AWESOME BUCK AND PAOLO, MAY GOD BLESS THE BOTH OF YOU!


Good News,
Had my mother-in-law return to Bogota for her 2nd interview at the Embassy. We were more prepared and it paid off. She was granted a tourist visa!
She stood there crying and crying after approved and had to be calmed down by the Consular Officer. My mother-in-law had a female Officer who placed her hand against the glass window and my mother-in-law placed her hand on the other side of the glass. The Officer just kept telling her to relax, you are approved, it's okay, as she tried to comfort her. I guess a few of the Officer's have a heart there.
Looking forward to having mom here for Christmas. She might regret getting that visa when she feels the cold! I live in Connecticut.

I wish the best for both of you!!!!! congratulations!!!! ufff, relief and happy???? have a great life together guys!!!

Now...pray for us....actually this is a very hard process...


Yazz
Yazz

Congratulations Corey!!!! I remember your story very well, and it's a shame that your mother in law's visa wasn't granted the first time. I would have went nuts too!

Corey,

What tips can you give us in regards for preparing in regards with a tourist visa?

Congratulations on your mother-in-law's success Corey!
I'm pretty sure she won't even notice the cold (TOO MUCH) to be with her family!!!!!

I got it!!! thanks a lot Mike!!


Yazz

Damn. Every once in a while I see a post here that really gets to me. And this morning there are two that have me wiping my eyes and hoping Bella does not notice. The mental picture of Paola talking with joy at 100MPH and of Corey´s mother in law becoming hysterical because she gets to visit her daughter in the US really tugs at my heart strings.

And isn´t it wonderful to hear about a CO being reasonable with Paola and compassionate with Corey´s MIL? It is so nice to occasionally see some evidence of human life on the other side of the glass.

Congratulations to Buck, Paola & Corey!

Congrats Corey on La Suegra getting the approval.

Hope we get that CO.

Hey guys just want to share that a VJer (Jamacia) that applied for a K-1 with CSC just got his NOA2 yesterday and he applied on June 1st. Reason i'm happy is that I applied on June 8. At least I see alittle ray of light.

Rafael

Rafael,
Looks like your day is coming up!!! ...I would love to see both you and Byron at the embassy with our SO's for our interviews!!!

I hate to be the one to tell you this, but there is no way CSC is processing June petitions. Kevin & Moira applied on May 2. Their NOA1 was delayed until June 1 but it does not matter because CSC does not process petitions in NOA1 date sequence. That is why VJ adjudication date projections are based on submittal dates instead of NOA1 dates.

Kevin & Moira waited 148 days from when they submitted which is very consistent with the processing time of everyone else who was approved at CSC recently.

Here are two posts with more information and statistics related to this. Post #1, Post #2

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Scott y Rafael.....Godi hope we get to be at the embassy for the interviews at the same time!!!!!!!!!!! VSC is making that very iffy but hey you never know, we might get a flood of approvals any day now the way that CSC got.....Im at day 129!!

Well there goes that little ray of light..

J/k

I know just gotta wait .aaaarrrggghhh

Rafael

Hey Buck,

Don't know if you received my e-mail and I know your probably walking 10 feet in the air right now so I figured I better register here and give you a copy of the e-mail I sent with the details:

Here are the details:

Hey Jim,

Congratulations!!!!

I just talked with Paola about 3 min. ago. She ask that I e-mail you and tell you she has her visa and will pick it up Monday!!!

I am not in Bogota, so we invited her out to the finca for a day, if she does come out with Luz Aleyda she will be spending the night so you will be receiving a nights refund.

Once again Congratulations!!!!

I hope I did this correctly, it took me a while to find this thread and register! And your correct, it's a great site.

Thanks Bob, I did get your email, was out of the office till now. Thanks for your help and for taking Paola to your finca, her and Luz Aleyda can "chisme" and talk your ear off. LOL.

Buck and Paola... Congratulations to both of you. All your hard work and preparation paid off and next week you'll have Paola here!!!

Where's Diana? Its 4:21pm and I don't see a posting from her. Let's pray that its all good.

I havent heard from Diana either

Come now Diana, give us some good news!! We are all anxious to know.

Buck... great news indeed! Congratulations!!

A few more details................Paola went thru the main entrance and was directed to window #30. I don't know if K visas go to window numbers that high, before we went to window #23. Anyway, the lady behind that window was VERY nice and polite. she was happy for Paola to have gotten the doc from Panama, congratulated her, then sent her to the waiting area, windows 2 thru 6. After about an hour Paolas name was called and she went to window #3. I think that was the same window we went to before. A man was working that window the last time and a man was behind this window again. He also was very polite and happy for her. He said she had done a perfect job of getting all the papers and docs in order and that he wished her a very plesant trip to the US and a good and happy new life. I may have to take back some of my remarks made about the CO's. LOL. I ripped on them pretty hard before.
I will give a short account of the original interview.................it was exactly that.......short!! She was asked all of 4 questions, when and where did we meet, how we communicate and how often we talk to each other. As I had said before, that was it. He never asked for any foto's, email log, IM log, phone bills, receipts from hotels or airline flights.
I did notice that he had all the stuff we submitted in our original app for the I-129, that included a small amount of evidence. Nothing compared to what we were armed with at the interview. In a way it is funny, I packed around 10 pounds of paper, left that with Paola, she packed it around and never once was asked for it.
I am not sure why we had it so easy as far as the interview goes compared to some others. If we would of had or understood the need for the Police Certificate from Panama the first time, all the hassel we had would not have happened.
I think the male CO's are a bit more easy to get approval from. Bob, from Colombian Services has helped many get their visa has noticed this also.
I am very thankful and relieved. Thanks to all here that were with us and helped us. I will do my best to help those still going through this and those to come.
NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where the heck is Diana???????????? Come on girl, your killing us.

For those waiting, well, waiting is hell, the unkown is hell, the suspense is hell. It seems like it will never come to an end. It does eventually, even if you come accross an obstacle like we did. The reward is in the end. I, we were prepared to not give up, return over and over if need be, do what ever it took to get the visa. It does not make the time pass any quicker and does not ease the fears. We were committed to see this thru and we did. I am not sure if we got thru this any quicker or slower then anyone else. It is a journey!!!!
For all those that are in the process, I know how you feel and I am rooting for you.

Hello everybody,

Sorry for keeping you waiting but we had to the 20 de Julio to thank the Divino Niño for all His blessings, you know how us Colombians are about that.

Anyway, visa APPROVED! I´ll give you the summary today and then the full details next week when we get home. I just wanted to say that everybody at the embassy was very, very nice, from the ladies outside the embassy to the first lady at the window to the CO. I noticed that they were a little mean to the people who were not prepared, who were missing documents even though they were told they needed them and to the people who kept asking the same stupid questions. I was even annoyed at them. If you´re prepared and make it smooth for them, they´re nice to you.

The CO grilled my husband with all kinds of questions, where did you meet, when, all about my family, plans for the future, etc. Then asked to see evidence, my husband said he had a ton, he said it didn´t matter, so we handed it to him. He saw ALL pictures, read most e-mails and chats (now I feel bad I was bitching about having to print all that), read every b-day and Christmas card, the whole thing. It only took 15 minutes and we were approved, he never asked to talk to me.

To the folks who are worried about not being able to go to the interview, don´t worry. I saw more people being approved who were there by themselves than the people who were there with their SOs. Mainly because again, they were missing documents. Bring everything you THINK you may need even if you end up not needing it. We had 2 big plastic bags full of stuff and it paid off. Again, bring everything, be overprepared and it´ll pay off.

Buck, I don´t think I saw your lady. There were several ones that I thought might be her but wasn´t really sure. I sat next to my husband the whole time and dozed off a few times so I´m pretty sure I missed her. I´m glad she was approved though and that you´ll be together soon.

Byron... dude!!! what´s with your NOA2???? You´re killing us here!

Take care everybody and thanks for all your good wishes. I´m sure the good vibes helped out a ton.

Diana

FELICITACIONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FELICITACIONES...........................

UNA PREGUNTA LAS FOTOS LAS LLEVARON SUELTAS O EN ALGUN ALBUM.
ES QUE ME CAUSA ESA DUDA, YO TENGO LA CITA EL MARTES.

One more thing you guys regarding Dr. Roa. I just wanted to share our experience with him since we never went to see Dra. González. It´s up to you to make your own decisions and you may have a different experience going to Dr. Roa. I just wanted to share the info since we´re all here to help each other.

Diana

Diana , I'm really so happy for you!!!!!!!!!! Gives me hope to hear everybody getting approved and also that i am not overdoing it with my preparation!!!! As for my NOA2... ....No se que pasa, i have faith in God that when its time it will come!!!

CONGRATULATIONS DIANA AND PAOLA!

I'm sure you're very relieved Buck in hearing the good news.

Congratulations both and may I be the first to say "Bienvenidos a Estados Unidos!"

Perfect day! Congrats Diana!!

DIANA FELIZIDADES. That's wonderful news.

As far as the pictures, GREAT QUESTION......I took them in an album.

For those waiting for interviews, take notice of Buck's and Diana's experiences. Buck was suprised that Paola was asked relatively few questions and ZERO evidence. Diana's fiance was interviewed extensively and the evidence was carefully reviewed.

Two things can be concluded from these two experiences....

1. Everyone needs to prepare well. You never know what CO you will have and how they will view your relationship. Prepare for everything. Its better to throw away a couple reams of paper that no one looked at, than to fumble for something you didn't bring and then make explinatons.

2. There is a stark difference in the treatment to male beneficiaries vs female beneficieres. Although we're in the minority in this forum and in the process itself, its important that any FEMALE sponsor take extra care with their fiance/spouse in compiling evidence of the relationship. Its a double standard but it can be overcome with proper preparation.

CONGRATS DIANA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow......2 for 2 for VJ. We rock!! There are some very wise advice above. Every case is different. Apathy will not succeed. I think we got lucky. If you look at our age difference, the messed up divorce for me from 32 years ago that never got finaled untill after my second divorce, Poala being out of Colombia to a country that has a bad rep with Colombians...............lot's of red flags and yet we went thru pretty easy. We did have all the docs in oreder and were prepared. Looking at Dianas foto and her fiance, one would assume they are a perfect couple and yet they were asked to present and justify all their evidence.

First of all CONGRATULATIONS DIANA AND FREDY !!!

Second...I was thinking exactly about the same point that Dre brought up...how inconsistant the COs are about their interviewing process. Some get put through the ringer and some not. Cases that involve women petitioners obviously are put under a microscope. Bottom line for people going to Bogota for your interview...be over prepared!!!

Third...Thanks lucho for the cover letter for packet 3 shortcut ...perfect format. If anyone needs this cover letter I would be happy to forward it to an email address (PM me).

Diana, Buck, Paola.... CONGRATULATIONS on your Visas!!! Even though I just joined the club, I can feel your excitement. You really motivate people like me (who are just starting) to move forward.

Now, about being prepared.... Buck, I have a question for you on that Police Certificate from Panama: did you get an Apostille for that certificate, or did you take it to the Consulate as they gave it to you in Panama?

Thanks a lot for your help and once again, Congratulations!!!!

Congratulations Diana! That is great news. your advice is excellent also. I am taking it to heart.

Hola l am Faith11, l am from Colombia too, my husband lives in Phoenix,az.
We are still waiting for our approvals.
l have read all the stories in Colombia Club.
All of you have a very strong bond.
l JUST WANT TO SAY FELICIDADES PARA TI Y TU ESPOSO. DIOS LOS BENDIGA.

Hello, l am Faith11, l am from Colombia and l am waiting fOR my approvals, we filled on k3 visa.
l just want to say CONGRATULATIONS BUCK AND PAOLA, GOOD LUCK TO YOU, GOD BLESS YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS DIANA, IT WAS A PERFECT DAY HERE AT VJ, IT'S GOOD TO SEE HOW WE ALL HELP AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER, FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE JUST STARTING THEIR PROCESS, BE PATIENT AND FOR OTHERS LIKE BYRON, YOU KNOW YOUR DAY IS COMING, WE ARE ALL PULLING FOR YOU AND YOU WILL SOON HERE THAT YOUR NOA2 IS APPROVED, JUST KEEP WAITING AND AT THE END YOU WILL BE REWARDED..

LATER

Congrats Diana and Buck. Thank you for sharing and helping us that haven't gone through BGT yet. I hope everything else goes just as smoothly through the rest of the process. Thank you again.

Rafael

Diana,

P.S.

I read that many where not at the interview with there fiances. Off hand how many that where going for the interview where there with there fiances that you can see?

Jaun, you do not need an Apostille, it will come to you in a sealed brown envelope, same as the one from Colombia. If you go to Panama City it will take 8 days to obtain the Police Certificate. If you go to the Panamaian Embassy in Bogota it will take 60 days. I chose to fly Paola to Panama. ($$$$$ ouch). I was not willing to wait another 60 days. We do have many friends in Panama City so she was able to stay with them. The flight from Cali to PC is $450.00 plus the $500.00 security money for entrance to Panama. The cost for the certificate was $10.00.

Buck, being that im going to Panama in 2 weeks and Leidy is meeting me there, Does she have to have the $500 in dollars or pesos or does it matter??

Entonces, That is a tough question. When I was there for the first interview, I could only identify one other couple that was obviously a gringo and Colombiana. They really got interagated. They were at the window for over 1/2 hour, first her, then him, then togeather, then him, then her. The CO made the other leave and sit while talking to the person at the window. They had 2 foto albums (huge) and reams of other papers. Who knows what the problem was. From the look on their face I do not think they were approved.
Other couples looked like they could have been Colombian. How can you tell a Colombian from a American??? Other then someone like me. LOL.
Another couple that I suspected was American/Colombian was approved fairly quick. All the rest were singles. Many of those were not well prepared, did not have the proper docs or much eviedence. They were not at the window long before the tears came.
As for the importance of being there with your sweetie..........................Man, I am up in the air about that. I wanted to be there to support her and show the CO that we were real. I think that was important for me. I talked to others that had been through the interview the day before or in the last two or three days that were denied. They had been grilled big time, cross examined, when they got confused, gave different responses, they got denied. I saw some what of a pattern there. On the other hand, I was there, I was never asked one question. I think it depends on the day, the CO and whatever else influences them.
Talking to Bob and Luz Ayneda, from Colombian Services, who see 1 or 2 folks a week come through their apartments or ones they are helping, they say it does not make any difference if you are there or not. Being prepared, knowing what questions may be asked and having all you docs and evidence in order is what makes the difference on approval.
Myself..................If I was to do this over again, I would be there. If for no other reason then to support my fiancee and to celebrate or cry with her depending on the outcome. I can tell you, there would not have been one question that they could have asked that we were not prepared for. We were 100% confident that we were prepared enough for any question that came up.

Yes she will need the $500.00, without that she WILL NOT be allowed to enter Panama. If any one else comes with her (family) the max you will need is $1000.00. Another change, it may not matter but Panama has changed the time you can stay in Panama now from 90 days to 30 days. Very strictly enforced!!! Always carry your passport or a copy with you, her to. Paola was stopped several times by the police and asked for papers and passport. Even during the daytime, which is unusual. If they even think you are a Colombian they will want to see papers.

Whoops Bryon.....................Have US dollars, pesos aint no good in Panama. The US dollar is the currency. Take pesos and you will get burned big time on the exchange rate. I sent the money Western Union and had the payout be in US dollars.

Buck,

Thank you for the info. Yeah I'm with you on that one. I want to show that this is real. And show the CO the joy that I have beign with my fiancee. Thnak you again Buck.

Rafael

Thanks Buck!!!! I'll keep in mind the carrying our passports point, very good to know!!!! I am sending her the money through an uncle that is traveling there a couple days before the departure date and now i know that she should keep it in dollars!! Again Buck, thanks for all the info

Congratulations to Buck and Diana!!!!!!! Seems I'm late to the party yet again, but I was sure you guys would be successful.

As others have pointed out, be OVER-prepared!!! When we had our interview, it only lasted 10 to 15 minutes and the CO never asked to see supporting documentation. He did, however, ask to see Lorena's two sons in person before he'd issue the visa. Maybe the boys were the supporting documentation. Who knows?

As for photos, from all I've seen and read (here and elsewhere), it's good to have a large selection for the CO to view. More than anything, though, you need to have LOTS of photos of YOU with your novia/novio and her/his FAMILY, if that is at all possible. More than 10, if possible, with you and the family.

A lot of the process (including the AOS, it seems) can be pretty arbitrary, or at least seem that way. It could be that the different bureaucrats involved are under the same guidelines as many police officers. They may have quotas or may be required to more closely screen every other, or every third (fifth?), applicant. There often seems to be no rationale for who they choose to grill or why. Your best defense is to be cool, and, when necessary, flood them with evidence that your case is MORE than worthy of approval.

No hill is to big to climb, is it Diana?

Buck, thank you for the overview on your observations at the embassy. I started thinking you were there the day Oscar's visa got approved. We kept getting called back and forth and had reams of paper, too. The funny thing is that in the end, they didn't look at a single picture or letter at our third interview. I missed the first, was there for the next two. Number two I didn't take as seriously as I should have and we didn't review one question. BIG MISTAKE. The stress that you feel when you're being question is incredilbe, especially when you get the vibe that they aren't believing you. Simple questions are forgotten and you can look very foolish. On my second turn, Oscar's 3rd (poor guy), we practiced every question we could get a hold of. The funny thing was that at the interview, the only thing Oscar was asked were the DATES of my trips to Colombia and THANKS to our review, he spit them out without hesitation. That's all he was really asked and afterwards we were both grateful we had rehearsed. It really makes me angry that they make us all go to such extreams, but I understand the volume of applicants they must see and they are trying to make a fair judgement on getting to know you in just 5, 10, 20 minutes. Preparation is key. Those of us that have been through it can't stress it enough. My apathy and over-confidence in February extended not only the visa approval process, but Oscar's actual trip here (for non USCIS reasons). The heartbreak and fear was a heavy burden for us to bear. In Feb, we were told by several attorneys that the wait could be 12-15 mos for another interview. The interview in July came from Divine intervention and the help of VJers that had gone through similar situations. PLEASE, take the interview seriously and PREPARE PREPARE PREPARE. Like someone here said, reviewing the questions will help you to get to know each other even better than you do now. There are many things you think you know and you don't, and others you hadn't even thought to ask.

Well guys and gals....overall...we had a great round of approvals this week!!! Keep up the good work!!!

Dre

I'm looking for a good list of common questions asked during the interview so that Yenifer and I can review and practice...practice...practice. Anyone know where I can find such a list?

Scott,

I have gone back to the post on this thread to save some time on questions. I have been taking notes and found some questions. But for what I have read the questions may vary...

How did you meet?
When was the last time you saw your novio?
How many times have you seen him?
Why do you want to get married? (I'm sure LisaD and TracyTN think this was a very good question!)
Where does he live?
What does your family think about you leaving for the US?
When did he buy his house? (she didn't know the answer and the lady said that was ok)
Do you have any friends/relatives in the US and where do they live?

hope it helps ,

Rafael

I think I still have a large list of questions asked in english and spanish, PM me with your email addy and I will send it to you.

Thanks for the help Rafael and Buck.

Scott, I sent the questions off to you, let me know if you do not get them.

I saw that my status changed from newbie to junior...I guess that says I should know a little bit more about how to work this web site. NOT SO I am posting this question here as well as the other place (where...I dont know) Just looking for some help from you all...

Hello everyone,

I had a revelation ( mind you after I spent the last month reading 158 pages in the colombia club topics ) I wanted to make sure I did not miss anything. I must say it is a wealth of information and beautiful insightful stories. Oh yeah my revelation...is there anyone out there from the colombia club that is will to share their new wife with me (hoooold on ) I have been trying to communicate with Dayfenix via emails, and phone calls all of the incredible information I get from VJers. I just thought if there was someone who's wife has been approved for her visa through Bogota would be willing to help us out directly. My love Dayfenix lives in Bogota and I wanted to advise her on all the things she can get accomplished now and have in hand...but I don't want to get any documents of vacines to early so I ask is there anyone who is willing to share their wife with us to direct us from the point where we are to the finish line. I miss her so much can anyone help.

Buck...THANKS A BUNCH!!!...the list looks very complete and I'm sure this will help to ease our minds come interview time.

Rafael...PM me with your email address and I will forward this list to you and anyone else who would like it... I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT !!!