DIOS MIO!!!!! ESTA ESPERA ME ESTA MATANDO!!!!!!!!!!

Oh I forgot to mention that the shots needed are TD, MMRR and varicella.

Diana

Don't worry about changing your name in Colombia. Most of us women use our maiden names in Colombia and our married names in the States. All you need is have a copy of your marriage certificate handy any time you travel, this also includes the day of your interview at the embassy.

It's very common, don't worry about it.

Diana

Td = Tetanus and Diphtheria vaccine
MMR = Measles, Mumps and Rubella
Varicella = Chickenpox

In case anyone was wondering...

Hello all, we recieved our noa2 on 6 november. I just read about the shortcuts. For Packet #3 all she needs to have faxed to the embassy is

1. Cover letter
2. Copy of fiancée's passport (biographical data page)
3. DS-230 Part 1 (pages 1 & 2)
4. OF-169


For the interview she needs packet #4 or is that faxed as well???? Also how does she fill out the other forms needed for packet 3 if they are in engish? Please, any advice or help would be appreciated as this is very agonizing and stressfull process.


Seth

Also, sorry I don't know how to add the timeline to the posts.......another question she changed her address so how do i update her new address so the embassy has it? Our NOA2 was approved on 5 november, what number do I call to ask the NVC if they have recieved it.
thanks

seth

Thank you everyone for your help with the vaccination question. I am going to call the Embassy and confirm it is alright to get the vaccinations at the Red Cross.

Also, I found out that my wife's packet is at the NVC now. Hopefully in a few days it will be in Bogota. I'm using the shortcuts, so I will let everyone know how it goes, if anyone else is thinking about using them.

Thank you everyone for your help.

Also for those of you in the military. If you want to try to get your interview date earlier because of a deployment, the operator at NVC told me to call the Washington D.C. Visa Office (202-663-1225). I was able to get my documents expedited at the USCIS. Well, atleast I think my request was the cause. I sent in a request and 4 days later both my wife's I-129F and I-130 were approved. You need to have orders stating you are deployed or are pending deployment.

Trust me for all of you who may be deploying soon. You can do all of this while you are in the sand box, but you need to make sure you have someone responsible in the states to manage the handling of your documents.

Be safe and God bless.

Thanks to all for your responses, specially Scout who has been very patient with us. Today we called to the department of state (the phone that Scott gave us) and the guy said that he won’t be able to confirm that the embassy got the papers and that it doesn’t matter since the sent the electronically on the 7th of November. So I am planning to go ahead and fax the papers and see what happens. !!!

Just to share more info. with you on the vaccines and on the exact doctor I called, it was the official embassy doctor, Ma. Consuelo Gonzalez (I didn't speak with her, but with her staff). The other one (not recommended by Diana) is Dr. Jairo Rosa. Their numbers were posted early on this forum. Here is their information, both numbers from Bogota so remember to add +57 1:

Dra Maria COnsuelo Gonzalez 288-7629 or 245-9290

Dr. Jairo Rosa 215-1763 or 658-9366

- Byron... I feel your pain. Hang in there!!

What is transmitted electronically? The petition package from NVC to the embassy? That would be a new development in the process. Please clarify.

Thanks.

Bill,
Yes...the case is sent electronically as well as physically from NVC to the embassy.

MV-JR,
It does'nt matter if the embassy has "physically" received your case but it is important that it is in their system and the State Dept. can absolutely tell you the embassy has input your case in their system.

Welcome Seth,
To add timeline to posts click my controls at top of page then on left side of page (menu) click edit signature.

On the address change you will have to wait until your case is received by the embassy and then include the change of address when you fax them the packet 3 shortcut...I had to do the same thing and it wasn't a problem. (The embassy seems to be well organized)

Page 111 on this thread will help you see the steps you need to take to simplify this whole process and pull things together efficiently...Lucho and Diana organized these steps and they are very very very helpful!!!

National visa center: 603-334-0700 press 1 then 2

The information here is great. If we recieve our NOA2 this week, is a January interview possible? Just curious, my fiance's B-day is Jan 31. Based on what I am seeing this phase moves much quicker than the USCIS portion, providing of course that we have our ducks in a row and utilize the short cuts!

Steve,
I hope that everything goes at light speed for you but our inteview date even using the shortest of shortcuts took almost 12 weeks from our approval date NOA2. I understand the pain and I wish you and everyone very speedy processes!!!

Scott & Steve,

VSC seems to get the packages to NVC a lot faster than CSC, so perhaps Steve's goal of a January interview is possible. If the embassy gets the package in the first part of December Steve should be able to obtain a January interview date.

Good luck!

UPDATED GUIDE 11-14-2007

The following guide is intended to help K1 visa applicants going
through Bogotá, Colombia. Also this guide is only that, a guide.
Always check the embassy's website and call the embassy as well.
This guide was written for K1 visa applicants, both beneficiary
and petitioner that have no kids, have never been arrested and have never been
married.

1. Once your I-129F is approved (NOA2), your case will
be forwarded to the National Visa Center. Normally
it will take about 1 to 2 weeks to get from CSC/VSC to NVC.

2. Start calling NVC everyday about 1 week after
your I-129F has been approved at: 603-334-0700
press 1 then 2. You will need to reach
a live person to get information on your case since
the NVC’s automated system does not handle K1 visas.
Give this person your receipt #, they will let you know
the status of your case, whether it has not yet been
received, already received, or already sent out to
the embassy in Bogotá. Once NVC receives your case, they
will assign a new case # that will begin with BGTXXXXXXXXXX.

A. If it has not been received.
Keep calling until they receive it. Don’t pay attention
to their script. They will tell you it may take 4 weeks
for them to receive your case.

B. If your case has been received.
Ask them when it was received and if it has been forwarded
to the embassy. If your case has been received but not
forwarded, wait 2 to 3 days from the day NVC received it
to call back and ask again. If it has been forwarded, most
often than not cases will be sent out in 2 days after NVC
receives it.

C. Once you know when your case has left NVC to Bogotá. You
can now calculate when it should arrive via DHL at the
embassy. The norm is 3 business days. For example, if your case was
sent on Monday, it should arrive at Bogotá by Thursday, the latest.
(Your case will also arrive electronically from NVC to the embassy)

3. Now that your case is in Bogotá. Do NOT wait for the embassy
to send your fiancée the packet 3. Wait 2 business days to use
the following shortcut. Using the example days in section 2C:
If your case has arrived on Thursday it is best to use the
shortcut on Monday. The reason to wait 2 days is to give the
embassy time to input your information in their system. You can
also call U.S. State Dept. Visa office at: 202-663-1225 press 1 then 0
and they will let you know if the embassy has received your case.

Shortcut - Fax packet 3 to the embassy 011-57-1-(315-4155). This will save
you at least 2 weeks if not more by doing so. I would advise to send the
packet 3 via courier as well (i.e. Servientrega)

Packet 3 Contents:
1. Cover letter
2. Copy of fiancée's passport (biographical data page)
3. DS-230 Part 1 (pages 1 & 2)
4. OF-169 ( page 5 of packet 3 instructions)

The cover letter should be simple and brief. Include the BGT case #
on the cover letter.

4. Two or three days after the embassy has received packet 3, they would have
already scheduled you for the interview. You can wait until your fiancée
receives packet 4 to find out the date of the interview. OR you can
use another shortcut. The shortcut is to call U.S. State Dept. Visa office
and ask them the interview date. Once the embassy schedules your interview,
U.S. State Dept. Visa office is automatically notified of the date.
You may also call the embassy consular section for visas, only available on
Wednesdays between 2:00-4:00pm at: 011-57-1-(315-1566) for the interview date.

Packet 4 Contents:
1. Passport
2. Baptism Certificate (Fe de bautismo con notas marginales. Fotocopia autenticada)
3. Birth Certificate (Registro Civil)
4. Police Certificate (Certificado Judicial del DAS)
5. Migratory Certificate (Carta del DAS, entradas/salidas)
6. I-134 Affidavit of Support and evidence.
7. DS-156 (2 copies)
8. DS-156K (1 copy)
9. Laboratory/Medical exams/Vaccinations
10. Evidence of your relationship (photos, e-mails, boarding passes, etc.)
11. Six passport style photos, 5cm x 5cm.

Embassy:
Finally the big day is here. You will want to be at the embassy no later than 6 a.m.
I suggest 5:45 a.m. At 6 a.m. there will already be a small line. At 6:30 a.m. you will
not be able to see the front of the line. There will be 3 lines at the front gate of the embassy.
You will want to get into line 3. Do not follow everyone that gets into line 1.
K1, K3, CR1/IR1 visa petitioners need to get into line 3. This may get you in and out of
the embassy quicker.

Tips:
If your fiancée lives outside of Bogotá, have her start getting the Police
and Migratory certificates ASAP. As it may take several weeks to receive
the certificates for people living outside of the capital. If your fiancée
lives in Bogotá, she can get the certificates in a few days.
Try to schedule the laboratory and medical exam 2 days before the interview.
This will allow an extra day just in case any mishaps should occur.
You will need an English translation of the birth certificate, get it done in
Colombia. It will be a lot cheaper and faster.

LINKS:
Packet 3 and Forms
http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsck1instructions.shtml

Packet 4
http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/co1/wwwfck1cita_temp.pdf

DAS
http://www.das.gov.co
You will need to go to SERVICIOS and then click on CERTIFICADO JUDICIAL and EXTRANJERIA (migratory)

Sorry for the huge post again but I found a couple more important things to add/correct.

Guys, thanks for all your support and shortcuts! Yes this timeframe is killing me (and all who have gone thru this process) But ultimately it is well worth it! Just have to remain strong and play every angle we know. Thank you again !

Hi VJ's we received our case aprobation NOA2 by email the last october 8th, but we haven't received the letter yet , my boyfriend has been tried to call to the NVC and nothing, is bad if we don't have the NOA2 letter?? my boyfriend will trying continue to call.

Thanks for your help

SCOTT HELP! Your info is great, however I was not reading your disclaimer!

This guide was written for K1 visa applicants, both beneficiary
and petitioner that have no kids, have never been arrested and have never been
married.

I have been married and have children, Sandy never married and has daughter. We have all the necessary documents to remove the child to USA ( Notorized letter from father-Permission, Sole custody). So am I understanding that these shortcuts may not be used, or just that more documents may be required? Thanks and if you aren't sure, not a problem!

Jeff y mabel,
Your NOA2 letter is a very beautiful document and it is good feeling seeing it come in the mail but NVC will receive your case wether you receive your NOA2 document or not.
Looking at your timeline NVC is very close to receiving your case...give it another week of so before being too concerned. (It's taking much longer than it use to for NVC to receive approvals...ours took about 5 1/2 weeks)

No worries Steve...everything would be the same except for additional necessary documents not listed on the guide for your interview such as Divorce certificates, Notorized letter from father-Permission, Sole custody...ect...

Scott,

The link to the Packet 3 page is dead. They must have moved it. Here is the link to the new packet 3 instructions for K-3:

http://bogota.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/k3-k...ructionseng.pdf

For other visas:

http://bogota.usembassy.gov/apply.html

Thanks neophi,

The link in the guide for some reason works one day and not the next...I would just keep trying or go directly to the US Embassy, Bogota website.

Also the link for Packet 3 on the guide is for K1 in Espanol.

Oh I see. I have tried it a couple of times since like two days ago and it would still not work.

My wife is mailing packet 3 as we speak via Servientrega, so they should have it tomorrow. Hopefully we'll make the cut and get a December interview. For some reason she couldn't fax it, as if they had run out of paper at the embassy or something lol. She's going try sending it by fax as well later today, or if not early tomorrow even though she sent through servientrega.

By the way, I just noticed in your timeline that you called the embassy last week to confirm if they had gotten the fax. What number did you dial? The same number of the fax? Or where did you call?

In fact I just called them today again to confim what the Dept.of State already told me was our interveiw date...I'm a little obsessive compulsive...

Embassy consular section for visas, only available on
Wednesdays between 2:00-4:00pm at: 011-57-1-(315-1566)

Oh ok... I figured that was what I might be. Thanks.

She tried the fax again and it went through. I'll be calling the DOS on Monday and then the embassy again on Wednesdays as well.

I seem to remember someone saying that the hardcopy of the NOA2 is eventually needed for AOS.

How long did it take for you to get your hardcopy Scott?

Amazingly ours came in less than a week but I don't think that is so typical these days...I think we were just lucky.

Bring it over to AOS... and yes, you need a copy of the NOA2 since it forms the basis for the I-485.

Thanks so much for your fast answer here are very nice people, i will said to my boyfriend that he must to continue call for the letter

Bad news you guys, maybe you've seen this already and I'm not sure if it has been verified with the embassy or not. But it looks like as of November 19th, the embassy in Bogotá will deliver the visas to the beneficiaries instead of picking them up 48 hours later.

I found it on here http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=96213

Scott, since you're the next one up, can please confirm this information for everyone else. It's a real bummer if it's true.

Diana

Thanks for the heads-up Diana...

This would be a complete NIGHTMARE for our situation and probably for lots of others too!!!

I will try to verify this through the embassy and I will keep you guys posted.

Well if they use a reliable courier service and if the beneficiary can stipulate where to deliver the visa it might not be too bad.

I also noticed that they said the embassy can be reached via email again. The address is IVBogota@state.gov. I will be very interested to see if they actually respond to emails. I will ask them a question and see what happens.

I just got off the phone with an operator or a front desk clerk at the embassy and she knew nothing about this new delivery system for visas. As far as she knows nothing has changed but she suggested to call on Wednesday between 2-4 to ask someone from the visa section to confirm this info.......
so now the wait to Wednesday begins............

Not that im anywhere close to that, but i feel that if they deliver it...they will NOT have the urgency to get it out...what if i have a flight ticket for Leidy???? Then what!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, but if it has to be delivered to her original address and it is far far far away from Bogota and the two of you plan to leave together from Bogota to the States after the visa is issued...BIG PROBLEM!

As if the process wasnt hard enough already!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I realize that. In my email I asked if picking up is still an option, the cost, the time required to deliver the visa and if an alternate delivery address (such as a Bogota hotel) can be stipulated.

I will let everyone know if I get a reply.

Byron...I can't beleive you're still in PURGATORY...have you heard anything?????

I think it would be wonderful if they gave you the choice of still going in person to pick it up, that way you can leave Colombia together just like we did back in October.

I guess we're going to have to wait until Wednesday to find out.

Diana
P.S. Byron, what is going on with you case?!!!!!

There is a lot of out of date or incomplete information on the VJ Embassy Info page for Bogota. I have updated some things but there is more that needs to be entered. I am thinking that the embassy info page is a good place to store all the most recent information about the interview process. It is easier to access there than it is to read through this forum trying to find the most recent information.

I came home a little while ago and ....................

OH MY GOD...I AM APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Thank you all sooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [color="#808000"][/color]

Lucho, Diana, Scott, Parkpapa, TonyS, maviwaro, Juan Carlos, buck501, Chester y Monica,

I HOPE I DIDNT MISS ANYONE!!!!!!!!!!! THE WAIT WAS LONG AND STRESSFULL BUT I WOULD NOT TRADE WHAT I AM FEELING RIGHT NOW FOR ANYTHING !!!!!!!!!!!! 181 DAYS WELL WORTH IT!!!

CONGRATULATIONS BYRON!!!!

Just curious, has anyone confirmed the issue around the Visa delivery process? I, as well am planning on attending the interview (once we get one). I also have begun to plan for Sandy and her daughter to fly from Bogota to JFK with me.

Additionally my ticket would obviously be a round trip ticket, however once my fiancé is approved and will fly with me to New York I am assuming a one-way ticket is fine? Although strangely enough some round trip tickets are less expensive!

Hey Byron, I am very happy for you. You waited quite some time and I know it was hard for you. Well the next step is to go get your novia!

TonyS

[quote name='SteveSandyHill' date='Nov 16 2007, 09:36 AM' post='1334724']
Just curious, has anyone confirmed the issue around the Visa delivery process? I, as well am planning on attending the interview (once we get one). I also have begun to plan for Sandy and her daughter to fly from Bogota to JFK with me.

Additionally my ticket would obviously be a round trip ticket, however once my fiancé is approved and will fly with me to New York I am assuming a one-way ticket is fine? Although strangely enough some round trip tickets are less expensive!

Hey Steve. Get whatever ticket is cheapest. It doesn't matter. I had good luck with Delta. I know things constantly change and there are variables, but I flew roundtrip JFK to Bogota for $260 with taxes included. So just keep checking and be prepare to buy, a good fare may change in minutes.

I just remembered that Brian and Yenys have their interview a week before us...I will PM them this post

Lets wait untill wed to call them, Let's hope this will be not true .... Well ......ONly God know why things happend in this way.. for sure will be for our own good!!! This is a stressful process let's think possitive!!

God Bless everybody!!!!

Brian&Yenys

Viste Byron, Viste...