Big Mess a Couple I am helping needs help

[FindaLatina 0]

Hello Everyone,

My name is Maria. I live in Colombia and I am matchmaker. A very special couple to me are getting ready for their interview in Bogota. I have been helping her down here with the paperwork. But we have a big doubt and I wonder if anyone knows anything about this or has been to the embassy anytime after May this year.

The instructions on the 4Th package say she must fill out form DS-156 and pay at the bank. But the Package was missing that form. I told her go to the bank(in Barranquilla) they always have extra copies get some there. The clerk totally confused her and me by telling her she needed to buy a PIN and to fill out the form online. This blew me away and I immediately knew something was wrong, there is no need to buy a pin for a K1 visa. Anyways I read online how the on line form ds 160 had replaced the ds 156 form, we proceeded to fill it out. Guess what she took the confirmation to the bank the clerk noticed he had made a mistake and told her no you need to bring the DS-156 form in order to pay. of course now we are back to point one and more confused then ever. We used the PIN to call the embassy and the response we got was: 1 to ignore such instruction from package four, 2 that the form DS-156 is no longer needed and 3 that payment for the visa (350) now has to be paid at the embassy.

Des anybody know how does it work?

Thanks for the help this couple has their appointment next week!!!

[john_and_marlene 162]

The DS-160 has not replaced the DS-156 and DS-157 for K visas.

[FindaLatina 0]

The DS-160 has not replaced the DS-156 and DS-157 for K visas.

Thanks for your response!

So she does not need to take or fill any type form at all?

[Filipinawife0210 15]

The DS-160 has not replaced the DS-156 and DS-157 for K visas.

According to the Department of State website, the Consulate in Columbia requires all applicants to use DS 160, filled out online and sent to the Embassy in Bogota. The form will officially replace the DS 156, and 157 worldwide by the end of this year.

OP, See the info here: http://bogota.usembassy.gov/nonimmigrant_visas.html

Fill out the form, pay the fee, print out the confirmation page w/ barcode, and take that sheet to the interview.

Edited May 20, 2010 by Filipinawife0210

[john_and_marlene 162]

So she does not need to take or fill any type form at all?

That is not what I said. I hope you aren't charging for your services if you are not familiar with the requirements. They will need DS-156, DS-156K, and DS-157.

If the consulate there has a different requirment, check with the immigrant visa unit at the consulate to see what they require for K visas.

Edited May 20, 2010 by john_and_marlene

[Filipinawife0210 15]

That is not what I said. I hope you aren't charging for your services if you are not familiar with the requirements. They will need DS-156, DS-156K, and DS-157.

If the consulate there has a different requirment, check with the immigrant visa unit at the consulate to see what they require for K visas.

Again, see my post above.

[john_and_marlene 162]

According to the Department of State website, the Consulate in Columbia requires all applicants to use DS 160, filled out online and sent to the Embassy in Bogota. The form will officially replace the DS 156, and 157 worldwide by the end of this year.

OP, See the info here: http://bogota.usembassy.gov/nonimmigrant_visas.html

Fill out the form, pay the fee, print out the confirmation page w/ barcode, and take that sheet to the interview.

Your cited link refers to the processing of nonimmigrant visa by the consulate. K visas are processed by the immigrant visa section as immigrant visas.

[Filipinawife0210 15]

Your cited link refers to the processing of nonimmigrant visa by the consulate. K visas are processed by the immigrant visa section as immigrant visas.

Beginning March 1, 2010, all nonimmigrant visa applicants must use the online application form DS-160

And there is a link at the bottom of the section on the Bogota Consulate for K-VISAS. SAME FORM SAME PROCEDURES.

Edited May 20, 2010 by Filipinawife0210

[john_and_marlene 162]

Beginning March 1, 2010, all nonimmigrant visa applicants must use the online application form DS-160

And if you read the actual memo that went out to the consulates you would see that it stated "Except for K Visas"

[Filipinawife0210 15]

And if you read the actual memo that went out to the consulates you would see that it stated "Except for K Visas"

True. Just saw that. They will still be able to fill out the DS-156 online. Thanks for the insight!

[Filipinawife0210 15]

Embassies and consulates worldwide will transition one-by-one to the DS-160. Therefore, those Embassies which have not yet converted to the new DS-160 online form continue to require all application forms, as necessary.

Bogota only requires the DS-160 according to the website. If the Embassy said the 156 is no longer required, then the DS 160 is the new form, and all they need at interview is the barcoded confirmation page as I stated originally.

[FindaLatina 0]

True. Just saw that. They will still be able to fill out the DS-156 online. Thanks for the insight!

Thanks I will read because I am still confused.

Yes I do charge because it takes time from me. I literally take the women by the hand help her. It is not fault the procedure changed. I also help a lot of ppl who are applying for their tourist visa many are clueless on how to use the internet and it takes time and they usually come to my office use my computers and even phone line to call Bogota. I do it with the best intentions and lots of men are happy they have somebody they can trust helping their girl. This particular couple happens to be my first since after May it is not like there are ppl doing this everyday. Hey the guy at the bank was even more clueless then me, making the girl buy a PIN lol..

[Darnell 8,478]

In most Embassies / Consulates - the DS-160 is NOT used for K-1 visas. PPL see the magic 'non-immigrant visa' tag and get confused.

Sure, the K-1 is viewed as a 'non-immigrant visa' , but since it's 'with immigrant intent', the casefile is handled at the immigrant visa section worldwide, instead of the 'non-immigrant visa' section.

I understand the confusion, you betcha !!!!

to the OP - stick with paper forms and filing fees for same. BUT DO PAY ATTENTION to the Colombia IV web pages, just in case they DO shift to the DS-160.

I would think, in yer particular position, you would have already befriended a ConOff in Bogota, who you could ask, directly.

[Bernie C 24]

Embassies and consulates worldwide will transition one-by-one to the DS-160. Therefore, those Embassies which have not yet converted to the new DS-160 online form continue to require all application forms, as necessary.

Bogota only requires the DS-160 according to the website. If the Embassy said the 156 is no longer required, then the DS 160 is the new form, and all they need at interview is the barcoded confirmation page as I stated originally.

NOT TRUE - you did not search far enough. According to this link: My link

K visa applicants are required to fill out the DS-156 EVAF

NOTE: For K type Visas (Fiancé(e) and certain spouses of a U.S. citizen, and their dependents), Applicants should go the following Web page in order to fill out the DS-156 EVAF form: http://evisaforms.state.gov/

You have to read ALL the pages to grasp ALL the requirments (and even then its still very confusing - even more confusing as a matter of fact)!

[Bernie C 24]

Since during these transition periods of change there is so much confusion and the consulate instructions and website can be very difficult to follow it is recoemmended to direct consulate specific questions for new procedures to the consulate processing your application to assure you receive the correct information.

That is the best advice I can give.