Keep in mind that there is NO set number of photos...or even a rule that says that photos are required. Everyone is guessing, including me. I think the general consensus is that the embassy does like to see photos of beneficiary and petitioner together. I think they also like to see variety.....they don't want to see 20 photos of the two of you taken at the same time. When we submitted our I-129F, we included some photos....from Monserrate, at the mall, during my birthday with her family, and on the night we "formally" got engaged. It was probably in the neighborhood of 12 pictures....mas y menos. We brought some additional photos with us to the interview, but the guy never asked for them. He was satisfied with the ones we had included with the I-129F. So, don't sweat it. As long as you have photos of the two of you from different places (even in different clothes), I think you are OK. Of course, I am assuming you have other proof of relationship as well....e-mails, chat logs, phone bills, copies of plane reservations AND boarding passes, etc. I think that when some people have provided a range of the number of photos to bring, it was more of a max than a min (these folks were often responding to other who asked if they should bring a photo album, for example).

Good luck.

Mike

PS - Can't imagine what happened with the fax. This is the first time I've heard of anyone having a problem. Sorry it had to be you.

I have a simple question for anyone who might know. My husband is currently in Bogotá running all the errands for the paperwork we need. He took care of the Certificado Judicial this morning and will go get his Certificado Migratorio tomorrow morning. I know the DAS in Bogotá is open from 7:30AM-4PM, but what time should he get there so he doesn't have to stay all day? I was thinking maybe as early as 6:30AM? Is it really necessary to get there that early?

Thanks in advance everybody!!!

Diana

Lorena and I went to DAS three times while I was there in April. The wait there was almost always short (of course, I couldn't go in), and she was always out within 15 or 20 minutes. The real waiting time is at the bank where you have to pay the DAS fees. That wait could get close to an hour. All in all, the waiting really wasn't bad for getting those documents. The interview will be much worse.

Charlie

Thanks Charlie!

My husband was relieved to hear he doesn't have to get up at 5AM to go get his Certificado Migratorio. He already went to Bancafé today to pay the fee. Now all we have left is for him to get his vaccines and get his birth certificate and Certificado Judicial translated and we're done baby!!!

Glad to be of help. Good luck to both of you!!!

July 5th!!! 5 de Julio!!!

Thats our interview date!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! woooooooooohoooooooooooo

I almost cried when the lady told me....omg bacanooooooooooooooooooo

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so happy to hear it didn't happen before July 4th! You're going to have a great long weekend in Colombia AND visa in hand!!!

Diana

Congrats, Lucho!! Best of luck.

Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!!!!!


WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I'M STILL AMPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

that's great, now you can go and get those tickets. just called the nvc,nothing yet for us but that's ok since july 5 is still too early. i'd rather have the 14, keep your fingers crossed.
JK

Hope to meet one of you while i'm down there.

I know the basic courier system sucks outside of Bogota. It has been 2 whole weeks since the embassy mailed out packet 3, yet we have not received it (Barranquilla). Now that we know our interview date, we are worried that we might not even get packet 4 in time. We know that the appt. letter is the most importan part of that packet. We need that to pay for the visa, medical appts, and to show the embassy to get in. Is there a way to get a copy of this appt. letter faxed to her or myself or emailed?? How about worse case scenario. It is 1 week prior to the interview and no packet 4 in sight. What to do then?

Thanks!

I know, the Colombian mail system is horrendous. Aren't you glad you chose to fax packet 3 to them instead of waiting for your fiancée to receive it?

Sorry guys, Wendy just received packet 3 minutes ago!!!!


Diana, Yup that was a great tip of faxing it in!!!!!!!!

Now the hard part, plane tickets urrrghh

Posted my question on the CR-1/IR-1 forum. Sorry.

Good news I wanted to share!
My Fiancee's visa was approved! We had our interview date on 5/25. The only issue we had was the lab. work was not clear and my fiancee had to have another test done. We were able to still have our interview as scheduled as were approved pending the medical documentation. We had to wait until Tuesday to return to the Doctor's office. At the second visit she was informed she needed two more vaccinations ( TD , MMR). There is a office close by where she got the vaccinations ( cost was good 37.000 mil total). We returned to the doctor's office and recieved the doctor's letter. Today we returned to the Embassy and are scheduled to pick up the visa tomorrow.

The only issue was my future mother-in-law was denied a tourist visa to attend our wedding. I have already written the Embassy and I am written all my Senators and Congressmen. I was really upset and had be removed from the Embassy by my mother-in-law and Fiancee. I wanted to know why and speak to a supervisor. The Official that spoke to her was terrible. I was present for her interview and I was ashamed she was treated the way she was. I sent the following letter. Do not think it will help.



xxxxxxxxx
Hamden, CT.
06514
(203) xxxxxxxxx
Email: Prez3364@aol.com

Subject: Visit Denial xxxxxxxxxxxxxx


Dear Ambassador William B. Wood,

I am respectfully requesting that you review a Tourist Visa Denial for my future mother-in-law. On 05/25/07, Mrs. Dubis Maria Vega Cabrera was interview and denied a Tourist Visa to attend the wedding of her daughter and myself on 7/27/07 in North Haven, CT. Mrs. Vega Cabrera provided the following evidence to demonstrate strong ties to Colombia. The evidence is as follows:
Mrs. Vega Cabrera is the owner of house in Barranquilla
Attached to the house are two stores that Mrs. Vega Cabrera collects rent monthly.
In addition Mrs. Vega Cabrera has a store front in her house that she sells clothing she manufactures.
Mrs. Vega Cabrera has 3 children residing in Colombia with 2 currently living with her.
Mrs. Vega Cabrera has 6 grandchildren residing in Colombia with 1 grandchild living with her.
A copy of the contract for the wedding at Fantasia in North Haven, CT. was provided to the Consular Officer.
The aforementioned demonstrates Mrs. Vega Cabrera has strong ties to Colombia. I was present for my mother-in-laws interview and possibly due to the large number of applicants on this day, the Consular Officer might not of had enough time to review all the evidence provided. I would also like to add, I am a Correctional Lieutenant for the State of Connecticut, member of the Town of Hamden Community Emergency Response Team ( A program sponsored by Homeland Security) and I am involved in community activities with the Masonic Organization. I can ensure you, Mrs. Vega Cabrera with return to Colombia so she may return for future trips to visit her daughter and myself.

In closing, I would like to thank you in advance for reviewing this case. I am hopefully Mrs. Vega Cabrera can have a new appointment scheduled before she returns to Barranquilla on 5/31.

Respectfully,

Corey Green

Congratulations Corey, however bitter sweet. I'm sorry to hear about the denial for your mother in law. I hope the letter works. So sorry.

Hola! Yo de nuevo jeje espero que esten muy bien.

Pues imaginense que a mi novio le llego un correo, y pues el me mandó un forward pero no entiendo bien lo que quiere decir.... me podrían ayudar?

Es el siguiente:

You are subscribed to Laws & Regulations/What's New for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This information has recently been updated with two Notices of Information Collection under Review and Notices of Extension of TPS for Nicaragua and Honduras, and is now available.


For information about your Individual Case Status or to file with USCIS, please click here or call 1-800-375-5283.

You can change your subscriptions, password or e-mail address or unsubscribe at anytime from your Subscriber Preferences Page using your e-mail address to log in.

For questions or problems with the subscription service, e-mail support@govdelivery.com.


This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Gracias por su gran ayuda.

Nydia.

This is what I have for Packet 4 so far. Please let me know if I am missing anything.

1. DS156 = Filled 2 sets of forms out
2. DS156k = Filled 2 sets of forms out
3. DS230 parts 1 & 2 = 2 sets filled out.
4. I-134 = Notarized and copies made. Supporting documents are last 3 years of tax transcripts, 1040 and W2's. Work certificate.
5. Proof of real and ongoing relationship =
a) the 13 photos originally submitted with the I129F
plus 21 new photos including some of my recent trip that was made after the I129F was submitted.
c) I call her with prepaid calling cards. I will not be able to show proof of phone calls. However, I have saved about a hundred or so used up calling cards. No emails, We hardly email each other. 99% of our communication is by phone.
d) Her engagement ring. Althought I missed place the receipt and paid cash.....big mistake.
e) My boarding passes

I believe all we need now is to pay the $100 fee, get the lab work and medical exam done. Please let me know if we are missing something. Or any tips and advice.

no se preocupe, me parece que su novio se subscribió a la página que da información sobre las
Leyes y Regulaciones/ Que hay de nuevo para la ciudadania de los estados unidos y servicios de inmigración. si él quiere, puede cambiar su subscripción para no recibir mas información sobre ese tema.
JK

I hate to double post but tried editing and didnt work.

This is what I have for Packet 4 so far. Please let me know if I am missing anything.

1. DS156 = Filled 2 sets of forms out
2. DS156k = Filled 2 sets of forms out
3. DS230 parts 1 & 2 = 2 sets filled out.
4. I-134 = Notarized and copies made. Supporting documents are last 3 years of tax transcripts, 1040 and W2's. Work certificate.
5. Proof of real and ongoing relationship =
a) the 13 photos originally submitted with the I129F
plus 21 new photos including some of my recent trip that was made after the I129F was submitted.
c) I call her with prepaid calling cards. I will not be able to show proof of phone calls. However, I have saved about a hundred or so used up calling cards. No emails, We hardly email each other. 99% of our communication is by phone.
d) Her engagement ring. Althought I missed place the receipt and paid cash.....big mistake.
e) My boarding passes
6. Birth Certificate
7. Baptismal Certificate
8. Police Certificate
9. Migratorio Certificate is on its way
10. She has her passport.

I believe all we need now is to pay the $100 fee, get the lab work and medical exam done. Please let me know if we are missing something. Or any tips and advice.

Lucho,
You might take a look back at my comments a couple of weeks ago. Had the same situation (and fear). Worst case is you pay the $16.95 and call the folks at the embassy to schedule an appointment to pick up a copy of packet 4. But, they will not schedule an appointment sooner than two weeks before the interview date.

Congrats on packet 3!

Thanks dude!!

It is late and I am tired and do not have packet 4 in front of me, but....

You already submitted DS-230, part I. You do not need it for the interview. Why DS-230, part II? Not necessary.

I am assuming she has the required passport photos for the DS-156 and for the medical exam.

I assume neither of you were previously married.

Just re-read the list provided in packet 3. It appears you have everything taken care of, unless there are special circumstances (as noted in the packets - arrest record, deportation).

Thanks Mike.

Yes, she does have the passport photos. Forgot to mention that. I believe part 2 of the DS230 is required. We read that somewhere. I'll look it up and see what I come up with.

Thanks

Yes, in the instructions, you are lead to believe that DS-230, part II is necessary, but it is NOT. You can take it with you if you like for piece of mind, but unless something has changed since January (which I do not believe is the case, unless it's one of those K-1-specific things), you will not need it.....only DS-156 and DS-156K.

Hey Corey, I am happy for you and the visa approval! I am also sorry about your mother-in-law. I will wait for the update and talk to you when you get back to CT.

Mike y Adriana is correct. We skipped the DS230 part II. However, bringing it won't hurt.

Corey, I lived in Hamden for three years and will return to the area in the next two months. When you get back in CT, if you'd like, Catherine would like very much to get in touch with your fiancee. I think it can be very helpful to have friends from back home. If your fiancee is interested in talking to her, please let me know. Catherine is from Barranquilla.

Jay

Thanks. We will probably take it anyway. But leave it apart and only turn it in if requested.


Has anyone stayed at this place in Bogota? http://www.welovebogota.com/

Please share your experience.

WOW!!! That looks like the perfect place to stay. Price is great, location is great! Being very close to the embassy is a huge plus. Now, I just wish I was going there very soon to give ya all a report.

Yup, price is great!!!!!! Just made my reservation for a whole week. I was told by the owner of the apartment that it is only half block away from the embassy. Great!!
No taxis = No problems

Hey Jay. I live in CT and my wife is also from Barranquilla. We always welcome more friends.

Another question for the CR-1 filers. I'm filling out the I-864 form I found on the USCIS web site, "edition date 11/01/06. Previous editions not accepted", it expires 10/31/07. But when I open it with Acrobad Reader, version 8 I can't type in it. The old version, expiration date 09/30/06 lets met enter the info on my computer but the new one doesn't. Do you guys know what is going on? Am I doing something wrong?

Thanks everybody!!!!

two things i would do. sometimes programs don't behave and you have to reboot your computer, so try shuting down your computer , then back on. if that doesn't work, download adobe acrobat 8 professional. its a trial version but will last 30 days, more than enough time for you to fill out the rest of the forms you'll need plus you'll be able to save the documents after you've filled them out.
JK

Actually, an I=864 question relates to all of us. Even if you are a K-1 or K-3, eventually the beneficiary will have to adjust status and the petitioner will have to complete this form.

Simple answer: print the form and will it in by hand. Sometimes we over-rely on technology when we do not have to.

Thanks JK and Mike!!!

After playing around with it my husband figured out that you can use Adobe Reader 6.0 and be able to fill it out. You can't save it though. I'll also look into downloading Adobe Professional 8.0 and see if I can use it for anything else before the trial version expires.

Oooh! One last question. How did you guys send the Certificado Judicial to the NVC? Did you send the little book they give out in Colombia? Or did you make a certified copy of it to send out with the translation?


Diana

Hi,

Is it true that the labratory does not assign appointments? Is it first come first serve?

i sent the original certificado judicial booklet, not a copy, put in it a ziplock bag and stapled the bag to a sheet of paper with our info on it.
JK

Jay,
We will def. get together when you are in Hamden and I am sure Tony and his wife will be with us. My Fiancee (Adelis) told me she would love to talk to your Fiancee. They will have to exchange email addresses. I agree, it is important that our Fiancee's have a network of friends that are going to be adjusting to living in America. No matter how much we try to make the transition easy for them, it is a change. Talk to you soon.

Tony,
I'll give you a call either Saturday or Sunday. We leave Bogota tonight ( Saturday) at 11:55pm and arrive at JFK at 5:30am, immigration and then the ride home! Hope the little one is willing to take a nap so we can!

Lucho,

This is what I've gathered from reading all these Colombian posts.

The place is:

Instituto y Laboratorio Clínico
Calle 38 # 8-28
Local #1
Bogotá
Tel# 232.7272 (If busy, keep dialing)

*** First come, first serve. They are open from 7AM-10AM. Try to get there really early so she can have her stuff done in the morning and they can send the lab stuff to the dr's in the afternoon.

They will do lab work, blood, & chest exam

She will need her passport, 1 photo and interview letter. I don't have any info on how much it costs.

She can't eat the night before.

And, that's pretty much I have written down on this beat up notebook of mine.

Hope that helps.

Diana

Thanks Diana

We will plan do be there between 6:30 - 6:45 latest. We have the medical schedule the following day at 9:45am with Dra. Consuelo.

Lucho:

If I remember correctly, my wife was told by the doctor's office to bring one of the DS-156s with her (know this post is about the lab, not the doctor, but just thought about it). I beleive the doctor's office then put the DS-156 in the envelope with the lab results and medical exam results.

I'd verify it with my wife, but she left for Bogota today. May want to ask your fiancee if the doctor's office said anything about this....or maybe others on the board can indicate whether they had a similar experience.

Mike

Mike,
I'm not sure about that either. I believe you are correct. We will be taking all of our paperwork everywhere with us while we're in Bogota. So shouldnt be a problem.

BTW,
Seems like Dra. Consuelo's secretary has a bad attitude. Hopefully Dra. is not like her secretary.

FYI
While in Bogota, Doctor Consuelo was not in the office due to her father being in a car accident. She had a male Doctor covering the office for her. I am not sure this caused the issue with my Fiancee having to have her lab work re-done or having to get vaccinations TD / MMR again. In the end it all worked out, as we arrived home this morning. No one mentioned when Dr. Consuelo was returning to the office but just a heads up.

How was your fiance's experience with a male doctor? I have heard horror stories.

Hi folks

Well, I do have some news as to the medical parts:

We had our medical lab tests and physical last week. To our surprise the lab tests went very smoothly- we were there together at 6:50 AM and by 7:40 AM we were out the door. The test results were sent to Dra González that same day by 2:30 PM.

The lead receptionist at the lab was a bit rude with me for asking to sit my my fiancee during the bloodwork (all of its 30 seconds). So I sat in the wooden chairs in the reception area. Later we went for some buñuelos and chocolate since we both fasted since the night before.

We stayed at the Suites Inn in the Galerías district- a very residential area and economical- COP 60.000 per night. After the small breakfast we took a nap at the hotel and then went out for the physical at Dra González'. Yes, her father had been in a car accident and that required us to be understanding. However, she was extremely professional, kind, and even sweet with my fiancee. We made the boo-boo of leaving a couple of pics behind so we went over to the EXITO on Carrera 7a and had them done quite easliy. We returned to the office and gave them personally to the receptionist. She was also quite nice and helpful on those parts that she's been obviously exposed to from countless visa applications. Be nice to her, and she'll give you great info. Make sure your vaccines are up to date. 1998 is the earliest year to have on record. Even though, in my logic as someone that has received a shot once, and the immunization is stated to be once in a lifetime, then a 1993 shot should be good. That won't fly with the current guidelines so make sure to have your shots as close as you can to the date of the physical.

Since the Dra had these circumstances we did not receive the results that same day (May 30) but had my fiancee's aunt come by a day later for them. Make sure to leave written authorization both at the Dr's office and with your authorized party to smoothen that quickly.

What I did find quite funny was the obligation to hold on to the X-Ray results for the plane ride to the States. I guess we'll just keep it once the "authorities" fail to ask for it as I am told over and over by others that have done the same route.

Tonight we leave for Bogotá again from Bucaramanga to spend Sunday nice and relaxed at the aunt's place. Monday morning will be quite interesting and I pray to God that the entire process at the Embajada will be relatively smooth. Last night we went over the paperwork and evidence and after looking at the bunch of pictures, airline tickets, hotel receipts, email printouts, and everything else, the general feeling was that we couln't be denied such a strong, obvious, and clear case for approval.

WISH US LUCK!

Horror stories with the male doctor in Bogota? Or just horror stories about male doctors in other countries?

I think I mentioned this before, but my wife went to the male doctor (her preference - doesn't care for the female doctors she has seen in Bogota) and had absolutely no problem with him or with the staff in his office. They were quite helpful, so she told me.

Just male Dr's at from other countrys.

Good luck Maviwaro. Keep us updated.

suerte mavi!!!
JK