bbiedny

Just for everyone's information (In case it comes in handy) Our friend went back again 17 days later and re-interviewed, but this time gave more concise and less open ended answers, she was approved. It really is the luck of the draw.

I am an American Citizen Married to a Colombian National, she just got her 10 year green card. In the past we have successfully sponsored for a B-1 (Tourist Visa) my Mother in Law and 2 of my nieces. My wife's Best friend (Maria) went to the embassy today and was denied. She is 36 years old, been at the same Job for 15 years and owns her Apartment where she lives in Bogota. She makes 1.6 million pesos a month. The Consul stated that since she lived alone and was divorced 4 years ago she was a risk to stay. Honestly I am blown away since my 20 year old niece who makes a third of Maria's Salary, lives at home with her Parents and has been at her job for 8 months got her visa 2 months ago. We were going to cover all of Maria's expenses for her 4 week stay in the US, she was going to stay with us for the whole time. I never bothered writing a letter or sending any Docs backing up my Financial abilities because to be honest I did all of that for my Mother in Law and both nieces and the Docs were never even looked at.

So the question is do I even bother sending all of those Docs and the invitation letter and have Maria re-apply? and can someone explain to me why 15 years at the same Job and Property ownership is not enough of a tie to the country? She wasn't even asked if she owned property.. I mean is it realistic to reapply right away and when asked why is she back so soon to show my Docs and mention that she Owns Property, and offer to show a letter of Invitation from my wife and I? Or am I throwing away money?

I appreciate any input.

I have helped like 6 family members and friends get tourist Visas (They all live in Colombia), Yesterday I was helping my wifes Best Friend and Her last name is CARDENAS and I put CARRERAS, the D-160 Got processed like that. When I made the Appointment I got the last name correct, not sure what my next move is? I already paid $160.00 for the Appointment, any idea how to fix this?

Any help is appreciatted.

Barry

Yes, K1 visa.

The Non-Immigrant Visa number is printed in red on the K1 visa itself that is inserted in the passport...should be near the bottom right.

Thanks for the help!

So we got married on 10/10/10 , now I am filling out the I-485 and was wondering a couple of things about some fields on the form:

A: Current UCSIS status? - Just type in "K-1 Visa"?

B: Nonimmigrant Visa number - Which one is this? (is it our BGT#)?

Thanks for any help.

Fiancee came in through Fort Lauderdale on September 16th, we were married This Sunday (10/10/10...I know, cool right?)getting everything together for the I-485 and we cannot locate the I-94. My Fiancee swears up and down she did not fill one out nor was she asked for one, the only thing she states she filled out on the plane is the customs form. She has been quite ####### about all her paperwork so I want to believe her, but is this even possible? and am I out another $320.00 to get one?

Am I also going to be super delayed now as well?

Want to thank everyone for their support, Maribel and I had our interview on the 2nd and were approved (Once we got to the window) in less than 2 minutes. The Embassy rep never even spoke to me, just smiled and said good morning. One question, the famous "envelope" that is supposed to be handed to the immigration officer here at the point of entry, does she pick that up at Domesa when she goes to pick up her visa? we didn't see anyone leaving with the envelope from the embassy.

Very Quick Question

My fiancée went to pay for the visa at Banco Helms in Bogota, she said they were extremely polite but she was concerned that they gave her back the DS-156 form unaltered (no Stamps or anything) but they did place two stickers on her passport. the reason she is concerned is she was under the belief that the bank needed to 'authorize" the form, but the girl at the bank guaranteed her that they only needed to label her passport, are we good?

Hello everyone, I'm wondering how important is it that my fiancee is wearing a engagement ring when she is at her K-1 Visa interview at the U.S. Embassy? Did you wear a engagement ring at your interview? If she does not wear a engagement ring, will that effect the decision of the consulate doing her interview?

Thank you so much in advance

In My case I guess it depends on where you are, My Fiancee is in Bogota and I have no desire to take a ring appraised at $11k down there, that's just asking for trouble....

Hello bbiedny,

If you don't mind I'll like to ask how did you print your skype logs. I and my fiancee use the free skype to skype service and would like to print as evidence of ongoing relationship.

I'll appreciate your help.

Thanks

Well that's going to be tricky, what I did last time was just capture screen shots and do it that way. The real screwed up thing is that I got an Ipod touch three months ago and downloaded the Skype App on it. It works great (The 3rd Generation Ipod touch's headset has a built in Microphone)and the sound is super clear...HOWEVER these conversations do not get logged onto the PC's skype Log.. Just an FYI.

So our interview is set for September 12th, my question is the following:

When I sent the original 129-F I copied all our skype logs and a bunch of e-mails, plus photos and receipts, do we get those back before the interview or do I need new ones (No I did NOT make a copy of the whole packet before sending it, I hadn't found this site yet)

As always any help is appreciated.

Yeah, I same boat here, faxed packet on the 15th and got fax confirmation, but I called last Wednesday (the 21st) and they could not find any of the faxed docs so I had to e-mail them, as of today nothing has been scheduled.

Well August is Finally up, close but no Cigar. If I go by the case numbers I am going to be 1st or 2nd week of September.

We just called that number and they did not have the information yet

Yeah, I same boat here, faxed packet on the 15th and got fax confirmation, but I called last Wednesday (the 21st) and they could not find any of the faxed docs so I had to e-mail them, as of today nothing has been scheduled.

The Embassy site states that dates will be up 15th of previous month with updates coming the 20th and the 30th, well it's 27th and they still only list June and July's dates. UNBELIEVABLE!

Thank you.

My fiance faxed (using fax number given on DS-2100, from inside Colombia) the DS-2100 and DS-230 Part 1 to Bogota on 7/12/10. On DS-2100 she gave her email address. We thought the embassy would have sent her confirmation of receipt of the fax, but they have not. On 7/19/10 I phoned Dept. of State and they checked the system for me: the receipt of our Package 3 forms has not yet been logged into system. D.O.S. advised to call back every several days (DOS or embassy on Wednesdays).

Is this normal for a fax to the embassy (with Package 3 forms to initiate interview scheduling), if successfully received, to take this long to be acknowledged at least by being entered as received in their internal system? I'd hate to wait a month to find out it must be sent again.

Thanks

We Sent our fax of Ds-2100 and DS-230 on July 15th, I tried in vain to call them yesterday (Wednesday) during the 2 hour window, that was a total waste of time, got through 3 times and each time I was transferred from the operator to someone in Visas I ended up in Limbo for 30 minutes, then disconnected.

I finally had success in writing to the embassy and they basically believed me when I told them I had the fax Confirmation (which I do) but they still could not find the documents. So lesson to be learned, Scan the Documents, save as a pdf file and ask them to verify in a response e-mail that they have received them.

Try e-mailing them, some times it's easier to get this information that way. Just tell them that you were on hold during the 2 hour window and every time you were disconnected. Don't forget to include your BGT#.

Diana

I did E-Mail them here is what I got back:

We sent your fiancée a packet of instructions on July 17, 2010. These instructions explain how to apply for a visa appointment. The forms in the packet must be returned to our office via fax or email in order for us to schedule your fiancee’s appointment.

If she has not yet received her packet, she can download it from http://bogota.usembassy.gov/appt-package.html.

Best regards,

IV Unit

I then Advised them:

We downloaded the files and faxed them back on the 14th of July, (DS-2100 and DS-230)

Should that be noted in the system? she has the fax confirmation.

They responded:

It should be noted, but it would appear that we did not receive them. Can she resend them to this email? That is a more secure method.

So I have now scanned the Docs and e-mailed them as PDF files. One week wasted, not the end of the world but frustrating anyway.

What a waste of time. I tried calling the consulate between the 2 hour weekly window (Wednesdays between 2-4PM Colombian time) I got through 3 separate times after dozens of dials, each time to be transferred, then wait on hold for 20-30 minutes until I was disconnected without reason. The consulate website Doesn't even have the August dates posted as of 7/21.

Anybody actually ever get through, any recommendations?

I strongly caution you about purchasing your ticket before the visa is in your hand, because more often than not they are non-refundable. If something WERE to go wrong and you needed further documentation or if it took longer than planned to arrive from the consulate (since most will only tell you generally 1 week to receive).

You could have great luck, and receive your visa in 3-5 business days, or you could get it in 2 weeks. Then there have been some who have been thrown into additional AP after the interview for some reason they never understood and didn't get their visa for close to another month! If something DOES go amiss (knock on wood that it doesn't) and you couldn't get things cleared up in time for your flight, you would be out the cost of the ticket, and there's nothing the embassy would do for your because they don't guarantee anything.

Yes, you'll pay more for getting last-minute flights, but you'll save your peace of mind by not having to worry about being out the full cost of the ticket if you have to change your plans.

Sorry to be a downer, but unfortunately, most of us can't afford to pay for double airfare if something goes wrong, so just trying to offer some realistic advice.

No I appreciate your honesty, trust me I have do desire to purchase extra tickets. I guess I will just get my return ticket for the day after the interview and get her a ticket AFTER she receives the visa. I would stay and wait but I do not want to eat up all my vacation time that way.

So we are in the final processes of the visa application, smooth sailing so far, here is my Question:

Let’s for sake of discussion assume an interview date of September 6th (A Monday). Let's also assume that I would like to bring her back after the interview, I would like to purchase the ticket beforehand because if I wait until after the interview and try to get flights for the next day or so it will cost me a fortune. How have other folks done this? do you buy tickets to fly back with your fiancée for a few days later? how long does it really take to get the visa if I am willing to pick it up? Any info is GREATLY appreciated.

Ok, so I have received confirmation that the packet has been forwarded to the Consulate in Bogota from the VSC center on July 8th,these are my questions and the answers might be unique to the US embassy in Bogota.

1- The website advises to call on case status is to be done ONLY between 2-4 pm on Wednesdays, does this mean even to verify if they have received the packet from VSC?

2- If I confirm that they have the packet I am going to my fiancée download the forms directly from the website DS-2100 and DS-230 and send them in and not wait to receive them by mail, because according to what I read this can take a anywhere from 1-3 weeks.

3- According to their website, the DS-2100 and DS-230 must either be faxed or Mailed, I need suggestions which is the best way to do this with the least amount of risk of thinks getting lost 9perhaps from someone who has been through this?)

Thanks for all your help.

Questions Regarding the process After NOA2.

So I know now that I have received my NOA2 that my case will go to the VSC and then forwarded down to the embassy down in Colombia, So here are my questions , and to quote Denzel Washington in the movie Philadelphia: “talk to me like I’m a 3 year old”

1- I found VisaJourney.com AFTER I sent in my original 129F, So no.. I did NOT make a copy of the entire package I sent them. Am I wrong to assume that my original binder with all my tabs and docs is what is actually forwarded to the embassy?

2- What should I prepare on my end here in the States? Do I need to FedEx anything down to My fiancée?

3- Am I wrong in assuming that that the next thing that should happen is my fiancée receiving a packet form the Consulate in Bogota?

I appreciate any input from those who have made this journey before me, you all have been a great help and source of re-assurance.

It Moved Super fast for me to, Time between NOA 1 and NOA 2 for us was 41 days! Lets see if the rest moves this fast!

Well everyone is talking about Vermont Speeding up. So I received my NOA1 on May 17th and it was in "initial review" until yesterday when it was first "touched". Tonight I was notified of case update via text and email, when I logged on I saw the following:

On July 1, 2010, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

And I was in the Post decision Activity Category!

So I assume this is essentially what we refer to as NOA2, correct?

I logged on to the OSCIS website today and noticed that the last update for my case changed from 5/21 to yesterday (6/30) I have recieved no e-mail or text about anything, so what does this mean (If anything)?

Thanks for any help.

barry

she needs a tourist visa to enter the US, if she decide to apply for a tourist visa it will be denied because now is running the process to apply for K1 visa

Is it because she is Latin American Vs. European? what if we just wanted to take a cruise out of Miami?