florida-photo

Who should the cover letter come from or does it matter? The I-751 is completed by the immigrant with one small section asking about the U.S. spouse so it would seem logical that the cover would come from the immigrant. Could others who have already had their conditions removed or recently submitted their packages let me know how they handled this. Thanks..

1. Has there ever been a consensus on notarizing or not notarizing the affidavits? As usual the USCIS couldn't be more vague in their instructions.

2. I read the USCIS suggestions for assembing the package (two-hole punch ACCO fasteners, etc.). It says to use tabs on the bottom to separate the attachments. Does anyone know what kind of tabs they are talking about? I'll be stopping by the office supply store next week and I want to pickup the fasteners and tabs.

3. Any suggestions for organizing photos? Place them in some plastic sleeves or just clip them together in a stack?

Thanks!

on the DS-230, question 33a, did you choose "yes" to having the SSA assign you a social security number? my concern is whether this number will be assigned to my wife using the name on the DS-230 (her maiden name) or will she be asked if she wants it with her married name, in other words with my last name. her new documents in the US will have my last name but the documents in Colombia, including her colombian passport, will stay in her maiden name, it's too much of a hassle to change her docs over their. so will she have that option of changing her last name or should we just check no on the DS-230 and wait until she gets here and goto our local SSA office and apply for it ourselves.

thanks

JK

It sounds like everything has been done in her maiden name so far, Is that correct? If that is the case then the visa, green card, and social security card will all be issued in her maiden name. I asked the officer who did our interview if they could issue her visa with my last name and I was told no. I believe you can elect not to check yes on the DS-230 then you could go to the social security office and get the card issued in her married name after you have changed it on her other forms of ID.

Another point to consider: I was told by CIS that when she travels her passport and green card need to match. She said that if we do the name change then we would need to get the name in her passport updated also. I assume at a Colombian Consulate here in the U.S. NOTE: I am not sure if this is accurate information, but it is what I was told approximately a week ago by CIS. I would be interested in hearing other people's experiences with this issue of changing the name after arrival in the U.S.

We did the name change about a year ago -- it's a fairly easy application process that can be done (and paid for) online, but you're right, there is a trip to the service center involved. I don't know what we would have done if it were a six hour trip (though I've driven that stretch of I-10 both to Pensacola and to J-ville, you could do it in 5!).

It's definitely proven worthwhile, though, for all the usual reasons. Although they wouldn't let my wife use her maiden name as a middle name the way a lot of women do -- she had to use her given middle name. They said she would have to wait until she becomes a citizen she could choose to use her maiden name as a middle name

Hey James:

Thanks for the info! Yeah, your right I could probably make it to Jacksonville in 5 hours. I was probably thinking of the old days when the speed limit was lower. Too bad we can't just go over to new Orleans, but that is a different district.

1. Are you saying that the application process to change the name on the green card can be done online?

2. Do you remember what they need to do at the service center (fingerprints, photos, etc.)?

Thanks!

Mark

George, no they don't ask you what name you want to use at the embassy. As to the other, trouble getting it, as with all else some do have issues other do not. Not a lot of help. I checked yes but my wife and I are not doing the name change until the process is completely over. We thought that to be less a hassle. But to be honest, the name change is not that important to either of us.

Doug

Hey Doug and George:

This has always been one of the most difficult decisions for me. When to change the name? We opted to keep her original name through the entire visa process. We will probably look at changing it in the near future or when we apply to remove the conditions. I called CIS and they said it might be a good idea to do it when we apply to remove the conditions. If you do it before that time then they will schedule an appointment at a CIS service center to do fingerprints, etc. and order a new green card. Our CIS service center is about 6 hours away in Jacksonville. The CIS rep seemed to indicate it would be easier to wait the 2 years.

I was wondering if, when you apply to remove conditions and she still has her maiden name, if they look at that as a sign that the marriage is not legitimate. The CIS rep I talked to said that should not be a concern if you have all the other evidence of a legitimate marriage. She said they are used to this situation. So I think we will attempt to change the name in 2 years or maybe we will just keep it the way it is and never change it.

Mark

POE: Miami

DATE ENTERED: 3/29/07

SOCIAL SECURITY CARD: 4/6/07

WELCOME LETTER: 4/10/07

GREEN CARD: 4/21/07

Oh, you mean it arrived within four weeks?

Yeah, got everything within approximately 3 weeks.

The subject of the topic pretty much covers it.

My wife entered the USA on her IR1 visa which was processed and endorsed at the POE into USA.

How long does it take for her to receive the actual green card in the mail ?

Where does the green card get mailed from ? The local USCIS office in our city ?

Where or who would I call to check on the status of it being mailed or if it was mailed already.

We specified a different MAILING address for the card to go to instead of our RESIDENCE address.

Any input from anyone ?

It looks like you live in Florida. Your welcome letter and Green Card should come from the Texas Service Center.

POE: Miami

DATE ENTERED: 3/29/07

SOCIAL SECURITY CARD: 4/6/07

WELCOME LETTER: 4/10/07

GREEN CARD: 4/21/07

We came through Miami after midnight on March 29th. Avianca had to bring in another plane to replace their broken one and there was a huge delay flying out of Bogota (This is the second time in 2 years this has happened with Avianca). We were both pretty tired after arriving in Miami in the middle of the night so some of the details are a little fuzzy.

1. I travelled with my wife.

2. She did not fill out anything. I filled out the usual customs/immigration form on the plane. There is one form per family.

3. POE - Miami

4. We went through the U.S. Citizens line.

5. I don't believe the Immigration Officer asked her anything in the first station that we came to. I think she just took her fingerprint and photo and then she called for another immigration officer to escort us to a waiting room.

6. Yeah, she just gave the immigration officer in the waiting room her passport/visa and the envelope she received from the embassy.

7. We were never split up.

8. No questions were asked of her by the immigration officer who processed her in the waiting area.

9. The first officer in the immigration line was not very friendly. The officer who precessed her in the waiting area was very friendly. He made some jokes and let us know about the requirement to remove conditions in 2 years.

10. The process took less than 45 minutes. The only reason it took that long was that we were alone in the waiting room for about 30 minutes waiting for an immigration officer to show up. I think at that time of the night there is nobody staffing that area and we had to wait for an officer to break free from the immigration lines after they finished processing the passengers on our flight. We breezed through customs and our bags were not searched.

Everyone here on VJ and on the Colombia Clubs have been very helpful with the sharing of information regarding the visa process but I've noticed that the final stage of the journey is sometimes not included. It's completely understandable that with the excitement, relief and joy of having your spouse finally here you might not post on this forum as often as before. It would help alot of people if, as soon as you are able to, to please post your arrival immigration experiences here. Some questions that I have that I hope you will include answers to are:

1) Did your spouse travel alone or were they accompanied by the USC spouse?

2) Which form did your spouse fill out on the plane before landing?

3) Where was your spouse's Point of Entry (e.g. JFK, Miami, Atlanta etc)?

4) What line did your spouse get on when they got off the plane? Visitors, Resident?

5) Did the immigration agent speak in Spanish or attempt to speak in English to your spouse?

6) What documents did your spouse have ready to hand over? Passport,Visa, MBE(Mysterious Brown Envelope)

7) If traveling with the USC spouse, were you split up or was your USC spouse with you the whole time?

8) What kind of questions did they ask your spouse?

9) Were the immigration officers friendly, rude?

10) How long was the whole process?

If your spouses would like to write their first hand experiences in Spanish, please feel free to do so, thay way we can pass on the message and information to our spouses in Colombia.

Mil gracias, JK

If there is a change (and I'm not at all sure that there is), then you're probably not going to know until they send you the DS-230 package when your IV fee bill shows up as being paid in the system (i.e., a good month -- or at least it used to be -- after you pay the IV fee bill you're about to receive).

I agree that unless this can be pinned down by somebody soon then one of you guys is going to have to be the guinea pig and wait to receive the actual package from NVC and let everyone else know what it says. I feel for everybody going through this right now with all the confusion and conflicting information out there. Has anybody put a call in to the embassy about this? Through last month I was able to call between 2-4 pm Bogota time on Mondays and Wednesdays and speak with someone in the Immigrant Visa unit. At times it was virtually impossible to get through. I saw somewhere on here that might have changed, but I would still try to call or send a fax if necessary.

I'm still doubtful, though. The anecdotes of people being sent home must have to do with the spouse in Bogota not getting all of his or her ducks in a row -- if one didn't send the required docs with the DS-203 Part I to NVC, they'd never complete the case and send it to the embassy to begin with.

I agree with that also. They would never get the appointment if NVC did not have what was required.

My wife arrived on March 30th and she received her Social Security card within 7 days which was a bit of a surprise. We are still waiting on the Green Card. My understanding is that is supposed to arrive within 3 weeks which would be April 20th for us.

Congratulations!!!!!

Just a quick note, Ceci got her visa today in Bogota, well got the approval. She will pick up the visa on Monday and then head home for the first time. More later but thanks to all who have traveled the road before me. Your help has been invaluable. Thanks.

Doug

Sofia and I were thinking about you guys yesterday. I'm really happy you got the visa!! Contact me when you get a chance. Congratulations!!!!

Mark

Mike or Mark, either one can answer this. Mike you said the pass through is small. Do you mean height wise or width wise. I have all my photos in 81/2x11 plastic sleeves mounted on card stock. I guess I figured when Mark said his wouldn't fit he meant in a hard bound book. These could be folded in half if necessary. I will be leaving on Wed. morning and the interview is Thurs. Am all set, just wrapping up a few loose ends tonight. Thanks

Doug

Doug:

The slot is small in both width and height. But I was able to slide my 8 1/2x11 printouts of my phone bills through the slot, so I am sure you will not have any problems. Good luck with the interview Doug!!!

Mark

Tomjerry,

Just a tad curious as to why you are submitting travel evidence with I-765.

Yodrak

I was wondering the same thing.

great news that you got your visa, congrats to you both!!! another success story, rough at the end but successful.

a few questions for you.

1) did you ever get to show any pics? my wife has a small album that holds 100 4X6 pics, should she get something else like pages that will slip through the window? we want to take our wedding album but maybe this is too fat, nay suggestions?

2) of the other people who went there for CR1 visas, were all of the people with their USC spouses? Were there any alone? Do you think that it was neccesary to be with your wife? As much as I would like to be there with mine when we get our interview, I dont know if I will be able to because of work.

Hey Jediknight:

1. We never actually did show any pics because the darn thing wouldn't fit through the window. I was prepared to tear some pages out and slip them through the window, but he never asked for them. I also had a small album that held 100 pics. I know that some people have printed their photos on regular paper using their computer. You can print four or more pics per page by downsizing the photos a little. You might want to print out some of those as a backup.

2. Thieving69 was there without the USC spouse and had no problems at all. I mainly went because I had some issues pertaining to me that I was fairly certain they would want to speak with me about; but they didn't. Also, I just felt better being there in case there was a problem or if there was anything I could clarify. I think as long as you are well prepared and have the paperwork in order, there should be no problems. In a perfect world everybody could go for the interviews just to be on the safe side, but may times it is not possible. Many CR1's receive their visas without the spouse being there.

Mark

anagd3: It looks like someone else answered your question which is good because I was not really sure which line the K3's use. I know that there were a lot of K1's in line #3 after they made the announcements.

cartagena2112: Yes, it was walking distance. We walked it several times. It takes about 5 minutes and maybe a few more minutes to get around to the other side of the embassy where the entrance for the visas is located. You may want to walk it one time as practice just to make sure that you are familiar with the route. Also you can check out where the entrance is for the visas. Here is the link for their website http://www.hotelamericandream.com/index.htm. In addition the hotel offers a shuttle to embassy which runs every hour in the morning starting around 6:30 am. We walked because we wanted to get there earlier. A taxi would only cost about $1.50 from the hotel. They will pick you up and take you back to the airport for free. Breakfast is included. TIP: Rooms that face the rear of the hotel are quiet. Rooms that face the front street can be a little noisy from the street noise. I would request a room in the rear of the hotel if you like a quiet room. The hotel is nothing special and is not as good as most American hotels I have stayed in. The bed and pillows were a bit firm and the bathrooms were small, but it had a good TV with cable, hot water, responsive staff (especially the bellboys), and I felt very safe there. It can be difficult to get an outside line sometimes when you need to make a phone call. I believe this is an issue at most of the hotels in the area of this class and lower. If you want a hotel that is more expensive and more American style, there are a number to choose from in Bogota, but they can be fairly expensive. Some people have used apartments near the embassy which can be economical, but we decided that a hotel would be more secure. I have had my room cleaned out of all my electronics already in Colombia and I wasn't looking for a repeat.

Looking4Wife: I guess you already took care of all of this by now. I think they are looking for a brand new original DS-230 for their own purposes and there is no relationship to the one you sent to the NVC which they apparently use for different reasons. It is funny that the one sent by the embassy is a very old form from 2004. I think they use it because it is in english and spanish. As Doug stated, apparently any version of the DS-230 is acceptable. Good luck with everything next week!

DougyCeci: Everybody has to return to the doctor and pickup the sealed envelope with the medical exam results and then take this to the interview. This envelope also includes the DS-230.

Mark

Interview is April 12.

I guess I´ve become dazed and confused by the requirements of "original" documents at the visa interview.

Especially since the REAL origninals were sent to the USCIS or NVC, and they should have them at the embassy anyway (specifically DS-230 and I-864).

Since I am already in Colombia, its not automatic that the internet cafes support Adobe PDF software. This makes it tough to regenerate a document when you can´t even view a pdf document on the computers in the internet cafe.

Will I need an "Original" I-864 at the visa interview?

Has anyone simply submitted the photocopy of what was originally sent to USCIS or NVC?

I did not need to provide an I-864 at the interview last month EVEN THOUGH it requests one in the letter received from the embassy AND it is on the list of the documents folder you will receive the day of the interview. When she went to the window Sofia was told not to provide the I-864 since NVC already sent it to the embassy. I kind of know that already and she did not include it in the folder when she went to the window; but I had her ask about it since it asks for one in bold letters. In fact they handed her things back from my NVC I-864 submission. Just have a copy of the one you sent to NVC to be safe. Also, I did include my 2006 tax return and updated employer letter in the folder. We just left out the I-864 since they already had it.

You need to provide a new, original DS-230 to the doctor (which you may have already done) and that is all. You don't not need to provide another one at the embassy even though it asks for one in the letter from the embassy and on the instructions you receive the day of the interview. This embassy is so screwed up with their correspondence it is really unbelievable. They must be sending out generic letters to the benficiaries because they are loaded with inaccuracies as it pertains to the CR1's. If you followed the instructions exactly you would be completing extra forms left and right. I have no idea why they can't create an accurate letter for the CR1's.

Looking4Wife:

I don't have any specific advice other than to stay as flexible as possible with your hotel and airline flights. You may end up having to back off your flight and pay a penalty like I did. Sorry about the lab situation. I am hopeful it will all work out without any delay and you can make your flight on the 12th. I will be pulling for both you and DougyCeci.

Mark

This is the first opportunity I've had to get on Visa Journey since the visa interview in Bogota, Colombia. We went to Orlando immediately after arriving in the States on our way from Miami to northwest Florida. She got her visa!!! I posted details of the interview in the "Foreign Embassy and Consulate General Discussion" forum. It is posted under the "CR1 Colombia Club." Thanks to everyone for all of their assistance during this process. The people I have met here on Visa Journey have been very helpful and I know things would not have gone so rapidly and successfully without the help I received from this community. Thanks again.

Mark

Hey everybody:

This is the first chance I've had to get on Visa Journey since the visa interview in Bogota. Here is some info on our experiences. Sofia had her interview on 3/27 and she was approved!

If you are a CR1 applicant you line up in line #3 outside of the embassy. We found this out the day before. We got there about 6:00 a.m. and we were the only ones in this line. At about 6:15 a.m. the Colombian embassy employees came out and started making announcements. There were a lot of people in Line #1 and many of them shifted over to Line #3 after the announcements were made. Some people grumbled about Sofia and I being first in line when we arrived after they did. But I didn't feel bad because we took the time to find out which was the correct line the previous day. They started calling names and checking documents and and handing out stickers. Your name wil NOT be called out if you are a CR1 applicant, so don't worry. At about 7:40 we were let inside the embassy grounds. We were lined up and given a briefing about how to prepare the dccuments and then handed a folder. When her name was called she turned in her documents at the first window and was asked a few preliminary questions like my address, my telephone number and when were we married. After this she was told to go across the other side of the outdoor waiting area to window #2 where here fingerprints would be taken. After a wait of approximately an hour her named was called and her fingerprints were taken. About 40 minutes later she was called for her interview!

She picked up the phone and she was asked how we met, did I speak Spanish. He then asked to see relationship evidence. We tried to show the photos, but they would not fit under the window even though the album we had was pretty compact. While we tried to figure out the best way to get the photos to him we gave him our stack of phone bills. He then asked her what her telephone number was to cross reference with the phone bills. I was ready to demonstrate all of the other evidence (emails, plane tickets, hotel bills, etc.), but then he asked me to pick up the phone. He asked me how we met and how did I learn Spanish - that was it. Then he asked to speak with her and told her that she was approved and to return the next day at 4:00 pm!

This is where the problems began. We returned the next day around 3:15 pm and she was let into the embassy shortly before 4:00 pm. They would not let any Americans enter and we had to stand outside in the rain. Nice! Thanks a lot. Anyway, after several hours of standing in the rain and watching person after person come out with their visas, Sofia comes out in tears because she did not receive her visa. She was only told that the information was not in the "system", but she was not given any explanation as to why this happened or if and when the visa would be ready. They said to come back the following day and see what happens. Now we had to change the flights we had for the following morning and pay the corresponding penalties without knowing if we would need to change the flights again. I have seen accounts here on Visa Journey of people caught in limbo in Bogota without explanation. We went back the following morning, but we were told to speak with the person at the cashier's window??? He was a complete idiot and knew nothing. He said later in the day they would look to see if her visa was in the strongbox (which we already knew it wasn't). We asked if we could speak to somebody who might have some "real" information about what was happening with her visa. We were told to go to an adjacent window. When she spoke with that guy he implied that she hadn't returned when she was supposed to receive her visa the previous day and it was probably in the strongbox; she explained that she indeed had returned the previous day and in fact was one of the first people there. He rudely hung up on her while she was still speaking. These were both Colombians. You CANNOT speak with an American if you are in this situation. Believe me, I tried but I was refused after asking multiple embassy employees and explaining how we were getting the cold shoulder and getting any help. By luck, later on Sofia ran into a woman who was atttempting to help her a little the previous day. This woman was apparently higher ranking than all of the other Colombian employees in the outside waiting area. She went into the back and a short time later came out with Sofia's visa. After a rough night and morning of having no idea what was happening she finally had her visa.

I am very upset with the absolute lack of concern, total lack of information, and outright rude treatment we received by multiple employees at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota. They could care less if you have a problem or if you need help; you are just a number and any problem you might have is of no concern to them. I am sure most people will have an uneventful experience when having their interviews and receiving their visas. Unfortunately, we had a rather negative experience. But, she got her visa and she is here with me now in the U.S. So even though we had some problems we are both very happy that she got her visa! Good luck to everybody with their Visa Journey! Also, it was great seeing Thieving69 and RabbitNYC!! Congratulations to both of you!!

Mark

P.S. We stayed at Hotel American Dream. It is a little more expensive (137,000 pesos) than the cheapest hotels in the area, but most of the staff is excellent, professional, and very responsive. I also believe it is significantly more secure and a definite step up in class while still not too expensive.

Sorry, I screwed up the previous reply. Our interview date in Bogota was scheduled approximately 5 months after the I-130 was approved. With luck you might get an interview a couple of weeks sooner than that, but not much sooner going by the current timeframes. It could also be several weeks more if you do not use James Shortcuts or if something was missing or incomplete in your submissions to NVC. The interview is normally scheduled 1.5 - 2 months after NVC completes the case. Good luck with everything.

Hello everyone

My I-130 was approved 03-09-2007 (sent in originally on 12-29-2006)

Needs to go eventually to Bogota, Colombia Embassy.

How much more time left before the interview for my Colombian wife?

Anybody with Bogota experience know current approx. processing times?

Thanks in advance!

Cheers!

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