thieving69

Im sorry to say it, but Brad and Vicky are not together anymore.... it is sad.. I have talked to her while she has being here, she is trying to move forward with her life, but sometimes is not easy .... Anyway I wish the best for her and well things happen for a reason.

Irene

Hi Monokoke28:

In fact the tkts from Barranquilla to Miami are more expensive than Bogota to Miami.

When I made the reservation that was the price was about COP $1.300.000 without the taxes. At the end I paid about COP $400.000 less.

So if you decide to use the OIM it would save you some money

Hi Doug:Great to hear that! Congratulations to you both!!!!

The reason I asked is because the original price for a Bogotá - Miami ticket for 04/27 is about $484 (about $1.044.000) but you still got it for less with the discount. It would've been nice to have seen it at $242 after the 50% discount though.

Hi Monokoke28

The date is April 27th.

What is the date for the ticket you bought?

Hi to all the VJ's.!!! Just wanted to share my experience with OIM Colombia (Organizacion Internacional para las Migraciones) At the moment to receive the sealed envelope they give us a flyer with that info.

The OIM is giving discounts of 50% and 60% for the tkt just one way to NYC and Miami only.

So, I called on Monday and they told me I needed to send via fax:

1. OIM Form (downloaded from www.oim.org.co) http://www.oim.org.co/modulos/contenido/de...sp?idmodulo=287

2. Copy of the passport

3. Copy of the Visa

4. Printer of the reservation (only with Avianca "Y" fare) This "Y" fare is valid for 1 year. U need to go personaly to the office's Avianca and ask for the printer cause they dont give it to you online or by email.

The same day I went and I got the printer. I sent at the afternoon all these papers (fax 6224619 Bogota) and confirmed the fax (6227774 ext. 312 ask for Andres Arevalo) He is gonna tell u how much u need to pay at their account in Citibank , Account Number 5067477059. The price he gives u has already the discount. U have chance to send the copy of the receipt before Wednesday at middle day via fax. The same process u have to call and confirm it, and he tells u in 3 days you can go to Avianca's office and ask for ur tkt.

I called Avianca today and they told me I can go on Friday to pick up my tkt. And anyway if I want to use it earlier or later that they day I ask for I can do it cause the fare is for 1 year.

So the tkt one way to Miami it was COP $1.320.000 without the taxes for leave Colombia and get to US.

With the discount i just had to pay COP $902.400 included IVA and both taxes.

So its a good deal and just take 1 week for get the tkt. It can works for all of u are gonna spend some more time here in Colombia for any reason.

Ahh any other information u can call to the call center 01 8000 95 12 12.

I hope this help for some of you!

Irene

Hi Looking4wife.

Im also unsure, but in the list we got in our packet 4, it says they dont accept copies or traductions of the papers they are asking for, u remember have read that? ..

So I guess thats why she didnt want to accept it and plus like thats the DS 230 is gonna go in the close envelope you get the day after and then u have to give it to the consul, thats why.

So, when they ask you the day of the interview of ur wife for put the papers in order into the folder (inside the folder they give u the list and the order how they need the papers) u dont have to worry if you dont have the DS 230 cause is inside the envelope, u know what i mean? lol Im sorry but Im doing an effort cause my english is not very good yet. It will happen the same with the DAS paper.

Just in case u feel like u wanna change the DS 230 cause you are afraid ur wife made a mistake for been in rush you can download it from internet and fill it. And then u ask the favor and explain to the lady who receive ur papers that u wanna change it. I did that cause I had made a silly mistake filling an address, I told her i made a mistake and give to her the other DS 230, she was so nice and she accepted.

I hope this help you and I wish you luck on ur interview...

Any question.. just tell me ok?

Best regards, Irene

We are currently in Bogota for the visa interview next week.

When my wife and I went for her medical exam, we of course had the documents that were listed in Packet 4 that we would need for the doctor.

Doctor Gonzalez's secretary (Sandra?) told my wife that she needed the ORIGINAL DS-230 (Part 1). I told my wife that was impossible, since that had been sent to USCIS (i.e. NVC). I had the photocopy of exactly what was sent to NVC. Sandra insisted that it was no good, because she could tell it was a photocopy (since I had handwritten my wife's maiden name prior to the photocoping). She said it had to be "perfect".

I tried to explain that the information was "perfect" and all they needed was an original signature. That fell on deaf ears, both Sandra's and my wife's.

So I had to sit there while my wife started copying by hand all the information... wondering, gosh, what if she makes a mistake re-writing all this info by hand and has to (Oh my God) cross something out and start all over again?

NOTE: I guess "handwritten copies" are acceptable, but "machine generated copies" are not???

Also... I dared not have my wife put a "date" by her signature, because how can we contradict the date of the REAL original (Part 1) that was sent to NVC?

Did I miss the memo on this, folks??? Surely had I known this foolishness, I would've pre-printed one when I filled in the PDF document on the computer in the first place...

Has anyone else run into this irritating but not insurmountable requirement???

NOTE: Until someone (on VJ) tells me otherwise, I think the real problem is that the photocopy of the REAL original was based on an English form, not the Spanish translated version sent in the Packet 4. I think Sandra just didn't want to accept an English version... please correct me if I'm wrong (won't be the first or last time)

Hola....

u dont have to worry for the marriage certificate of her parents! I didnt take it there, and they didnt ask me for it... If u can read the posts of BradandVicky the said that the consult return to them that paper. At the moment of give the papers in the folder they give us, the lady also return to me the Affidavit of Support, the W2 and 1040 of the last year. Not saying that u dont neeed to take them, just letting u know.

Hope this help and any question just ask me ...

Irene

So many times we complain about what they ask forI agree with you George, it si ridiculous but my wife got hers from the parents. I am not leaving anything to chance I can take care of. Better safe than defiant here.

Doug

Hi Doug & Mike

Thanks for replying. It's not about being defiant. As Monty Python put it: "It's a simple case of NON-presence"!

As I said, in my case "there is none".

There is/was no document.

Therefore it is impossible for me to get a copy of it. Believe me I am giving the US Gov't EVERY piece of paper they ask for and then MORE! In triplicate!!!!! So it's not my choice. I don't care to get into family specifics, but not all people get "formally married", and then sometimes a parent passes away, very young. Many countries, just like Colombia, have people who come from remote, ultra-rural regions where life is lived a little more simpler than all of us "City Folk" that have all of our certified papers and official permission slips!

Maybe one of you can lend me a copy of your's? Cause it is "that" or nothing for me.

Ok, ok. 2 six packs of Aquilla Beer for the first copy!

Thanks in advance.

George

P.S. You guys think for one second I would jeopardize my wife's VISA by witholding any papers???

Are you guys nutz??? Hmm, I thought I posted a photo of me and my wife in my sig... maybe I posted

that one of me and Hugo Chavez... lemme see... moment please...

P.S. II Hmm... maybe I can get a letter from Hugo Chavez, oops...wrong country for that!

HELLO !!!!

Douglas no sure why I havent met online with ur wife.., would be glad to help if I can.... She has my cell phone and I gave her my email... I hoep talk to her before she goes to the interview, maybe she has some questions.

Monokoke28: The interview for Floridaphoto it was sooo easy, they were called 5 minutes before me, and everything was so smoothly for them... Just some problems the next day for receive the closed envelope, I stayed with Sofia all the time the next day waiting for her to receive it, but not, the explication it was the visa was approved but needs some Vo. Bo. for can print it. Anyway when I was leaving Mark told me he was gonna to talk with somebody else,,, then i dont know more.. Hoep to talk with them soon.

HI for everybody!!!!! I hope everything is ok... I have to tell u that I got approved today after 4 hours and a half of being waiting... really it was soo easy..,,...

I got there 6:15 am and then I made the line No. 3 that is for fiances and residents. There were another kind of Visa but I dont remember the name.

At 6:30 am they started to let us go inside... and check you, u cant go in with Ipod, Walkman, Camera, Cell with Camera,, none of that.. .. Remember have all the time ur letter appointment with you.....

Well,, we went inside and make the line No.40 and some lady start to give us a folder for order the papers in the order they have asked before in the packet 4.

I did, but when i was called to give the papers they give back to me the Affidavit of Support, the Taxes Return (1040 and w2), el certificado de policia, and never asked for the Certificate or Marriage of my parents.

After that I went to the window 2 for they to take the fingerprint. It was done and then, wait about 2 hours for the consul call you to the window for the interview.

Thanks God that ladies were really really nice,,, the first one whom I gave the papers really sweet.. and the consul just niiiiiceeee,, she just asked me this:

1. How did I know him?

2. Whne I have met him?

3. Where it was my honey moon?

4. Where do live his parents?

5. When was the last time I saw him?

6. Do I speak English?

7. Does he speak Spanish?

8. Where does he lives?

9. What is his job? Ok then she told me this is all,,, ur visa is approved, come tomorrow.

and that was alll.... Well I think I said so much more than that LOL!!!!

Then she gave me a piece of paper with some number and my name and I have to go tomorrow at 4 pm to the embassy for pick up my papers.

And I WAS ALONE, so it can happen even if u are not with ur husband or wife...

The awesome thing it was thjey didnt ask me for anything, no pics, no ring, no emails, no record of phone calls, no conversations, NOTHING! So I didnt open my bag ..

Any question please dont hesitate to write me ok?? I will be very glad to help you!!!

I hope u understand my English cause is not that perfect yet.. but well... Good luck for all of you...

I met there with Mark and Sofia, we were together all the time and they got approved too,, first than me!!! But I have to said that the consuls where in good mood today cause almost everybody got approved and even some fiances that were alone in less than 5 min of interview!!!!!!!!!

Irene

Looking4wife: You already paid for ur visa, do u remember the IV Fee Bill? you paid US $380.oo, so its done.

Dont worry for that letter, is the same letter for all the type of visas, like just said Mark they dont customize the letters.

Just the K visas need to pay the visa at bank.

The lab and the medical has to be paid just in CASH, at the time of the service.

Dont worry,

Irene

Ersporsche: Thank you for ur opinion, I will comment this to my husband, so he can takes care of this.

Looking4wife: Ahh yah! I forgot to say that is not just wedding pics, I have also pics on vacations, with family and friends. lol... And yes he came here after the wedding and stayed with me and my family for long time!!!..

MAviwaro and Consolemaster: Thanks for the wishes in name of all of us who are going right now trough this final step!!!

Irene

Mike,

Thank u very much for the advice... really it sounds very good idea,, and I pray this help me more...

I will call him inmediately and make sure he sends me that letter as soon as possible.

Thanks again..... this forum is just great!!!

Irene.

Looking4wife and DougandCeci: Congratulations! Its so nice to hear that all our cases are almost completed! I wish the best for that day and you come back here posting the good news...

Im gonna go alone to the interview, cause Matt cant come cause his job, Im little nervous, but i have all the necessary proofs and all my papers done, I have record phone calls, 270 mails, many many pics of our wedding, emails from his family, cards from him and his family.... copy of his passport with the entrances to Colombia, passboards..

So I really hope I get my visa,, for us it has be a long wait!...

Best wishes,

Irene

I am so happy that you can enjoymy beer, thanks Mark. lol They mailed the packets to me and Ceci on the th of March so am figuring she should get it maybe Monday since she is in Bogota. As to the other I had her go get hers as soon as Brad posted about it so I think we are set. She gets her last booster of the vaccinations the end of the month. I am glad we did it all there as it is so much cheaper than here. Thieving, definitely keep us posted. I will be arriving in Bogota on the 11th and we(hopefully) are returning together on Sat. 14 or Sunday the 15th. I want to come back on Sat, it is cheaper but almost full plane and can't get to the phone. I have a credit I want to use so need to use the phone reservations and physically go to the airport tonight to pay for it. Sucks but saves me $300.

Doug

Hello RabbitNYC!

Thats great to hear... I pray everything goes pretty good for us, I also have my appointment on the 27th, so Im hopeful we can celebrate it the good news... Glad that u are with ur wife in Cali, nice city.. and yeah I was wonder how was ur status case, long time i hadnt see u here....

But well, really with all my heart I wish the best for u both,

Irene

Congratulations! I was wonder when were u gonna to post the good new! I wish the best for you both and a happy life together.. Of couse it would be nice to hear your experience ...I have my interview on March 27th, so all the informacion right now is just great for us...

Best regards.

Irene Jewitt

Matt & Irene Jewitt

Hi Everyone!!!!

Got back from Colombia yesterday and very excited to report that we were approved Wednesday 2/21/07. The immigrant visa section of the embassy was closed on Thursday 2/22/07, so we were asked to come back Friday 2/23/07 to pick up our visa. We are very excited I am back in the states and my husband will follow in two weeks he has to quit his job and handle some final things before, but we will finally be together soon. Thanks alot to everyone visajourney was really helpful. I will post a full review of our day at embassy in the consular review forum shortly. Thanks again and best of luck to everyone.

After exactly 8 days since the Embassy sent the package trough Adpostal I received it today !!!!

I got my appointment on March 27th, altought Matt called on February 15th and we got the date, but is nice to know that we didnt have any kind of problem with Adpostal like I have heard before in some posts here...

Bassically the package contains all what BradyVicky posted before and well the price of the medical exams and laboratory is $285.000 COP, u can only pay it in cash.

If u guys needs more information about this package I will be glad to post the information again.

Irene

Matt & Irene Jewitt

Oh yeah and I don't live in SLC now, i moved to south Florida.....

Thanks for the words guys. Matt good to hear about your interview being pretty quick. I know it seems like a long ways a way but it will be here before you know it. I see you are from Salt Lake City? If so we are neighbors, sort of. I was wondering who you talked to about your interview date? Did you call the embassy or the DC number? Didn't take too long to find out either.

Doug

Doug I actually called the DC number about 1 week after i knew the case got approved, and then i called it a few more times until I knew it been sent to Bogota. After that i gave it about 1 1/2 weeks before I called Bogota and then requested an interview date. But good luck becasue the Bogota number is always busy so you just have to keep calling

Good luck Matt & Irene Jewitt

Thanks for the words guys. Matt good to hear about your interview being pretty quick. I know it seems like a long ways a way but it will be here before you know it. I see you are from Salt Lake City? If so we are neighbors, sort of. I was wondering who you talked to about your interview date? Did you call the embassy or the DC number? Didn't take too long to find out either.

Doug

Congratulations! Is nice to know that all of us is moving forward and soon it will be done! I am also happy cause I got my interview on March 27th... So soon I will be posting good news here! lol... This wait it seems little long to me... but is just great that already I can post it.

Congratulations again.. and lets celebrate!

Irene Jewitt....

congratulations!

Actually the time is Monday and Wed between 2-4pm est. Be ready for busy signal also, because i had to call about 15 times before I got thru. One the lady answers tell her in english that you have a question about your wifes imigrant visa and then you will be transfered to the immigrant visa section, from there they can give you more information. Number in Bogota calling from US is 0115713151566 or Visa information in D.C. is 202-663-1541 then press 0.

Good luck with your case..........Matt

Case forwarded to Embassy in Bogotá yesterday, Tuesday, 2/13/2007!

Finally... on to the "Embassy" phase!

Call 202-663-1541 press 0 for operator and ask the lady that answers what your case status is and give her your case number. She will tell you if the embassy has received and if you have an interview date or not.

2) If you are a CR1 visa and NVC has approved your case then yes you are just waiting for your wife to get her packet.

Good luck!

AFTER case completed by NVC, THEN what...?

Do we get some notification from the embassy that they received our case, or do we have to call them to find out when they received it?

Is the next thing just waiting for the Colombian spouse to receive the embassy package by Colombian mail (which we already know takes forever)?

(bump to re-ask question above )

Congrats!!!!

Hi everyone, I rang NVC and was told yesterday at 1:00 pm that the case was still under review and to try back next week. I couldnt take the waiting and did my daily ritual of calling the automated system this afternoon. The automated system says that our case was completed on 2/9/07 and will be forwarded to the embassy! YAYYYY!!! Those were the sweetest words ever. Seems like they are on a roll with so many recent completion/approval and Visa's being granted. Good luck to those that have upcoming interviews, and those that are waiting to hear info on your case's, we will be praying for everyone!!! Good luck and GOD Bless!

Sherry

Congrats!!

Hi all,

Just received via email our approval. It was actually approved Jan 30 but didn't check my email unitl yesterday. Very surprised because we were waiting for an RFE but never got one!

Now we just wait until the next stage!

Mark call the inqury number at 202-663-1541 and then press 0 when you hear the automated system. I talked to a lady yesterday and she said when NVC approves the case it is sent over the system with the case number. Then they send the hard copy packet to Bogota and it takes Bogota about 1 week to match everything after the receive it and get things ready to make the interview date. Bogota has had our case since 29 Jan and now we are just waiting for the interview date. Call that number and see what the operator says......Good luck Matt

Congrats Mark, looks like they are still running at about 4 weeks for approval. I was wondering about the update on the recording as well. In any event, I am looking at the 16th of the month for my 4 week day so hopefully can find something out soon thereafter. I will email you this week but great to hear you are on your way. Sounds like you will miss the March interviews unless they get it sent really quick.

Doug

Doug: You should be hearing something real soon. I would anticipate our interview will be sometime in April depending on when the NVC sends our case to Bogota. There is still a slight possibility for the end of March, but pretty unlikely since February is a short month. I can handle it either way. I'm just happy our case got completed.

Similar situation... I just talked with "Zoe" at NVC. She told me my review was completed today, 2/6/2007, although the automated msg says that they are waiting on missing info.

She said my case will be sent to the embassy within 2-4 weeks (March 6 at the latest). So, naturally, I inquired why would it be so long before shipping my case to the embassy since the review is already completed... she said because they ship the cases to the embassy in bulk, not one at a time...

Looking4Wife: Congratulations on NVC completing your case! I might be seeing you in Bogota. I think our cases will be sent to Bogota sooner than 2-4 weeks. They seem to always over estimate timelines at the NVC. Many times cases are sent out in about a week, but we'll just have to see what happens.

I seem to be hearing conflicting stories here, so maybe somebody can help me solve this!

My wifes papers have been received at the Embassy in Bogota for the CR1 visa. Do we now fax the DS2001, DS230 pt 1 and passport copy to the embassy or is that not needed for a CR1 visa? Or do we just wait for packet 3 because the mail in Barranquilla is horrificaly slow and I am worried if we don't fax them this paperwork now then we won't get an interview date for march.

If we do have to fax it can someone please confirm the fax number for me.......

Thanks, Matt

Congrats!!!

Just a quick update.........As I posted yesterday, René had his interview scheduled today. OUR VISA HAS BEEN APPROVED! I have been so excited all day, it has taken me this long to calm down enough to sit in front of the computer! Finally! We are so happy!! I wish all of you in whatever stage of the process you are in the best of luck! Thank you all for your well wishes!

Mel