Robert Jorge

I don't know if anybody will know the answer to this: But how do I find out if and when my fiance' has an appointment date for her interview in Bogota? Package 3 papers have been faxed and delivered to the consulate by January 18th or earlier. I can't figure out how to find if the consulate has received the papers, and if they have scheduled an interview date. Calling the consulate is futile.

OK, one last question ... for now! (Thanks for the confirmation that my fax number for the embassy was correct) Alright, I have the forms DS-156 and 156K already. (I'm the petitioner) But, I read that those forms are provided by the consulate at the interview. So, I did not bother to fill them out figuring it was unnecessary right now ... (we are at the package 3 stage). Now, that I am reading a lot more because I am getting closer to the point where the 156's are necessary, people seem to say you have to have them filled out PRIOR to the interview. I was under the impression the 156's were provided at the consulate at the time of the interview. What is the real deal? Should I have these forms filled out and ready to go?

I am trying to get the Package 3 stuff turned into Bogota asap. I just wanted to make sure I had the correct fax number. Is the correct number, 1-315-4155? I hope so because this is the number I gave my fiancee. She will be faxing the paperwork tomorrow, 1/12/07, assuming she receives it today. I sent it via UPS from the states on Tuesday.

Rob,

No necessarily - the word 'copy' has several meanings. But you've got the right idea - the original tax return is in the hands of the IRS so you can hardly submit that. Submit a photocopy of the complete tax return, which means all forms, schedules, and attachments that were included with the return that you submitted to the IRS.

Or order tax transcripts from the IRS. They're free.

Yodrak

.... What the hell is an "original copy?" If it was original, it would by definition not be a copy. ..... Rob

Thanks everybody. I just ordered copies from the IRS. The IRS lady said the same thing as me ... they aren't originals, because the returns were electronic. But, since it was free, I went ahead and ordered them. I think I am just getting copies of what I already have, but no big deal. I feel better now that I have this out of the way and all bases are covered. Thanks again. Rob

I am going through what hopefully is the final month of the K1 process. My fiancee is Colombian, and I will go with her to the interview at the consulate in Bogota. The consulate in Bogota requires the last 3 years tax returns for the petitioner. My question is: Are my copies that I received when I filed at HR Block, along with all W2s and other paperwork sufficient? I have had several people say I need original copies. What the hell is an "original copy?" If it was original, it would by definition not be a copy. So, if somebody could let me know what I really need, I would appreciate it. Thanks for your help. Rob

I received my NOA1 on October 26. Nothing to report yet. But I would be happy to update you as soon as something happens!

I started the K1 process in June 2006. My NOA1 was on September 23rd, and I got my NOA2 on December 13th. My fiance is a Colombiana. So, we will be dealing with the Bogota consulate. I don't have a lot of the vocabulary, but I know what a person needs to make the interview happen quicker is this: Find out when the NVC sends the package to the consulate. When the consulate receives the package, fax the OF-169, DS-230 part 1, DS-2001, and photocopies of the beneficiary's first 4 pages of passport to the consulate. This will basically skip the package 3 wait time. Once the embassy / consulate receives this fax, the package 4 will be created and sent ... potentially saving a couple of weeks wait time up to a couple of months, depending on what consulate you have to deal with. The beneficiary will probably still be sent the package 3, but chances are they will get it 2 or 3 weeks AFTER you have already faxed the forms that were in the package 3. I am at that stage now. I am just waiting for notice that the NVC has sent the package to Bogota. As soon as I know that it was sent, I have all the forms that I have mentioned filled out, and ready to fax to my fiancee to sign, and then she will immediately fax them to Bogota. We are hoping to speed the process by a month, and get an interview date by the end of February. Wish us luck and God bless all of you that are going through this ordeal.