LASPENCE

This is kinda off topic, but I have had problems with Avianca lately also. I used to go to Colombia with a return ticket and then change the return date in advance with no problems. This last time, however, when I tried to change the return date two weeks before the flight, they decided to charge me all these crazy fees. I ended up having to change the date twice, and they charged me an extra fee because they said my stay exceeded two months! What the hell is that? Isn't that why we paid all that money to get the visitor's pass extended? It's none of the airlines concern. Oh and the time before, when I was in the hospital and had to change the flight, they tried to charge me anyways because the doctor's note said I had to be out of work for two weeks, and they said if i flew before that two weeks was up then I would be charged!?! That's just BS! We ended up comming back the next day and talking to a different person and not paying a fee, but I am still disgruntled. By the way, if you ask to talk to a supervisor/manager you will be told flat out "no", we tried.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. Just the thought of Avianca makes me twitch, but what other choice do we really have?

Picked up the visa today. It is dated the day after the interview, so Domesa sits on things a while and just doesn't let you pick it up.

Anyhow, I purcased a SuperFlex ticket (which costs about $200 more than the econo) because their agreement states it permits changes and refunds without fees. When I tried to change the day of the flight, they attempted to charge a $50 change fee and then refused to refund the ticket when asked to. They grudgingly made the change, then when asked to change back to the original date, they want another $250. This is all fine because their terms and conditions (the contract they entered into with me when I made the purchase) does not list any of these fees and explicitly states that changes and refund are permitted without fees. But according to them, "This is how we've been doing it for 80 years."

They seem to be holding onto the common arrogant, money grubbing, customer exploitation model that I've found the norm in Colombia, without understanding that when they do business in the USA, they are subject to the laws of the USA, and as such, they will be served with a civil suit (probably small claims) within the next month for the additional fees. I've handled bigger companies in similar situations. Avianca will follow the same route and settle to avoid court when pressed with serious action.

Hey that has happen to me i had to pay $ 224 extra I just had a interview in bogota tuesday interview no problem no proof of relationship ask just couple photo and a quick few basic questions 3 min i truly believe before you are called for your interview the consul know right than and there if your approve or not ! visa in hand 4 days after approvel i recommend that if you file for a k3 visa its best to be their with your spouse if you want that visa in hand ,many was turn away without their spouse best wishes colombia club the best attorney in the world from laspence/dina

This is kinda off topic, but I have had problems with Avianca lately also. I used to go to Colombia with a return ticket and then change the return date in advance with no problems. This last time, however, when I tried to change the return date two weeks before the flight, they decided to charge me all these crazy fees. I ended up having to change the date twice, and they charged me an extra fee because they said my stay exceeded two months! What the hell is that? Isn't that why we paid all that money to get the visitor's pass extended? It's none of the airlines concern. Oh and the time before, when I was in the hospital and had to change the flight, they tried to charge me anyways because the doctor's note said I had to be out of work for two weeks, and they said if i flew before that two weeks was up then I would be charged!?! That's just BS! We ended up comming back the next day and talking to a different person and not paying a fee, but I am still disgruntled. By the way, if you ask to talk to a supervisor/manager you will be told flat out "no", we tried.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. Just the thought of Avianca makes me twitch, but what other choice do we really have?

Picked up the visa today. It is dated the day after the interview, so Domesa sits on things a while and just doesn't let you pick it up.

Anyhow, I purcased a SuperFlex ticket (which costs about $200 more than the econo) because their agreement states it permits changes and refunds without fees. When I tried to change the day of the flight, they attempted to charge a $50 change fee and then refused to refund the ticket when asked to. They grudgingly made the change, then when asked to change back to the original date, they want another $250. This is all fine because their terms and conditions (the contract they entered into with me when I made the purchase) does not list any of these fees and explicitly states that changes and refund are permitted without fees. But according to them, "This is how we've been doing it for 80 years."

They seem to be holding onto the common arrogant, money grubbing, customer exploitation model that I've found the norm in Colombia, without understanding that when they do business in the USA, they are subject to the laws of the USA, and as such, they will be served with a civil suit (probably small claims) within the next month for the additional fees. I've handled bigger companies in similar situations. Avianca will follow the same route and settle to avoid court when pressed with serious action.

Hey that has happen to me i had to pay $ 224 extra I just had a interview in bogota tuesday interview no problem no proof of relationship ask just couple photo and a quick few basic questions 3 min i truly believe before you are called for your interview the consul know right than and there if your approve or not ! visa in hand 4 days after approvel i recommend that if you file for a k3 visa its best to be their with your spouse if you want that visa in hand ,many was turn away without their spouse best wishes colombia club the best attorney in the world from laspence/dina

Hello all,

I am having a small issue, it is near our interview time, and I don't want to mess up this easy little form.... does anyone out there have an example of the I-134 with a child on it ?? I just need to ask you a few questions and maybe you can walk me through it if you would be so kind. I have asked a few questions on the site, but nobody that answered has any info about the form with dependents.

Thanks!! John

I just got through an interview in Bogota. I have 1 child that I partially support listed her where it asked to mark partially. go ahead and semd me a message and i will be glad to help you with it.

time is up in the states off to bogota for interview with the wife , details upon arrivel in the states best wishes from laspence

HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's about time we here good news from the Diana and Andres camp!!!!!!!!!!

I'm very excited for you guys...CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!

That is great news! I am back home in Riverside, so meeting both of you soon will be no problem! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

sorry to here about your breakup, best wishes laspence/dina

thanx for your advice colombia club , this will relax the mind now, i have a friend his wife had a interview last month in bogota the co requested a second interview and requested that she bring her esposo she recieve a 221g stated that she need more proof of the relationship anybody have any ideal what he should expect or what question might be ask if so i will forward the informacion before their interview next week thanx again best wishes laspence/dina

The reasons for the 221g could be anything, it could be that she didn't take enough evidence like Scott say or it could be that the consul thought her case was not very convincing or saw some kind of info that he/she didn't buy and needs to check with your friend. In any case, when they both go to the second interview, the consul will ask to see the evidence again, old and new, and will most likely ask her a set of questions and then ask you the same questions to see if they match. If not, he/she will just want to see you together and get a sense of your relationship. But as long as it's legit, there's nothing to worry about.

Diana

thanx a million i will share this informacion with them right way, i was thinking long the same lines also but i have not exprince anything yet i was concern he hasn't seen his wife since his marriage of april 2007 im quite sure him showing up at the interview will sold date his marrige best wishes

Scott is correct Laspence. The lady at window 32 is only getting the folder ready for the actual consul and yes, she's a witch from hell. Very condescending, very stern, and rude but since she's collecting all the paperwork to put in the folder, as long as you have everything ready to give her she won't have a reason to go off. But if she does... oh well, she's not the one giving out the visas. If you are missing a document they requested though, she will not allow you to see the CO for sure, so be ready.

The actual consuls conducting the interviews will be sitting in the very first windows, when we went they were at windows 2-7, window 1 is for fingerprinting if I'm not mistaken, and they are very nice and friendly. Some more than others but they actually treat you with respect. I'm sure that every now and then one of them will have a bad day and not be as friendly though, but that's understandable.

Diana

thanx for your advice colombia club , this will relax the mind now, i have a friend his wife had a interview last month in bogota the co requested a second interview and requested that she bring her esposo she recieve a 221g stated that she need more proof of the relationship anybody have any ideal what he should expect or what question might be ask if so i will forward the informacion before their interview next week thanx again best wishes laspence/dina

Juan Carlos. thanks carlos, most def i will be their i just want to prepair myself for this certain co officers that works their i hear bad things about her i believe she at window 32 not for sure thanks again carlos !!

Laspence,

Not to worry about the witch at window 32...she is just collecting all of the documents you and your wife need for the CO to examine your case. Usually the people collecting these documents at window 31 and 32 are very cold and unfriendly but they do not decide wether or not the visa is issued. The paperwork is organized by them and moves on to windows 1 thru 5 where the packet of info is then examined by a CO and that is where the interview takes place.

Just make sure that your wife is well prepared with all of the necessary documents and you will have no problem.

thanx scott for your advice i will relay this informacion to my wife scott in window 1-5 is their any lady co officer that might had cause problems for other members in the colombia you might know of or could their be a lady co officer acting like a witch during the interview thanks again scott from laspence/dina

Juan Carlos,

Here is the contact information for the US Embassy in Bogotá. Contact Info. They take calls on Wednesdays from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. So hopefully you can call them today and they can explain to you how they will process a case under CDJ instead of BGT.

Diana

Thanks a lot for your guidance, Diana. It seems I just missed this Wednesday, but it is ok, for my papers are still in Juarez. Next Wed, though, I'll be calling the consulate and explaining my situation.

- LaSpence, unfortunately I haven't been to our interview in Colombia yet, but from what I've read, there are ways you can justify why you can't go with your spouse to the interview (sending a detailed letter explaining why you can't be there). I am sure others in this forum can give you more information.

Juan Carlos. thanks carlos, most def i will be their i just want to prepair myself for this certain co officers that works their i hear bad things about her i believe she at window 32 not for sure thanks again carlos !!

Juan Carlos,

Here is the contact information for the US Embassy in Bogotá. Contact Info. They take calls on Wednesdays from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. So hopefully you can call them today and they can explain to you how they will process a case under CDJ instead of BGT.

Also, you can start looking at this link for packet 3. Make sure your wife has everything ready such as Police Certificate, Migratory Movement Letter, Baptismal Certificate, Marriage Certificate, etc. Packet 3

One last thing. Make sure your wife gets more copies of her birth certificate and marriage certificate with translations so she can have them ready for AOS. They don't have to be apostilled, just translated.

Diana

interview coming soon in bogota have anyone heard of anyone had a bad experience dealing with a certain co officers in the embassy that is a woman thats is real strict,on petitioner not coming to their spouse interview any advice how to deal with her or someone like her thanks much laspence/dina

Hi all,

I have been working on a new VJ wiki article about the K-3 interview process at the Bogota embassy and the related errands. Those with upcoming interviews may find some helpful information here.

It is not quite complete yet as I'll be adding more information over the next few days. If you have recently been through a K-3 interview at the Bogota embassy, please comment on the content of the wiki. Please suggest any changes or additions that you think might be helpful to those with upcoming interviews. You can post your comments in the related thread at http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=135325 and I'll add them to the wiki article.

The Bogota K-3 wiki article can be found at

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Bogota_Colombia_K3

Thanks,

CG

Hi all,

We´re still in Bogota, but I just wanted to drop in and report that we went to my wife´s K-3 interview yesterday and she was approved. We were there from 6:30 am until 1:30pm, but everything went well and the staff at the consulate was very helpful and nice.

I will write a full report next week when I´m back in the states.

Good luck to all that have upcoming interviews and thanks to all those that have helped so much throughout the process.

Peace,

CG

i mean yes ! con grat my amigo from su amigo laspence/dina

I gotta situation to share. My fiancee's phone has been not in service for the past 2 weeks. No email, either. She is receiving paperwork from Bogota in the next week or two, so, coordinating things will be less than perfect. Her phone has been disconnected before - thanks to family money issues and sometimes phone lines getting knocked out. Any suggestions besides just dropping in on her and the familia??

Even if the bills are paid, phone service in Colombia can be an iffy thing (though cell phones seem to work most of the time). Mavi's right about the internet cafe idea. Unless things have changed drastically, the rates are incredibly low and the cafes are very common. The only trick is that you'll need to establish some predetermined times to get together online.

My wife is in Colombia right now. She went there unannounced. All the family was thrilled, of course, but her mom about had a coronary. Unannounced visits may be fine for Colombians going back for a visit, but I'd advise against it for a gringo. Always best to have a trusted friend or family member meet you at the airport, etc.

One of my trips to Colombia, my wife and her friend were late getting to the airport to pick me up. EVERYONE had pretty much cleared out from my flight, though there were lots of cabbies and "others" around willing to "help". I got lucky, though. There was a middle-aged, cleancut Colombiano in a suit - by his actions and manner either plain clothes airport security or police - who noticed me and saw I was still searching for wife. He didn't offer to take me anywhere (first clue he was okay) but he did offer to let me use his cell phone to call my wife. Just as I was putting in her phone number, she showed up. The moral of the story, if there is one, is that not everyone in Colombia is trying to "get you". BUT, just like being in any strange place, the safest assumption is that everyone IS trying to "get you", until they prove otherwise.

Best of luck, Ken.

Charles

hey i had that same problem my wife live in fusa 3 hours away from bogota she was a hour late because of work, i arrieve in bogota at 10 pm she didn't show up until 11 this was my first trip i wasn't never scare a little hurry being in a strange country where my spanish was not great but i kept my kool always had my cell phone in my hand witch didn't work to stranger they thought i had a good conversation going on smiling sometime laughing just to keep them at bay, their was a few that though they could intercept the conversation but i knew soon i would have to use someone phone to find out where my wife were ask i spoke to a couple amgios they were more interesting in taking me to a near hotel or giving me a ride in their cab one amigo even told me she wasn't coming i never believe him but in the back of mind strange things can happen on your first trip finally i met someone who got in touch with my wife she told the amigo that she was 10 min away 10 min pass no wife finally another amigo walk to me and kindly let me us his phone to call my wife again come to find out this last amigo was my wife cousin who speak no english but work for the airport i didn't know that they were related until i seen this beautiful tall colombia woman running towards me i was hoping that this wasn't a dream for me to see a muy lindo woman heading towards my way calling out papi si i mean si my wife she told me that the amigo was her cousin out of all the people at the airport i met a family member who i never knew , so always be cool under pressure, from laspence

Hi all,

I found out yesterday that an uncle is traveling to Bogota tomorrow. Consequently, I asked him to take some documents down with him so I could avoid the expense and risk of mailing them to my wife. I will be attending the interview and will take originals of everything with me, but I want my wife to have everything in case I get hit by a bus or am otherwise unable to get to the interview.

I just wanted another pair of eyes to make sure I'm sending the correct things. She already has all documents that she is required to get. Please let me know if you see something wrong.

1. I-134 Affidavit of Support (Notarized)

a. Printed copies of federal tax returns for 2007,2006 & 2005 with photocopies of corresponding W-2 forms. I got an extension on the 2007, so I haven't actually filed yet. I have completed the returns, but I am waiting on a 1099 from a client to send everything in. Should I send the 2007 stuff anyway? I can't find my 2004 W2, so I can't send that year instead.

b. Last three paycheck stubs.

c. Letter from my employer stating my length of employment and salary. (Notarized)

2. Certified copy of divorce decree from my first marriage. Can I send a photocopy, or does it need to be the certified court copy.

3. Evidence of relationship - Phone records, emails, chat transcripts, insurance forms, etc.

Thanks for your help.

CG

my 129 noa1 came today my attoreny finally sent it a week later,best wishes to all from laspence

one correction.. sorry..

from Aug 01. -> effective July 30.

hey buddy i sent my i-129 july 27 haven't recieve anything yet im still waittting for my first noa its been 30 days now it looks like my i-130 will be approve b4 my 129 they are boths estimate to be approve around this same time december 25 2007. the waitting is terrible good luck from laspence

Hi VJers,

Today we received an e-mail from USCIS advising to check the status of our case online. That was exciting. BUT, the end result was that our case has been transferred to the CSC for further processing. We did things the "old way"...sent our I-130 to Texas...subsequently transferred to CSC and they sent us the I-797 (NOA1) which I attached to our I-129F package and sent it to Chicago Lockbox. They received our package, cashed the check and three weeks later notify us that the case is transferred to CSC? This seems like a rather circuituous route for BOTH of our petitions to end up at the same place! Am I missing something here?

I-130 to Texas...transferred to CSC. I-129F to Chicago...transferred to CSC. I guess the good news is that BOTH will be at the same place? The bad news must be that IF I had sent BOTH to the same place AT THE VERY BEGINNING...we would be weeks ahead of the game! I feel like I wasted a lot of time.

Conclusion I've drawn: IF you are going the K-3 route, it is probably better that you file BOTH petitions AT THE SAME TIME AND AT THE SAME SERVICE CENTER. That way they won't be floating all over the USA!!

Best wishes to all...I'm venting. But, hope this helps someone else.

yeah your right i sent my 129 to chicago july 27 haven't heard anything yet im getting really upset knowing my petition floating around

Hi VJers,

Today we received an e-mail from USCIS advising to check the status of our case online. That was exciting. BUT, the end result was that our case has been transferred to the CSC for further processing. We did things the "old way"...sent our I-130 to Texas...subsequently transferred to CSC and they sent us the I-797 (NOA1) which I attached to our I-129F package and sent it to Chicago Lockbox. They received our package, cashed the check and three weeks later notify us that the case is transferred to CSC? This seems like a rather circuituous route for BOTH of our petitions to end up at the same place! Am I missing something here?

I-130 to Texas...transferred to CSC. I-129F to Chicago...transferred to CSC. I guess the good news is that BOTH will be at the same place? The bad news must be that IF I had sent BOTH to the same place AT THE VERY BEGINNING...we would be weeks ahead of the game! I feel like I wasted a lot of time.

Conclusion I've drawn: IF you are going the K-3 route, it is probably better that you file BOTH petitions AT THE SAME TIME AND AT THE SAME SERVICE CENTER. That way they won't be floating all over the USA!!

Best wishes to all...I'm venting. But, hope this helps someone else.

I have read several posts about people who still haven't gotten their NOA1 yet and they filed at the end of July, too.

thank you for your reply , best of wishes on your journey

hola senor and senoras have any witness a delay in recieving their noa 1 for their i-129 petition since july 30 increase ,my was sent july 27 nothing yet any witiness to this delay. muchas gracias

MANY witnesses to this LASPENCE...

thank you for your reply, best of wishes to you on your journey

my NOA1 was issued Aug 2nd, but i still havent received a thing in the mail at all

thanks for your reply, its good to know their was a NOA 1 for aug best wishes

I have read several posts about people who still haven't gotten their NOA1 yet and they filed at the end of July, too.

thank you for your reply , best of wishes on your journey

hola senor and senoras have any witness a delay in recieving their noa 1 for their i-129 petition since july 30 increase ,my was sent july 27 nothing yet any witiness to this delay. muchas gracias

MANY witnesses to this LASPENCE...

thank you for your reply, best of wishes to you on your journey

hola senor and senoras have any witness a delay in recieving their noa 1 for their i-129 petition since july 30 increase ,my was sent july 27 nothing yet any witiness to this delay. muchas gracias

I think before I wrote down 3/4 red flags for me.. but i think it is just 3.

the First being that we did get married relatively soon after we first started talking.. My husband knew about me Months before I knew about him.. My friend thinks she is SUCH the match maker So he(and his family) already felt like he "knew" me before we even started talking.. (pictures and everything!!!) The both of us being 30's.. and knowing we still had a long road ahead of us(visa, inshallah).. And wanted to Keep things as Halal as possible.. We deceided to get married.

the Second being that we got married 3 days after I was there.. but Alhamdulillah.. I was sick of always being chaperoned.. We always had a third person there.. even when we were IM'ing/ webcaming.. my H is modern BUT very religious. It wasnt until our wedding nite that we were ever alone..

the Third being Long gaps of time from when we see each other.. Given that I have alot of responsibilities here.. Family, Work, bills... etc It is expensive coughing up the dough (even more from his end - due to the economy in Egypt) Getting the time off from my Job... well.. I'm sure everyone here knows the drill..

so thats about it...

In the end.. i still stick to that I married Him for him... not for what the embassy finds desirable.. AND if push comes to Shove.. and the Embassy denies us.. I would move over there. Him coming here would make things easier for ME for now.. But Just being with him is the most important thing

congrad on your visa, your first 2 red flag you though you might have did the co question your husband reguarding your short time knowing of each other and the fast marraige if so what were your reply im in the same situation just waitting thank you

Do I have to file a seperate I-130 packages for my wife and stepdaughter? If so will they be processed together? Seperate fees for both packages?

i truly believe you have file separate i 130 packages , you can always call them good luck

thank lucho562, my case was approved already, the last information that i received was the packet with ds-230 and i mailed already, i got married in colombia in december of 2005 but we coudn´t send the petition at tha moment because my icome wasn't enougth but now everything is going on, i assume that the packet that i received is #3 but i would like to know when probably i am going to received #4 and the interview for my wife, also somepeople told me that i have to sent the copy of my wife's passport and i didn´t because in the packet thta i received it didn't say so.

please i am very confused, my wife got copy of everything already, affidavits, photos of our marriage, photos together having fun, letters, notes e-mail.

do I need more?

that good to here your case was approved, my friend im preparing my affidavits for my wife in colombia to just want to make sure i have everything, could tell me what documents i need to for this affidavits ,good lucky to youuu laspence

She has a friend here that came here last year and got married to an american.

My Fiance got here 5 weeks ago and the plan that I told her when she got here was that we would get married 3rd week of August. But

now for the last 2 weeks she is trying to insist that we get married immediately, if not she wants to leave. We are still within the 90

day period. She has it in her mind that I must be playing games with her. I've done everything I can to reassure her, but I do not

want to be forced into a marriage when there are issues with the relationship.

As I stated, she is yelling alot and has even woken me up in the middle of my sleep yelling and hitting me.

We've have gotten along well before, but this is a new side which I am worried about.

BTW: I tried to get her started with english about a year ago in Colombia, but she gave up after a month saying that they did not

speak and teach her the correct english.

Some of the problem started with she started talking with her friend and her asking why we have

not gotten married yet? Her friend came here last year. Her friend got her thinking that I am

playing games with her, which is not true.

i dont get it, her friend came here last year and now you still arent married. we're not getting enough info to answer you correctly. is the 90 days up? was that up last year? is the 90 days still in effect? why arent you married already? you should know she will have a hard time if she speaks NO english. why didnt you have her learning english during the process? it seems to me from your posting that you just want to get rid of her and send her back. you are responsible for her financially until she leaves. call the uscis and tell them you want to stop the process.

Chris

welcome to a colombia woman world my friend my wife and i had thoses arguements ,you truly have to understand colombia women are very emotional women they will give you the love and support you need. colombia women have never been in charge in a relationship the men in colombia very disrepectful to the colombia women the women in colombia heart are very hurt and weak from pass relationship so let her live life again so marry her ahora don't wast no time build that security for her now and she will be your forever.your a very lucky hombre i can't wait for my wife to come to the usa from colombia.

My fiance has been here for 5-weeks and we are not getting along. She is bored since she has no friends

and does not speak english. If we do not work this out, what do I need to terminate the process, what am

I responsible for? What happens if she moves out and does not go back? Need to know all the options

here. Please help.

I checked the FAQ and searched and could not find any details.

good luck my friend my wife is also from colombia her arrive is sometime in decemeber, i marry my wife 31 of march 07 we are having difficult times do to our finance and she's not here yet so good luck from laspence

try to understand her situation she in a country only knowing just you she home sick and everything , my thoughts to you taker her out to a salsa event or a latin club make her feel that tropical vibe remember how it was when you were in colombia i was their too i know the vibe and when my wife arrive i will give her all that and more and find some good marriage couple and start a relationship give her sometime i truly things will workout fine.