bigley,

The best thing to do is to call the DOS Visa Office in DC at 202-663-1225. If I recall correctly, the prompts are 1 then 0. Either way, they will tell you as soon as your appointment has been scheduled. You can also call NVC, but it is a lot easier to get through at the Visa Office.

VISA APPROVED!!!



It was soooo incredibly easy!!! They didn't even speak to the beneficiary. She asked to speak to me and to tell her our story...when I was done talking (didn't show a shred of evidence) she said "Go pay for your Visa at Domesa!!"

I was like...NO WAY!! I'll tell you all the rest in a few days! It was great and everything was soo easy thanks to the assistance of everyone here in Visa Journeys!!

Thanks to all!!!

Diana and Andres

Congrats Diana!!!

But I'm confused. You say they didn't speak with the beneficiary. Are you the US Citizen or your fiance?

In any case, congratulations. Go celebrate somewhere nice tonight. Hopefully, we'll be celebrating on the 19th.

"AWESOME!!!...CONGRATULATIONS DIANA Y ANDRES!!!

Congratulations once again Diana & Andrés!

CG,

Yes, she's the US citizen and in the K1 forum they also said the CO didn't even talk to the beneficiary, only with Diana, the US citizen.

Diana

Ok you guys I need your help here....so this morning our visa was approved. We paid the visa delivery service Domesa and everything and left happy thinking that my fiances visa would be in the mail soon.

About an hour later we received a phone call from the Colombian Embassy stating that yes our visa was approved but that due to a Glitch in their system they couldn't issue the visa. They stated that the embassy was missing some internal paperwork that made it "illegal" to issue my fiances visa. They requested us to pick up the passport but upon arriving at the embassy they stated that we had the option of leaving it. Since my fiance and I are not from here we decided to leave it there...When we asked how long it would take to get the visa out they said they couldn't give a definite time.

So my question to you guys is....Has this happened to anyone else? Do they take long to resolve this matter? How long does it usually take?

I post this to all my fellow VJers in hopes to have a bit of peace. You can only imagine how we feel knowing that our visa is on its way one minute and then halted the next.

Let me know!

Thanks and kind regards,

Diana and Andres

I just wanted to give everyone an update, the new way of sending in Packet-3, thru email actually works. I sent it in the forms on Monday evening and I just received this confirmation email today (Thursday) :

Mr.

Thanks for your E-mail. the forms were received. you and your spouse will receive the appointment package aprox. 4 to 8 weeks.

Sincerely,

IV Bogota


So, really it was a 2-day turnaround time, If you consider, they didn’t look at my email until Tuesday morning.
Not bad, it works!

The best of luck to all the recent approvals!

Diana...I've never heard of anyone else having this issue. I think you need to call or head back to the embassy and ask questions until you get answers. This is unacceptable for them to leave you hanging like this. Work your way up the food chain...all the way to the Consular General if necessary to get some kind of answers.

Keep us posted

Hi guys with your help I am getting more information everyday. I called DOS again today and they said the Bogota embassy received our application on May 22, 2007 and sent out the packet 3 also. I am using a lawyer so I guess the lawyer will get the packet 3? Will my fiance get one too? I want my lawyer to use the short cut by sending today or Tuesday the packet 3 response by email or fax. Not sure which is better. Does anyone know from recent experience also what exactly Bogota is requesting for packet 3 (ie the new DS-2100 or just the DS-169, etc. etc.)? I know when I call my lawyer she will want to wait for packet 3 so she will only send what they request. Problem is I do not want to waste the time for the mail to get to her here in Florida. Any additional help is appreciated.

We faxed in the OF-169, but I think they also accept the DS2100. We also included the a cover sheet and first part of the DS-230. Why wait? Just download Packet 3 from the embassy site and fax it in.

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

Diana,

You need to keep calling or going in person until you get the visa on his passport. Up until November of last year, people had to leave their passports at the embassy and pick up the visas two days later. So maybe that's what they plan on doing... ? Monday will be a holiday, so I think you will have to check with them on Tuesday. But don't let them give you the run around.

Diana

bigley,

Your lawyer doesn't have to deal with packet 3 at all, in fact, most lawyers don't and you should be thankful for that. What you can do is read the previous posts and take advantage of the fact that your fiancée can send the documents for packet three via e-mail. It'll be faster and hassle free.

Diana

Just in case you're interested and weren't aware about this info. El SENA is giving free online English classes to all Colombians even if they live outside of Colombia. I'm not sure if it's too late to register for it but you can try. My husband registered and said it's a very good course.

Curso de inglés SENA

Diana

Diana,

Are the courses self-paced and do they have a specific start date? My wife would like to take it, but probably won't have time until she gets here. That won't be until probably about July.

Thanks,
CG

ColombianoGringo
Did you send a copy of fiancee passport (biographical data) also? My fiance is coming with two children so I imagine she would need to send the passport page and page 1 & 2 of DS-230? Am also interested in the english classes online for my fiance if anyone has more information. Trying to get my fiance here before August when school starts but she is unemployed in the health field right now so has time.

Hey wanted to again thank this forum for the great advise and information. I have been telling everyone I know about it. Amazing what people can do together. Forget the lawyers. Oh my lawyer does want to be involved with the package 3 but I may have to cut her out of the loop. I will wait till Tuesday since she did not get back to me today about us having already been sent the package 3. I think she now knows I know more about Bogota immigration than she does (thanks to this site). Not even sure if she knows about calling etc. She just tells us to be patient. Sept 7, 07 till now is very patient I think. Thanks again and because of the help from people that have already been approved and are citizens I will try to use my knowledge and my experience for new people on the site when I can.

Oops. Now that you mention it, yes she did. Our interview was scheduled about two months from the time we sent in our packet 3. Obviously, this varies, but should be OK for a mid to late July interview

Hi everyone!! Hope everyone is doing well! I have a quick question I was going to ask it in the colombia K1 forum but I didnt know how to translate it .....jajjaj.....

In the I-134

Question 11 states

I intend or do not intend to make specific contributions to the support.....



My question is::: which box do I check??? Intend.....or.....DO not intend???? Which box does my co-sponser check???? I have looked around and most people say to write K1- Visa but I would like your feedback??



Thanks


Jennifer

Jennifer

HELP IN BARRANQUILLA ... need a kind and benevolent host !!!!

hello all ... I write this out of desperation and in hopes a kind and benevolent soul(s) may come to our
aid.

we have been approved and have recieved our papers so my girls are legal to eneter the U.S. !!

But ... Junnell and Mari have returned to a hostile and potentialy harmfull BAQ. She is now staying in a chaotic
home of family that has 9 people living under one small roof and none are happy she is there.

however I am so very worried in regards to Maria's biological father. He is a potentialy violent person and has struck
my fiance several times in the past. My greatest fear is for my loves' safety !

at the time of this writting we are panicked that he is going to take Maria (the daughter) and never to be seen again.

he is a hypocrite and is only acting out of spite because he has already signed a notorized permission for Maria to
leave and has stated that " ... he doesn't care if she leaves" which we have saved on a phone message.

but our desperation is in the moment. I can't afford a hotel for the girls to hide out in as I am rapidly trying to
purchase departing tickets for the first avail flight which isn't until Tues.

are there any kind and benevolent souls that can help us in Barranquilla .. if only for a cpl of days ?

I know this is alot to ask but we have run out of possibilties.

Pls PM me and we can exchange details and continue in private. Blessings be on all.

Sorry to read about your situation. What you need to do is maximize your credit card, use your bank overdraft (if any) ask your family, friends and colleagues for monetary help.
My wife is from Barranquilla but I wouldn't put her family at risk - you are afraid of your fiance's ex becoming violent - do not ask others to put themselves/their families at risk. Use your credit/money to put her in a hotel where she will feel safe - its best for everyone. If I was in Barranquilla, I would take it upon myself to help but I feel that you do not know anyone on this forum (beyond a little contact on this forum) and shouldn't put them in jeopardy, you need to resolve it within your own circle of family/friends. Good Luck

Greetings everyone,



Sandra had her visa approved today in Bogota. Everything went very well for her.

All she had to do was turn in her results from her medical exam on Friday. They looked them

over briefly and than informed her that she was approved. She did have to receive 3 more

vaccinations though on Friday. She was told that she should be receiving her visa in Medellin

on this Friday. I already have her a flight on Thursday June 5th but I may be moving that up to this

weekend after I know that she has her visa in hand. We are both so very happy right now.

Two trips to Bogota and 2 visits with Dr. Roa, a crapload of vaccinations, the request for additional

information after the first interview on April 18th and all the disappointment of not being able to

bring my Sandrita home with me in April. All of the frustration has left me for now and I am just

overjoyed at the prospect of at longlast being together.


Greg

I'm not sure CG. I read it on Eltiempo.com a few months ago and my husband registered in January. He got all the stuff he needed last week and started taking the course and says it's really good. He's comparing it to the courses he's already taking here in Denver. From what I understand the course is at your own pace and they send it to you via their web site. Then last week I was listening to Caracol Radio and the SENA said that they were allowing more people to register after April 28th because of the high demand of requests.

I guess the whole thing started because the Colombian government wants to have more Colombians to be bilingual. It's worth a try and they can start studying in Colombia and continue here since it's all via the internet.

Diana

Yeah my wife signed up this weekend. I hope she'll be able to apply the skills she learns in her hopeful new job soon...

Chris,

I hope things are better and that you can bring them soon to the US. I also wanted to remind you that the document the father signed has to be very recent or the DAS won't let María leave Colombia.

Hopefully they won't have any issues and they can get away from it all.

Diana

Hi everyone,it's been quite awhile since I have posted and really happy to see how active this forum is! Francisco has been here a year now and happily, his children will be moving with us in 2 weeks! Francisco received his visa in April 2007; we requested interviews for his children in February 2008 and attended interviews with them at the end of March. Although we were very close to the year limit given for "follow to join" benefits, we had no trouble at all!

Now of course we are preparing for them to leave Colombia. Francisco is leaving next week for Colombia so he can fly to the US with them. We will have the papers from the mother, giving permission. Is there anything else we need to be prepared for when they leave?

Also, just to relieve some anxiety, is the DAS police certificate one of the documents that's sealed in the brown envelope? His son is afraid he lost it but I think the embassy would have either kept it in their records or passed it along in the envelope.

Kathy

The embassy should've kept it and it should be in that brown envelope. My husband never got his back and there's no use for it anymore, so no need to worry.

Besides the signed authorization from the mother (make sure is recent), your husband shouldn't have any issues traveling with his sons.

Good luck!

Diana

Hey all my lawyer is giving me a hard time about filing the shortcut method. Our file is in Bogota since the 22nd and they sent the packet 3. Does anyone know if my fiance will receive notification? My lawyer again is useless.
She says she does not want to fax the information to the embassy because she does not want to make a mistake and slow down the process. She already screwed up earlier and caused a RFE. I need to send ds-2100, part 1 ds-230 and biographical page of passport right? If so I will do it myself but want to make sure.

ok you guys....

So this is the problem with the Visa...

Yes we are approved!

But no we are not getting the visa just yet...

It turns out that we are under administrative processing. When we were told at embassy about the glitch they said they couldn't issue the visa due to internal error. After asking everyone and their mothers possible!!!! We have been informed that it is administrative processing.

I am extreemly worried but confident that the wait wont be long. According to the Administrative processing forum the wait can be as follows:

1-3 months (lucky)
3-6 months (average)
6 months + (unlucky)

Has anyone in the Colombia form been placed under administrative processing?

Please let me know that we aren't the only ones with this horrific issue!

Keep us in your prayers you guys and pray for a speedy process. We want to be together so bad...and it is sooo unfair that we have to wait yet again even after given the ok to have our visa.

Pray for us....

Diana and Andres

Darn I just hope this AP is over and done with sooner rather than later.

You may want to contact your Federal Rep/Senators in a month if the embassy is still dragging its toes on this one.

Suerte!

That's too bad Diana and so unfair. I guess the NVC doesn't take care of that when it comes to K1/K3 visas. But I'm with maviwaro and you should contact your state representative to put pressure on them. Hopefully they'll take care of it fast.

Diana

What exactly is administrative processing at the consulate level?

We have a potential problem that concerns me. We were married in San Andres on June 11 of last year. However, that was a holiday so the notario's office did not officially file the paperwork until the next day, so June 12 appears as the official marriage date and the idiots also put down June 12 as the ceremony date.

Before we filed our petitions with USCIS, I asked them about this and they told me to put down the correct date and include a letter explaining the discrepancy. I included an addendum explaining everything and we were approved with no RFE. However, I am concerned about some jerk at the embassy making this a problem. Has anyone experienced any issues like this in the past and what were the results?

Thanks,
CG

Sorry to hear about the AP Diana. I sure hope it's done with sooner than later.

What's going on Scott, Mavi, Diana??? Long time no chat. We're just living it up here in sunny Southern California. Wendy is studying english, and just enjoying being together.
Saludos

Kathy!

Well, I am not sure on the DAS document... to be honest I think that is not one of the big things they look at along the process since the kids will be going into AOS almost instantly upon arrival in Indy right? Matter of fact if they're done with the interviews then that DAS document won't really matter. To get them out will be the waiver from the mother... hopefully she will be able to secure a B visa in the future if she doesn't have one already unless you guys plan on *sarcastic sigh* sacrificing and traveling all together to Colombia so that the kids can see their mom.

Anyway... good news! Congrats! Now you get to play stepmom everyday.


Yeah Lucho... has Wendy gotten good employment? Mária está en esas... I'm really crossing my fingers that she gets offered a job she interviewed for yesterday.

CG, my wife and I were married "officially" by a notary in his office on a Friday. We had our wedding ceremony with family the following day (Saturday, when all government offices are closed) with the same notary presiding. Thusfar, we've had no problems with the dates. I would think the only date you need to be concerned with is the "official marriage date" that the Colombian government recognizes. The date you and your wife choose to celebrate is up to you. I don't think it will be a problem. Just keep good records and you should be fine.

Charles

parkpapa,

The problem is that USCIS had us put June 11 on our forms and the marriage certificate says June 12. Hopefully they won't give us any grief about it.

I guess since we have everything else in order, I have to stress about something. Ha Ha.

Thanks,
CG

I'm a little surprised they would care, but as long as you hang on to any and all documentation - including anything that USCIS sends to you. If you got this info verbally, be sure to record the date and time of the conversation, as well as the name of the person you talked to. One reason this is important is that, as I have found personally, you will get a different story and different requirement from USCIS depending on who you talk to and on what day it is.

I would encourage you to stick pretty closely to the hard-won information you find on this website, as it tends to be more consistent and more accurate than what you'll get from immigration attorneys or the USCIS, itself. We've been tempted to hire an attorney a couple of times, but I have yet to find anything in this process that you can't handle quicker or more certainly yourself. The only requirement is to study, study, study here and on the USCIS website .... and practice lots of patience while being ready to act quickly, when required. But the one overriding requirement is to document everything and keep all your records in good order as any of them could become necessary at any given time.

Hang in there.
Charles

Well. Unfortunately, we didn't get anything in writing from USCIS about this. They approved our petition without any RFEs or anything. I got the suggestion from an officer at USCIS and I have her name written down.

I had thought about calling today and talking to the embassy, but I don't think the people who answer the phones in the visa section could be very helpful. I would prefer to try and discuss this with someone at the embassy before the interview.

Thanks,
CG

CG,

I honestly don't think it's a big deal really. I think it is something that you can explain in person and they're really mostly concerned with whether you have a legit marriage or not. But don't sweat it, they can treat it as a typo.

As for AP at the embassy level, I believe it's the same as at the NVC level. For CR1/IR1 petitioners, they're caught at the NVC and they will then hire several agencies to double and triple check the name that came up on their "red flag" list. They're mostly coincidences but they need to make sure they're not giving "X" person a visa if they were tagged as felons or potential felons. Since K1 and K3 visas spend just a few days or weeks at the NVC, they don't have time to do this part of the process and so the embassy takes care of it.

Diana

I agree with Diana, CG. Its something you can explain in writing and in person if asked. You probably won't even be asked about the discrepancy.

Thats exactly whats bothering me...we have already been through AP at the NVC Level! It took the NVC 3 weeks to forward our paperwork to the Embassy! If we have already been though AP why do we have to go through it again? Should the first time be sufficient...

And now out of total curiosity Im starting to wonder who has the problem with the security checks...him or I....and what kinda of "red flag" is being flown on us!

A&D,
I haven't followed your situation real close, but keep in mind you're dealing with two separate government agencies in this process - Department of State and Homeland Security (USCIS is part of HS). They each have separate priorities and separate means and methods of checking stuff. Why they don't communicate with each other or have the same information is a real mystery, but that's government in action (or inaction). One may give approval readily and the other drag their heals for whatever reason.

Charles

Yeah Charles...I know...its just frustrating seeing visas getting approved and everything going swimmingly for others and it seems that with ours we have had curve ball after curve ball.

I just pray that we are a set of the lucky ones going through AP...that are wait isn't to extensive. I have known my fiance for close to 14 years...I just dont want to wait anymore.

Thanks for your info!

Diana

That is the weird thing, Charles... NVC is Dept of State and acts as a staging ground for Embassy-centered paperwork.

I am starting to smell a rat on this case... Diana2 (para no confundirnos con Diana1 de Mononoke jeje) it seems that if in a certain amount of time you don't hear back from the Embassy in Bogotá then it would be in order for you to contact them directly about the case, repeating as I'm sure you have already, that you went through AP at the NVC. The "glitch" could be something as mundane as an NVC employee that did not follow procedure and document everything they "reviewed" etc etc. Or it could be something as serious as the embassy staff having placed something in the file behind a fax machine, copier, filing cabinet, etc... catch my drift? It could be that they saw AP on the NVC side of the paperwork and are using it as an excuse to hurry on up whatever legal thing they need to do to get that visa expedited.

What do you think would be reasonable for them to get on the ball with that? 1 month?

I would seriously draft my letter to my rep or my senators now and have it ready for mailing in one month's time should the embassy drop their legwork.

I hate to say it, but it seems like there is somewhat of a bias against couples where the petitioner is a female. Aside from Diana 1, it seems like an awful lot of female petitioners have trouble at the embassy. I remember some lady having a world of problems last year until she got her congressman involved. At least it isn't as bad as the mideast where practically every female petitioner automatically goes into AP.

I hope you get this resolved quickly Diana. I agree that you should get the ball rolling ASAP on writing your representatives in Congress.

Hi all understand that the other problem is bigger than mine but I wanted to repost. I really need some advise. Do I just fax everything the page 1& 2 of ds-230 plus 2100 plus biographical page of passports or no?

Hey all my lawyer is giving me a hard time about filing the shortcut method. Our file is in Bogota since the 22nd and they sent the packet 3. Does anyone know if my fiance will receive notification? My lawyer again is useless.
She says she does not want to fax the information to the embassy because she does not want to make a mistake and slow down the process. She already screwed up earlier and caused a RFE. I need to send ds-2100, part 1 ds-230 and biographical page of passport right? If so I will do it myself but want to make sure. Please tell me.

colombianogringo You helped me earlier am I right about the fax and sending everything. My lawyer has me thinking I have doubts. She says she will get a letter from NVC (packet 3) from them to respond. If she does not have it she will not send. I owe her @$1000 I think I it will be hell to pay right now.

bigley,

I can't advise you on how to deal with your lawyer. Keep in mind that she works for you. The issue of a remaining balance does not change that. You will obviously have to pay her, but you can dictate what she does or doesn't do in regards to your case.

As I mentioned, we faxed in our Packet 3 forms using a Spanish version pdf that was sent to me by another VJ member who went through the process a few months before us. it was essentially the same as the downloadable version on the embassy website. As I mentioned, we faxed it in on a Friday and mailed another copy via ServiEntraga that same day. By the time I called the embassy the next Wednesday, they verified that it was already in their system. I think that the step of sending via Servientrega was probably redundant, but it didn't appear to cause a problem. Remember that the post in Colombia can sometimes be slow so waiting to receive packet 3 from the embassy can create an unnecessary delay.

Good luck,
CG

I ended up sending an email to the visa department at the embassy about my concerns with our wedding date mismatch. Here is their response.


I would not expect this issue to cause any problems or delays. However, the interviewing officer will have the final decision.

I understand the need for them to add a caveat, but I certainly feel somewhat relieved.

Thanks to all,
CG

Hey as long as its explained previously to the interview, then that mismatch is not a biggie.

Your lawyer is only a help when the docs are in the US. Once the papers are in Bogota your lawyer is useless, at least our's was. I would not wait for any papers to arrive. You can get it all and send it in. We did not ever recieve Pkt 3 or Pkt 4. Why the Embassy insists on sending them by mail in a country that does not have a mail systems is beyond comprehention. The docs you need for Pkt 3 are going to be gatherd in Colombia. Some take time to get. I would get started on that now and submit them as soon as you have them. Our lawyer did eventually recieve Pkt 3. I never did and niether did Paola.