erporsche

Sorry forgot to mention, the blocking out of the numbers was specifically referenced in my letter requesting more information. "Info was blocked out with black marker" was indicated in letter.

Thanks

I filed for lifting of conditions in July and blocked out the account numbers of banking accounts, credit cards, etc. and just recieved a request for additional information. I would STRONGLY suggest you not block out the numbers. I would also suggest, make sure you send in bank account info from entire time from marriage to filing of lifting of conditions, entire 2 years. Thanks

I only left the last 4 digits. I do agree with most people, but to a point. Yes, USCIS is the governmnment, they may know a lot of information, but this is something that should not be given to them easily. Taking over someones identity takes work, you have to get SS numbers, DOB, addresses, and such, then open the credit card to use and buy what you want. Why should I make it easy for anyone who looks at the documents or (if they loose it) for someone who finds them. The government has a lot of information about us, and yes, we provide it to them, but it's all spread out, most of the time one branch in USCIS doesn't know what's going on in the same building in another department. I sent copies of checks, credit cards and check cards, blocked all but names and last 4 digits, only because this is not a requirement to send them photocopies of the cc, its just additonal information that makes up the whole case we sent. And yes, if they reallt want to they can get all your information, but I am sure they will not want to get all of the 16 digits, since it s not relevant to the case. All in all, its your decision.

Good luck,

Mike.

You suggest some very good points, thanks. I will be blocking out numbers. You're right, if they want to look anything up, I am sure they will do so.

Thanks to all who answered.

The good news is that my fiancee and I had our interview on Friday April 13 and were approved with no problems. We were told to return Monday at 4:00 pm to receive the visa, which is what I have read here. The bad news is that when we got to the Embassy today the Security Guard would not let me in, only my fiancee. She waited until there were only three people left who had not recieved their visas and she still had not received hers. Then the gentleman in the window announced that the Embassy does not give out Fiancee Visas today that everyone left would have to come back tomorrow at 4:00. My fiancee spoke with one person who has been coming back everyday since last Wednesday only to hear the same message, come back tomorrow at 4:00 for your visa. Does anyone know if the Embassy only gives out K1 Visas on certain days? I have not heard of this. Any comments are appreciated because I am waiting here in Bogota and my flight leaves out Wednesday morning.

The Embassy gives out VISA's no matter what type anyday, no preference at to which type of VISA. My wife had her interview and was told the VISA would be ready the next business day. She did not recieve her VISA on the next business day. She was told to return the next day to see if it was ready. We recieved it on the second business day at 4:00 p.m. This has been common procedure for the Embassy lately----to NOT issue the approgved VISA the next business day. While in line wating for ours on the two days, we found out their were many people waiting 2 to 4 days until they recieved their approved VISA's. We were told the computer was the delay in spitting out the approval paperwork. After we did not recieve it the next day, I went over to the American servivces side and a Embassy official explained that we were at the mercy of the computer.

Also, no one but the K1/K3/CR1 holder can enter the Embassy to pick up the approved VISA. They refused me entry as well. Standard procedure.

Best of luck. I had to delay our flights one addtional day due to the Embassy delay.

My wifes K3 VISA was approved last week, but we are awaiting issuance of POE papers. I am posting detailed steps of the process of my wife and I experience of the K3 interview process. The US Embassy in Colombia refers to these processes as “residence VISAs”. The K3 interview steps are the same as K1 and CR1-the differences are in submission of paperwork. K1 VISA seekers read below for pointers on what to bring to the interview.

I am posting a detailed listing of our experience to allow future US residence VISA seekers to feel more at ease with the process. Also because the many people who wrote into this site, which assisted me greatly in the process. I know many lawyers in the immigration business due to the profession I have, but none on those lawyers could have given me the wealth of information this site has given me.

Here is the summary of my wifes (our) K3 Interview process at the US Embassy on April 4, 2007, 7:00 a.m.:

1. 5:45 a.m. Arrived at embassy, which is guard gate at street, about 10 people in line before us.

2. 6:00 a.m., entire group (at that time about 60 people) was ushered to entrance where you will see three large numbers, 1, 2 and 3. Number 1 is for toursit visa appointments at 7:00, line number 2 was for toursit visa appointments for 8:00 a.m. and line 3 is for potential “resident VISAs” (K1, K3, CR1, etc)

3. 6:15 a.m., embassy personnel will come out to look at your appointment letter and affix a colored dot to you (and your spouse/fiancee if present) to determine the location you will be going next.

4. 6:45 a.m., you will go through security checkpoint and then enter embassy waiting area. Area is outside, covered from the elements but wear warm clothes. Resident VISA seekers are seated on the right when you enter.

5. 7:00 a.m., after all residnent visa seeekers are gathered, embassy personnel will pass out a folder to each person and folder color is dependent upon the type of visa deisred. They will review what is requried for interview process and instruct you to proceed to waiting area so you can put all your documents into the folder.

6. 7:00 –8:30 a.m., we put everything into the folder, checked it once, checked it twice. As a part of the K3 the DAS migration listing (amount of time my wife traveled outside Colombia) was not listed but we included it anyway. Check the document listing many times, apparently the religious birth certificate and civil birth certificate look almost identical. We included the religious and that is not what the embassy wanted. We later found it in the pile of paperwork we brought and gave to second interview station.

7. 8:30 a.m., my wifes name was called for interview. Interview is a 2 step process, the first step is to have embassy personnel review if you have all the paperwork and if you have all the paperwork in the right order. If you are missing anything, they will send you away. Step 2 is interview with consulate official. I went to the window with my wife and was told to sit down. If you are attending with your spouse, go up to the window anyway. When I approached and waited for the person in front of us to finish, I noticed that the embassy person (clerk) was to say the least, not a happy person. She treated the person in front as if she was “no even a human being”. She appeared to be yelling and throwing papers all over the place. I thought, great of all the lines to be in, I had a frustrated “embassy clerk”. I left as instructed but observed off to the side the entire process. The clerk put everything in order and removed various documents. The documents she removed were the translations of documents from spanish to english. My wife had gotten a few of the documents translated and notarized. From what I could tell, if your documents are in english or spanish they accept both. My wife was asked a few questions about the paperwork only, but was basically chastized for not having the correct civil birth certificate. If there had NOT been a window between my wife and clerk, she probably would have been hit in the face with the numeorus pieces of paper the clerk was throwing around and even at the window. Obvisouly, the clerk enjoyed her work. She returned the translations and even our original marriage certificate. Everything was in order, my wife was asked to proceed to window 2 for the second step of interview.

8. 10:00 a.m., my wife was called to window to provide finger prints and then returned to her seat.

9. 10:30 a.m., after watching several persons being interviewed for K1 and CR1 my wife was called to the window. I accompanied her, I thought here we go, after the first step, I thought great, this was going to be an adventure. She picked up the phone and the consular smiled, sad hello, how are you in spanish (interview can be conducted in english or spanish). I thought , OK this is better. She was asked a couple of questions:

-When and where did you meet your husband?

-Were you ever married?

-Do you have children? Either of you?

-What is your husbands occupation? The consular commented, Oh that is a good job!

-Asked my wife for her mobile phone number? Wrote it down on one of the apps

I was waiting to be questioned,but she asked me no questions, I stood next to my wife and smiled and observed a very friendly smiling consular who made my wife feel totally at ease. After the first question, I noticed the consular was already pulling out the green slip of paper to write down her name to pick up the APPROVED VISA on the next business day. The consular indicated the VISA was approved and she could pick it up at 4.00 p.m on the next business day. I asked my wife to provide her the correct birth certificate and I asked if they wanted the original marriage certificate. She indicated she wanted the birth certificate but NOT the marriage certificate. Total time of interview, 90 seconds. I was not asked one question, I just smiled. It was obvious they review the file in great detail before you interview. I think what clearly assisted us in the recieving few questions, is that my wife had visited the US 8 times since we met in the US and the migration certificate although not asked for, indicated the number of visits. Interesting note, the migration certificate copy the DAS provided had two places she never ever visited. Our interview was on April 4th, Easter week and the embassy was closed for the next two days, therefore we had to wait till Monday to pick up Point of Entry (POE) packet

10. Monday, 3:30p.m. arrived and around 3:45 p.m. security personnel came out to advise those picking up packet to line up for security check. I was with my wife but was not allowed to enter and join her in the embassy. So I waited outside. After 15-20 mintes others in line came out with the imfamous large closed envelope with their passport on the outside. After one hour, I knew something was wrong, around 5:05 p.m. my wife exited with no envelope. Apparently the computer did not issue her POE papers and she needs to return the next day to “TRY” to retrieve the papers again. Apparently it is fairly common to not get your POE papers the next business day. As of writing this, we will be visiting the embassy today to hopefully retrieve the papers so we can return to Miami the next day, if not we will go back the next day, etc, etc.

11. What I brought to the interview, because I did not want to take any chances were the following:

-Wedding photos

-Photos of vacations (both of us in picture)

-Photos of my visits to Colombia with her family and vice versa her trips to the US

-Copy of all items submitted as a part of the entire process

-Airine tickets of our travels

-Some phone logs

-Copy of check from our joint bank account

-Copy of me naming her on my life insurance at my place of business.

-Copy of her being listed on my health insurance

(All of the above is in addition to the items required in the Affidavit of Support)

As I noted above, I did not need any of the above but I was ready. I had almost a suitcase of items and everyone waiting was wondering why I had so much “luggage” but I guess that question was answered when our interview was approved quickly

Hopefully today we will recieve the POE papers and we both arrive in the US tomorrow ---April 11th.

Now for some advice to potential K1 applicants. We talked to one K1 applicant and they were sure they had everything in place. They were up at the consular window 30 minutes, showed pictures and were asked numerous quesitons. We had left and they were still being asked questions. We did not see them on Monday, so I do not know if they were denied or approved, but I would guess they were not approved. Based upon my reading of this site for 8 plus months and talking to other K1 applicants I would suggest those K1, K3 and CR1 interviewees bring as many of the above listed items as they apply. I STRONGLY recommend K1 seekers bring as much of the above as possible.

Next time you hear from me, it will hopefully be in the US with my wife!

K3 Interview on April 4th.

Long time waiting, everything is in order. Going to the interview with my wife

Will report findings and outcome

Happy Easter!

I have been in Bogota for the past few days visiting my Fiancee. Yesterday when she checked her mail she received Packet 4. Things are moving fast now. Our interview date is April 13, 2007. She has all her paperwork with the exception of the Carta de DAS which she will get next week. I read that she should go ahead and make her Doctor's appointment now. How long does it take to get into the lab? Will she have enough time to go to the lab before her Dr.'s appointment? Also about the three vacinations that she needs. Is it better to go to the red cross and get them or wait until the Dr.'s visit to receive them? She needs Td, MMR, and Varicela. She does not have her shot record from when she was young. Any advice for the rest of the process including the interview? Thanks....

My wifes interview is April 4. Go to the red cross and get the shots. After geting the 3 shots she was tired for almost two days from taking 3 shots at one time. Call and get the doctors appointment scheduled ASAP. Dr Gonzalez is very busy, but when you call they will ask when your interview date is and hopefully fit you in. If not, you will have to go to the other doctor. Get your labs done now as well.

My wife has everything completed except for the labs which she is going this week and her doctors appointment is a couple of days before the embassy appointment.

She paid her interview fee yesterday at the bank.

Everyone she called was very helpful and every person at each of the palces knew the drill. The bank reviewed the DS156 in detail and even caught some mistakes I made.

Good luck!

What exactly do you want to do?

If you want to get married and then leave the USA to follow a CR-1/K3 route, there may be no issue.

If you want to enter the USA on a B2 to get married and stay in the USA with your future husband, that is probably a problem.

She's already in the US.

So, the question would be, did she enter with the intent to marry? Or did this decision to get married come up after she has already entered the country (for the second time)?

TimsDaisy's reply provides good details for the OP to consider.

Read the guide on I 130 for to get insight on intent to marry. I caution those who come on tourist visa with no intent to marry and then marry and want to stay after married.

Best of luck!

K-3 Process

Embassy accepts DS2001 or OF169. I have both in PDF.

This is brief summary of steps:

Sent Cover letter, DS 2001, DS230 Part 1 after taking guess of application arrival in Bogota from NVC.

Wife recieved Packet 3 two days later. Saved a couple of days by guessing. She faxed and sent via courier.

Wife recieved Packet 4 within one week with interview appointment letter. Seems to take one week in Bogota for packet 3 and 4 to arrive by snail mail after embassy sends out. IMPORTANT - As soon as you get Packet 4, call for doctors apoointment (Dr Gonzalez is preferred and she is busy). Wife recieved March 27th appointment and she called on March 8th

She went to Red Cross to get vaccinations

She is going to lab this week.

She has requested migratory certificate from DAS (takes 3 days in Bogota)

She is going to bank tommorrow to pay visa fee with DS156.

Waiting for interview set for April 4th (problem is Embassy is closed on April 5 and 6th due to Easter Holiday) Hoping to get VISA same day (crossing fingers) otherwise I may need to wait till Monday at 4:00 pm.

Making flight arrangments to go to interview.

Best of luck to you!!! I'm hoping to hear similar news soon. If you have those forms in pdf, could I get you to email them to me? Let me know and I'll give you my address. In any case - good for both of you!

K3 Process

I will scan packet 3 and 4 in PDF that my wife recieved in early March 2007 to give those a heads up on what is expected similair to others that have helped me.

PM me after after this Thursday or Friday and I can send you info.

Best of luck to everyone!

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.

Good suggestion, but I would suggst the letter come from the employer (boss) on employer letterhead. May hold more weight. Not that your letter does not hold weight.

Good luck!

Took 7 to 8 days to get mail from embassy for my wife who lives in Bogota for both packet 3 and 4. When you get packet 3, call for doctors appointment ASAP, you will need appointment date, BGT number before they accept appointment. Dr Gonzalaez in busy.

Agree with Mike, K3 process is different that CR1 process. Use caution.

K-3 Process

Embassy accepts DS2001 or OF169. I have both in PDF.

This is brief summary of steps:

Sent Cover letter, DS 2001, DS230 Part 1 after taking guess of application arrival in Bogota from NVC.

Wife recieved Packet 3 two days later. Saved a couple of days by guessing. She faxed and sent via courier.

Wife recieved Packet 4 within one week with interview appointment letter. Seems to take one week in Bogota for packet 3 and 4 to arrive by snail mail after embassy sends out. IMPORTANT - As soon as you get Packet 4, call for doctors apoointment (Dr Gonzalez is preferred and she is busy). Wife recieved March 27th appointment and she called on March 8th

She went to Red Cross to get vaccinations

She is going to lab this week.

She has requested migratory certificate from DAS (takes 3 days in Bogota)

She is going to bank tommorrow to pay visa fee with DS156.

Waiting for interview set for April 4th (problem is Embassy is closed on April 5 and 6th due to Easter Holiday) Hoping to get VISA same day (crossing fingers) otherwise I may need to wait till Monday at 4:00 pm.

Making flight arrangments to go to interview.

Include copy of entire US passport.

Use a felt tip pen and put the name of each person on the back of each passport photo.

On the application, answer every question and if N/A or none fill in each question with either of these comments.

Check form to make sure you answer each question

NOA2 APPROVED on both K3 and I-130 last evening (02.09.07)

Off we go!

Congrats!

You were about on the same timeline. We also recieved appoval of both, notice on 02.09.07 for K3 and then 90 minutes later I-130 approval.

YES, K3 FINALLY APPROVED

Add erporsche (Gisela and Eric) to the list of approvals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does anyone have scanned recent packet 3 and 4 in english for bogota embassy? Have spanish version? Sent to wife, need english version to make sure I cross the "t'"'s and dot the "i"'s

Thanks in advance.

I am in the "stack" at California as well, was transfered from Texas for I-130 to California and sent I-129F(K3) to Chicago, which was forwared to Missouri and then to California. I think I am on the same desk with two applications.

Give me one! Paid two fees!

Thanks, best of luck!

Immigration Process --Maybe we can change????????

Intro: Will make this simple

Start: I-130 process is established process for getting your spouse to U.S.

Result: U.S Government indicates this is to >>>>S----------------------L-----------------------------O----------------------W

Solution: I-129F/K-3 ---U.S. Government initiates expedited process to get your spouse in U.S. early

Result in 2006/2007----- I-130 are getting issued FASTER (not consistently-maybe just an assumption on my part)

Reality: Two processes, two applications, two fees ($$$$$$$$$$$$)----Human nature and LOVE dictates –OK whatever approval I received from the above-----I want him/her here NOW!

Why not???? Eliminate one process, process one application, rather than two applications that may be at the same center (based upon recent USCIS attempts to consolidation reviews) and allocate resources to review ONE application rather than two??

Bottom line: Anyone interested and pursuing movement to advice that State Representative/Congressman to attempt to change-----I would appreciate any comments----?

Solutions: Open to ideas???? Any suggestions to change to process?

• contacts to local State Representative/Congressman

• Petition

End result: Get your loved one with you as soon ASAP!

Outcome: Can only be positive

Welcome your comments and observations

Thanks

Miami processing for wife in Embassy in Colombia

I-130

Sent to TSC and received NOA1 from CSC on 10.18.06

I-129F/K3

Sent on 10.20.06 (Chicago) and received NOA-1 on 10.26.06

Sent to CSC and received on 11.15.06 Did I lose a month????? Maybe

Bottom line, ---I am in CSC waiting??? Have both waiting in CSC?

Ironically, I used to live in California; maybe I should go over and process the applications myself.

OK lets take bets on the date of NOA2 and which is approved 1st? I-130 or 1-129F/K3???????????????????

I-130

NOA1 - 10.18.06 TSC transfer to CSC --------pending

K3

NOA1 - 10.26.06 MSC transfer to CSC------pending

Embassy in Colombia

Be great if you could add embassy/country to list-------sorry, great work and list!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please add me to list

Thanks

Congrats! I am about 1 - 2 weeks behind you. Hope to have the speed your applications had. I will be in Bogota as well over Xmas and NY's (just got back yesterday as well)

I will keep in touch and may have some questions on the packet 3, packet 4, medical, interview, since you will be in line before me.

CONGRATS AGAIN!

I emailed the USCIS and they responded the next morning with this response

"That is the latest version of the form. The expiration date has to do with an administrative requirement within the government and not with USCIS acceptance of the form. You may use the form without it being rejected on these grounds.

USCIS"

Thanks for the info as well.

The current evidence of support form I-864 on the USCIS website has expired. Anyone have any info on new form.

Thanks in advance.

I would write a letter and/or affidavit (notarized) to the Consulate and carbon copy the NVC and Service Center originally processed. Include processing number, interview date, birth date of petitioner, etc.

I would also FAX and email if possible and attempt to call consualte as well.

Cover all bases.

Sorry for your turn of events, best of luck