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james&adry

People from latin america. Specifically Colombia your two cents please?

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Colombia
Timeline

Hello all I am new here and my girlfriend and I are really anxious to get the ball rolling for her to join my life here in the US. Not sure exactly but I have been reading all the info and guides. Adriana (my gf) is from Colombia, and I have known her for a good long while. She attempted to secure a tourist visa to visit me last October but they denied her thinking she was just going to live here instead. I found that hard to believe because she is a computer programmer working for a reputable company in Bogota City. Anyway after she was denied I decided I had to make the effort and go down to meet her and so I did earlier this month. I had a great time with her and she was a wonderful tour guide. But alas there was more to her than meets the eye and I believe we have both fallen in love. Love at first sight exists! So I am writing my first post here not only to introduce myself but to gather other's Colombian stories and successes. I would love to know most of all how long it actually takes and how much all the paperwork is? Thank you all for any help that you might bestow to me.

James USA

&

Adriana Colombia

CR-1 Visa

Service Center: California Service Center

Consulate: Bogota, Colombia

Event Date

Marriage: 2009-04-30

I-130 Sent: 2009-05-14

I-130 Approved: 2009-08-25

NVC Received: 2009-09-09

Interview Date: 2009-11-19

Visa Received: 2009-11-25

US Entry Target Date: 2010-01-08

S. Korea La Vida Loca: 2010-04-07

Returned to USA: 2011-04-06

Removal of Conditions: 2012-01-08

I-751 Biometrics: 2012-03-02

I-751 Approved: 2012-09-07

N400 Sent: 2012-10-10

Biometrics: 2012-11-02

Interview: 2013-01-09

Oath: 2013-02-22

Citizenship: 2013-02-22

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Brazil
Timeline

Depending on the Visa you're trying to get (you call her your gf but you listed K3 which is a spousal visa) it will probably take anywhere from 7 to 9 months on average to go through the process meaning service center sends Noa1 to the time your gf has a visa and can move here. It costs about $455 to file and then once she's here another $1000 + to adjust status. That doesnt include fees for doctor visits, pictures, getting copies of documents you need etc, etc.

NOA 2. Really?

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Colombia
Timeline
Depending on the Visa you're trying to get (you call her your gf but you listed K3 which is a spousal visa) it will probably take anywhere from 7 to 9 months on average to go through the process meaning service center sends Noa1 to the time your gf has a visa and can move here. It costs about $455 to file and then once she's here another $1000 + to adjust status. That doesnt include fees for doctor visits, pictures, getting copies of documents you need etc, etc.

Thanks Corinthians. I picked K3 visa because we will probably marry in her home country and get the ball rolling that way. I had no idea it would take so long. I thought certain countries get precedence but I must have been mistaken. Wow. Anyway thanks all in advance. I hope to catch up with you all from time to time as things get more solidified for us.

CR-1 Visa

Service Center: California Service Center

Consulate: Bogota, Colombia

Event Date

Marriage: 2009-04-30

I-130 Sent: 2009-05-14

I-130 Approved: 2009-08-25

NVC Received: 2009-09-09

Interview Date: 2009-11-19

Visa Received: 2009-11-25

US Entry Target Date: 2010-01-08

S. Korea La Vida Loca: 2010-04-07

Returned to USA: 2011-04-06

Removal of Conditions: 2012-01-08

I-751 Biometrics: 2012-03-02

I-751 Approved: 2012-09-07

N400 Sent: 2012-10-10

Biometrics: 2012-11-02

Interview: 2013-01-09

Oath: 2013-02-22

Citizenship: 2013-02-22

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Colombia
Timeline

If you have not already check out this thread, it has a wealth of information concerning the embassy in Bogota and people who have gone through there. Good luck on your journey

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2572

Edited by NArocks

Why is it that the only one who can stop the crying is the one who started it in the first place?



More Complete Story here
My Saga includes 2 step sons
USC Married 4/2007 Colombian on overstay since 2001 of B1/B2 visa
Applied 5/2007 Approved GC in Hand 10/2007
I-751 mailed 6/30/09 aapproved 11/7/09 The BOYS I-751 Mailed 12/29/09 3/23/10 Email approval for 17 CR 3/27/10
4/14/10 Email approval for 13 yr Old CR 4/23/10

Oldest son now 21 I-130 filed by LPR dad ( as per NVC CSPA is applying here )
I-130 approved 2/24
Priority date 12/6/2007
4/6/2010 letter from NVC arrives to son dated 3/4/2010
5/4/10 received AOS and DS3032 via email
9/22/10 Interview BOG Passed
10/3/10 POE JFK all went well
11/11/10 GC Received smile.png


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Filed: K-3 Visa Country: Brazil
Timeline

Why don't you try a k1 visa instead? It is for fiances and it is usually faster than k3. But you have to marry within 90 days after her arrival to the US. You can go to COlombia afterwards and have a wedding party there if u wish. Research here at VJ about K1 and see for yourself.

Ah! processing times for people living on the west coast are not that long. The long wait is for East coast people because their cases go to Vermont SErvice Center. This depends on your place of residence.

Good luck!

Our Immigration Timeline:

Form I-130 sent to Chicago - 03/18/08 (Case in VSC)

NOA 1 - 03/26/08

Updates - 04/01/08; 06/16/08; 06/17/08

NOA 2 - 01/23/09

NVC received papers - 01/30/09

NVC generated DS 3032 and AOS bill - 02/02/09

DS 3032 sent by e-mail and snail mail - 02/02/09

NVC replied my e-mail confirming my choice of agent - 02/06/09

AOS bill received - 02/07/09

AOS bill and IV bill paid online - 02/07/09

AOS and IV display the PAID message - 02/11/09

AOS and DS-230 packages sent - 02/11/09

NVC received packages - 02/13/09

NVC sent RFE (mistake on DS-230) - 02/20/09

Form DS-230 re-sent (as requested) - 02/26/09

CASE COMPLETE - 03/05/09

Interview date assigned - 03/10/09

Case forwarded to the embassy - 03/11/09

Medical Examination - 04/08/09

CR1 interview - 04/09/09 - VISA APPROVED!

Visa in hand - 04/??/09

POE - 04/??/09

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Colombia
Timeline
Why don't you try a k1 visa instead? It is for fiances and it is usually faster than k3. But you have to marry within 90 days after her arrival to the US. You can go to COlombia afterwards and have a wedding party there if u wish. Research here at VJ about K1 and see for yourself.

Ah! processing times for people living on the west coast are not that long. The long wait is for East coast people because their cases go to Vermont SErvice Center. This depends on your place of residence.

Good luck!

Thanks so much for that link! As for K1, she wants to marry in Colombia first with her family present. Then we can renew our vows in front of my family in the states. So a K3 makes more sense.

Out of my entire family I believe that only my brother will have the finances and time to come down and support me when I marry. And probably not a bad deal for him either so he can catch the alluring eye of a Colombiana senorita hehe.

James

CR-1 Visa

Service Center: California Service Center

Consulate: Bogota, Colombia

Event Date

Marriage: 2009-04-30

I-130 Sent: 2009-05-14

I-130 Approved: 2009-08-25

NVC Received: 2009-09-09

Interview Date: 2009-11-19

Visa Received: 2009-11-25

US Entry Target Date: 2010-01-08

S. Korea La Vida Loca: 2010-04-07

Returned to USA: 2011-04-06

Removal of Conditions: 2012-01-08

I-751 Biometrics: 2012-03-02

I-751 Approved: 2012-09-07

N400 Sent: 2012-10-10

Biometrics: 2012-11-02

Interview: 2013-01-09

Oath: 2013-02-22

Citizenship: 2013-02-22

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Why don't you try a k1 visa instead? It is for fiances and it is usually faster than k3. But you have to marry within 90 days after her arrival to the US. You can go to COlombia afterwards and have a wedding party there if u wish. Research here at VJ about K1 and see for yourself.

Ah! processing times for people living on the west coast are not that long. The long wait is for East coast people because their cases go to Vermont SErvice Center. This depends on your place of residence.

Good luck!

Thanks so much for that link! As for K1, she wants to marry in Colombia first with her family present. Then we can renew our vows in front of my family in the states. So a K3 makes more sense.

Out of my entire family I believe that only my brother will have the finances and time to come down and support me when I marry. And probably not a bad deal for him either so he can catch the alluring eye of a Colombiana senorita hehe.

James

You can also research the CR1 Visa. If you have all of your documents in place, and depending on your consulate, it may not take much longer than a K3. And you do not have to adjust status in the US with a CR1. Best of Luck to you!!

I-130 Journey

03/12/2008 I-130 Sent

03/17/2008 NOA1

05/07/2008, 05/08/2008 Touched

10/31/2008 Approved!!

NVC Journey

11/07/2008 I-130 Received; Case Number Assigned

11/12/2008 AOS Fee Bill Generated/DS3032 mailed

11/12/2008 Emailed DS3032 11/13/2008 Mailed DS3032 Hardcopy

11/15/2008 AOS Fee Bill Received in Mail (IIN Received in the mail)

11/17/2008 Paid AOS Fee Online

11/17/2008 DS3032 Accepted

11/18/2008 AOS Fee shows as Paid; Mailed AOS Packet overnight

11/18/2008 IV Fee Available, IV Fee Paid Online

11/20/2008 Mailed DS230 Packet Overnight, AOS Entered into the system (False RFE Message) Rec 11/21

11/24/2008 IV Bill hardcopy received (not needed since I paid online)

11/26/2008 NVC Case Complete 19 days!!

12/23/2008 CR1Visa In Hand

12/24/2008 POE San Juan

US Entry

01/09/2009 Welcome Letter/Card Processing ordered

01/15/2009 Green Card Received, 01/14/2009 SS Card Received

Removal of Conditions

10/16/2010 I751 Sent

10/25/2010 NOA Received NOA Date 10/19/2010

01/12/2011 Biometrics (Biometrics letter date 12/15/2010)

03/03/2011 Approved - Card Production Ordered

03/10/2011 GC Received

US Citizenship

10/13/2011 N400 Sent

10/18/2011 NOA 10/19/2011 Check Cashed

04/17/2012 Email bio letter sent (received 4/19/12)

04/24/2012 Early Bio due to travel plans (bio date orig 5/11/12)

04/30/2012 Interview letter received

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Colombia
Timeline

You can also research the CR1 Visa. If you have all of your documents in place, and depending on your consulate, it may not take much longer than a K3. And you do not have to adjust status in the US with a CR1. Best of Luck to you!!

I looked into it. Looks like a pretty good deal. You get your visa and your adjustment in status for your spouse done all at the same time for a reduced cost? Sounds like a bargain! Curious... If they have this then why are they implementing K3 visas? Is that some sort of scheme in case things do not work out you leave your spouse in the dust? And how much money can you save by going this route instead?

CR-1 Visa

Service Center: California Service Center

Consulate: Bogota, Colombia

Event Date

Marriage: 2009-04-30

I-130 Sent: 2009-05-14

I-130 Approved: 2009-08-25

NVC Received: 2009-09-09

Interview Date: 2009-11-19

Visa Received: 2009-11-25

US Entry Target Date: 2010-01-08

S. Korea La Vida Loca: 2010-04-07

Returned to USA: 2011-04-06

Removal of Conditions: 2012-01-08

I-751 Biometrics: 2012-03-02

I-751 Approved: 2012-09-07

N400 Sent: 2012-10-10

Biometrics: 2012-11-02

Interview: 2013-01-09

Oath: 2013-02-22

Citizenship: 2013-02-22

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Colombia
Timeline
I looked into it. Looks like a pretty good deal. You get your visa and your adjustment in status for your spouse done all at the same time for a reduced cost? Sounds like a bargain! Curious... If they have this then why are they implementing K3 visas? Is that some sort of scheme in case things do not work out you leave your spouse in the dust? And how much money can you save by going this route instead?

Well, a few years ago CR1 or IR1 visas used to take a very long time to process, years in most cases. So they came up wit the K3 visa to make the process go faster. That is no longer the case, especially for people going to the embassy in Bogotá. In many cases a CR1 visa can be processed a lot faster if all fees at the National Visa Center are paid online, but even if you don't a CR1 visa may take a month longer than a K3. Now, to me waiting a month is nothing compared to going through the pain and hassle of Adjusting Status here in the US. Not only that, but it's less expensive in the long run.

Diana

CR-1

02/05/07 - I-130 sent to NSC

05/03/07 - NOA2

05/10/07 - NVC receives petition, case # assigned

08/08/07 - Case Complete

09/27/07 - Interview, visa granted

10/02/07 - POE

11/16/07 - Received green card and Welcome to America letter in the mail

Removing Conditions

07/06/09 - I-751 sent to CSC

08/14/09 - Biometrics

09/27/09 - Approved

10/01/09 - Received 10 year green card

U.S. Citizenship

03/30/11 - N-400 sent via Priority Mail w/ delivery confirmation

05/12/11 - Biometrics

07/20/11 - Interview - passed

07/20/11 - Oath ceremony - same day as interview

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