Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	That's what I love about Bogota Airport... I checked the history for both American and Copa on flightaware.com, both seem to be on-time for the past several days... It appears things are ok, for now... checked for both Medellin and Bogota.. Keeping my fingers crossed though that things go smoothly for my trip down to Medellin on Tuesday... Kenny	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-11-28 03:44:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	I called the Department of State today and they told me that our interview is scheduled for January 19, 2011. I'm a little bummed out that it's not going to be a month sooner but the reality is that it gives me time to get a lot of things in order before Victoria gets here. Does anyone know if the Lab appointment and the Medical appointment can be scheduled the same day? With the interview on a Wednesday, it kind of collapses the business days prior to the interview. We would like to keep Tuesday free but will use it for anything that comes up at the last minute. I would suggest doing the Lab the day before teh Medical.. Keep in Mind, You must be at the Lab at 7:00 am... If you have your lab done the day before, you can be more confident the results will be ready for the Medical.. Kenny	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-11-24 15:55:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Going down to Colombia next week, I can't remember at the moment why... hmmm... ohh yea, now I remember, picking up something, but what? Man, my brain is goin...	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-11-23 10:29:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Never really works for me though...	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-11-23 10:26:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Begging won't hurt. Yea, I know how to beg..	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-11-23 01:15:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Hey Good luck.. hope your decemeber date comes through.. Keep us posted... Kenny	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-11-22 19:27:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Kenny, when does Maritza POE? Miami, Dec 2nd, 2010	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-11-14 20:19:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Anyone have any experience buying a one-way ticket OUT OF Colombia for a Colombian and/or an American? I'm just curious because I bought our airline tickets today, a round-trip for me and a one-way for her BUT to be able to be on the same return itinerary, I had to buy myself two one-way tickets. I noticed that the taxes on the 2-person return itinerary are much (like 4.5X(!) instead of just 2X) higher than my round trip taxes have ever been and now I'm wondering if they have charged me the departure tax at the rate for a Colombian? Maybe they are just higher in general when the flight originates in Colombia? The ticket website never asked for our nationalities. What if they collected her departure tax but assumed she is American because my address is in the US and didn't charge enough? Will they just collect the remainder at the airport? What if the taxes are too high because they assumed I am Colombian because the flight originates there? Will they refund mine if, in fact, I overpaid? I've made this trip 7 times solo in the last year but never really thought about any of these issues before... Thats about right, I paid a lot more in Taxes for the One-Way ticket from Medellin to San Antonio, Via Miami then I ever paid on my round trip tickets from the US... I was pretty shocked when looking at the exit tax for those tickets... The thing I did was I used my Miles to fly down to Colombia on Continental, but wanted to fly business class on the trip returning as kind of a treat for Maritza... The Problem was that Continental would not let me get a One-Way Ticket for Maritza, So I Used my miles for only my trip to Colombia, then I purchased two Business class tickets on American through Miami.. I was surprized when I compared the Exit Tax on the Continental Flight versus the Exit Tax on the American Flight.. It was almost 3X more...	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-11-14 18:30:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Hell everyone! I called DOS this morning to find out if the embassy has received our petition (the paper version). The Visa Specialist told me that it has not yet been registered by the embassy as having been received. I decided to send the IV Unit an email asking about my petition. Got an automatic message pretty much saying don't bother us we're busy. Well I took the day off to work on the house; got to get it in good shape before Victoria gets here. After working on the house all day, I checked my email and there was an email from the IV Unit telling me that they do in fact have our petition and that we can send the forms as soon as we want. Needless to say, they are already sent. I know that it's Friday night but at least they'll be there for someone to open first thing Monday morning. I called Victoria and tried to tell her but she kept asking me "And?' before I could finish telling her each part of the story. We are both very happy. This journey is in it's final stages. Hey, great news... Wierd that it took em so long, but sure is good that they replied and have your petition... There is still a chance for a december interview... Let us know when you get the Visa Appointment.. You should start calling the DOS/NVC on wednesday or so to check if a Interview is scheduled... Kenny	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-11-12 18:22:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Have a great time at Disney World.	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-11-12 09:19:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Dec 11th...	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-11-05 20:19:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Nice! Me too but our wedding will be kind of small with few friends and family.	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-11-05 17:22:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Wow! almost 2 days since anyone said anything on this thread.. Hope everyone is doing ok.. I've been off harraszing some UK folks over on another thread and find they really dont seem to have much sense of humor.. It's been real quite..	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-11-05 01:07:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Visa in hand, now I can finally relax 100%... At least until we start making travel plans. AWESOME!	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-27 08:56:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Best wishes go out to Justin & Sandra who have their interview on Thursday (10/28). Please let us know how it went for you. Best wishes... Let us know how everything goes.. Kenny	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-26 19:15:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Back in the U.S. and just stopping by to say the visa is in the DOMESA office in Bogota and will be in her hands tomorrow morning when she picks it up. Welcome Back!! What are your plans for POE? any dates set?	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-25 19:24:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	The main benefit is avoiding the confusion it tends to create when we travel to Colombia. We end up having two different names, one that we use in the US and it appears on all forms, credit cards, drivers license and even US passport. And the other name we use in Colombia which is on our birth certificate, cédula and Colombian passport. We have to use one name to enter Colombia and use another name to enter the US which can make some people, and even Immigration officials, confused so we have to travel with a copy of our marriage certificate to explain the confusion. And no, it's not that easy to change our maiden names in Colombia because you have to jump through all kinds of hoops to not only have it changed on your birth certificate, but also your cédula and passport. It takes months, if that, and it's really not worth the hassle. Diana Hey Diana Thanks for that.. Of course I should've thought that all through.. I guess there is no Magical Marriage Certificate that Automatically changes every document with the original name so I suppose Maritza and I will need to discuss all that.. What about registering the marriage with Colombia, what are the thoughts with respect to that? I have discussed this with Maritza and eventually, down the road, we may want to live in Colombia.. So, is it a good Idea to register the marriage with Colombia.. How is that done? what benefits are there to doing that for our future plans? and is it best to do it with her original name or is it best to have her change her name? Thanks Kenny	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-25 12:29:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Guys, other than preference, what is the benefit of keeping the name rather than taking on the name of the husband.. I am not certain which way we're gonna go on this, but Maritza prefers to take on my name.. What benefits are there to keep her name? Thanks Kenny	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-25 11:41:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Thanks... Do you have their number (I think she still has the Domesa receipt in her purse) and do they speak English? My spoken Spanish, especially when it comes to hearing it clearly, for lack of a better word, sucks... If not, I'll get her to call to check. She has to call them anyhow to know when to pick it up.. https://www.domesa.c...Cubrimiento.asp It's an Autoattendant, I had to try various options when I called to speak to a human. The option that worked for me was operations... * BOGOTA 424 87 24 - 424 87 00 * MEDELLIN 381 43 23 - 262 55 59 * CALI 665 03 02 - 664 70 00 * BARRANQUILLA 379 00 22 - 351 14 58 * BUCARAMANGA 643 29 73 - 647 26 17 * PEREIRA 336 57 78 - 329 22 11 * CARTAGENA 669 47 00 - 669 42 99 * IBAGUE 264 50 59 * CUCUTA 574 44 00 * VILLAVICENCIO 671 5479 * TUNJA 743 8418 * MANIZALES 897 0078 * NEIVA 871 1077	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-22 14:45:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	I tried calling DOS, but they couldn't tell me anything other than we had the interview. They didn't know we had been approved. The best luck I had was calling Domesa.	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-22 10:29:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Hello everyone! I just wanted to let you know that I just received a text message from USCIS to check the status of my petition. I did and learned that our I-129F petition has been approved. Hey 'Robert de Bonda' AWESOME!!! Kenny	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-20 14:01:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Package arrived! Visa in Hand!!	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-20 09:58:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Wow! It's been close to two weeks for you, right? Has she tried calling/writing anyone - the embassy, Domesa? Since I was the one talking to the CO yesterday, I'm certain she told me that my fiancee should have the visa in "about 7 days." I assumed that meant with delivery. We decided that she'd pick it up herself because the Domesa office isn't too far from her office and her apartment complex is fairly new and not on the maps yet. I had a really hard time getting DHL to deliver a package here last week because they couldn't find the address. I hope your fiancee gets her visa soon! I just spoke to Domesa.. They have the Package and said it would be delivered today...	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-20 09:46:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Wow! It's been close to two weeks for you, right? Has she tried calling/writing anyone - the embassy, Domesa? Since I was the one talking to the CO yesterday, I'm certain she told me that my fiancee should have the visa in "about 7 days." I assumed that meant with delivery. We decided that she'd pick it up herself because the Domesa office isn't too far from her office and her apartment complex is fairly new and not on the maps yet. I had a really hard time getting DHL to deliver a package here last week because they couldn't find the address. I hope your fiancee gets her visa soon! We haven't tried calling the Embassy Yet... I did call the DOS/Visa Center, they said, it shows we had the interview, but does not show a descission, not sure what that means...The CO difinetly said we were approved.. We were thinking the package should arrive this week based on the 10 days.. Monday was a holiday there and last week was kinda like a holiday since most of the schools were out...	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-20 09:25:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Are you guys still waiting? Since your fiancee isn't in Bogota, I'm assuming she had it delivered, right? We are still waiting and, Yes, it's going to her aunts home... So, just a little nervous hoping nothing else holds us up...	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-20 09:12:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Hello everyone.. How many days did it take to receive the visa after your approval? She's going to pick it up herself at the Domesa offices. I'm just curious because even though we haven't planned her move up yet and there's no real hurry, I'd really love to see that visa in person before I head back to the US next Monday. Hey Ryna Not sure, but I would like to know also.. I already have the plane tickets and although, It's possible to change them, I really don't want to.. lol.. Any how, what, if any addtional processing takes place after the Interviewer says "approved"? and how long does all that take? Is the interviewers "approval" the final word? Can the package be tracked at Domessa using the Receipt? Just going through one of my anxiety attacks... Kenny Edited by kennym, 20 October 2010 - 09:10 AM.	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-20 09:08:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Thanks for the fast reply Kenny. I hadn't called to speak with anyone yet since my case complete was so recently, but had seen that it seems the last IR1/CR1 interview was in July. There are also people from Aug. and Sept. with cases completed still waiting on interview dates so I started to get pretty nervous. I may try calling today or tomorrow to see if I can get any kind of info. at all. Thanks again! You may actually never recieve anything from the Embassy.. Everything is available online.. and if your case was sent to NVC sometime ago, your clock is ticking... We did all our Packet 3 from the Bogota website, http://bogota.usemba...rant_visas.html, Once you know the Embassy has the Packet from USCIS, you should download everything from the website, complete the DS230 and DS2100 return it to the Embassy by email then an interview will be scheduled.. Make sure to start gathering all required items in the instructions... I would not wait until you receive anything. Our packet 3 did not arrive until 4 days before our interview.. so waiting for the Mail would have put us beyond the 4 month expiration date.. Edited by kennym, 20 October 2010 - 08:53 AM.	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-20 08:51:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	DOS - Visa Center - Get a Human! 202-663-1225 Press 1 then 0 for a live operator	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-20 08:34:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Hello all- My case was just completed on Oct. 15 and I have been checking out some of the timelines and it seems as though Bogota may be slowing down or just putting spousal visas on the back burner. I was just wondering if there is anyone that has recently received an IR1/CR1 interview or if there is anyone going the IR1/CR1 route that has also recently had their case completed. Trying to gather some info. and check in with others to try and gauge how long it may take. Thanks!!! Good luck to everyone!!! heathercita Have you called NVC to find out if your case was recieved, then forwared to the Embassy, and if the Embassy has your packet? The NVC will know all that information.. If an appointment was scheduled by the Emnassy, NVC will also know that information... If not, you should call them today.. Kenny	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-20 08:28:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	That's exactly what I plan on doing! I am still in shock over how easy it was... We arrived around 6:15 or so (we didn't have a watch.) They let us in around 6:30 and first sent us to a lady who gave us a folder to arrange all of the documents and we waited for about an hour and a half to be called. First, she went to Window 31 and the lady behind the glass told her to tell me I could remain seated. The lady took the folder from my fiancee, then asked her if she'd ever been in the US, whether I lived in the US and what was my address. She then sent my finacee to be fingerprinted. After that, we waited 30-45 minutes and were called to Window #5 for the actual interview. We both went up to the window and the CO, a very nice lady, asked my fiancee to sign the DS-156K then she asked to speak to me. She asked me how we met and how many times I had visited her in Colombia, told me everything looked good and that the visa was approved. We went to pay at Domesa and were back at the apartment by 10:30.. Sounds almost exactly like my experience except they didn't talk to me at all.. Man Ryna, I am very happy it went so well for you and you're finally done with this phase, and after all the waiting for your NOA2, it's great that things went so well for you at the interview.. We definitly need a "Colombia Club" Party once all our fiancees are here..	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-19 23:12:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Awesome!!! That is way cool. Extremely happy for you and your fiancee. Now, do what I did, enjoy a few stress free days with your fiancee. Edited by kennym, 19 October 2010 - 12:08 PM.	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-19 12:03:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Absolutely best wishes Ryna.	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-18 11:19:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Great Ryna Hmm, maybe she she did go to the same branch.. I remember there was a McDonald across the street.. I am still in Colombia, I leave Sunday... We just returned from a restful week from a finca... It was extra relaxing since I didn't have the Visa on my mind.. Today, sitting at our apartment in Medellin, Maritza AND I purchased the Tickets for her travel to the USA on Dec 2nd.. I will fly back down here for that trip... Best wishes on your interview.. It sounds like you'll breeze through it... Kenny Edited by kennym, 15 October 2010 - 08:23 PM.	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-15 20:22:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	With Maritza, they did not stamp DS 156, they only applied the sticker to the passport. The bank required the DS156 to be 2 sided. I thought tgat was strange though since I hadnt read that anywhere.	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-15 12:59:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Hey Ryna We stayed at an apartment with Maritza's Relatives.. We were lucky, there is a tenant in the same building that ownes about 4 taxis, so we had no trouble with getting to the Embassy.. Kenny	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-07 15:09:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	All WE ARE APPROVED ! We were out of the Embassy by 11:00 AM and they never asked to see any additional evidence or even asked to speak to me... Maritza said the only questions she was asked was the dates of my last trip and how we met.. They told her the paperwork all looked correct and that they were approving the VISA...	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-07 11:25:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Coming up for air just long enough to say: Good Luck! Dan Thanks, How is everything going, did Vanessa arrive? How was her POE.. I see from your signature you had a missing document.. What was the document that was missing? Just Curious... Thanks Again. Kenny	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-06 20:26:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Thanks everyone, Can't imagine what if anything, I've forgotten, I am hoping all goes well.. Maritza and I've have been praying every night.. Thanks everyone for the ecouragement.. Kenny	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-06 19:39:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Hi Kennyn, there are established measures: Luggage/bags larger than 15.7" (40 cm) H x 23.6" (60 cm) read more about other prohibited items ? yakad ? Thank you for that link... I looked everywhere for that, and kept passing it by, thanks for your help once again... Kenny	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-06 09:01:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Can anyone tell me if I can carry a small bag or briefcase into the interview.. I have a ton of documents, and was hoping I could carry a small gym bag or computor bag or something like that into the Embassy.. Kenny	kennym	Male	Colombia	2010-10-05 21:10:00