FindaLatina

@ Mike Well that is how clueless ppl at places like these are, they only work there to get a paycheck. Hey I am Colombian raised in the USA. I LOVE my Country but they really drive me to the wall with the way some people play with other ppl´s time and money.. It is just crazy. So I am glad you are doing something about it too.

@ robert, Congratulations on your visa. All I did was print the online form and told her to not even look at it until she went to the bank and she even took her kid. I have filled those forms more etimes than I can remember and I have learned about all the little mistakes ppl make when filling them out, but I had never felt so confused. Man.. they want to save time by giving the girl and expired form, they should place a PC and printer for the ppl to fill them out at the bank with the help of clerk.

The couple did get their visa. They had no issues with the DS-156. Happy ending and I AM HAPPY!!!!

That's a great idea, to go in to the bank and get it sorted. Whilst yer there - I suggest you ask for (and get) the name and phone number of THEIR Embassy liason contact at the embassy, and follow up with that person, as well. The DS-160 has caused confusion worldwide, for K-1 visa applicants.

Good Luck ! Bring Big Stick for beating ! (or some fish tacos, yer choice

YEAH....I walked in the bank and gave them a little piece of my mind. Talked to the bank´s manager. They are just as clueless as I imagined them to be. Anyway she was able to pay. You need to fill the form on line and NOT sign it until you are in front of the Bank´s clerk. The couple is having their interview TODAY, I mean like they are at the embassy as I write this. I will keep you posted...

WOW!!!

They told my fiancee the same thing about 2 weeks ago. She also went to Banco Helm in Barranquilla and they also gave her a hard time.

1st) She went there with a DS-156k that I printed from the website given in package 4 and the person at the bank told her that she couldnt use the form because she signed it before bringing it into the bank. He told her that she would need to bring another copy back and sign it at the bank. She was unable to get this done the same day and had to go back the next day.

The next day she went to the bank with a printed copy that was not signed and she was then told that she had to complete the ENTIRE form at the bank. She was finally able to get someone at the bank to help her and printed out the "correct" forms.. They printed both sides on 1 piece of paper (front and back) had her fill it out with a pen without leaving any blanks. She put "N/A" in spots that didn't apply.

They also told her that she needed a PIN when she called but It was not necessary. She went to the bank with her Passport, BGTXXXXX case number and the DS-156 form.

Another thing is that in the box for "Passport Number" she will need to put the passport number that is written on the bottom of the pages on her passport that has the holes and not her Cedula number.

The process was a bit anoying but the good thing was that the fee was still $275,100 Pesos as of 5/6.

I hope this helps and let me know If I can help.

I know. talk about negligence, this is not at all new to me, I have been helping people fill out their forms since 2004. I noticed that her package did not have a the DS- 156 form I told her to go to the bank and get some from them , instead the clerk gave her a link to the form DS160 and told her to buy a PIN. She did all that without consulting me. My first thought was wow did this change too? But when she went back to pay the clerk apologized for the mess he got her in and told her to bring the form DS-156. Like you said the instructions on the site say do not print but the people at the bank want them form to filled out in front of them it is just crazy!! I am planing on going there to today and talk to the manager and set them straight, they can´t go on giving out wrong information and making people lose time and money.

Thanks again.

I just need to vent some more...

What doesn't make sense to me is that packet 4 tells you to go to https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asp fill out the form and print it. But once you get to the Banco Helm they tell you that you need to fill it out on site... They make sure they are on the same page with the instructions.

It makes no sence at all!!! So how do you print a valid DS-156 form?? The ones I find only are all expired ones.

One more quickie. I think for the OP to get the right answers, this thread should be moved to the Central America regional forum.

Good point ..I can´t remember really I chose the Spanish option and I made it clear what kind of visa we were requesting information for.

It is all confusing I read a post on the regional forum. And I see the link and it clearly stated do not print but the bank does not allow prefilled out forms they want you to fill it out in the bank with your own handwritting. Man!!! Thankd Guys .. I think I will play it safe and see how we can print the form.

No, No, I did call the Embassy and their response was. You do not need to pay at the bank. You do not need to fill out form DS-156. You do not need to pay at the bank can pay at the embassy.

The Bank clerk had no idea, you would think they do because the deal with visa payments day in and day out.

I was asking if anyone had been through this already and if you anyone knew anything about the new procedure.

True. Just saw that. They will still be able to fill out the DS-156 online. Thanks for the insight!

Thanks I will read because I am still confused.

Yes I do charge because it takes time from me. I literally take the women by the hand help her. It is not fault the procedure changed. I also help a lot of ppl who are applying for their tourist visa many are clueless on how to use the internet and it takes time and they usually come to my office use my computers and even phone line to call Bogota. I do it with the best intentions and lots of men are happy they have somebody they can trust helping their girl. This particular couple happens to be my first since after May it is not like there are ppl doing this everyday. Hey the guy at the bank was even more clueless then me, making the girl buy a PIN lol..

The DS-160 has not replaced the DS-156 and DS-157 for K visas.

Thanks for your response!

So she does not need to take or fill any type form at all?

Hello Everyone,

My name is Maria. I live in Colombia and I am matchmaker. A very special couple to me are getting ready for their interview in Bogota. I have been helping her down here with the paperwork. But we have a big doubt and I wonder if anyone knows anything about this or has been to the embassy anytime after May this year.

The instructions on the 4Th package say she must fill out form DS-156 and pay at the bank. But the Package was missing that form. I told her go to the bank(in Barranquilla) they always have extra copies get some there. The clerk totally confused her and me by telling her she needed to buy a PIN and to fill out the form online. This blew me away and I immediately knew something was wrong, there is no need to buy a pin for a K1 visa. Anyways I read online how the on line form ds 160 had replaced the ds 156 form, we proceeded to fill it out. Guess what she took the confirmation to the bank the clerk noticed he had made a mistake and told her no you need to bring the DS-156 form in order to pay. of course now we are back to point one and more confused then ever. We used the PIN to call the embassy and the response we got was: 1 to ignore such instruction from package four, 2 that the form DS-156 is no longer needed and 3 that payment for the visa (350) now has to be paid at the embassy.

Des anybody know how does it work?

Thanks for the help this couple has their appointment next week!!!