Hi!

So I'm the American (well, dual = American (born and raised) and Swedish (naturalized)) and he's the Swede. We're looking into getting my husband a Green Card and possibly moving to the U.S.

We both live in Stockholm and fulfill the requirements for Direct Consular Filing. We've been married for nearly 3 years and we don't have any children.

So, I've looked at the "CHECKLIST FOR U.S. CITIZENS" that they have on the U.S. Embassy website http://stockholm.usembassy.gov/Consulate/iv10_checklist.html and that all seems relatively straightforward (fill in the I-130 and the G-325 A for each of us, etc.).

However, I'm having trouble finding information about what other forms are necessary and what the rest of the process entails. What else are they going to want from us and where do I find the information???

Also, do I have to make an appointment to hand in the I-130 at the embassy in Stockholm? Do I just hand that in and wait or do I also hand in both of our G-325 A forms at that time?

On the checklist, they ask for both of our passports - is that just to show them when I'm there or do they keep them for some period of time? Does my husband need to come with me?

Has anyone been through this process recently? I could really use some help.

Thanks in advance!

No one has gone through the DCF process in Stockholm recently?

Last edited by Katya on Mon Sep 01, 2008 8:54 pm; edited 1 time in total

Have you called the embassy? I'm going to go through the process early next year so I would appreciate if you posted your findings

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Originally posted by Katya:
...However, I'm having trouble finding information about what other forms are necessary and what the rest of the process entails. What else are they going to want from us and where do I find the information???

Also, do I have to make an appointment to hand in the I-130 at the embassy in Stockholm? Do I just hand that in and wait or do I also hand in both of our G-325 A forms at that time?

On the checklist, they ask for both of our passports - is that just to show them when I'm there or do they keep them for some period of time? Does my husband need to come with me?...

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Originally posted by mystiktofu:
Have you called the embassy? I'm going to go through the process early next year so I would appreciate if you posted your findings

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Okay, I called the U.S. Embassy here in Stockholm and this is the only information I have been able to get so far:

The Immigrant Visa Unit's direct number is: 08 78 35 370

Their telephone hours are: Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-2 pm.

I called today and was not able to get through to a human being despite my many attempts.

I will try again on Monday.

Update: calling the Immigrant Visa Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm is a complete waste of time. It seems to be impossible to get through.

The only way to contact them seems to be via e-mail at the same address Coopy mentioned: stkivinfo [at] state.gov

Hubby and i did this 4 years ago. We did not have an appointment that I remember to drop off the paperwork. After you turn in your paperwork, you get another packet with more information needed. The Dr. list where you go to get the physicals and xrays done etc. They did not keep the passports on the first visit and both of us had to be there the first time. When they scheduled his interview about a month later, he had to have all his other information completed that was in the packet and the xrays and dr visit complete and he went alone to the interview.

I know this process probably has changed a little bit, so calling the embassy might be your best bet.

Lorrie

Well, apparently they don't answer e-mail either....not sure what my next step will be.

Apologies if I missed you saying this, but have you tried going over to the embassy in person?

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Originally posted by Dave_Messina:
Apologies if I missed you saying this, but have you tried going over to the embassy in person?

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Just in case anyone else needs this, here is the very-difficult-to-find information about how to contact the Immigrant Visa Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm.

This is from their website, though it is NOT easy to find. You have to click on "VISAS", then "Immigrant Visas", then under "Questions and Contact" you have to click on "Do you have a question? Click here." The following information is listed at the very bottom of an extremely long page (you have to scroll through the entire thing to get the information):
http://www.usemb.se/consulate/faq_iv.html

"For additional information:

Please e-mail us at stkivinfo@state.gov. Please include a telephone number in your mail. Your question will be answered within two business days.

You can also fax us at +46 8 783 5480. (please enclose reply e-mail address) or write to:

Immigrant Visa Unit
Embassy of the United States of America
Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 31
SE- 115 89 Stockholm Sweden

You can also call us on +46 8 783 5370. Our telephone hours are Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 PM to 2 PM. We are not open on Swedish and American holidays."

My experience has been that they do not respond to e-mail within 2 business days (I have yet to hear back from them and I e-mailed them quite some time ago), but maybe I'm just having bad luck with them for some reason. I don't know. It's a mystery to me.

I went to the website at the consulate in Sweden. That is all you need to get the ball rolling. Once you turn in that information, they will provide you with a packet containing the rest of the stuff you need to gather, and take back with you for your interview. You will not be able to get the other information until you turn in your first set of paperwork as stated on the checklist.

We had everything done, even the physicals, and the police stuff, and they would not take it anyway. We did contact someone there at the embassy ahead of time, since I was going to be flying into Sweden to file his paperwork, and they graciously gave us the name of the 3 Doctors in the country who do these physicals. We were able to get it done while we were up in Stockholm dropping off the paperwork. Hubby is from Kalmar, and there were no physicians close to him that could do the exam.

I think you should just fill out what you have, go to the embassy, apply with the stuff on the checksheet, and you will then get the rest of what you need.

Lorrie

We are planning on starting the paperwork in February. I have a question - it seems like there is no option to mail in the paperwork, that it all needs to be handed in, in person. Is this true? Does this mean we'll have to travel to Stockholm, about 5 hours from here, two or three times for this process? Gosh, I hope not. We'll have a really hard time getting the time to do that. I am already prepared for the 4-hour+ trip back and forth to the doctor (I assume there's one in Gothenburg). I'm really hoping there is a way to at least mail in the initial paperwork, but from what I'm reading, it seems like wishful thinking...

Any experiences? Thanks!
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There is no cause, no movement. We just like boots.

My husband had to go 2 times. The first time we both needed to be there to turn in the stuff, and the second time, I was back in the states. Rickard went alone, and finished the process. It was only a 2 trip deal back then in 2004. I assume that it is the same now.

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Originally posted by Lorrie:
My husband had to go 2 times. The first time we both needed to be there to turn in the stuff, and the second time, I was back in the states. Rickard went alone, and finished the process. It was only a 2 trip deal back then in 2004. I assume that it is the same now.

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Glad they answered your questions, I guess I will crawl back in my hole now. Bye

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Originally posted by Lorrie:
Glad they answered your questions, I guess I will crawl back in my hole now. Bye

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thanks! I am sure we will all appreciate the info.

Yes thanks Katya! Looking forward to starting the process myself in January Then I can report if the process has changed in the 3 months since you started ;p