Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Good luck lucho, but you won't need it anyway. Thanks, i'm here at LAX bored out of my mind. I dont board for another 2 hours. I will be posting report on Tuesday about the lab and medical exam experience. Steve, George...where are you guys??? Best of luck, lucho. Stay calm, stay focused, and be prepared..... and you'll do fine.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-07-01 11:48:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	HOla como estan todos... les digo que me toca traducirles todo con google Imaginense que ya nos aprobaron la NOA2!!! Bueno toy mas tranquila, pero una pregunta me surge y es la siguiente: En qué página se yo, cuando la aprobación llega a la NVC, sale de la NVC y llega al Consulado de Bogota? Agradezco sus respuestas Besos. Nydia, felicidades! Con el respeto, recomiendo que usted use un mejor programa de traducción en el Internet. El que que uso está basado en el software de traductor IM. Un sitio que usa este es http: // translation.paralink.com / * No es perfecto, pero es a menudo mejor que Google o Babelfish. Charlie	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-06-28 19:46:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Mike, Luchco, Monoke. You have all been a big help and I thank you. You do not have to feel obligated to answear a question if you feel it has been covered many times over. There is a lot of conflicting and "grey" area post's on this forum. For someone who is going thru this it can be difficult to seperate the meat from the bones. I have taken 3 spanish classes since meeting Paola in March of 2006. I am getting better, but can not read it fluently. Luchco is correct, I do want to make 100% sure we are doing everything correctly. I hired a lawyer because I am self employed, this is our busy season and I am working 14 to 16 hour days 6 to 7 days a week. I knew that comming into this. Time is limited for me to do a lot of research. When I do, I tend to be in a hurry. So I hired the lawyer. They have been a help, but when it gets to this point, they do not have the answears. In hind sight, not sure it was or is the smartest thing to do. For me the money is not an issue, I can afford it with no problem. You do not have to read to many post's on this forum to see what happens when you leave something out or make a mistake. The Pkt 3 we recieved is not like the one on the embassy site. It did not contain the DS230 form. It had a cover page with a hand scribbled case number on it, 3 pages of instructions and the OF-169 on the last page. Not in one place anywhere does it even have the address where to send the forms!!!!!!!!!!!!! On top of that is does not say what to return and what is for the interview. That is the reason I ask the questions. I do sincerly love Poala, I want her here with me. Another reason to ask the questions. I have never given any advice on this forum because I do not feel quailfied to do so. All of you are further along in the process and can give account of your experience. What I hope to do is after Paola is here with me in the US, post a message that expalins oue experience in detail from beginning to clearing the POE. What I submitted and when, what challenges we faced and what we did to overcome them. No less and no more. Last, if you tell ten different peiople the same thing, those ten people will all hear something different. That is just human nature. Buck, I can echo most of your concerns about trying to be certain. Of course, nothing in life is absolutely certain - except that government bureaucracies are frustrating and inane. I can also tell you that the Colombia Club, for all it's faults, is still better at giving and correcting information that most of the other threads I've checked out here. Lorena might still be in Colombia if not for the good advice of others here. I've tried to give back here also, but also try to indicate uncertainty if I have any in the answers I give. My personal preference is to point people to the "source" whenever possible, rather than relay potentially inaccurate information. Right now, all I "need" is clear help with the AOS process, and that seems much more difficult to come by than the initial visa process.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-06-28 11:53:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Not sure which branch you used, but they should have had blank DS-156s there...and she could have spent 15 minutes filling it out (I saw a lot of folks doing that when we went). I'm not sure where I read it or how I knew....but we knew that the DS-156 had to be submitted on one page (and the second DS-156 must be an exact copy of the first). I don't know if I read it on the form's instructions, on the embassy web site or here....but we knew it. Further, we also knew that the Bogota embassy was not using bar-coding yet, so completing the DS-156 on-line (with generated barcode) is not necessary. It does not help Lucho....but for the rest of you, listen up.....fill out your DS-156 by hand. If you print it off the Internet, complete both pages, take them to a photocopier and copy it so the copy if "front/back." Then put an original signature of each of the two copies. Bank issues. Wendy tried to pay the $100 fee today at the banco. However was told that her ds156 was no good. No good because we filled it out online, once filled out online you click continue. Then everything you entered is saved as a pdf file on 3 pages. Well 3 pages does not work for the bank. They told her she had to print page 1 out and then flip it over and print page 2 on the backside. I know it's not a big deal, but it's a waste of f'n time. The instructions do not say that it has to be on front and back. Also, she was told that the fee was not $100 but 200.000 pesos. So I guess it doesnt matter the the dollar is at 1900 pesos, they still want their 200.000 Informational and barcode sticker placed on the passport. Small numbered stamp placed on one of the DS-156. What is my fiance suppose to get when she pays the 100$? Like on the passport and the ds156? How many seals/stickers/stamps? Good idea. We have everything straightened out now. One thing, I thought that the ds156 is not to be signed until the interview? I believe packet 3 mentions this. Does the 2nd copy of the ds156 have to have that stamp that was given at the bank? In other words duplicate it before or after the bank stamps it? One note about our experience with the DS156. We arrived with only one copy of the 156 for each person. Our originals had all information printed from a computer. When the lady told us we needed a second copy, she provided blank copies and we copied all the information by hand. So the copies were not "exact" but the information was identical. Hope that distinction makes sense.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-06-21 22:08:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	I am going to go ahead and open up a forum topic for those of us about to start/currently undergoing AOS. I assume all of us will be going through that process in a timely manner. Here it is: Club Colombia AOS! Thanks for starting that forum!!! Lorena and the boys are HERE!!! We arrived at home late this afternoon and I will be starting the AOS process this weekend. We are so darned happy!	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-06-20 21:55:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Buck, Packet 3 should consist of the following. Cover letter stating that you are requesting an interview. Must have the BGT case #. OF-169 DS230 parts 1 & 2 Copy of her biographical page of her passport (optional but strongly recommended) Only the above is needed. It can be faxed and or sent via courier to the embassy. BTW, yes you do need the certificado de migratorio. It is mentioned in packet 4. Also you can download packet 3 and email it to her. No need to send it to her. I stand corrected!! Glad you caught that, Lucho. I just reviewed our packet 4 and the certificado de migratorio is item 10 but is referred to as a "Carta del DAS". Guess I was being too literal in thinking of the wording.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-06-14 09:32:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	We received Packet #3, great!! We are using a lawyer also. My lawyer sent the packet to me and I am sending it on to Paola. My question is.........There is no mention of the Certificate of Migration in the packet. My lawyer has not been informed of the need for this document. I have read on here that it is required. Some have mentioned they had it but never was asked for it. Paola has been trying to get the dang thing for a month now and keeps running into problems. The record keeping and such in her town and even in Cali seems to suck. Have any of you that have been through recently needed it? It is the only document keeping us from sending Packet #3 in. If we do not need it, we do not want to go throught he hassel. It cost $50 US for Paola to travel back and forth to Cali. They have her going back and forth with false info and promises. Everytime they say it ias ready she gets there and they come up with some thing else to delay the certificate. Thank you. Buck, my understanding is that the Certificado de Migratorio is not required but is recommended. Lorena obtained hers in Bogota during my visit in April. The DAS office there can have it in about three days, compared to the several weeks that it seems to take everywhere else in Colombia. In her hometown of Florencia, it might have taken longer. I have no idea where the recommendation for this document originated. During our interview and such, the CO never commented on it one way or the other. I know that the Certificado is not mentioned anywhere in any of the list of required documents. Keep in mind that this document is not to be confused with the police certificate whis is required.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-06-14 08:38:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Can the certificado migratorio be opened? Ours came in an envelope with a seal. Lucho, to my knowledge the only thing that can't be opened is the medical file that the doctor gives to your fiancee. If someone knows differently, chime in.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-06-13 12:12:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Nevermind.... I found the information I need here: http://www.cbp.gov/x...ture_record.xml	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-06-12 21:59:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	I vaguely recall mention of the I-94, and I know it is an essential part of the AOS process. Can someone point me toward more info on it? When does Lorena receive it? Where? That kind of stuff. Thanks in advance. You guys and gals are wonderful and your support has been a real blessing for us.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-06-12 21:41:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Another update.... Lorena's interview was June 6. As I mentioned here, she had to get one relatively minor thing fixed on one document and returned to the embassy on June 7. Her visa was approved, and as with everyone else, she was asked to return the next day to pick up her visa (Friday, June 8). As seems to be par for the course at the Bogota embassy, there was some "malfunction" with the printer and she was told to come back this week. After finally getting to Florencia (due to mudslides and road closures) early Monday morning, she finished packing her things, and with the kids, returned to Bogota on the overnight bus, Monday night. She arrived there this morning very exhausted. She still had energy enough to try the embassy again this afternoon. She told me that while she was there, perhaps 6 or 7 other ladies were called to the window for their visas. A man announced over the PA system that there were no more visas as the "system" had another problem, and everyone else should come back tomorrow. She was not one of the women called and she was devastated. Rather than leave immediately, she chose to use the restroom at the embassy courtyard. Once again our Guardian Angels were at work. As she came out of the restroom, she heard her name on the PA system. She went to the window and sure enough they had her visa!!! Now, I don't have any way of knowing if this made a difference, but on Sunday I wrote an e-mail to one of our US Senators from Missouri. In the e-mail I asked her to please allocate $200.00 to the embassy in Bogota so they could buy a printer that worked. I also mentioned that it seemed more than a little strange that we, as a nation, could spend millions building a wall on the Mexican border, but couldn't afford a $200 printer that would allow LEGAL immigrants into our country to be with their families. As I said, I have no way of knowing if my e-mail helped, but it sure did me some good to get that off my chest with someone who is in a position to listen. No matter who the Angels are that are watching over Lorena and me, I'm sure grateful for their help. Now I don't have to feel foolish for buying plane tickets for her and the boys ahead of time. They will fly to Miami on Thursday and I'll be there to meet them.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-06-12 20:22:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Ok I am starting get our proof of realtionship ready for the interview. I have read conflicting options. No paper clips, binders ect. Waht have you all done? Surely they don't want you to present it in one big pile. I was think of putting each visit and all the phone records and such in between each visit in a manila envlope. I would be giving them 5 different envolopes with a cover letter on each stating the contents. I want to emilinate any last second panic. Thank you. One person I saw being interviewed had a photo album. She was going through the album page by page, showing the photos to the CO through the glass. We had our photos all cliped together and were planning to pass the whole packet through the slot if asked. I don't think there is a hard and fast rule about the proof of relationship stuff. As with us, it could be that you are never even asked for it! Where you can avoid paper clips and binders is with the other documentation requested in Annexo B (I'm not sure if that is the same listing for K-1 visas or not - keep in mind that my petition was a K-3). We were instructed to remove all clips and binders, and place all the listed items in the folder in the order requested. My I-134 was in there also, but it was stapled together as a single item, and as far as I know, it was kept that way by the CO. We did bring all of the Annexo B paperwork bound together in groups with clips. This helped keep things in order until we received the green folder. Then we removed the clips and were set to go! If you have more than one recipient listed on your petition (i.e. spouse and the spouses child(ren)), then you will receive a separate green folder for each family member. For the children, most of the items listed in Annexo B do not apply, so you just insert the items that do apply and in the order requested. Your idea of the manila envelopes sounds fine for the proof of relationship items. Again, I don't know that there is one right way. We had ours grouped by photos, copies of receipts, and copies of e-mails (with translations). But, they were never asked for, so I don't know if the CO would have liked that arrangement or not. The most important thing is that the arrangement makes sense to you so that, if asked, you can locate anything the CO might ask for. Just remember - if you don't have something he/she asks for, simply say you don't have it and maybe offer something else that might suffice. It sounds like you are pretty well prepared, so I wouldn't go into panic mode over this particular issue.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-06-11 19:09:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	LOL Parkpapa........... Fear and excitement, MMMMmmmMMMM, I am not sure I can seperate the 2. For months I was just impatient, then everything comes at once. Now I am almost afraid to be excited. I have all these questions and what not. Are we going to be approved? How will I arrange the airplane tickets? How much time should I allow after the interview to receive the visa? Where to stay? Will she get anything in the mail since she has never received a letter in her life? And then all the stuff after she comes here.....On and on. LOL. The records departments we have had to deal with in Colombia have been bad at best. Thanks again for your info. Everytime I read a success story I feel better. I should have just said "not get caught up in the emotional end of things". Excitement, in a positive way, is good as it helps feed the hope that things will go quickly and well. Fear can be a positive, if it keeps one motivated to prepare thoroughly. But both can be negatives if allowed to run unchecked. Perhaps the proper balance is only achieved by focusing on one goal at a time, going step by step. Yes, it's good to be thinking of things that will be coming further down the line, but not to the point where they distract you from the task at hand right now. You'll never get to those things "out there" unless you take care of the things needed to get there. There was more than once, over the past eight or nine months, that I got ahead of myself - and the process. All that does, eventually, is cause you to either make crucial errors which actually slow the process, or burn you out trying to keep it all straight. Neither of those things happened to us (unless they NEVER fix the blankety-blank printer), but they could have very easily. I saw two K-1s approved while I was there and spoke briefly with both of them (American men with Colombian fiancees). What I perceived to be a common theme for both was that they were well prepared and honest in their answers to questions. They both demonstrated strong and committed relationships. Those things should be enough, and apparently they were. Hang in there and I know you'll have success too. All you need to do is prepare for it.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-06-11 18:46:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Mike, I for one very much appreciate your well-grounded approach to all of this. It's very easy to get swept up in the excitement (and fear) of dealing with not one but TWO governments and all of their convoluted requirements. That makes it doubly important for everyone to keep focused and take care with every single piece of paper or information. Everything IS important, even the stuff that never gets used. It's difficult to admit, but I suspect we fell prey to the excitement when we overlooked the requirement to have a duplicate copy of the 156. And it is probably not always safe to count on your Guardian Angels to rescue you, as ours did.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-06-11 17:13:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	excellent report and congrats! good tip on the cell phones, i plan on having one without a camera. were the questions to you in english? did the co ask you anything in spanish or how you guys communicate? that printer problem is a running gag, i'll probably laugh if they tell us that. i just hope that i can stay there long enough to return with my wife. JK He asked questions of me in English and her in Spanish. He didn't ask me about how we communicated, but he may have asked my wife. I was a little surprised that he didn't, actually. Good luck to you!! I'm sure you'll do fine if you are well prepared and organized.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-06-11 13:00:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Congratulations!!! It's good to hear stories with good endings. And that printer excuse is driving me crazy! I really want to go with my husband to his interview and fly back with him but that printer issue scares me since I have to get back to work. I have heard that it is not so important for K-3 spouses to attend the interviews, however, I'm not sure that I believe it. My impression was that it helped that I was there with Lorena. It may have been the age thing. Who knows? But, I'm not sure she would have gotten a 'yes' without me there. I realized that there were a couple of things I left out of my interview report. A little to my surprise, the CO never asked to see one shred of supporting evidence: no receipts, no photos, nada. This may have been because I submitted a ton of that stuff with the original petitions. Again, who knows? Also, the one question he asked me that I thought was odd was this.... He asked me how many times I had been to Colombia. I told him and also mentioned that I had visited her family in Florencia twice (not a particularly safe place). Then came the odd question: How is it you have so much vacation time to come visit Colombia? I answered honestly and said I had a ton of vacation time saved from my work. I wasn't expecting those questions, but I think it helped that I answered in short order and without too much hemming and hawing. That leads to my final interview advice: Don't assume that the questions will be limited to the list of most common questions. And, most importantly, answer honestly and briefly.....even if the answer makes you squirm a little. I suspect these COs get pretty good at spotting false or hedged answers. I flew back early the morning after the interview. If you have a chance to stay that extra day after, I think it will be good for your husband. I know Lorena has had some difficulty in trying to deal with everything alone after I left. But, keep good thoughts and keep loving each other. Then you'll make it through, no matter what happens.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-06-11 12:35:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Thank you for your report. Congratulations! Thanks parkpappa. I hope to be going through the interview soon. You comments are very helpful. What hotel did you stay at? A friend of ours located a privately owned, furnished apartment that was about two blocks from the Salitre shopping center and Maloka. That put us only about five minutes by taxi from the embassy. The final cost for a week was around $250. Much less than a hotel, though there are downsides to everything - the beds were incredibly uncomfortable and the furniture 'en la sala' was nice to look at but difficult to sit on. I have stayed at a family-run hotel that's a couple of blocks from the Radisson Hotel on the north side of town. It is clean, friendly, and not too expensive. If you're interested, I can give you some contact info. Even if they're full, they can suggest other hotels nearby that aren't terribly costly (like the Radisson!).	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-06-11 12:21:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	First of all, Lorena had her medical exam with the male doctor. Her appointment with the lady doctor was cancelled because the doctor's father had passed away the day before. Fortunately, all appointments and lab results were transferred to the male doctor. As others have indicated, the male doctor did ask her to disrobe completely - and he did the same with the boys. I suppose that some folks are bothered by this, however I can't say that it is so unusual. Lorena did not seem bothered. She was given three sealed packets: one for her and each of the boys. She was also given her x-ray which she was told to bring with her to the airport (I assume the US airport where she will arrive at). Okay, here is a little more thorough description of our interview. I will tell you in advance that I don't know all the questions that the CO asked Lorena because we frankly haven't had time to discuss it since the interview. More about why in a bit... We arrived at the embassy at about 6:15 and there were already perhaps 35 or 40 people there. I knew to go to line 3 but there were about 10 people in that area ahead of us. The vast majority of applicants in the area were there for either tourist visas or diplomatic/business visas. Around 6:30 a woman on the PA system told everyone which line to get into: line 1 for diplomats or business people; line 2 for tourist visas; and, line 3 for all K-1 and K-3 visas. We were told to have our appointment letter in hand and a young lady came through, looked at them, and then put small green stickers on our chests to show we could come in. By the way, if it's raining or there was recent rain, expect to stand in mud in line three as the sidewalk isn't wide enough for three lines. And guess which one doesn't fit! There were frequent announcements after that, but all repeats of the same information. By 7 a.m. the line behind us had grown tremendously. Promptly at 7 a.m. line 3 went through security first - it was typical of airport security: x-ray of belongings, walk-through scanner, hand-held scanner, etc. You must leave any picture-taking device (camera, cell phone that takes photos, etc.) at the entrance station and you can reclaim it later. Cell phones without cameras were allowed in the embassy and many people were using them. We went to "area 40" and waited until another young woman came out and gave us instructions about what was to happen next. She showed us the folders we would use and they were sorted by color as to the appropriate visa type. Green folders were used for all K-series visa applicants, though the label on the folder says K-1. She told us to remove all clips and place the documents in the folder in the exact order shown in the instructions inside the folder. These instructions were identical to Annexo B. We then sat down to wait until Lorena was called to one of the Green windows (matching the folder color) where a very pleasant and helpful woman reviewed all of the documents. She was the one who pointed out that we didn't have our duplicate 156. She did, however, provide us with blank copies of the form and we completed the duplicates by hand. The lady then stapled the extra photos we had to the duplicates. Our original 156 forms had photos pasted on them, but she stapled these as well. We then went over to the other Green windows where the COs do the interviews. At around 9 a.m., the COs started showing up at the windows and began calling names. (By the way, the rest of the area was teeming with people by then.) There did seem to be some general order in how people were called that roughly followed how we were originally in line. When it got out of order seemed to be because of the length of individual interviews. When we got called up, the CO talked to Lorena first and asked a couple of questions. He then asked to speak to me. His first question was one I hadn't prepared for, but at least I did have an answer. He asked why I came to Colombia in the first place. Probably a logical question as it's not really a tourist mecca just yet. He then asked (as confirmation, I guess, since it was in our original application) where and how we met. He asked a couple of other minor things as clarification and then asked to talk to Lorena again. This was where he pointed out that the date stamp was missing from her police report, and explained what we would have to do. He also told her that she would have to come back with her two sons - that he needed to see the boys in person. He then talked to me again and repeated all that he had told her. Then he gave her the police report along with a pink slip. He told her that she could to return with the boys any weekday at 7 a.m., show the pink slip, and they would be admitted, though he could not guarantee a short wait. One thing of interest as we left the embassy.... Lorena told me that he had said to her that when she returned, he would have more questions for her. However, when he talked to me the last time he said that all she needed was the date stamp on the police report and her visa would be granted. Again, we haven't had time to sit down and discuss all the questions he asked her, or whether or not he had more when she returned the next day. But I did think it was odd that he told us two different things. We were out of the embassy shortly after 11 a.m., so it does pay to arrive early as there were still tons of people waiting. After that, we spent the rest of the day waiting in other lines - at DAS to get the date stamp, at an attorney's office to get a document for Lorena's sister, etc. Between that stuff and dealing with Lorena's ex, and his permission letter for the boys, we had little time to reflect on the questions at the interview. When she gets to the states and we have some time, we will talk about it and if there is anything unusual in the questions I'll pass it along. Basically, it seemed all week that if anything COULD go wrong, it would, but ...... we had Guardian Angels helping us out and everything worked out in the end. We're still dealing with some of those Murphey's Law type things as Lorena has had a difficult time getting back home due to mudslides closing the highways to Florencia both before and after our time in Bogota. And add to that the continuing excuse of the "printer" not working, so "no visa today, come back next week". I strongly advise everyone to do two things: prepare as much as possible in advance, BUT expect to face delays and unforseen "emergencies". In other words, prepare everything thoroughly, but give yourself enough time (if you or your SO are from outside Bogota) to deal with any problems that pop up. Lastly, be patient and support each other. Edited by parkpapa, 10 June 2007 - 10:16 PM.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-06-10 22:15:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Any luck trying to get in an hour or two before 4pm to pick up the visa? I mean, I would go in as I am the US citizen and inquire if her visa is ready. I believe they would allow me in since I am the US citizen. To check if its ready, if not to have them get it ready for her by 4pm? On that I have no idea. Lorena went to the embassy around 3:30. I couldn't go because I was on a plane flying home for my daughter's wedding.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-06-10 14:04:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	So we still do not know what really is the "printer problem"? So it doesnt matter if you get approved early A.M.?? It still might not be ready the next day at 4pm? We were approved before 11 a.m. and her visa was still not ready the next day. Whether or not there is a "real" printer problem is immaterial as the result is the same. Also, none of the "K" interview windows were even staffed before 9 a.m. or so, and some of the COs seemed to work faster than others. For example, two sets of K-1 applicants (American men with Colombian fiancees) moved through very quickly compared to Lorena and me. Who knows why? Just "because", I guess, like the printer issues.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-06-10 13:37:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	I dont understand. You need 2 or 3 ds156? I believe one of the ds156 is put in a sealed envelope by the Dr. And you bring the other with all the other forms. Is it 2 copies of ds156 plus another that is in the envelope?? No, you need only two copies - one that the doctor puts in the envelope and one other.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-06-10 12:39:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Actually, I am quite surprised that you were surprised. I actually think that the instructions (in packet 4) and the information on this forum make it quite clear that two copies of the DS-156 are required, each with pictures. So, this is a reminder to all of you new folks to 1) read the packet information (and the information in the "guides" section of this web site) very carefully and thoroughly and 2) be sure to read the posts on this thread very carefully and thoroughly. Too often I see redundant questions (not that parkpapa's original post has anything to do with this observation of mine) simply because someone doesn't want to read what's already been well-chronicled on this thread (I recommend everyone new going back to November and reading forward). Mike This may be addressed elsewhere here, but we were caught by surprise when the lady who reviewed the documents said we needed TWO copies of the 156 for each immigrant, with a photo for each. Thank God we had extra photos with us, or we'd have been screwed. She gave Lorena blank forms and we filled them in by hand. You're absolutely right, Mike. I don't know how we missed that. As I tried to say in my previous post, double-check everything, and then check it again. At least Lorena and I can share the blame on this one because she speaks and reads Spanish, but perhaps she was relying too much on what I've learned here - I just didn't learn enough, evidently. But, we got the visa and that's all that matters. Now if they'd just buy a new damned printer so she can actually GET the visa!	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-06-10 12:28:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	First of all, congratulations to Maviwaro!!!!!! Second, his account of his embassy experience was pretty much right in line with ours. The only exception being that the lady who checked Lorena's documents was very pleasant and helpful. Third (but actually the most important for us) is that WE GOT APPROVED!!!!!!!!!! Wow!! But was it ever a comedy of errors all week. I'll give a couple of addtional pointers here and try to do a more detailed update next week. MAKE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT ALL OF YOUR DOCUMENTS ARE APPROPRIATELY AND COMPLETELY FILLED IN!!!! By this I mean not only your documents, but also documents you receive from others, such as DAS. Lorena had her police report from DAS, but when the consular officer saw it, he said that she needed either to have DAS date it or get another - and that she could come back another day with that document. Then he gave her a pink slip. She was able to get the document dated that same day, but it was a minor setback. She told me later that when the DAS representative in her hometown of Florencia gave it to her, he was very busy flirting with the women in the office, and that's probably why he forgot to date it. Also, be sure to mark N/A or NINGUNO, as appropriate, in any and all blanks in forms that do not apply to you. This may be addressed elsewhere here, but we were caught by surprise when the lady who reviewed the documents said we needed TWO copies of the 156 for each immigrant, with a photo for each. Thank God we had extra photos with us, or we'd have been screwed. She gave Lorena blank forms and we filled them in by hand. When you put together your documents, use the Anexo B listing (as Maviwaro said) because it was identical to the form taped to the inside of the folder given in area 40. Don't bother to bind or clip the documents together unless to keep them neat prior to the interview. You will end up removing any clips when you put the stuff in the folder. Apparently, however, you can have individual, multiple-page documents stapled together, such as the I-134 and supporting documentation. Lastly, again as Mavi said, be yourselves, smile a lot, and show affection as a couple without overdoing it. This is, after all, a professional setting about a very personal thing. A suit is absolutely NOT essential. So-called "casual dress" is fine - slacks and a nice shirt for the guy, something simple but neat for the woman. Dress like for a job interview at a department store, rather than a job on Wall Street. More later when I have time!	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-06-08 13:45:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Add another member to the Colombia club! It's really comforting seeing so many of us here. The experiences of others has taught me to be patient and be more prepared for the upcoming steps. Does the Packet 3 sent to the beneficiary contain Spanish versions of the instructions or forms? Mi novia, no habla Ingles. Yo hablo espanol y ingles. I would like to have these so she can practice on them. Muchos gracias! Chester, everything my wife received was in Spanish - notifications, forms, and all. It is a good idea to at least read the forms and instructions ahead of time so you know what to expect. Some you can even fill out in advance and have them ready to send when the time is right.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-06-08 13:23:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	I know the basic courier system sucks outside of Bogota. It has been 2 whole weeks since the embassy mailed out packet 3, yet we have not received it (Barranquilla). Now that we know our interview date, we are worried that we might not even get packet 4 in time. We know that the appt. letter is the most importan part of that packet. We need that to pay for the visa, medical appts, and to show the embassy to get in. Is there a way to get a copy of this appt. letter faxed to her or myself or emailed?? How about worse case scenario. It is 1 week prior to the interview and no packet 4 in sight. What to do then? Thanks! Lucho, You might take a look back at my comments a couple of weeks ago. Had the same situation (and fear). Worst case is you pay the $16.95 and call the folks at the embassy to schedule an appointment to pick up a copy of packet 4. But, they will not schedule an appointment sooner than two weeks before the interview date. Congrats on packet 3!	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-05-30 19:43:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Congrats, Lucho!! Best of luck.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-05-29 12:04:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Thanks Charlie! My husband was relieved to hear he doesn't have to get up at 5AM to go get his Certificado Migratorio. He already went to Bancafé today to pay the fee. Now all we have left is for him to get his vaccines and get his birth certificate and Certificado Judicial translated and we're done baby!!! Glad to be of help. Good luck to both of you!!!	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-05-29 07:17:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	I have a simple question for anyone who might know. My husband is currently in Bogotá running all the errands for the paperwork we need. He took care of the Certificado Judicial this morning and will go get his Certificado Migratorio tomorrow morning. I know the DAS in Bogotá is open from 7:30AM-4PM, but what time should he get there so he doesn't have to stay all day? I was thinking maybe as early as 6:30AM? Is it really necessary to get there that early? Thanks in advance everybody!!! Diana Lorena and I went to DAS three times while I was there in April. The wait there was almost always short (of course, I couldn't go in), and she was always out within 15 or 20 minutes. The real waiting time is at the bank where you have to pay the DAS fees. That wait could get close to an hour. All in all, the waiting really wasn't bad for getting those documents. The interview will be much worse. Charlie	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-05-28 16:30:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Well, it appears that the embassy never received our fax My fiance is going to go to the place where he sent the fax from and try to figure out what happened. Meanwhile, our (couriered) packet should have arrived at the embassy by now . . . so hopefully we will get an early July interview Now I'd like the vets' opinions on the photos that we will take going in to our interview: we have a couple of photos of the two of us together from when he was in the U.S, but there is nothing in the background that indicates where they were taken. We *do have a photograph of the two of us from my college graduation, where I'm in a cap and gown with my diploma. From graduation we also have a picture of me, him and my sister. Then we have a 3 or 4 pictures of the two of us together on our trip to Cartagena, and then the photos we had professionally taken in Bogota when we got engaged (2 of those, from the same place). But all told, it's only about 12 pictures. Is that going to be enough? I guess we could also take some pictures of me with his family and him, when we get there . . . it still doesn't seem like enough . . . other people are saying 25 - 30. I think the most we can scrape together is about 15. Based on what I've read here, if you have time to get at least a handful of shots with the two of you with his family, it would be a good idea. I'm guessing, from other comments here, that there is no "magic formula" that will guarantee success, but if you cover as many bases as you can and remain committed to each other, you will more than likely be successful.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-05-25 07:32:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Lucho: Yes, that's what it says....but the wording is confusing. As Jay says, you need only submit one I-134 (although keep a copy for yourself) along with a letter from your employer and copies of the tax return (including W-2). The form asks for one year of tax return, but I provided three. Seems there has been a lot of discussion about whether the Bogota embassy requires one or three years (sometimes the embassies have additional requirements). I tell everyone three, although it looks like they were satisfied to receive only one year from Jay. I just wanted to be safe. Mike I-134 The sponsor must submit in duplicate evidence of income and resources, as appropriate: Does the above mean..... Do I need to take two I-134 forms? Do I need to take duplicates of the supporting evidence? e.g. bank statements, tax transcripts. If so, can it be simply photocopies? thanks! I am providing transcripts for three years, also. I think that the idea of three years may actually come from the I-864 requirements (as part of the C1 or AOS process). But, it's better to have too much than not enough. At least it's there if they ask for it.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-05-24 17:20:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	This may seem like an odd question but most of you who have gone through the interview process already keep saying that you were in there for about 5-6 hours. Do they have any snack/eatery type of thing in there? I tried to picture the day of our interview and if I have to get up at 4AM to get there at 6AM I'll be starving by 10AM or so. I obviously haven't been there yet, but I believe the embassy's website says they have a snack area close by. (I'd be hungry long before 10!!! haha)	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-05-24 06:48:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Jay, Thank you once again. Anyone know how long will it take for us to know the date of our interview after we have sent packet 3? I would give them until Monday or Tuesday and then you can call the Visa Services number. I think I listed it a page or two back from here. If they don't have a date when you call, try the next day.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-05-23 18:42:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Buck, I'm in the same shoes as you. I cant seem to find a one way ticket cheaper than a round trip!!! What gives?!?!? That sucks. Any tips on how to acquire cheap 1 way tickets?? Buck and Lucho... The prices may have as much to do with where you are flying to as where you are flying from. I use expedia.com for booking flights and by far the cheapest one way flight from Bogota to Miami is through LAN (Chilean airline). They are almost a third less than anyone else. As with you, there are times when I check and a round-trip ticket is the same or less than one way, but not always. Frankly, there doesn't seem to be much method to the madness on ticket prices.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-05-23 15:05:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Jay, You wrote skip clips and binders. So you just brought the documents in a manila folder or something? Just one behind the other like a stack of papers right?? Also how did you present all the photos? Photo albums?? Lucho, I think someone mentioned that you can keep the photos in a plastic sleeve, but not in a binder. The reason being that you have to slide the papers and pictures through a narrow slot for the consul.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-05-22 20:50:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Great post, Jay. I know that your detailed description will put a lot of minds at rest (at least partially). Quite frankly, I hadn't given a thought to wearing a suit, but was going to take a tie and sports coat. However, now that I know what my wife is going to wear, it might be better if I wear a suit. Glad you brought that up!	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-05-22 17:50:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Oh I smell a get together in Bogotá. I asked my beautiful bride, and she would enjoy meeting you guys and your novias, tambien!	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-05-22 12:24:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	can people who have gone through this process please post your experiences with the doctors in bogota that conduct the exams, dra gonzalez and dr. roa. how long did it take from start to getting your results? 2, 3 days given the choice of the 2 docters, why did you choose one over the other? was it because of speed, availabilty, location, female doctor? i had read (i can't recall if it was in bogota or in other countries) how some male doctors have taken advantage of young women by asking them to strip naked where as the female doctors do not and conduct the exam with most or all of the clothes on. for that reason alone i was thinking of taking my wife to see la Dra gonzalez. gracias JK I haven't seen any specifically negative comments about the male doctor in Bogota, only that Dra. Gonzalez is "nice". Again, from comments seen here, it appears that the results are ready by the next day. Of course, I suppose that depends on how busy they are. We'll be finding out more about this part of the process in a couple of weeks, so I'll try to post something after I get back. I'll try posting here the day of the visit. Otherwise, it will be an overall post with all the other stuff from the embajada. The form I received ( pack. 4) list my fiancee and child the same as yours, with only my fiancee as the traveling applicant. So hopefully this is correct for both of us. TonyS Thanks for the "shout out" ! Looking forward to meeting you and your wife in person. Have a great time in Florida. Try to not get arrested in the airport Sounds like you guys might be there ahead of me, but I'll buy a drink for everyone if we find time to get together.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-05-22 12:01:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Wish I could shed some light on this question... I suspect things won't be as worrisome once you call the State Dept to see if they have any further information. Nevertheless, if the kids are listed for the interview, then assume all will be well since that information has been passed along previously. Curiously, I also received said Packet 4 in my mailbox today. When are you flying down? I'm flying down on May 31 and will be there until the 7th. Can't wait!!!	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-05-21 23:00:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	Here's something new.... at least it's new to me. In today's mail, I received a letter (in Spanish) from the embassy in Bogota, along with a photocopy of the packet 4 instructions (also in Spanish). The letter has me a bit puzzled, if not outright worried. It reads as follows (and pardon any typos): Estimado Charles H*** Esta oficina esta lista para iniciar los tramites finales sobre la solicitude de visa inmigrante de (de los) solicitante(s) que aparece(n) a continuacion en este expediente. Se ha concertado una cita para llevar a cabo la entrevista de solicitud de visa en la seccion de visas de inmigrante en la fecha que aparece al pie de la pagina. Se debe presentar esta carta al llegar a la oficina en el dia de la cita. Sirvase examina la informacion adjunta para obtener mayor informacion acerca del examen medico al que deben someterse todos los futuros inmigrantes. Asegurese de leer toda la informacion adjunta y seguir muy cuidadosamente las instrucciones contenidas en la misma. Al comunicarse con esta oficina, bien sea, por telefono or por carta, debera referirse siempre a su nombre y numero de expediente, tal y como aparecen al pie de la pagina. Atentamente, Jefe Seccion de visas de Inmigrante Under this it lists the date and time and case number. Then it lists my wife's name and the names of the two boys. But, under that, it says: Traveling Applicants: *my wife's name only*. Does this mean they are expecting my wife to travel if she gets the visa, but they expect the boys to come later? More importantly, does this matter at this point? Oddly enough, though it says you can call or write the consul if you have questions, a phone number is not listed anywhere in the packet.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-05-21 17:22:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club	can people who have gone through this process please post your experiences with the doctors in bogota that conduct the exams, dra gonzalez and dr. roa. how long did it take from start to getting your results? 2, 3 days given the choice of the 2 docters, why did you choose one over the other? was it because of speed, availabilty, location, female doctor? i had read (i can't recall if it was in bogota or in other countries) how some male doctors have taken advantage of young women by asking them to strip naked where as the female doctors do not and conduct the exam with most or all of the clothes on. for that reason alone i was thinking of taking my wife to see la Dra gonzalez. gracias JK I haven't seen any specifically negative comments about the male doctor in Bogota, only that Dra. Gonzalez is "nice". Again, from comments seen here, it appears that the results are ready by the next day. Of course, I suppose that depends on how busy they are. We'll be finding out more about this part of the process in a couple of weeks, so I'll try to post something after I get back.	parkpapa	Male	Colombia	2007-05-21 06:59:00