Joe McGillicuddy

Not to budge the idea of shipping huge quantities of stuff... but you may be surprised by the prices for freight of boxes. You may save by paying excess baggage fees to the airlines but of course you'll be dragging a bunch of stuff back with you.

What I did was (I returned from the embassy phase alone) check in two suitcases with my wife's things on my way back. I originally took my 50L backpack carry-on on the way down. She brought another two with her. Plenty of room. No excess baggage fees, only $15 for the second piece of luggage at that time. Total cost = $30. Now I am sure its what, like $25 per checked bag or something like that?

Suerte and congratulations.

Not huge quantities--just excess clothes, shoes, photos, etc. The issue is we have to take two airlines--and one of them has a 1 bag + carry-on limit...and that just isn't a lot. We can pay an excess fee, but it will be about outrageous.

Hi Joe

What is your timeline?

Sorry...was away from the computer for a while.

They will be arriving in the US on June 5 with the allowed airline bags. Anything after that will be excess clothing, photos, etc.--no furniture or anything like that.

The visa is approved and has been received. We are now planning for the transit to the US, and have noticed wildly varying baggage policies for the airlines.

Is there a company that we can use to ship the majority of my fiancee's (and her daughter's) clothes to the US? They are just outside of Cali, fwiw. AS I started looking at airline baggage policies, it seemed that it might be cheaper to just pay to have two large boxes of clothes shipped.

Are there any UPS/FedEx/DHL type companies that we can call?

Thanks in advance.

Joe

Arrived at 6:30, out the door at 12:30.

We were not asked A SINGLE QUESTION. The wonderful smiling woman behind the window said she could see how much work we had put into our petition (? Still really have no idea what that means) and she had already decided to approve us before we walked up. :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

We are soooooooo happy.

Thank you to everyone at VJ. We really and truly could never have done this without all of you. Especially you, Diana!

Un fuerte abrazo.

Congrats...that sounds suspiciously like our timeline on Monday morning (May 11). The lady we had said the something similar about our papers as well.

I would prefer to keep it inexpensive. My fiancee and her daughter are going up Wednesday afternoon (from Cali), and I will arrive Friday morning (interview is Monday morning).

I saw the link in the embassy info section for www.bogotacolombialodging.com....the rates and rooms look good, and the reviews are good, but I am having real trouble contacting anyone there for some questions.

Does anyone have any other reasonable but safe suggestions for something in Bogota?

Thanks in advance!!

Hi

I have a standing reservation with www.bogotacolombialodging.com in May myself I have tried to contact them too .

Have you tried the phone number on the site..Just leave a message ., My girl tells me its a good area to stay so I have a trip in May .. But still want to contact them .. let me know how you make out ok

Carl

Well, I just have a real problem giving my credit card information to a company that doesn't answer phones (in the US or in Colombia), doesn't return phone calls, and doesn't reply via e-mail. I did receive one e-mail saying that my credit card info was incomplete, but it was sent from a yahoo.com e-mail address. Frankly, I'm pretty leery at this point of dealing with them, unless others here can vouch for them.

Hello

I just got a return email form them.I have done busniess with them including Flowers delivery's multable times all very good service.I have never had a problem with them.Owner operated by Americans.I understand they want only one night reservation fee.Use there driver too if you use them. Its like 12.00 dollars..

Let me know ... Fill out the res.form they will respond to you .

Sincerely

Carl

http://bogotacolombialodging.com/

I stayed in one of their 2-BR Apartments for 7 nights. The apartment was clean, furnished, and secure. I was extremely happy with the amount of room we had--especially considering that we had a 2-br apt for less than 1/2 what most decent hotels were going for in Bogota. Tommy and Johanna were very helpful, especially to my fiancee and her daughter, who arrived two days before I did.

I would recommend them to anyone looking for a reasonable and roomy place to stay. There is a centro commercial within a short walking distance, and cabs are easy to get for longer trips. They are about 10 minutes by cab from the US embassy, and they will have a driver pick you up at the airport (and drop you off if you ask).

All in all, it was a good place, and I would stay there again.

My 129-F package was submitted originally 8/30/2008, but due to incorrect information being provided was not received by the proper office until 10/2/2008. We had our interview at the Bogota embassy on 5/11/2009, and all was approved with no problems (at least at the embassy). We did get a scare about not having a current form from DAS for her daughter--they said it would take 72 hours, but she managed to get them to issue it the same day (the Friday before the interview on Monday).

We arrived at 6AM and there were already about 40 people ahead of us in line. We finally spoke to a consular officer at about 12:50PM....nearly 7 hours of waiting, and we answered three questions each--total interview time: 4 minutes.

WOO HOO!!!

Joe

Newbie here...Interview on 11 May...any hotel suggestions in Bogota? The fiancee and her daughter will be going up on Wednesday afternoon, blood test/x-rays on Thursday morning, physical exam Thursday noon, and I will be arriving on Friday morning.

I am looking for anything reasonable and near the embassy. Another (very helpful) member suggested I ask here as well.

Thanks in advance.

Joe

I would prefer to keep it inexpensive. My fiancee and her daughter are going up Wednesday afternoon (from Cali), and I will arrive Friday morning (interview is Monday morning).

I saw the link in the embassy info section for www.bogotacolombialodging.com....the rates and rooms look good, and the reviews are good, but I am having real trouble contacting anyone there for some questions.

Does anyone have any other reasonable but safe suggestions for something in Bogota?

Thanks in advance!!

Hi

I have a standing reservation with www.bogotacolombialodging.com in May myself I have tried to contact them too .

Have you tried the phone number on the site..Just leave a message ., My girl tells me its a good area to stay so I have a trip in May .. But still want to contact them .. let me know how you make out ok

Carl

Well, I just have a real problem giving my credit card information to a company that doesn't answer phones (in the US or in Colombia), doesn't return phone calls, and doesn't reply via e-mail. I did receive one e-mail saying that my credit card info was incomplete, but it was sent from a yahoo.com e-mail address. Frankly, I'm pretty leery at this point of dealing with them, unless others here can vouch for them.

I would prefer to keep it inexpensive. My fiancee and her daughter are going up Wednesday afternoon (from Cali), and I will arrive Friday morning (interview is Monday morning).

I saw the link in the embassy info section for www.bogotacolombialodging.com....the rates and rooms look good, and the reviews are good, but I am having real trouble contacting anyone there for some questions.

Does anyone have any other reasonable but safe suggestions for something in Bogota?

Thanks in advance!!

[/quote

Joe, first of all she needs to call to make an appointment with one of the two doctors that are listed on the letter,I suggest you do this as soon as posible because they are pretty busy!!! or you will see yourself in a bit of a confrontation with them.....once you get a spot at the doctors, call the laboratory and tell them when is your appointment, they will tell you to go the same day of the doctor`s appointment but before that make sure your doctor`s appointment is in the afternoon so like that your wife can be at the laboratory at 6:00am (be ready long lines), results are sent directly to the doctor of your choice (same day). From my experience, i was able to have everything done the same day!!!

Thanks for the info!! The embassy appointment is for Monday, 11 May, so she is going to Bogota (from Palmira {Cali} ) on the afternoon of Wednesday, 6 May. That should give her all day Thursday and Friday for the exams in advance of the Monday appointment.

It's best if she can go to Bogotá at least a couple of days before her interview because she will need to get her lab work done (before her doctor's appointment) and then the medical. Some times you're not able to get them done on the same day but even if you get them done on the same day it's a good idea to have a "free" day before the interview just in case there are any extra things needed or even to get mentally ready for the interview.

Diana

Thanks Diana. She received the appointment letter earlier today (embassy appointment is Monday, 11 May) and is already calling to try and get them both scheduled for the Thursday prior.

I was advised that the appointment letter was mailed yesterday. Woo hoo!! Antway, the appointment package indicates that my fiancee needs to have blood work and x-rays done in advance of her appointment for the physical exam and interview. Does this mean she will likely be in Bogota for a few days for the interview process? The instructions were not clear at all, other than saying she must do the blood/x-rays first. How long before? How long for results?

If anyone could advise, I would be most grateful. Thanks in advance.

Joe

First...great site. I have stumbled across it trying to get a feel for the process. Thanks to all who contribute.

Second....My fiancee received the packet from the embassy (Bogota, Colombia). I'm not sure of what constitutes packet 3 or 4, so I apologize if my terminology is wrong. This package contained the DS-2100, the DS-230, DS-156K, I-134, and various intruction pages.

I have a couple of questions, mainly because I think I have seen or read conflicting things.

1) It seems to indicate that she should not return anything to the embassy until she has collected all documents requested; however, it seems to say also to immediately send these documents via fax (2100 & 230). What is the proper procedure? She has all document but the I-134 data and she needs the photos.

2) The I-134 was included in her packet because I did not send it with my original petition. I have my letter from my employer, pay stubs, bank statements, and tax return info. However, she needs originals, per the letter. Do I need to print/sign the I-134 and mail it to her, or is there a way to get her the necessary info?

She has already gathered nearly all documents, as we started gathering everything for the initial submission.

Thanks in advance for any assistance, and I apologize if this is posted elsewhere and I missed it.

Joe

1. She has received Packet 3, the Information Packet. The DS-2001 form is an interview readiness form. They want her to collect the docs (which you have largely done) and then sign the document saying she is ready for her interview. But, they would like her to do that as soon as possible because they will not schedule an interview for her until she returns the DS-2001 along with DS-230 Part I. She should only be returning the DS-2001 and the DS-230 at this stage. Many embassies will allow the forms to be faxed or mailed.

2. The I-134 form is for you to fill out. You can download the latest version. You need to fill out the I-134, sign it, attach all required supporting documentation according to the instructions in Packet 3 and mail it to her. She will need to bring it with her to the interview.

Thanks much!! I gathered the bank statements/tax returns because it is SOP for my industry, so it's engrained in my head to do so. But my salary via the employment letter/pay stubs is 75% greater than required, so I should be fine.

Joe

You file married filing separately, and later amend your return.

The consulate can request to see your 2008 return, or a reason why one was not filed by the tax deadline.

YuAndDan to file as married filing separately my wife would need a SSN or ITIN, and I don't have either for her.

I am trying to avoid the consulate potentially holding her visa, because I didn't file my tax return.

File as single. You can amend the return after obtaining the TIN. This will result in a higher initial tax, but you will receive the difference after the amendment.

You can also file as MFJ, with a TIN application (W-7) enclosed (assuming you have all of the necessary identifying informationand can obtain her signature), but this will take quite a while to process and must be handled via mail (no electronic filing).

First...great site. I have stumbled across it trying to get a feel for the process. Thanks to all who contribute.

Second....My fiancee received the packet from the embassy (Bogota, Colombia). I'm not sure of what constitutes packet 3 or 4, so I apologize if my terminology is wrong. This package contained the DS-2100, the DS-230, DS-156K, I-134, and various intruction pages.

I have a couple of questions, mainly because I think I have seen or read conflicting things.

1) It seems to indicate that she should not return anything to the embassy until she has collected all documents requested; however, it seems to say also to immediately send these documents via fax (2100 & 230). What is the proper procedure? She has all document but the I-134 data and she needs the photos.

2) The I-134 was included in her packet because I did not send it with my original petition. I have my letter from my employer, pay stubs, bank statements, and tax return info. However, she needs originals, per the letter. Do I need to print/sign the I-134 and mail it to her, or is there a way to get her the necessary info?

She has already gathered nearly all documents, as we started gathering everything for the initial submission.

Thanks in advance for any assistance, and I apologize if this is posted elsewhere and I missed it.

Joe