirements, procedures, and expectations of the Frankfurt Immigrant Visa Unit, and we know how to put together a strong DCF request that gives our clients the best possible chance of acceptance.

If you are a U.S. citizen living in the Netherlands and are looking to bring your spouse, child, or other close family member to the United States, this is a significant development that could meaningfully speed up your case. Contact Blue Lake Law today to schedule a consultation and let our experienced team guide you through the DCF process from start to finish.