Thank you Diana for your response, now I understand what they meant by the pin.. I also searched pin on the Colombian Embassy website after seeing your response and got this..


Our Visa Information Center, which is staffed with operators Monday through Friday (including most American and Colombian holidays from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST, answers general visa questions and schedules certain types of appointments.

In order to contact the Visa Information Center, callers in Colombia must first purchase a personal identification number (PIN). Then dial 346-9150 (in Bogota) or 01-8000-12-32-32 (in Colombia but outside of Bogota).

Callers in the United States must dial must dial 1-877-804-5401, and the call will be charged to their credit card (Visa or MasterCard). The charge when calling from the United States is US$16.00 per call (unlimited call duration).

I'll try and call Monday and see what happens and how fast I can get the interview scheduled....

Howdy folks!

Scott... super! I know exactly how that goes! Make extra copies of the AP and have them with you but separate if you travel... just in case you get a retarded USCIS inspector at return inspection. We are all set to go July 2... woo hoo!

For those of you wanting to save some money (relatively speaking, of course), sumer airfare has become ridiculously overpriced. As of now July Chicago to Bogotá hovers around $1000 r/t pp. I was able to do Chicago to Cartagena for $550 r/t pp. It will just be the right bus fare to where you want to go from Cartagena (to Bucaramanga in our case... negotiable to about $60 r/t pp on Berlinas).

Much luck and keep us abreast of new updates y'all...

Diana, it looks like the embassy has changed over to the DS-2001 and they have revised their instruction packages. Now you are able to send the packet-3 forms via email. We were just assigned a BGT case# for our I-130. So I will be using the shortcuts, to find out when our case has been forwarded to the embassy.
At that time I will send in packet-3 using email and give everyone an update.
Here is the link if anyone is interested,

http://bogota.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/iv_i...ions_031908.pdf

Also there is also this line in the new inst.
“Submitting duplicate copies of the required forms will delay visa processing.”

It sounds to me, like they are referring to the double bombardment method using both fax and servientrega, for sending in packet-3.
I am just going to use email and wait for a response , they state a confirmation will be emailed back within 5 days.
I’ll wait until then and If I don’t get a response I’ll go the servientrega route.

Mike

Nice. That makes it easier for everybody, the beneficiary and the embassy.

Thanks Mike!

Diana

December CSC K1 Filer here....

Still waiting on NOA2. No word yet. No touches, no RFEs....

Sigh.

Mike we just got approved yesterday for our I 129-F can you tell me what you mean by emailing the embassy the forms. The link shows me the forms but does not really explain how to do the emailing. Sorry if this is a stupid question.

Just a quick question you say 6 passport pictures but the instruction package says 4. What are the others for???

Hey I have finally been approved for I 129F visa started the process on Sept 7, 2007. I have read most all I can on this forum and it is greatly appreciated information. So I guess now the USCIS send info to NVC. I should start calling NVC maybe in a few days to get my number and then find out when they are sending package to Bogota. Then track the package and fax package 3 information to Bogota embassy as soon as they receive the application? Is this what I should do to speed up the process as much as possible. Would appreciate confirmation if I am correct. Otherwise would appreciate any help you experienced people can give me. Good to finally get approved but now I need to get my lady and her two sons here in Florida!!!! Thank in advance for the help.

Yep that sounds about right. Wait about a week before calling NVC because it takes a few days for it to be mailed to NVC from USCIS. I'd call about next Thursday or Friday. Once the processing is finished with NVC they will give you a date in which your package was sent to Bogota. You can then track its progress it takes about 2-3 business days to arrive in BOG.

Once its there at BOG your application will be inputed in there system and then 3-4 days after that you can submit the paperwork to the Embassy. That will ensure faster processing and hopefully a faster interview date.

Good Luck! Keep in touch with your progress!

Kind Regards,
Diana B

Hi, if I were you I would go to page 188 of the Colombia club, scroll down and you will find a post by Scott n Yenifer, they did a great job of creating an organized checklist. You can just follow thru all their steps.

So at this point you should have this ready,
Which are the new Packet 3 Contents:

1. Cover letter
2. Copy of fiancée's passport (biographical data page)
3. DS-230 Part 1 (pages 1 & 2)
4. DS-2100 ( page 4 of the instruction package for Immigrant visa applicants-from the Bogota embassy’s website)

you have to read carefully thru the instruction package and they give you a choice of how you want to send in packet 3:
A. Mail (Servientrega)
B. Fax (571) 315-4155
C. E-mail (IVBogota@state.gov)

Also, by the wording in the instruction package, it appears they are tired of receiving duplicate packages. For me that narrows it down to either Servientrega or email. I plan on emailing packet 3, when the time comes and if I don’t receive an email confirmation, I’ll have Servientrega to fall back on with a proof of delivery.

Good luck, Mike

Thanks. Right now my lawyer has most of that information I believe for package 3. If I knew about this site earlier I would have never hired a lawyer. My lawyer says they are waiting for the letter from USCIS to arrive to them so they can follow the instructions? She says sometimes the embassy wants the information mailed to them and sometimes we will bring the information to the embassy for the interview. Not sure what the heck she is talking about. I think I will have them send all the information they have to my fiance so we can be ready to fax the information. Or I guess we can just download the forms and forget about them? It is just that the having lawyer actually seems to be slowing things down.

Unfortunately in some cases, a lawyer can add weeks to a case due to case load... make sure you stay on top of your lawyer AND register for the email notifications so you have an idea when USCIS approves your paperwork and says they mail them out.

The U.S. Embassy in Bogotá just wants to know if your fiancée has all the paperwork ready they requested in packet 3. She does need to bring it to the interview but packet 3 pretty much says that she has it already. People who filed for CR1/IR1 visas are the only ones who sent all the paperwork to them before the interview.

Diana

Does anyone know what instructions there are? Have not received approval as yet.


On May 12, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.

Well it doesn't really have instructions per say...it just says that they have forwarded your paperwork to NVC and gives you the numbers to call. It will also give you the alien number for your fiance and I believe (if im not mistaken) the BGT#. Im not 100% sure...and I cant look at mine at the moment since it is backed away in my luggage (I leave for colombia tonight).

The letter pretty much says you have to wait till NVC clears all the security checks and to wait for their response. But I suggest you dont wait to long to call NVC (latest next week sometime) to verify they recieved it and to see when they will be sending your application to Bogota.

Diana B

Have a great interview! Let us know how all that email "paperwork" makes the actual date of the interview flow...

Hi all,

I found out yesterday that an uncle is traveling to Bogota tomorrow. Consequently, I asked him to take some documents down with him so I could avoid the expense and risk of mailing them to my wife. I will be attending the interview and will take originals of everything with me, but I want my wife to have everything in case I get hit by a bus or am otherwise unable to get to the interview.

I just wanted another pair of eyes to make sure I'm sending the correct things. She already has all documents that she is required to get. Please let me know if you see something wrong.

1. I-134 Affidavit of Support (Notarized)
a. Printed copies of federal tax returns for 2007,2006 & 2005 with photocopies of corresponding W-2 forms. I got an extension on the 2007, so I haven't actually filed yet. I have completed the returns, but I am waiting on a 1099 from a client to send everything in. Should I send the 2007 stuff anyway? I can't find my 2004 W2, so I can't send that year instead.
b. Last three paycheck stubs.
c. Letter from my employer stating my length of employment and salary. (Notarized)

2. Certified copy of divorce decree from my first marriage. Can I send a photocopy, or does it need to be the certified court copy.

3. Evidence of relationship - Phone records, emails, chat transcripts, insurance forms, etc.


Thanks for your help.

CG

Another member reporting to the Club.

Greetings!!!!

CG,

I think you're good to go. Do you have a W2 for 2007? Maybe you can send a copy of it and a letter explainin that you had to file an extension. But to be honest with you, I think what you already have is enough.

Diana

I went ahead and filled out the entire 2007 1040 and printed it out. I also sent a copy of the W2 for 2007. My only doubt was whether or not I should sign the copies of the previous 1040 forms since they were just printed out of TurboTax. I file electronically, so I don't have a copy of a signed 1040.

Oh I see. Well, it actually doesn't matter since you filed electronically. I read that question somewhere a while back and people said that since it was an electronic copy, it didn't have to be signed. Your call, as long as it shows your earnings.

Diana

Thanks Diana.

VISA APPROVED!!!!!

I129F Approved Today!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

CG,look like you on your way buddy, its been a while for me but right behind you bro bestwishes from sus amigo laspence

Sweet! It all picks up in speed from here. Are YOOOOUUUU ready?

I think so. She already has my I-134 form, signed and notarized. She got her DAS paperwork, or at least one of the two items. An appointment to check her immunizations/records.

Question for all, about the cover letter for the package 3 papers, does anyone have a template I can follow? Word format or otherwise? What all did you put in there? I want to have the paperwork ready this weekend so as soon as we get our BGT number, we can fill it in and email the embassy.

Thanks in advance.

You should wait until you know that the embassy has received your case from the NVC before you send them anything. It has taken up to seven weeks for some people after they received the case number from the NVC.

Diana

Congrats to all the approvals!!!

Lucho what's up big man?

Glad to see lucho peeking in once in a while...HOW U DOING BRO!!!!!!!!

Hey, all!

Great to hear about all the approvals. Glad for you lucky ones and hopeful as well!

A quick question: how much money will my fiancee need to take on the day of the interview? Are there any other expenses except for the doc, lab, visa fee and DOMESA fee?

Thanks in advance!

Waitman...Keep in mind that if all vaccines are necessary, the total will run about 140 mil pesos at the doctors office.

Best of luck!!!!

Congratulations to the recent approvals!

Just an FYI on our AOS:

Today May 19 was our AOS interview in San Francisco.
We had to bring an interpreter just in case I was not allowed to translate, it was the good move.

Our appointment was at 8:15 AM and we arrived about 20 minutes early. It was hassle free getting into the building and to the reception area. We were called around 8:30 by the officer and she accommodated us inside her office. The only thing she asked for was: your current address, current phone number, your SSN and and am I still employed. She went to ask about 3-4 questions in the 485 -"are you planning on doing terrorism, have you received any financial support from the government, have you trafficked drugs"


Although we were approved, I would ADVISE and CAUTION those who used the Dr in Texas for "vaccination supplement". She raised eyebrows when she said that you live in California and you had a medical in Austin? After explaining my reason why I did what I did, she asked us to sign and date a sworn statement that said "my medical was completed, but never did I meet this doctor, go to office or examined by this doctor, and that business was conducted by mail". She said that we are approved but, we might get a call from State and Federal officials regarding the practice of doing mail vaccination supplements. ---- Your experience may vary ----

My argument was each of the local Civil Surgeons wanted a FULL physical and cost about $400. I did the mail method for convenience and believed that the instructions in the I-485 said, K1s who had physicals within the last year only need to submit vaccination supplements and not to a full physical. Her argument was that, a doctor who signs the paper, certifies that he/she has examined the patient. ---- Your experience may vary ----

She was really nice and was very thorough. En fin, we'll be waiting for the GC in the mail. She kept the I-94 and EAD card, and she wrote a few numbers on top of the K1 visa.

Thank you Club Colombia! It's been a journey and if had to do it again, I would without a doubt!

I'll always be around for any questions. Monica is active in the Spanish forum for K1 and AOS. If you need us, do not hesitate to drop us a message.

Hey Lucho... long time no see. You're like a ghost around here nowdays.

Hope you and your wife are doing well!

Diana

Chester...thank you for all of your help in this thread and all the best to you and Monica in your new life together

Congrats Chester y Mónica

One less hurdle!

In reading various posts about vaccinations for a K-3 interview, there seems to be some conflicting information. My wife has her appointment with Dr. Roa two days before her interview.

From what I can gather, it is possible for her to have her vaccinations in her hometown before we go to Bogota for the medical exams and interview. Is this true? If so, how far an advance can she get them? I read someone post that it could only be up to a week before the medical. What has been the experience of those that went with Dr. Roa?


On another note...

Am I the only one who thinks that it's monumentally stupid to only have two doctors that can be used for the medicals? Do these two just do the medicals for spouse and fiance visas, or do they handle applicants for other types of visas?


Thanks,
CG

Im not sure if it is Dr. Roa or someone in his office but there is definitly something fishy going on when it comes to vaccinations. My fiancee received all of her shots in April and she was informed that she will have to have them all again in his office this Friday. I spent 16 years with Pfizer and am very familiar with the Center for Disease Control recommendations for vaccinations and this is a bunch of BS ! I sent an email to the embassy and told them what was going on and they replied the same day telling me they would call Dr. Roa's office and inform them that this was wrong. Now Im kinda worried that my fiancee might have trouble because he has been ratted out on this terrible practice and blatant attempt to collect more money from nervous individuals who are deperate to get their visa.

Myself and Sandra had her interview last month on the 18th but failed to receive her visa because Dr. Roa did not approve the medical due to the fact that she'd done some plastic surgery 2 1/2 weeks prior and was not 100% healed. I mean no one comes to Colombia for plastic surgery......Right...? He informed her she would have to come back in a month when everything was totally healed. Just a note for the ladies here, I did not know she was having anything done nor did I ever encourage her to. She has a sister who is very well to do and received the surgery as a wedding gift from her sister and her husband. She is happy with it and to tell you the truth I rather like it myself although I was totally happy with her body to start with. The only thing I did not like was the delays it has caused.

Sandra will be alone for this interview but the only thing that the embassy needs from her is the medical portion. FYI, her original Dr's apt back in April was with Dr. Gonzales but it got swapped over to Dr Roa after we arrived in Bogota because she was so busy that day.

There, now you guys have the whole story. BTW, my fiancee is Paisa. Maybe that will help explain things. Gents don't let your girl get any work done to close to their apts.

Rainman3

I think we've all agreed that the vaccination process with these two doctors is way too fishy. My husband also had his vaccines the last week of may last year, his appointment was four months later and Dr. Roa said that he had to have all his shots done again because the ones from May were too old. What really struck me as odd was that when we got back at 6pm for his new shots, all 18 people who had appointments that day with this doctor were also there to have their shots "retaken". I started to do the math in my head, x amount of $ per shot times 18 = A LOT OF MONEY daily. It's insane.

My best advice is to have these shots no more than one week before the medical, whether it's with Dr. Roa or Dr. Gonzales, becasue she's in it as well.

Diana

Wow... and these were questions we asked Capt. Ewok to forward the embassy a while back. I don't know what came about of these answers, and it looks like it took someone that mentioned the CDC guidelines I posted back months ago as well (thanks RAINMAN!!!) to get the embassy to do something.

I would not fear for a medical rejection because that is also something you can take up with the embassy and more so the interviewing CO if you do your stuff right.

Hopefully the MDs will stop looking to make more money out of this process. They already make a lot more to look at our SO's than their Colombian counterparts do for practicing actual medicine. The buck has to stop somewhere and I implore RAINMAN to let us know how the story develops.

I just called Dr Roa's office and was surprised to hear from the receptionist that it was OK for my wife to get her vaccinations in advance. The only requirement she mentioned is that certain vaccinations have to be done within a month. Since our appointment is in mid-June, she can get them anytime between now and the medical exam.

Maybe they have been getting heat for this issue. When I called, I lied and said from the outset and stated that the embassy had told me that vaccinations could be done in advance. Maybe this cornered her into telling the truth instead of the "company line".

Muy interesante...

The follow up could be the case... since some vaccines are supposed to be given up post initial shot in order to "complete" immunity... but not the ones on the required list for K-1/3/CR visas.

Ok you guys...

Tomorrow is the Big day!! I am here in Colombia at Colombia Lodging putting together the last paperwork with Andres. Pray for us and hope everything goes well...

I'll report tomorrow on how our interview goes!

Wish us luck!!!

Hey guys finally was approved and the NVC has sent the file to Bogota. Called the DOS this morning and they told me that the embassy has received the electronic file but not the paper file. The NVC said they sent it on the 16th. Not sure if that means physically or just electronically. I checked the dhl site and noticed a file sent to Bogota on the 16th which was signed for at the embassy on the 19th. Well should I call the embassy direct or just call DOS next week again maybe monday to find out? Also does anyone know the website that I can check on the interviews scheduled at the embassy. I saw the website earlier but can not seem to find it again. Thanks guys. Long journey since Sept. 7, 2007 but getting there. Thanks for all the information on this forum.

Don't worry about finding the link for the list of appointments because it's all whacked. Many times they put you down on a different date going for a totally different type of visa.

Diana

http://bogota.usembassy.gov/iv-appointments.html
The info here is pretty good but the dates they post the new list is not always consistent. Your best notice is the letter you get from the embassy but if you know the case number, then this link is pretty good.

Hi Diana and Andres,

I'm a little late in wishing you guys good luck as you guys are probably leaving the embassy by now

Hope everything went well...you guys were very well prepped so I'm sure you have GREAT news !!!!!!!!!