bigtex

My wife entered the U.S. as a fiance to U.S. citizen in April and now we are married. She is in the Rapid Adjustment program out of Dallas for her green card and has had all the appointments and biometrics. The problem is that her two children are still in Colombia after the father of the children put a hold on them and will not allow them to leave Colombia. We have taken to court in Colombia but are concerned that the court decision will not be made until almost time for their Visas expire in early October. Will immigration give us a hard time allowing them to enter in late September when their visas expire in early October? Is there such thing as a visa extension? Also I read that these children could come to the U.S. within one year of the mother anyway--what is the way we should go on this? Thanks so much!!

No, no permission was required of the father for the Visas. Just necessary to travel!

My wife came as a fiance of a citizen in April but the father of her children would not allow to come. We finally were able to take to Colombian courts in June after the crazy courts went on strike!! Anyway, the final court decision will be next Tuesday and please pray for us that it goes well. What happened was basically that we had to get an attorney in the town in Colombia the children live (my wife's sister there did a lot of research and found a great attorney who teaches at the local University). He filed the papers in court and it was a big plus that there had been a "conciliation" hearing while she was still in Colombia whereby she asked legally for the father to allow the children to come with her. The court at this time did little to help but it was great for later hearings that we had at least tried directly with the father. The court hearings are long and drawn out but time is now here. I'd recommend someone do similar research in the town of the children for a good attorney and hire one locally there are there is tons of legwork necessary.

My wife entered the U.S. as a fiance to U.S. citizen in April and now we are married. She is in the Rapid Adjustment program out of Dallas for her green card and has had all the appointments and biometrics. The problem is that her two children are still in Colombia after the father of the children put a hold on them and will not allow them to leave Colombia. We have taken to court in Colombia but are concerned that the court decision will not be made until almost time for their Visas expire in early October. Will immigration give us a hard time allowing them to enter in late September when their visas expire in early October? Is there such thing as a visa extension? Also I read that these children could come to the U.S. within one year of the mother anyway--what is the way we should go on this? Thanks so much!!

Be certain to wear your wedding ring if you have one and bring marriage photos and of course the marriage certificate.

WE ARE SO LUCKY TO HAVE THIS PROGRAM IN DALLAS. I read the website/forms a million times to make sure information I bring to the interview was correct. We went to the interview on March 7th. Then we reveived our 10 day letter. a week and half later received our fingerprint appointment letter set for April 25th. We went to the appointment, the next day an update was posted on e-mail status check. Then on May 2nd received another e-mail notification. Now, as of May 22,2006 THE I-485(AOS) APPLICATION HAS BEEN APPROVED. The letter states we should receive The GREEN CARD within three weeks

Sorry you had a bad experience. We dealt with about 5 people and all were the same--very helpful and friendly. By the way, if you send in your paperwork instead of bringing it in person you are not eligible for the Rapid Adjustment from what I could tell.

Thats great to know that they are nice in Dallas. our Interview is next week and I hope so much that we get a nice person!

Well don't count on them all being nice, we are in Dallas, we did not file the DORA program because we were not clear on all the details, but did file using the normal method. Dallas was where we tried for the 91'st day EAD becuse ours wasn't done, and were told "We don't do that here" no matter how much my husband insisted, he told me the lady asked him "are you stupid? I told you 3 times now that we don't do the EAD's here"

Just beware, they may not all be nice

Oh, as for the 90 days--that all depends on whether your background check takes longer. If normal then 90 days is plenty of time we were told at the office but if background check (criminal activity perhaps pops up for some reason) then it does take longer.

good write-up. thanks

I would check their website for full information and who can apply.

Many people in the Dallas service area may be unaware of the Dallas Office Rapid Adjustment Pilot Program. This USCIS initiative aims to complete the adjustment of status process within 90 days of filing for forms I-130 (family-based immigrant visa petition) and I-485 (adjustment of status application). Today we went for our interview after scheduling our appointment with the new online "InfoPass" system which is very easy to use. We went for our appointment into the Dallas office of the Rapid Adjustment Pilot on Stemmons Freeway. The InfoPass system appointment letter gives you all of the information you need to bring with you for the interview and you have an option of a couple of days for an appointment. Appointments can be made in only a few days--today one man was told to go online and be scheduled for next Tuesday--only 5 days including the holiday Monday. You are not allowed to enter the building without your InfoPass appointment letter and don't waste your time arriving early for the appointment--they won't let you into the building until 30 minutes before your interview scheduled time. Then you place your appointment letter into a hopper and they call you in about 30 minutes to a window similar to those bullet-proof teller windows you see at the bank. They ask for all your documents and if everything is there you receive a formal approval letter for the pilot project immediately. It appeared you got your formal appointment time then which was about 1 1/2 hours later. What a change from our interview in Bogota for our Fiance' Visa. The employees were kind and helpful and even cheerful and made you feel like a person--the way everyone should feel in any government office. The formal sit-down interview was with an officer who swore you in to tell the truth and briefly reviewed your application form again and looked for any potential signs of problems--particularly they look for ongoing relationship. They look at your wedding ring, and ask for wedding pictures and pictures of you together since your wedding. They will ask for proof of whether you have a bank account together which is impossible unless your fiance' has a Social Security Number yet. This pilot is only for those people in those states serviced by the Dallas office and you must go to Dallas for your interview. If you mail in your adjustment documents it apparently is too late to participate. But who wouldn't prefer permanent status in 90 days instead of 2 years and up! You do go back for a second time at a later date for your finger imaging (finger printing process). But look more into this before you send in your adjustment documents to Dallas. It is quick and easy. One last thought--many people appeared to not have all of their documents with them and were sent on their way without an interview or inclusion in the project--get it all together before you go.

Having gone through the interview process with my fiance' from Colombia on April 6 I can add that it appears that only about 95% or so of the people interviewed get a Visa. There were hundreds on the day of the interview but on the day to pick up the Visa the following day only 30 or so. But that was for all types of Visas. There only appeared a handful of people applying for fiance' visas to begin with having made it through the paper process. There were perhaps 200 people there for travel Visas the day we were at the embassy so who knows how many got through. I am aware that anyone from Colombia simply wishing to visit the U.S. or a relative has to show that they have a compelling reason to return to Colombia--a home and/or business with a financial stake that would cause them to return.

Well, we finished all the Visa process and my fiance from Aremania, Colombia is safely here in Texas and we are very happily married. However, I wish to warn those who go for their interview in Bogota that they should never carry their original passports on the streets of Bogota. Yes, I had heard pick-pockets can lift anything you have and on my first visit to Bogota I carried only a copy of my passport. However, on our interview week I made the mistake of carrying my original. My fiance, her two children and I had just exited from the fabulous Gold Museum and were making our way into a nearby souvenir bazaar when suddenly I felt something hit my head from above and saw something white fly by. It was a small bit of paper probably but it made me look up which was what the crooks intended for me to do. Almost instantaneously 4 people bumped into me and pointed up and said water was falling from building. I knew better and immediately recognized that I was being pick pocketed. I reached first for the back pocket where I usually carry my wallet but remembered I had safely left it in the hotel. Then I reached my front side pocket of my pants for my passport wallet and alas it was gone. I was sick! I immediately started calling out Policia Policia and quickly an officer came over and I pointed out the 4 people slowing walking away from me. They had no fear since they weren't the ones with the wallet. It was another person apparently. However the yelling and screaming I did calling for the cops must have done some good as a lady walked over in a minute with the wallet and said a man gave it to her to give to me. I opened it to find nothing missing--not my passport or my Mastercard which wisely had my own photograph made into it as Citibank does. What a relief and a miracle. I have little doubt that had I not started yelling and pointing at the people that it would have been gone. There was no money in it but I would have gladly handed them a wad of money I had in the other pocket which they missed! It was the passport I needed to leave after our interview the next day. Well, I have learned my lesson and please do the same--in Bogota or any place don't carry your passport orignal unless you need it for some specific reason and then with great care.

The Visa for my fiance' Laura and her two children, ages 2 and 8 were approved by the Colombian U.S. Embassy on April 6. We had permission of the father to leave and then after we had already cleared one set of checks at the airport something popped up that the father of the girls had signed an order preventing their leaving from Colombia. What a heart-wrenching day. Such good news and then 2 days later at the airport such saddness. My fiance decided to come ahead to the U.S. with me on the 10th of April leaving the girls with her family in Armenia, Colombia. We are pursuing legal action to again gain permission for the girls so please keep us and the girls in prayers for their soon travel to Texas.

Now as for the Colombian embassy. We were in line at 4:30 AM and #1 in the gate. There were perhaps 100 people in line by the opening time at 6:30 AM and quickly they made two lines--one of fiance' Visas and those visiting the U.S. and the other for work in the U.S. By the time we entered there must have been 1,000 people in line for all the different types of visas. Although we were #1 in the gate we must have been close to the last for approval as we only made it out of the Embassy about 11:30 AM. It appeared that probably 98% of the people there were denied since on the next day at 4:00 PM there were probably only 30 people to pick up their new Visas. By the way, there is NO need to bring children to the interview despite what you have heard. The important thing is having paperwork with you and in order. The first interview they make is to see any weaknesses in your application--if no common language, or whatever they see that stands out. Then at the final interview at the window (by the way, there is no sit down interview but between bullet-proof glass at a window speaking through a phone) they dig and dig more into that weakness or weaknesses making certain you are certain you can communicate with each other and will live together after arrival in the U.S. The 4:00 PM pick-up of the Visa was again a day of worry. The first twenty or so were called quickly for their Visas and then 10 people or perhaps 15 had not been called and one by one we learned they hadn't "finished the Visas" and we should come back the following Monday (it was a Friday). I asked to speak to everyone I can find and finally the Counselate who said there was no way on Friday to get the Visas. Well, after much talk and explaining we already had airline tickets for the following day, we had the Visas. Remind Colombian fiance's that the first interview is no more than to check if everything is in the packets and the lady who does the interview is a little tough. Even the second interview was tough. As the American Citizen I attended the interview with my fiance from Colombia and really doubt she would have gotten the Visa without me there for the interview. If at all possible go to the interview with the Fiance. I think it is important. If for nothing else it is somewhat of a scary experience and the reassurance you can provide is very important. If you have any questions please let me know. My fiance' and I are to be married this Sunday and to Hawaii for our honeymoon in two weeks. It is sad without our 2 girls but we will face each day for the good God has provided and with hope of re-uniting soon.

I just discovered that there is a processing fee of $335 for the DS-230, is that accurate?

What are all the costs involved for the fiance when filing at the consulate?

The $335 is not for Fiance' K-1 applicants--the fee for K-1 is only $100. K-1 Fiance and K-3 is handled as a non-immigrant during this phase.

Hello Colombia Club! I have a question... about how long does it take for packet 3 to be received after the embassy gets the paperwork from NVC? I keep reading that it costs $15 to call the embassy, so I don't plan on doing that just to check on the status. Our paperwork arrived at the embassy on 3/24 (per DHL).

Thanks, -Zed

We have our interview on April 6. It took 5 days from the date the embassy received our packet until the day my fiance' received Packet 3 in Armenia, Colombia. We faxed and couriered it back the same day we received it and Packet 4 received in another 7 days although we found out our interview date after 3 days calling NVC. Here's our info that may help you. Best of luck to you--it will go well!!

K-1 Visa

Event Date

Service Center : California Service Center

Consulate : Bogota, Colombia

I-129F Sent : 2005-10-31

I-129F NOA1 : 2005-11-03

I-129F RFE(s) :

RFE Reply(s) :

I-129F NOA2 : 2006-01-31

NVC Received : 2006-02-13

NVC Left : 2006-02-16

Consulate Received : 2006-02-23

Packet 3 Received : 2006-02-28

Packet 3 Sent : 2006-02-28

Packet 4 Received : 2006-03-07

Interview Date : 2006-04-06 Submit Review

Visa Received :

US Entry : 2006-04-08

Marriage :

Comments :

Processing

Estimates/Stats : Your I-129f was approved in 92 days.

Your interview took 157 days from filing.

I believe it means the country who issued the passport--a U.S. Passport, the United States of America, etc.

About all you can do at this point is to buy a ticket with American Airlines and hope for the best in getting a refund from the other. If you paid by credit card it will be no problem. Wish it were a week from now and I'd take it for you--I leave Sunday April 2 for my fiance's interview on the 6th. My prayers are with you! Ron Wade from Texas

Our interview has been scheduled for April 6th!!!! No Packet 4 yet but confirmed by telephone with NVC. Many many thanks to Peter Miami for all of his support and help and a big congratulations to Johanna and Peter for their approval for their Visa today Peter is a big help to everyone who goes through Bogota and we all appreciate what he has done for us.

Forgive me but what is the number you called for this information? Did you ask for any department in particular? Thanks!!!

We have our interview in Bogota probably in April and have great information on the Embassy/USCIS Reviews at the top of VisaJourney. Here's the url if you don't see the link at top bar of site:

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php

You should use a translator if you don't know Spanish because the second one shown is fantastic and all to the point and most useful. My best wishes to you!!!

Does anyone know if the legal paperwork giving legal permission by the father of immigrating lady's children is necessary for the interview? We are getting information that the paperwork will only be provided if we prove a Visa has been approved.

After our 92 day wait for approval for our I-129F things are moving along well now. The petition for Laura is now in Bogota or on it's way having left NVC on 2-16. We are praying for a late March but realistically an early April interview and then on to Texas within a couple days of approval (I am a natural born optimist for approval at the interview)! Thanks to everyone for all your help and those still waiting, have faith--it will all happen in time. Just not as quickly as I or you would wish!

K-1 Visa

Event Date

Service Center : California Service Center

Consulate : Bogota, Colombia

I-129F Sent : 2005-10-31

I-129F NOA1 : 2005-11-03

I-129F NOA2 : 2006-01-31

NVC Received : 2006-02-13

NVC Left : 2006-02-16

Estimates/Stats : Your I-129f was approved in 92 days.

I'm another who uses an internet card for telephone calls with mine going to Colombia. Ours is a Passport Phone Card from speedypin.com and is fantastic and wonderful service and charges all legit.

Hi Peter, since you are just a few weeks ahead of our K-1 Fiance application for Colombia I wanted to make contact. So interesting that both of our fiance's are from Armenia. Armenia is quite place--20th Century city with 19th Century ways of doing many things. A gorgeous paradise however!!! I've described it as Hawaii without the ocean. Any information you or your fiance can share as to her experience at the physical in Bogota as well as the interview on March 3 is much appreciated. We are hoping our interview will be in late March (please please). My very best to you and know your interview will go fantastic and your beautiful Armenia bride-to-be will be in Florida soon!!!

Congrats Bigtex.......When was your NOA1 was it Nov. 3rd or 13th???

I had questions about dates as well. The dated shown as received (at TSC) was Nov. 3, 2005 on the NOA-1 and date of notice sent to me by CSC was Nov. 13, 2005. I've never been clear as to which date the service center uses to determine the date they are working from. Best wishes to your efforts and may good news come to you soon! Ron (Bigtex)

CSC/TSC Approved List!

Yea, our I-129F was approved yesterday January 31 for my fiance in Colombia!!! Here's the basics to add to your list:

K-1 Visa

Event Date

Service Center : California Service Center (applied at TSC)

Consulate : Bogota, Colombia

I-129F Sent : 2005-10-31

I-129F 2005-11-03 received at TSC and forwarded to CSC

I-129F NOA1 : 2005-11-13 received at CSC

I-129F NOA2 : 2006-01-31

Great news! After the same discouragement most all members of this forum face of long delays at the California Service Center my application for Petitiion for Fiance was approved on January 31, 2006 and email confirmation received today!!! This is wonderful news for my beautiful fiance, Laura and myself after the wait.

Application Type: I129F, PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status:

This case has been approved. On January 31, 2006, an approval notice was mailed. If 14 days have passed and you have not received this notice, you may wish to verify or update your address.

Now the wait for the paperwork from Bogota, the appointment in Bogota and all that follows but there will be a celebration in two homes in Armenia, Colombia and Longview, Texas!