k1 Approved in Bogota, Colombia

[ARTY AND LILI 0]

Of course, we are on cloud 9 and later we will be posting our review of the embassy, but for right now we just wanted to say that we were approved! We are very happy and we were treated very respectfully. The interview was very short, and my Lili convinced me that getting there early was important to getting out of there quickly (It's darn cold). She was right. They process the paperwork serially and those who got in early were seen early. It all depends on your papers being approved "behind the curtains" quickly by having one's papers in order. Missing documents means a re-appointment. Depending on the papers needed, this could be days or longer.

The embassy staff was very helpful, and my fiancee was impressed by the order that was kept at the embassy. The waiting area is somewhat open air, and the cold can wear on you if you're not used to it. We are very grateful to the helpful information that people at visajourney have provided. It's a great place to take the mystery out of the process.

We were able to do everything without a lawyer, but I should add that there were no complications. YMMV.

We only needed the i-134 for the financial affadavit. They returned the I-864 to us.

I know that no system is perfect and that a lot of people have disappointing experiences with embassies and the entire process. Bogota, from my very minute exposure, is pretty well run and the staff is very professional. Are some of the people very matter-of-fact? Sure. But they spend the day making sure everything is in order and they rewarded honest and correct paperwork with a visa approval. That's all I wanted. Our interviewer smiled and was very nice. That might be the luck of the draw, but we would have been okay if they weren't as nice.

If you have your paperwork in order, act respectful, and have a bonafide relationship that exhibits more than a casual interest, you should be fine. I met one couple who had only met once, married, and hadn't seen each other in more than a year. That is a pretty tough case. You have to fight your way through a case like that and my heart goes out to people who form a long distance relationship and have a hard time being together during the long wait.

If I had to sum up my experience, I would say to pay plenty of attention to the paperwork and to take plenty of pictures and to document your relationship. We are an obvious couple when people see us. The people who interview you need to be convinced that you are for real. I think that the piece of evidence that did us the most justice was the engagement listing from my local newspaper.

I know that the process isn't over, but I am grateful to the help and support that many have given me during this journey.

Blessings!

Arty and Lili

[Ban Hammer 12,903]

mbc

[TBoneTX 43,549]

Congratulations, si man!

Thank you for your detailed story, which makes me wish even more that my fiancee and I had been able to deal with Bogota -- obviously impossible due to nationality. Once my fiancee is safely INSIDE the U.S. (planned soon), I'll post a review of OUR experiences at a certain neighboring country's consulate, and everyone's computer will certainly explode.

[Mononoke28 134]

Congratulations and good luck with the rest of your journey!!

Diana

[sara..... 371]

congratulations :dance: :dance:

[HAL 9000 96]

Felicitaciones... sounds good.

[Omar G. 4]

congratulations! im very happy for you. i am starting my journey in the next week or 2 hopefully and will be experiencing the Bogota Embassy. I am alittile worried about the whole interview, which is still far away but time flies so you have to be ready.....i still have many questions regarding the process after receiving the NOA2 and the interview.....did your fiance have any problem receiving the mail in Colombia?

[Mononoke28 134]

congratulations! im very happy for you. i am starting my journey in the next week or 2 hopefully and will be experiencing the Bogota Embassy. I am alittile worried about the whole interview, which is still far away but time flies so you have to be ready.....i still have many questions regarding the process after receiving the NOA2 and the interview.....did your fiance have any problem receiving the mail in Colombia?

Omar,

You can find many answers to your questions in regards to the US Embassy in Bogotá or the entire process in the Colombia Club.

Good luck!

Diana

[Zee Bee 61]

Congratulations!!!

[Mina76 0]

That's great, Congratulations on getting your approval!!!