Military Direct Consular Filing from Germany

Military Direct Consular Filing from Germany
If you are a U.S. citizen stationed in Germany and wish to bring a close family member to the United States, you may, in limited circumstances, qualify for Direct Consular Filing (DCF). Under exceptional or urgent conditions, the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt may accept a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, filed directly at the consulate. This process can significantly shorten the time it takes to begin immigrant visa processing, sometimes reducing the wait from many months to just a few weeks.
While DCF is not available for routine family-based petitions, the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt reviews DCF requests on a case-by-case basis when specific qualifying criteria are met.

What Is Direct Consular Filing (DCF)?
Under 9 FAM 504.2-2(A), immigrant visas cannot be issued without an approved petition from DHS (USCIS), except when a U.S. consular section abroad is authorized to “accept and approve” the petition itself. That is precisely what Direct Consular Filing allows.
DCF enables certain U.S. citizens residing abroad to file a Form I-130 directly with a U.S. consulate rather than sending it to a USCIS service center in the U.S. In qualifying cases, this can substantially shorten processing times.
In Germany, DCF is available only in exceptional circumstances, and approval of a DCF request is entirely at the discretion of the Consular Section at the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt.

Recognized Exceptional Circumstances
The U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt considers DCF requests under circumstances such as:
• Military emergencies
• U.S. military members stationed in Germany

Filing Fee
The Form I-130 filing fee for DCF in Germany is $675 USD, payable directly to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
PLEASE NOTE: The only accepted payment method at the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt is:
• International Money Orders: American Express or U.S. Postal Service money orders made payable to “U.S. Department of State.”
 

Embassy Review and Response
Once your DCF request is submitted, the Immigrant Visa Unit will typically respond within 3–5 business days.

For U.S. Military Members and Federal Employees in Germany
If you are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or employed by the U.S. government in Germany, you may be eligible for DCF due to the urgency and mobility associated with your role.
This provision helps ensure families can relocate together during deployments or government transfers.

We Can Help You Today
At Blue Lake Law, we have extensive experience assisting U.S. citizens in Europe with Direct Consular Filing, including cases handled through the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt.
We guide clients through every step, from preparing the DCF request email to compiling evidence and preparing for the consular interview.
If you are living in Germany and facing an urgent or exceptional situation, contact us today for clear guidance and professional support. We can help you navigate the DCF process efficiently and effectively.