Frank y Janeth

Thanks for the help... does that 90 day requirement just refer to the actual marriage? In other words, as long as the certificate is signed and everything is done within those 90 days, we're good? I would think so, since the AOS I'm sure will take a while regardless.

Hi all,

Janeth and I are fortunate to have gotten our K1 Visa, and we're currently making plans for her to arrive here in the US in December. My major point of confusion right now is related to the whole process of marrying related to the visa process, since this is my first marriage of any kind, let alone as part of a visa process.

Are we officially married, i.e. the terms of the visa are officially met, once we apply for the marriage license, or if not, what is that threshold from a legal standpoint? Does it vary by state?

Vonage connections to Bogota are great, from my experience, both to landlines and cell phones.

If you're planning on calling a cell phone in San Andrés, however， just save yourself the headache and invest in two tin cans with a string reaching from here to SAI. Your probability of getting through to someone is about the same, plus it's free.

Hello...

I am not certain, but it seems like that's a lot of connections, and you're bound to encounter some problems especially with her VIsa Type..

I travel to Canada a lot, in fact, I'm in Canada now.. And their immigation is much tougher than US, beleive it or not, especially if they're on a K1.. I am not absolutely positive, but I beleive Colombians cant fly thru Canada without a Transit Visa, and they can be very hard to get for Colombians... Also, Very few US immigration officers understand our own K1 processes, so you cant expect Canadian immigration to understand it, and I wouldn't count on it.. I simply wouldn't risk it.. It could be a very bad day for your Fiancee, and if you're strapped for cash, you could end up loosing the the fare if she ends up returning to Colombia due to the confusion..

My suggestion is go for the higher fare, and save yourself a lot of headaches.. Continental goes through Houston, and American Goes through Miami.. If you can afford it, I would fly down there and return with her to the US..It may be worth it for her to have you with her on her big day..

Kenny

Thanks for the advice. We talked about it last night, and we decided that any money saved doing it that way wasn't worth it for two reasons. #1 being what you talked about, and #2 being that I'm going to be meeting her halfway, and so if I'm flying to Toronto as well, that's going to cancel out any savings to be had by her going there.

Anyway, we figured out an option that saves us roughly the same amount of money anyway, and it allows us to meet in Miami and spend an evening there before coming back to Memphis. So I think that's what we're going to do. Thanks for the help, the info about the transit visa is interesting, I had no idea.

I'm looking for flights, because Janeth's coming in December and I have a feeling the sooner we book, the better. I'd like to get something a month in advance at least. But I've noticed something and I wanted to ask about it.

Most of the flights pass through Miami, Atlanta, or Houston before getting to Memphis, TN. That's fine. But I've noticed that there's a flight that's 200 dollars cheaper than all the rest that goes from Bogota to Toronto, Canada, and then to Memphis. Seems a bit convoluted but what do I know?

Anyway, my question is, with the nature of this flight, would there be any problem with her going through Canada on her way to the US? I know the rules are slightly different as long as she doesn't leave the airport, but I just want to make completely sure. Anyone have any experience here?

Just wanted to let everyone know our Visa was approved, quite easily. I still need to write a review, but I'm happy to answer any questions someone might have!

A couple quick questions for those already through this:

- What insurance did you get for your fiancee? I don't want to risk anything.

- What do you recommend for phone service? I don't want to rely on Skype as her mom's ability with a computer are limited and I don't want things to be frustrating for her.

- What did you do to help your fiancee get acclimated to the US? Lina has been here before as an au pair, but of course this time it's with a different mindset. What did your fiancee find useful when she/he first got here?

Thanks all and for everyone who helped!!

Vonage World. $25 a month for calling to landlines, 5 cents a minute to cell phones. This you can set up on a landline phone, PLUS they have a thing called Vonage Extensions where you can assign a phone that can call via that same service, in other words you can call landlines in Colombia for free from a cell phone or from any one other phone.

Frank,

thanks for the update. I plan on getting it, just in case as you've mentioned it is on the list. It is not optional, it appears they simply do not ask for it in every case.

I appreciate the update.

Did you go to the interview with your fiance. Any chance you could fill us in on any of the questions they may have asked? Also, did your fiance have her shots records or did you have to get shots done? I'm still really not sure what to do about shots. MMR DTaP and Varicella? She's already had the chicken pox when she was little, but has no way to prove it.

I did. Check out my review of the experience on the Embassy reviews page, I went over it to a certain extent. The lady during the preliminary interview asked Janeth several yes or no questions, but basic bio stuff like where she was from, etc. During the final interview, he asked her a couple of things and then asked to speak to me when he saw that I had come with her.

And if she's missing any she can just get them done during the medical exam before the interview, or even at her own doctor beforehand. That's what Janeth did.

I've heard the same thing from several members who post in the Spanish Colombian K1 Visa thread. The DAS certificate for the petitioner was never part of the list of documents and they were never asked for it. I guess the same rule applies, that it's a requirement for the beneficiary and optional for the petitioner, unless the CO asks for it which is rare.

Diana

The confusing thing is that it IS on the list. Just like the "certificación de soltería" letter is listed as a required document in the folder they give you at the embassy to put the documents in, even though the DS-156k fulfills what that letter is supposed to fulfill. I think it's just a case of them needing to update some of this paperwork. And in the case of the List of Required Documents, they probably put it there so you can't say they didn't ask for it if it comes up.

Either way, my fiancee has her visa. It won't put the matter to rest for everybody, but I figured I'd put it out there.

Update: We went to the Embassy today for the interview, and the topic of a DAS certificate for me never came up, not even in passing. Don't worry about it, I guess unless the USC looks shady. Hell, they didn't even ask Janeth for any of the mountain of evidence we had put together. I don't recommend not taking any evidence, but every case is different.

Based on what I read, you take both copies with you, and once you paid they attach a receipt showing you paid to either one or both copies. You only ever need 2, so it won't hurt to just take both to the bank with you. I'm sure they do enough of these that they'll know exactly what to do.

I am confused about paying the fee at Banco Helm. Can someone tell me what is the procedure? I am arriving in Bogota 2 days before my interview. Is this sufficient time to go to Banco Helm and get it done the same day? Also, I have read that I need the DS-156 form. I have seen someone say that I need a blank form and then another person say that I need to have the formed filled out. Which is it? I tried going to the Embassy website to download this form just in case that I needed the blank form but the link isn't working. Can someone direct me to a good link for this form? What is the proper procedure? Thanks for the help.

Brandon

http://bogota.usembassy.gov/appt-package.html The link to the DS-156 is inside the packet 4 PDF (Appointment Package). It has to be done online and printed out with the barcode generated... print out at least 2 copies, since you'll have to turn in two. Also, if you're using Firefox or Chrome, just open it with Internet Explorer. I don't think it works on any other browser, as far as I can recall.

Here is what I found. Do you have anything different?

http://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/pdf/revised-fact-sheet-fed-reg-notice-vaccination-immigration.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/downloads/adult/mmwr-adult-schedule.pdf

Mononeke, where does it state this? I hope you are correct, but I would like to confirm you are correct. I spoke to my fiance today and she says that she knows that she has gotten a lot of these vaccines on their long list of vaccines, but hasn't a clue on how she would go about proving it. The list I am looking at from Page 7 of the Packet four shows 10-15 needed vaccines. Where are you getting this information that only 3 are "really" needed for the visa. If that is correct, why would they have this long list? I hope you are correct because unless someone knows perhaps of some governing body that maybe keeps track of all Colombian's vaccines it looks as though my fiance will need to start from scratch. Is there any sort of Medical Authority(Government body) in Colombia that perhaps keeps track of vaccines? My fiance pretty much laughed at me when I asked her that question.

Thanks for any help you can provide on what is really needed as far as vaccines go and where it is documented etc. i.e. I don't want to show up to the medical showing we have recently gotten 3 vaccines (2 months prior to the medical) and then have them say she needs all 13.

Thanks

I just woke up so I don't remember the exact location, but the CDC website has a chart with recommended vaccines for immigrants based on age and sex. And she's right -- the only ones that end up on that list are the MMR, TD, and varicella.

You can look at the enbassy website foe interview apoitments for july my wisfe and stepdaugther July 21

It depends, though... Janeth and I got put on the July list AFTER the preliminary list came out. So we don't appear on the list that's on the website right now. If you get added after the 20th, you might not appear on the online list till later.

What number is it that you can call to get your interview date?

1-202-663-1225

Press 1 when you hear the recording, then press 0 when he says Main Menu.

They received my packet 3 via fax on June 23,2011 and they sent out packet 4 with an interview date on June 28,2011. My interview date is July 29. Hope this helps.

Brandon

I just talked to the State Dept. visa line yesterday, and we have the same interview date, July 29th!

So I guess we'll see you guys there, in that case!

Quick question for anyone who's already been through it... how long after the embassy received packet 3 did you have to wait, more or less, to be assigned an interview date? I think I'm at a week now, although it could be less.

It's hard to have lust when you are separated by thousands of miles.

I do understand where you're coming from, however the update to the packet that mentions the petitioner getting the DAS letter is from April (note the file name for the packet PDF). Plenty of time for them to notice, I think. I don't blame you for playing it safe at all. I'm just pretty confident in my case, unless someone can talk me down, that we'll be fine without it.

Soooo..., my fiancee decided to call DAS today amidst all the questions regarding the DAS letter. She talked to a detective who advised her, she only needs to go to DAS local office and pickup a paper (am not sure the name of it, sorry), either she can fill out or send to me (FedEx most reliable and quickest) and I fill out. Then, I get notarized with my signature, then FedEx to consulate of Colombia in San Francisco, they put ???apostillo??? (like a mix of stamp in your passport and a notarization) on the paper, and with self addressed stamped envelope they mail back to me. I am going to see if they can FedEx back to me so will be quicker, because once I receive, I will scan, send in email to fiancee (in case she does not get the original in time for the interview 22 July) so she has proof this step is done. and God willing, all else will fall into place, and she gets Visa.... and happily ever after...

I just talked to the people who did the two most recent reviews of the Embassy, and they both said they were never asked for it, and it never came up. Worst case scenario, I figure, is that they ask for it at the interview, and the visa is just delayed until I go get the paper, and ask Janeth's sister who lives in Soacha to deliver it to the Embassy, and we're all good. It couldn't add more than another week or two to the whole process, and Janeth's not coming immediately after she gets the visa anyway, we're waiting a month or so.

And this is the WORST case scenario, I would think. I'm feeling much more confident after talking it through with everyone.

I called the DOS and they gave me our interview date. Ours is August 4th. As you sound like your number is close to ours, I'm sure you have the same date. Give them a call, they were actually quite nice. Though they did give a solid, non-emotional "Good luck." I was so happy to finally have a date and so excited to tell my fiancee, I just said Thanks! and hung up

I just called them, and now they're saying that the embassy HAS packet 3, but they haven't scheduled an appointment yet. When I asked if they could tell me when it might be scheduled, she said she didn't have a time frame in her best "I hope this is the last question you ask me" voice. I'll call again next week and see if they've scheduled us.

i have been on the phone with consulate of Colombia in United States, in San Francisco to be exact, all morning and they have stated petitioner needs to have beneficiary get power of attorney (I think only letter, which must be in spanish, stating beneficiary (or whoever I want) to pick up letter from DAS when they have available), which it took 45 days for my fiancee to get her letter from DAS. When my fiancee has letter, am not sure if email would work, so i could print, sign, notarized, sent to consulate of Colombia in United States (San Francisco office), they notarize, and attach apostilla, send back to me in self addressed stamped envelope, I sign and take to place they tell me where I need to get fingerprinted, then i send to fiancee in Colombia, she takes to DAS and we wait. DAS sends notification to her (i assume) to say paperwork is available. then she takes to interview, and probably never gets asked about it.

oh by the way, her appointment is 22 July. i don't know how we can get all this done, even with the assistance of FedEx to keep this appointment date.

I wonder if it would be terribly rude of us to just ask all of the newly approved VJ members that went to Bogota if they were asked for the DAS letter for the petitioner. The most recent ones would be the best indicator of whether it's going to come up or not.

OK, I take back all the snide things I said about Deprisa -- they delivered it the next day as promised, I just got the tracking number from Janeth and I actually saw a photocopy of the stamped receipt. Fair enough.

So it's just taking a while to get processed at the Embassy. August it is. I just wanted to retract what I said about Deprisa, since it seems the issue didn't lie with them after all. Good job Deprisa.

I recommend scanning the forms and sending by email. Request a read receipt so you know they opened it. In your email, include all the relevant data: BGT Case #, Beneficiary and Petitioner Names and DOBs, and include a note saying that it has been previously submitted via regular mail on (whatever date it was sent.) I'm sure it won't cause problems and with the email, you will know in relatively short order that your P3 was accepted. Just make sure the forms match exactly. The only thing I could see causing a problem is if there is a discrepancy between the two sets submitted.

Good luck!

Thanks! That's exactly what I'm going to suggest to Janeth that we do. If she can't get to a scanner, we'll just fax it I guess. I should have gone with email all along, seeing as how they respond to all their emails in less than a day.

I just called the Embassy and I was told that they had not received Packet 3 from us yet. You know how a day to God is like a thousand years? Well, "next day" to Deprisa is at least two weeks. Anyway, the lady I spoke to on the phone said it would be better to send packet 3 either by fax or email, and I REALLY wish we had just sent it by email to begin with. My question, though, is whether it's safe to send it again via other means, in case the mail gets to them sometime before the apocalypse next year? The packet says it will delay visa processing, but is that just something they say to avoid people sending them by fax, email, and regular mail all at the same time or something?