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Another question about paying the Visa Fee (Colombia)

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Colombia
Timeline

My fiancee went to pay the visa application fee today at Banco Helm in Barranquilla and they gave her a hard time.

1) I made a DS-156 form for her so that all she had to do was print it and sign it. She brought it in yesterday and was told that she couldn't pay for the visa because the form needs to be filled out and signed at the bank. She wasn't able to do this yesterday and had to return again today.

2) Today she went back and told her that she couldn't use the form I prepared and that she would need to fill out the entire form at the bank. She planned on signing it at the bank but they wouldn't accept this. Luckily someone there was nice enough to print a blank form or else she would have had to leave and come back again. The instructions didnt say anything about needing to fill the form out and sign it at the bank as we read them several times.

3) The thing that has me most worried is that she was told that her passport number is not the same as her Cedula number. She wrote some other number that is written on a page in her passport. Has anyone else heard about this? My thoughts are that she should use the number written below the "Passporte N*" part of her passport. Please let me know if I need to be concerned about this as I definitely want this fixed before the interview.

The good news is that the fee is still $131.00

Thanks

Blog: http://fianceek1visa.blogspot.com/

K1 Timeline:
Service Center : Vermont Service Center
Consulate : Bogota, Colombia
2009-12-26 : I-129F Sent
2009-12-28 : I-129F NOA1
2009-12-28 : I-129F NOA2
2010-04-02 : NVC Received
2010-04-05 : Consulate Received
2010-04-20 : Packet 3 Sent (via Fax)
2010-04-22 : Packet 3 Received by Consulate
2010-06-09 : Interview Date (APPROVED)
2010-06-24 : Visa Delivery (Via Domesa)
2010-07-01 : POE (Fort-Lauderdale)

2010-09-04 : Married !!!!

AOS Timeline
2010-09-11 : Packaged express mailed to Chicago Office:
2010-09-13 : Package delivered to USCIS Chicago
2010-09-20 : NOA1 via e-mail
2010-10-15 : Case Xfered to California Service Center
2010-12-01 : Inquiry made regarding delay of biometrics appointment letter
2010-12-15 : Received biometrics appointment letter (Scheduled for 2011-01-05)
2011-01-05 : Biometrics Appointment
2011-01-12 : Work Authorization Card Received
2011-01-26 : Two Year Green Card Received (Thank you VJ!!!!)

Us Citizen

May 2014

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Colombia
Timeline

Based on the stories I've read, these people at the bank are way too strict on how and when to fill the form. Some people have had the same issue but it's all up to the bank to set their own rules. For what purpose? The only reason I can think of is so they can feel more important while doing their jobs, and I'm not kidding.

As for the passport issue, it's a mess. For some odd reason that I will never understand, in Colombia passports are issued a passport number which is the number printed on each page (the one made with little holes) BUT... they put the person's cédula number where it says "Passport Number" in the bio page of the passport. Now, the cédula is not their passport number but since they love to do things backwards or more difficult, they put their cédula number in there. They have no explanation for it at all but when filling out forms in Colombia, people need to enter their actual passport number (again, the one printed on each page)... BUT!!! when you have to give it to an airline or anyone outside of Colombia, they only use the number where it says "passport number" which in fact is their cédula number.

I told you it was a mess.

Diana

Edited by Mononoke28

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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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Colombia
Timeline

I can't believe it Mike!!!!! :angry: I think they just want that people get a hard time

the passport number is the number printed with little holes on each page

Edit to add:

I forgot ask you, she has the appointment letter already?

Edited by ♫ yakad ♫

We can all make a difference. Please recycle

por favor no escribas en mayúsculas sostenidas, eso equivale a GRITAR

crazy-cats.jpg

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Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Colombia
Timeline

Your explanation makes more sense to me now about the different numbers. I am mad because they asked my fiancee to redo her for ds156 as well and they changed the passport number.

My two concerns are I call the Colombia Embassy in Texas and was told the Colombian passport number is not the red number and the number thru the pages.

My form DS-230 will have the wrong passprt number now. The form DS-230 asks for second number like a serial number if there is one.

I wonder if I should redo my DS-230's to match the DS-156 now.

Event Date

Service Center : California Service Center

Consulate : Bogota, Colombia

I-129F Sent : 2009-12-07

I-129F NOA1 : 2009-12-10

I-129F NOA2 : 2010-03-05

NVC Received and Forwarded to Consulate : 2010-03-12

Consulate Received :

Packet 3 Received : 2010-03-12 Downloaded OnLine

Packet 3 Sent : 2010-03-15 Emailed Package 3, Confirmation of Email Package 3 2010-03-18

Packet 4 Received : 2010-04-18

Interview Date : 2010-05-24 Approved

Arrive in Seattle, WA: 2010-06-29

Missouri Service Center

I-485 Sent : 2010-09-30

I-485 NOA1 : 2010-10-13

I-765 Sent : 2010-09-30

I-765 NOA1 : 2010-10-13

I-131 Sent : 2010-09-30

I-131 NOA1 : 2010-10-13

BIO Appt Seattle, WA : 2010-11-01 completed took about 2 hours had to verify name change for my wife

I-485 Appt : 2011-01-10

I-765 Approved 2010-12-16 (card production ordered could take 30 days)

I-131 Approved 2010-12-17

I-131 Recd Letter for Travel Auth. 2010-12-23

I-765 Card Received 2010-12-20

I-485 Approved 2011-03-31-2011 Yea

Greencard Received :2011-04-08

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Colombia
Timeline

Based on the stories I've read, these people at the bank are way too strict on how and when to fill the form. Some people have had the same issue but it's all up to the bank to set their own rules. For what purpose? The only reason I can think of is so they can feel more important while doing their jobs, and I'm not kidding.

As for the passport issue, it's a mess. For some odd reason that I will never understand, in Colombia passports are issued a passport number which is the number printed on each page (the one made with little holes) BUT... they put the person's cédula number where it says "Passport Number" in the bio page of the passport. Now, the cédula is not their passport number but since they love to do things backwards or more difficult, they put their cédula number in there. They have no explanation for it at all but when filling out forms in Colombia, people need to enter their actual passport number (again, the one printed on each page)... BUT!!! when you have to give it to an airline or anyone outside of Colombia, they only use the number where it says "passport number" which in fact is their cédula number.

I told you it was a mess.

Diana

Thanks again Diana,

This clears up the miss understanding I had about the passport number. My concern was that the person at the bank gave her false information and that we would run into trouble at the US Embassy. Your explanation put me at ease. I'm going to review our documents to make sure the wrong number doesn't appear anywhere else now. I imagine this is a common problem because of the confusion and hope they would allow us to correct it if there is a mistake.

Otra vez muchisimas gracias!!!!!

I can't believe it Mike!!!!! :angry: I think they just want that people get a hard time

the passport number is the number printed with little holes on each page

Edit to add:

I forgot ask you, she has the appointment letter already?

Hi Yakad,

No she has not received the appointment letter yet but we did get an e-mail from the IV Unit saying that our interview was on 6/9.

Blog: http://fianceek1visa.blogspot.com/

K1 Timeline:
Service Center : Vermont Service Center
Consulate : Bogota, Colombia
2009-12-26 : I-129F Sent
2009-12-28 : I-129F NOA1
2009-12-28 : I-129F NOA2
2010-04-02 : NVC Received
2010-04-05 : Consulate Received
2010-04-20 : Packet 3 Sent (via Fax)
2010-04-22 : Packet 3 Received by Consulate
2010-06-09 : Interview Date (APPROVED)
2010-06-24 : Visa Delivery (Via Domesa)
2010-07-01 : POE (Fort-Lauderdale)

2010-09-04 : Married !!!!

AOS Timeline
2010-09-11 : Packaged express mailed to Chicago Office:
2010-09-13 : Package delivered to USCIS Chicago
2010-09-20 : NOA1 via e-mail
2010-10-15 : Case Xfered to California Service Center
2010-12-01 : Inquiry made regarding delay of biometrics appointment letter
2010-12-15 : Received biometrics appointment letter (Scheduled for 2011-01-05)
2011-01-05 : Biometrics Appointment
2011-01-12 : Work Authorization Card Received
2011-01-26 : Two Year Green Card Received (Thank you VJ!!!!)

Us Citizen

May 2014

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Colombia
Timeline

Your explanation makes more sense to me now about the different numbers. I am mad because they asked my fiancee to redo her for ds156 as well and they changed the passport number.

My two concerns are I call the Colombia Embassy in Texas and was told the Colombian passport number is not the red number and the number thru the pages.

My form DS-230 will have the wrong passprt number now. The form DS-230 asks for second number like a serial number if there is one.

I wonder if I should redo my DS-230's to match the DS-156 now.

They also made my fiancee redo the DS-156 form on site and also had her put the passport number that appears on the page with the holes as Diana described. They gave her the run around today but the good news is that the fee is still $131 and not the $350 like the packet says :-) (As of 5/6/2010).

Correct me if I'm wrong but I just checked our DS-230 and didn't see a spot where we had to put the passport number. I'll be checking the other documents and let you know If I see anything.

-----

Also your timeline shows that your interview is today??? How did it go?

Blog: http://fianceek1visa.blogspot.com/

K1 Timeline:
Service Center : Vermont Service Center
Consulate : Bogota, Colombia
2009-12-26 : I-129F Sent
2009-12-28 : I-129F NOA1
2009-12-28 : I-129F NOA2
2010-04-02 : NVC Received
2010-04-05 : Consulate Received
2010-04-20 : Packet 3 Sent (via Fax)
2010-04-22 : Packet 3 Received by Consulate
2010-06-09 : Interview Date (APPROVED)
2010-06-24 : Visa Delivery (Via Domesa)
2010-07-01 : POE (Fort-Lauderdale)

2010-09-04 : Married !!!!

AOS Timeline
2010-09-11 : Packaged express mailed to Chicago Office:
2010-09-13 : Package delivered to USCIS Chicago
2010-09-20 : NOA1 via e-mail
2010-10-15 : Case Xfered to California Service Center
2010-12-01 : Inquiry made regarding delay of biometrics appointment letter
2010-12-15 : Received biometrics appointment letter (Scheduled for 2011-01-05)
2011-01-05 : Biometrics Appointment
2011-01-12 : Work Authorization Card Received
2011-01-26 : Two Year Green Card Received (Thank you VJ!!!!)

Us Citizen

May 2014

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Colombia
Timeline

Your explanation makes more sense to me now about the different numbers. I am mad because they asked my fiancee to redo her for ds156 as well and they changed the passport number.

My two concerns are I call the Colombia Embassy in Texas and was told the Colombian passport number is not the red number and the number thru the pages.

My form DS-230 will have the wrong passprt number now. The form DS-230 asks for second number like a serial number if there is one.

I wonder if I should redo my DS-230's to match the DS-156 now.

Before the biographical leaf there is a page that says: "Observaciones Importantes", in the low part appears the number, the passport number has two letters followed by 6 numbers.

I see you have your date interview, so you don't need the DS-230 form, but if you want you can redo it with the right information, just check if in the first question on the DS-156 form has the correct passport number

We can all make a difference. Please recycle

por favor no escribas en mayúsculas sostenidas, eso equivale a GRITAR

crazy-cats.jpg

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Colombia
Timeline

Hi Yakad,

No she has not received the appointment letter yet but we did get an e-mail from the IV Unit saying that our interview was on 6/9.

ok, she can bring that email to the bank and pay the fee

Correct me if I'm wrong but I just checked our DS-230 and didn't see a spot where we had to put the passport number. I'll be checking the other documents and let you know If I see anything.

you're right, the ds-230 form does not require the passport number

We can all make a difference. Please recycle

por favor no escribas en mayúsculas sostenidas, eso equivale a GRITAR

crazy-cats.jpg

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Colombia
Timeline

Before the biographical leaf there is a page that says: "Observaciones Importantes", in the low part appears the number, the passport number has two letters followed by 6 numbers.

I see you have your date interview, so you don't need the DS-230 form, but if you want you can redo it with the right information, just check if in the first question on the DS-156 form has the correct passport number

Thanks again.

I just need to vent some more...

What doesn't make sense to me is that packet 4 tells you to go to https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asp fill out the form and print it. But once you get to the Banco Helm they tell you that you need to fill it out on site... They make sure they are on the same page with the instructions.

Blog: http://fianceek1visa.blogspot.com/

K1 Timeline:
Service Center : Vermont Service Center
Consulate : Bogota, Colombia
2009-12-26 : I-129F Sent
2009-12-28 : I-129F NOA1
2009-12-28 : I-129F NOA2
2010-04-02 : NVC Received
2010-04-05 : Consulate Received
2010-04-20 : Packet 3 Sent (via Fax)
2010-04-22 : Packet 3 Received by Consulate
2010-06-09 : Interview Date (APPROVED)
2010-06-24 : Visa Delivery (Via Domesa)
2010-07-01 : POE (Fort-Lauderdale)

2010-09-04 : Married !!!!

AOS Timeline
2010-09-11 : Packaged express mailed to Chicago Office:
2010-09-13 : Package delivered to USCIS Chicago
2010-09-20 : NOA1 via e-mail
2010-10-15 : Case Xfered to California Service Center
2010-12-01 : Inquiry made regarding delay of biometrics appointment letter
2010-12-15 : Received biometrics appointment letter (Scheduled for 2011-01-05)
2011-01-05 : Biometrics Appointment
2011-01-12 : Work Authorization Card Received
2011-01-26 : Two Year Green Card Received (Thank you VJ!!!!)

Us Citizen

May 2014

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Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Colombia
Timeline

Ds 160 is the form I was speaking of sorry for the confussion

Passport Number: xxxxxxxxxx

Passport Book Number: xxxxxxxxx

DS 160 is an online form that creates a bar code and cover letter

My application has the number of the passport number under passport number and the red punched number as the book number.

I am wondering if I should redo my online DS160 applications. It has both numbers I am hoping I am safe.

Event Date

Service Center : California Service Center

Consulate : Bogota, Colombia

I-129F Sent : 2009-12-07

I-129F NOA1 : 2009-12-10

I-129F NOA2 : 2010-03-05

NVC Received and Forwarded to Consulate : 2010-03-12

Consulate Received :

Packet 3 Received : 2010-03-12 Downloaded OnLine

Packet 3 Sent : 2010-03-15 Emailed Package 3, Confirmation of Email Package 3 2010-03-18

Packet 4 Received : 2010-04-18

Interview Date : 2010-05-24 Approved

Arrive in Seattle, WA: 2010-06-29

Missouri Service Center

I-485 Sent : 2010-09-30

I-485 NOA1 : 2010-10-13

I-765 Sent : 2010-09-30

I-765 NOA1 : 2010-10-13

I-131 Sent : 2010-09-30

I-131 NOA1 : 2010-10-13

BIO Appt Seattle, WA : 2010-11-01 completed took about 2 hours had to verify name change for my wife

I-485 Appt : 2011-01-10

I-765 Approved 2010-12-16 (card production ordered could take 30 days)

I-131 Approved 2010-12-17

I-131 Recd Letter for Travel Auth. 2010-12-23

I-765 Card Received 2010-12-20

I-485 Approved 2011-03-31-2011 Yea

Greencard Received :2011-04-08

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Colombia
Timeline

Ds 160 is the form I was speaking of sorry for the confussion

Passport Number: xxxxxxxxxx

Passport Book Number: xxxxxxxxx

DS 160 is an online form that creates a bar code and cover letter

My application has the number of the passport number under passport number and the red punched number as the book number.

I am wondering if I should redo my online DS160 applications. It has both numbers I am hoping I am safe.

Robert,

K1 visa applicants don't need form DS-160 which is used for other types of visas such as tourist visas, student visas, etc. Your fiancée needs to fill out form DS-156 which is the K visa application. The bank will probably tell her that it needs to be form DS-160, but they're wrong.

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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Ds 160 is the form I was speaking of sorry for the confussion

Passport Number: xxxxxxxxxx

Passport Book Number: xxxxxxxxx

DS 160 is an online form that creates a bar code and cover letter

My application has the number of the passport number under passport number and the red punched number as the book number.

I am wondering if I should redo my online DS160 applications. It has both numbers I am hoping I am safe.

hello, as Diana says, the only form you need to bring to the bank is DS-156 , you dont need the form DS-160. Also need to print the form in one sheet, (both sides) and the other one with the bar code. that mean 2 sheets. normally you print 3 sheets... is better to bring at the bank in 2 sheets..so you dont need to go and back later...

heyy i have my interview on May 24th, and also im going to seattle .. Good luck ! :star: :star:

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Colombia
Timeline

hello, as Diana says, the only form you need to bring to the bank is DS-156 , you dont need the form DS-160. Also need to print the form in one sheet, (both sides) and the other one with the bar code. that mean 2 sheets. normally you print 3 sheets... is better to bring at the bank in 2 sheets..so you dont need to go and back later...

heyy i have my interview on May 24th, and also im going to seattle .. Good luck ! :star: :star:

Thanks Diana,

I wish you well with your interview. Let us know how it goes :-)

Blog: http://fianceek1visa.blogspot.com/

K1 Timeline:
Service Center : Vermont Service Center
Consulate : Bogota, Colombia
2009-12-26 : I-129F Sent
2009-12-28 : I-129F NOA1
2009-12-28 : I-129F NOA2
2010-04-02 : NVC Received
2010-04-05 : Consulate Received
2010-04-20 : Packet 3 Sent (via Fax)
2010-04-22 : Packet 3 Received by Consulate
2010-06-09 : Interview Date (APPROVED)
2010-06-24 : Visa Delivery (Via Domesa)
2010-07-01 : POE (Fort-Lauderdale)

2010-09-04 : Married !!!!

AOS Timeline
2010-09-11 : Packaged express mailed to Chicago Office:
2010-09-13 : Package delivered to USCIS Chicago
2010-09-20 : NOA1 via e-mail
2010-10-15 : Case Xfered to California Service Center
2010-12-01 : Inquiry made regarding delay of biometrics appointment letter
2010-12-15 : Received biometrics appointment letter (Scheduled for 2011-01-05)
2011-01-05 : Biometrics Appointment
2011-01-12 : Work Authorization Card Received
2011-01-26 : Two Year Green Card Received (Thank you VJ!!!!)

Us Citizen

May 2014

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  • 2 weeks later...
Filed: Timeline

Thanks again.

I just need to vent some more...

What doesn't make sense to me is that packet 4 tells you to go to https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asp fill out the form and print it. But once you get to the Banco Helm they tell you that you need to fill it out on site... They make sure they are on the same page with the instructions.

It makes no sence at all!!! So how do you print a valid DS-156 form?? The ones I find only are all expired ones.

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Colombia
Timeline

It makes no sence at all!!! So how do you print a valid DS-156 form?? The ones I find only are all expired ones.

The form found in https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asp has an expiration date of 05/31/2011, so it's not expired. All you have to do is click Continue at the bottom of the page and it will give you a form in PDF format for you to print.

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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