100JH

Colombians do not need a visa to enter Mexico, just bring her Colombian passport and that will suffice. I would also bring her passport (with the US visa stamp) and green card to re-enter into the US. That is what we did.

My wife arrived a week ago last Tuesday, December 2. All went well at the airport. The "cover page" on her folder ripped off in my computer bag and that caused a bump for a few minutes (as well as an additional bag scan) but after I finally realized what they were asking me for, everything went smoothly. Coming from Colombia to DC in December is the hardest transition she is having right now, as well as all of the slang used and speed in which English is spoken, but she is adapting very well.

Thanks to all for the support and information provided!

VISA IN HAND!!!

We just got back from picking up my wife's visa! POE scheduled for DC on 2 December!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Visa in hand!

It took 9 days, but my passport didn't get lost!

I just paid $165 (Immigrant Fee) and will be at POE (US-Canada Border in Blaine, WA) tomorrow!

Fingers crossed!

Visa is showing issued (printed) today!

1. Thank you for all of the kind words.

2. Congratulations to all...too many to congratulate individually. I truly am happy to see many of us who have been riding the same pine for the same amount of time, actually get approved right around the same date.

3. For those still waiting, be as patient as possible. Your time is coming and soon you will be with the one you love.

Thanks again!

My wife's Visa was approved in Bogota yesterday! Relatively painless and easy.

I am older then my husband by like 6 years and that doesn't worry me. Have you seen in TLC the 90 days fiance visa? Well there is a woman 41 with her bf that is 26 and they let him travel to the US to see how it went if they get married he stays.

So do not worry you will be fine.

Yeah, I saw that.

Thanks for the support!

No worries! It's not like you two got married within 48 hours of your initial date!

I watched a documentary film called "Love Under Cuban Skies". In the documentary, an American woman in her 60s married a Cuban guy in his 20s and got a Green Card! http://www.cbc.ca/doczone/episodes/love-under-cuban-skies

From what I can read? It seems that as long as it is not MENA and the man is older than the woman? That is seems to not be an issue. They tend to raise eyes when it is quick, the woman is much older, or their seems to be some lack of definite document-able history. Like I said, quite common in South America and Colombia as well. Just trying to look at all angles.

Now I am getting paranoid about AP. Does anybody have a good idea on why peoples cases go into AP? In general? Common reasons?

We have all of our paperwork together, we are very well documented, financially secure, etc. and do not have any reason (that I am aware of) that would cause a flag. I hear Bogota is a pretty easy going Embassy.

As far as I know, AP usually applies to male filers from oil rich countries.

I am thinking that they tend to be more tough on areas of the world where the US is currently engaged from a military standpoint or other areas of conflict (not judging here). I mean she has a perfectly clean police record, I currently have, or have had, clearances with the Department of State and Homeland Security, so that should clear me. No financial problems. Married in the Catholic church, tons of documentation (phone records, chats, email, etc), 14 trips to Colombia in 2 years, clean taxes, make good money, tons of photos, etc. The only thing I worry about is that there is some age difference, but it is quite common in South America and Colombia. Much more so than here in the US where it is frowned upon heavily. But our relationship is over two years old and we have been married over a year. That is the only thing that is worrying us right now. I can't think of anything else, any other reason that might raise a flag.

It's getting close (next Thursday) and I am hoping for the best, but also planning for the worst (old habit).

Now I am getting paranoid about AP. Does anybody have a good idea on why peoples cases go into AP? In general? Common reasons?

We have all of our paperwork together, we are very well documented, financially secure, etc. and do not have any reason (that I am aware of) that would cause a flag. I hear Bogota is a pretty easy going Embassy.

Good Morning/Afternoon everyone -

I just wanted to share with the group that my husband Steve's visa was approved this morning at the US Embassy in London. Our case is now in "Administrative Processing" and the officer said the visa will be ready next week. He's still currently in London with a dead iPhone so he will post his review of his experience in the next day or so. Thank you all for your support and best of luck to you all. Cheers!

Congrats!

10 DAYS UNTIL OUR INTERVIEW AT THE BOGOTA EMBASSY!!!

I got all of our paperwork organized this weekend. I checked and double checked. I have at least 6 inches of folders and paper. I am so scared I am going to be missing ONE document. I hear Bogota is pretty easy going, but the fear is there. Just excited that this "journey" will be ending soon. When I first started I was told 6 to 8 months, 9 months maximum. We will be close to 13 month once the interview is over.

Congrats to all of the CC's and interviews scheduled. And all of you that are getting interviewed this month? GET IT TOGETHER QUICKLY!

I am beginning to prepare the closets in the house for all of her clothes and shoes! hahahaha...(yeah, we know...women have lots of clothes and shoes, but Colombian women? that is an understatement! hahahaha!!!)

Best of luck to all...

11 days until my interview! Can't wait!

Actually... I can... since I haven't even put my interview documents together.

So I can use at least 2-3 days to prepare for my interview.

I'm not nervous at all after 13 months! Should I be more nervous?

I am so happy to see you are so close! Now get busy and get organized! Hahahahaha

I am just getting our interview documents together now. The lawyer just sent 2 inches of docs, plus what I have. Now I have to sort it out and categorize, see if I am missing anything etc. My wifes interview is in 2 weeks from today. I am leaving for Bogota in 12 days. I am hoping she will have a POE on 2 Dec. That is what we have planned.

* Tickets ready? Check!

* Movers ready? Check!

* Shipping ready? Check!

* Wife ready? Check!

* Me ready? Ummmmmmmm, getting a little nervous! hahahaha

I have a ton of people asking me everyday when will she arrive. Many, many Colombians are also waiting on her to arrive...people she has not even met yet, but are friending her on Facebook in anticipation! hahahaha

My wife has completed the Medical Appointment.

We have registered on this site: https://ais.usvisa-info.com/ (Colombia/Engish)

* We have we have confirmed the Consular Appointment online (interview; date and time).

* We have registered courier branch name and address.

I can not make her ASC/Applicant Service Center appointment for some reason.

Does a CR1 require her to go to the Applicant Service Center (ASC) to get her biometrics completed before her interview? Or is that conducted at the Embassy? Or is that conducted when she arrives in the US?

Does anyone know?

My wife finalizes her medicals today!

Tuesday: Blood test.

Wednesday: Thorax X-Ray, physical, medical interview and shots

Thursday: Final shots

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaa! Two steps left! Interview and receive the Visa

Bump for the night crew

See this: https://www.copaair.com/sites/cc/en/informacion-de-viaje/pages/tarifas-equipaje-y-de-servicios-opcionales.aspx

Reading the link you'll see that you could bring a maximum total of 3 +2 Additional = 5 luggage and her 2+2 additional = 4 so between the two of you total 9 pieces of luggage checked in. Maybe you can try to fit the rest of her stuff on the 4 additional pieces of luggage and of course it will be an additional cost of 175 per bag total $700. My friend who came from Colombia for a year did this with Copa, but Copa has a maximum of 2 additional to the allowance only.

Good luck to you!

Thank you, but during December that rule does not apply.

I am having a hard time finding information on this subject. I need to move my wife from Bogota to Washington DC in the beginning of December. I have status on Copa and we can bring the following on our flight.

ME: 3 each pieces of luggage, 36 kilos each

HER: 2 pieces of luggage, 50 pounds each

What about the rest of her stuff? I want to pack things into boxes (about 4 to 6 boxes total, all less than 50 pounds each) and have them shipped to DC. They can arrive later. Everything is clothes and general household items. No food, plants, drugs, liquor, tobacco, etc.

1. Is there a size limitation?

2. Weight limitation?

3. What about packing, specifically proper labeling for customs (both Colombian and US Customs).

4. Any good references that anyone knows of?

I tried calling all over Copa Airlines, as well as Copa Cargo, and it is damn near impossible to get any specific answers from anyone. Anyone with actual experience in moving from Bogota to the US, please advise!

Thanks in advance...

Our permanent address is in the Midwest, but we flew to Florida. We didn't have any issues at the POE.

Did they tell you where to enter or do they ask you where you want to enter? Or do you just show up with the paperwork?

Welcome to the US btw!

Do they select your POE or can we go to any major international airport that processes visas? For example, I live outside of DC and fly Copa from Bogota, which is out of Dulles (IAD) and not Reagan (DCA) or Baltimore (BWI). Will they tell me to go to Florida? or Chicago? Someplace not close to my home? My car will be parked at IAD. How does the POE work? Thanks in advance.

I have received my P4 via email and I updated my timeline...is there a link to know how we can determine the following dates?

Thanks in advance!

Got the official notification/P4 email today!

Made reservations today (December flights are CRAZY expensive!!!). My round trip from DC to Bogota? $700. Her one way flight in the beginning of December? $1000!!!!

We are practicing interview questions (Thanks VJ!) every night!

Of course, I will be crazy organized with the paperwork for the interview:

THEM: "We need a copy of your third grade report card"

ME: "Right here m'aam!"

hahahahahahaha!

All of the excitement in the past few days...now boredom, anticipation, anxiety, nervousness sets in...ayyy...She is worried she won't "pass" the interview (even though Bogota is supposed to be very easy going and simple), I am trying to plan the move, yada yada yada...anyone else getting the same "Monday Morning, Post Interview Date Scheduled, Blues"? hahahaha

Well I must say this is the best Friday I have seen on VJ in a year. I am so happy for everyone, it has been a long time coming. My wife is doing backflips. She has been calling all her friends and family today. I can't express my happiness enough, for us as well as for everyone else. Have a beautiful evening and start planning!