How to Use Direct Consular Filing For an Immediate Job Relocation and/or Offer Living from Poland

How to Use Direct Consular Filing For an Immediate Job Relocation and/or Offer Living from Poland

Are you a U.S. citizen residing in Poland and have an immediate job offer or transfer that forces you to relocate back to the U.S.? You may be able to use Direct Consular Filing (DCF) to expedite the visa process for your Polish relative. One of the main circumstances that makes you eligible for DCF is a short notice job offer or relocation to the U.S., DCF enables certain U.S. citizens residing abroad to file a Form I-130 directly with a U.S. embassy, in this case the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, rather than sending it to a USCIS service center in the U.S. 

Determining Timing and Eligibility 

To petition for an alien relative through DCF you must be a U.S. citizen living abroad with a job offer or transfer to the U.S. with an imminent relocation. Timing wise this move should be within 3 months of getting the job notice. 

The I-130 petitions are for foreign family members of a U.S. citizen. In most cases this would be a spouse of Polish nationality that the U.S. citizen married while living abroad in Poland. To ensure a smooth DCF process you should not have filed a previous I-130 petition with USCIS already; if you have, you may need to withdraw it.

With the imminent move back to the U.S. the DCF can expedite the I-130 process to ensure that your Polish family member can relocate back to the U.S. with you. 

Requesting the DCF 

Do not immediately file the I-130. First, you must request permission from the local U.S. Embassy/Consulate’s immigrant visa unit to file locally.

• Draft a request to the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw: Send this request through email explaining the urgent and time-sensitive nature of the job offer and/or transfer

• Ensure you have the proper documentation: 

• The offer/transfer letter from the U.S.-based employer including their signature, the job description, salary, and requested start date. 
• Evidence of urgency; bring proof that the position requires a quick move or else the opportunity would be lost. 
• Proof of residency (e.g. Polish residency permit) 

• Waiting for approval: the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw will review your application/case to determine if it meets the exceptional circumstances standard.

Filing I-130 Directly

After the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw has authorized your case for local filing, these are the steps to follow; 

• Assemble Form Package: Fill out forms I-130 and I-130A

• Gather Documents: Passport, marriage certificate, proof of U.S. citizenship, Polish relative’s passport, and two 5x5cm photos for the Polish relative and the U.S. citizen.

• Submit & Pay Fees: Filing the package based on the embassy’s instructions, you will also be required to pay a fee of $675 to the Consular cashier. 

The Expedited Process

After receiving the application the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw will quickly schedule an interview within a few weeks. This interview will be held in person with a consular officer. Both the U.S. citizen and the Polish family member must attend the interview and bring the necessary documents. 

Approval is up to the discretion of the consular officer conducting the interview. If approved the immigrant visa is typically placed in the foreign relative’s passport shortly after the interview. 

With Direct Consular Filing the immigrant visa process can be shortened from a matter of months to weeks. 

Tips to Ensure Your Success 

• Act Fast! For job offers/transfers the goal is to prove that the relocation is URGENT.

• Emphasize the SHORT NOTICE relocation; the short notice of the employment offer is an imperative characteristic of these types of cases.

• Check your local embassy rules. While most rules generally apply, the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw may have unique instructions for requesting DCF exceptions. 

Blue Lake Law Can Help You!

At Blue Lake Law, we have extensive experience assisting U.S. citizens living in Poland with Direct Consular Filing. 

We guide clients through every step, from preparing the DCF request email to compiling evidence and preparing for the consular interview.

If you’re living abroad and facing an urgent or exceptional situation, contact us today for clear guidance and professional support. 

Our firm has had NUMEROUS successes getting our clients, with an imminent job relocation, an expedited I-130 petition through DCF! We can help you navigate the DCF process efficiently and effectively.

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