ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CaribbeanTranslation of official documents

Yes I actually know exactly what you have to do.
1. First you need to have to documents translated by an official translator. There are quite a few to choose from. However I will give you the one we used.
Mario Duran Quesada (Offical Authorized Translator):
506-2233-6420 (this is his phone number)
zeusmad090@gmail.com (this is his email)
His building is located right down the street from "la casa amarilla"
2. Second you take the orginal documents plus the translated documents over to "la casa amarilla" located in San Jose. If you ask a taxi where to go, they know exactly how to get there.
Once you arrive at "la casa amarilla" you must buy the stamps out front from the guy .they call them "los timbres". Once you have the stamps. Go in, take a number, and wait.
A couple things I need to add as advice. Be there when they open. After about 9:30 or so they start getting really busy and you will end up being there all day. Also, if you can't find the translators office; the guy standing outside of "la case amarilla" or the yellow house knows where it is and he will walk you there if you ask him. Make sure to tip him.
Hope this helps and hope my response is not too late.


Thank you for posting this, it is extremely helpful!!! I was wondering about how long it took for them to do the translations? We are getting everything ready right now and it would be helpful to have an idea so that we can plan his trip to San Jose accordingly.
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-06 02:31:00
CaribbeanShould I attend the interview with my fiance?
We were approved!!!!! This site has been unbelievably helpful!!! A big thank you goes out to everyone! :)
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-30 01:36:00
CaribbeanShould I attend the interview with my fiance?
Will do! Thanks for the support! :)
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-24 10:58:00
CaribbeanShould I attend the interview with my fiance?
I booked my flight out... While Costa Rica doesn't require the petitioner to be present for the interview this is too important of a step for me to miss it. I guess there is no price on peace of mind. :)
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-23 16:04:00
CaribbeanShould I attend the interview with my fiance?

You'll need help from people going through Costa Rica for this one.

I'll tell you what... let's leave it here a little longer and if you want me to move it back to the main forum, PM me and I'll do it.

In the meantime, I suggest 3 things:

1) Contact the Embassy and ask if your presence is required.

2) Click on the Costa Rica flag under your name to reach the Costa Rica portal and see other profiles of members going through the consulate.

3) Read the consulate reviews to see if other people had a similar scenario


Thanks, I have done all that already so at least I guess I am on the right track for knowledge. ;) Thank you for the suggestions though...
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-18 21:25:00
CaribbeanShould I attend the interview with my fiance?

I went to my interview alone and I passed the interview. Lots of people went alone as well as it's not always possible for the petitioner to be in the interview. Will it help if you're there? Probably. But doesn't seem to be a big deal either when you're not. Better work on proof of relationship like you have a child together, pictures, money transfers, phone bills showing you called each other, chat logs.


Thank you so much for your response! I have loads of proof of relationship... I will hope that is enough.

**Moved from K1 to the Regional forums. Every consulate has different rules when it comes to the USC attending the interview and the question can be better addressed by other members from Costa Rica.

No one from Costa Rica ever responds... To any questions so far. Thanks anyways.
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-18 09:11:00
CaribbeanShould I attend the interview with my fiance?
I want to go to the interview with my fiance, but I am caring for our son in the US right now and it is hard for me to make the trip to Costa Rica for the interview. Has anyone heard anything negative about the petitioner not going to the interview with fiance? I would hate to make it this far and be denied because of something like that. I know Costa Rica allows the couple to enter together and will interview both if they are both present.

I guess I just want to know if I am making a stupid decision by not going... It is extremely hard with my family situation and financially for me but I would do it if I knew it would make a big difference.

Thanks for any advice.
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-18 02:22:00
Mexico, Latin & South AmericaSingle certificate in Costa Rcia
Hello all,

I am a little confused about the single certificate in Costa Rica. My fiance got his divorce decree and on that it states that he is single and able to be married. He thinks that this means he doesn't need the single certificate, yet from what I have read here on VJ that doesn't look to be the case. Does anyone here have firsthand knowledge of this issue? If we do need to get a single certificate, is it gotten from the Registro Civil?

While I am at the questions, does anyone know if all documents that we get from Costa Rica will need to be certified at Casa Amarillo also?

From what I have read the documents do not need to be translated since the staff at the Embassy are all bilingual, is this correct?

Thanks for the help! I am suddenly getting really nervous as the we get closer to interview time. :)
P.S. I would put this in a Costa Rica forum if I knew how, I am looking for pretty specific answers.
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-01 01:57:00
Mexico, Latin & South AmericaDivorce Decree/Costa Rican wife

My name is Sean,

This is my first time posting on the VJ forum.


My wife is a Costa Rica citizen. She and I are just about prepared with all of our
documents, so that I can send the I-130 petition.

We have one question and I'm not certain of the answer.

My wife obtained a single certificate of divorce from the Costa Rican Civil Registars office (Registro Civil).
I was under the impression, that document, along with the proper signatures and notaries would be suficient to
send with the I-130. I have recently found that I might need my wife's full Divorce Decree,(13 pages) translated and certified in order for the petition to be accepted.

Also I was told by the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica, that we are required to obtain notaries for my wife's Costa Rican
birth certificate, her son's and our Costa Rican marriage document in order to start the I-130 petition process.
At $50 each I would like to avoid if possible.

I welcome and appreciate any and all advice.

Hi Sean,

Have you received any news yet from USCIS on your wife's visa process? We are in the process of getting all our documents ready for the interview. What I wanted to find out was if you ever got an answer to your question on whether the forms were required to be notarized? Did you end up having to have them done through Casa Amarilla?
I have, as I am sure you did, been reading through the old posts in the Portal for Costa Rica and came across a couple of opposing statements. I thought we might be able to help each other since we are both going through the process at the same time, albeit different visas. Best of luck!

BTW, we only used the one page divorce decree that they print out(it was translated but not certified except with los timbres) and had no problems... I am curious why they would require the WHOLE divorce decree. :(
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-01 01:09:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanQuestion On Cost Of Envelope Delivery
Now that is luck!! You are on definitely on the right road if things are going your way that much. :)
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-06 21:29:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanQuestion On Cost Of Envelope Delivery
I have used UPS 2nd day delivery from USA to Costa Rica in the past and it cost me $65 and arrived safe and sound. I am currently prepping my packet 3 for my fiance and am planning on using UPS once again. It will depend on where you are sending the documents and the weight but it might be worth looking into. I am sure you could check online. Good luck!
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-05 21:04:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)weee my visa is approved..
Congratulations! So exciting to get that feeling!
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-10-04 23:43:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionInterview documents
When we had our interview in CR they already had all the papers we had submitted. The process is notorious for losing paperwork so you may want to submit copies from here forward and keep the originals until you have the interviews. For now though, just focus on other ways of proving relationship. Costa Rica isn't one of the most difficult countries, but you will need a lot of what you submit now later on as well and it is always best to keep originals and have copies to hand over should you need to.
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-12-08 01:32:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 with DUI

I would love to hear how it goes for both of you!  I am hoping to get everything in order soon, last things we need are the letters of affidavit from friends.


MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2014-10-19 16:23:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 with DUI

I am going through the same thing with my husband's DUI currently.  We are filing on November 22 and I would be very interested in hearing what someone who has been through this before has to say.

 

I was in the courthouse a week ago and the woman charged me $25 for 9 pages. 1st page is ther certification of the document, 2nd and 3rd are the charges "Criminal Complaint", 4th and 5th are the enrollment notice for his alcohol program he must attend and "Proof of Enrollment Certificate", 6th and 7th are the "Minute Order" with the particulars of who was involved with the hearing and the plea and sentence, 8th and 9th are the "Order of Probation.

 

I told her specifically what the documents were needed for and she told me that this is what they typically needed for immigration purposes.


MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2014-10-17 20:46:00
Philippineswhat is next after the marriage?
Congratulations on the upcoming wedding! The next step will be the adjustment of status for the visa holder. Here is a link to the guide that will walk you through it:
http://www.visajourn...content/k1k3aos

There are some really helpful guides on here also such as:
http://www.visajourn...e-after-k1-poe/

Good luck!
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-11-19 21:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAPPROVEDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!
Congratulations! That is wonderful!
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-24 22:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsProof of ongoing relationship...
Sounds like you have it covered. Just remember that they won't even probably take half of what you have. Pick out what you find most important. You can bring all of it, but chances are they won't even look at most of it. Good luck at your interview!!!!

Edited by MichonandRuben, 30 September 2012 - 01:54 PM.

MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-30 13:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMedical Examination in San Jose / Results time delay???

If you don't have proof of having them all, then they will give them to you at the doctor's visit.  Whether you choose to get them before and have the documented proof for your doctors visit or have the doctor do them at the time of the visit is up to you.  It may be cheaper to get them ahead of time if you can.  My husband did his at the doctor's visit and it worked out just fine.  Be sure to get the copy of the form that he uses so that you don't have to go to the doctor again in the USA if you are doing a fiance visa.  That form is proof that you have done the medical within the last year.


MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2014-04-01 11:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSworn Affidavits of bonafide marriage BEFORE marriage
I also recently went through the K1 visa process and would suggest that if you really want to get the letters, do not bother getting them notarized as it is not required. Just have your parents talk about meeting him and that he is part of the family and that they like him and accept him as part of the family already. You don't really need too much in the letters, especially with the fact that you two have already lived together.

Being prepared is most important, and it sounds like you are already one step ahead of what you need to have.

Good luck!
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-11-02 12:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhere is my address (for G-325a) abroad or USA?
I was living in the USA at the time and received all the mail regarding this process here, so that wasn't a concern for me. You may be able to file using a parent's address in the USA so that if you do receive mail you can have them scan it and send it to you...
The other thing I would say is that you should definitely fill out the G-1145 and attach it to your packet so that you receive the notifications through your email as well when anything happens. There is website that you can use to check the status of your petition:
https://egov.uscis.g...rd/ProcTimes.do

I hope that helps a little bit. I too do not trust receiving mail at all in CR. The embassy trusts the mail system in that country so little that they ask you to pick up your packet 3 at the embassy instead of mailing it out to you, for what it's worth.
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-12-06 22:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhere is my address (for G-325a) abroad or USA?
Hi Lucybelle! I would use your addresses abroad as you two are living together and since you have filed for residency there, as long as you have receipt that you filed, you are legally residing in CR currently. I lived there for 2.5 years and listed every single residence that we resided at since that is what they ask for (I believe they only ask for residence of 3 months or longer). Having the same residence history will work in your favor since it shows a lasting relationship.

Good luck!
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-12-06 00:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIncome Qualification/I-134 Question

Hello All,

Firstly, I apologize for the repetitive nature of my question but I just need clarification on a couple items regarding income requirements and filling out the I-134 Form. My fiancee (from the Philippines) and I (from the US) received our NOA2 a little over a week ago and are waiting on our MNL number now. I have all the required documents pretty much prepared to send to her but have a couple questions:

1) Will my annual income of $39,000 (before taxes) be sufficient to get my fiancee approved for her Visa? I only have about $2000 in the bank (about $1200 in savings. $800 in checking) and no additional assets (property, etc). I know about the income poverty guidelines but just want to be sure I make enough.
2) If my income is enough, should I still include my banking information on the I-134 Form?

Thanks in advance for your help/responses.

-Dos


Yes, is the answer to your question. I am in a very similar situation but I have a family of 3 and less income. If you will only be supporting a family of 2 (yourself and your fiance) then your would need to make above $18,387 which is 125% of the poverty line. You will be fine with your income. Just be sure to follow all the directions and supply all necessary forms.
Submit in duplicate evidence of income and resources, as appropriate:
A. Statement from an officer of the bank or other financial institutions with deposits, identifying the following details regarding the account:
1. Date account opened; Supporting Evidence
2. Total amount deposited for the past year; and
3. Present balance.
B. Statement(s) of your employer on business stationery showing:
1. Date and nature of employment;
2. Salary paid; and
3. Whether the position is temporary or permanent.
C. If self-employed:
1. Copy of last income tax return filed; or
2. Report of commercial rating concern.
D. List containing serial numbers and denominations of bonds
and name of record owner(s).

Good luck!

Edited by MichonandRuben, 25 August 2012 - 11:53 PM.

MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-08-25 23:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRFE Question - Anyone been through this?
I found this in some of the older Costa Rica topics and thought it would be more relevant for you:
I got the checklist past week and I have a questions about the official documents, it says I do have to translate all the official documents, in Costa Rica "La casa amarilla" is the one that translate those documents, does someone has any experience???

1. First you need to have to documents translated by an official translator. There are quite a few to choose from. However I will give you the one we used.
Mario Duran Quesada (Offical Authorized Translator):
506-2233-6420 (this is his phone number)
zeusmad090@gmail.com (this is his email)
His building is located right down the street from "la casa amarilla"
2. Second you take the orginal documents plus the translated documents over to "la casa amarilla" located in San Jose. If you ask a taxi where to go, they know exactly how to get there.
Once you arrive at "la casa amarilla" you must buy the stamps out front from the guy .they call them "los timbres". Once you have the stamps. Go in, take a number, and wait.
A couple things I need to add as advice. Be there when they open. After about 9:30 or so they start getting really busy and you will end up being there all day. Also, if you can't find the translators office; the guy standing outside of "la case amarilla" or the yellow house knows where it is and he will walk you there if you ask him. Make sure to tip him.
Hope this helps and hope my response is not too late.
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-08-27 10:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRFE Question - Anyone been through this?

Just got an RFE for my fiancees divorce decree. We included the original "short" form in Spanish, but need the long one translated. Does anyone have any information about using "certified" translators? I am really nervous about responding to the RFE and getting it wrong.

Thanks!


I went ahead and sent you the information that I have on a translator in San Jose, Costa Rica that I used before for my residency there. I have been using a lawyer this time around, so he has taken care of translating documents for the visa process here in the USA.
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-08-24 11:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRequired Vaccines for mid-20s male

at_long_last-- make sure you're getting the vaccines you need! it's likely that by trying get everything on this list, you're paying too much $$ and unduly stressing your body out. if I understand it right, you should only need vaccines as required by this chart:

http://www.cdc.gov/i...tions.html#tbl1

(joventud3 pasted it above, but the link was broken.)

it couldn't be a more useful link, as long as it universally applies to immigration. it matches what worth_the_wait posted as well.


Thank you for posting that! The link is a life saver. Great stuff to have an idea about heading into the Dr. appointments.
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-01 03:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLetters for k-1 visa petition
The letter was along the lines of:

To Whom it May Concern:

We are writing this letter to inform you that we would like to welcome (fiance's name) into our family. Our daughter started dating him in (date) and he is the father to our grandson (insert name, age, date of birth). We have spoken to him over the phone multiple times and finally met him in person when we visited Costa Rica in (month and year) and were able to welcome him into our family. I traveled again to Costa Rica in (insert month and year) to visit with our family, which includes (fiance's name).

We are hoping you will allow (fiance's name) to move here to the United States to be with our daughter. (Followed by more personal details, no more than two more sentences.)

Sincerely yours,


I hope this helps you. The letters were pretty basic and to the point. Just stating that my parents and my fiance had met each other, when and how they felt about him being part of the family. My fiance and myself also wrote similar letters stating when we started dating and dates of prominent family events that we experienced as well as our wish to be together. Nothing was sappy and was very basic and to the point, also stated in letters that we intended to marry within 90 days of his entry to the USA.

I hope this helps, and Good luck!!

Edited by MichonandRuben, 05 September 2012 - 02:31 AM.

MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-05 02:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLetters for k-1 visa petition

Should I have my family and friends sign letters saying my relationship is legitimate, and put them together in the K-1 Visa package? If so does anyone have any examples that I can see?

Thanks


My lawyer had both my parents and my fiance's parents write letters that we had met and they had seen us as a family and that they accepted the other person into the family. The letters are best when written from the heart, they can state when they met them and what they think and feel about the relationship. He said it would help strengthen the relationship in the eyes of the outsider reading our paperwork. I hope this helps!
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-02 23:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresi-134 and supporting documents question
Thanks everyone!
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-16 18:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresi-134 and supporting documents question
Yikes, we got the interview letter and it does mention the taxes. Looks like I will have to send them to my fiance.

Do I have to make copies of every page or just certain ones? How does this work? Will they need originals or are copies enough for something like this?

Thanks again!
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-06 21:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresi-134 and supporting documents question

The US Embassy in Costa Rica asks for Form I-134 – include job letter, earnings statement, and letter from bank. So you should be ok with not including any tax returns. The documents are country specific. Look at this link for more detailed information:

http://www.visajourn....php?ctry=Costa Rica&cty=San Jose


Thanks for the suggestion, I have been following that in this process so far, but I didn't see my question addressed and that is why I put it out there... I was pretty sure I didn't need them but saw a few posters that talked about including them so I just wanted to be on the safe side. I would rather have too much than not enough. :)
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-05 23:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresi-134 and supporting documents question
Hello,

I am trying get everything ready for our interview and have seen people talking about turning in tax returns with your i-134. I have a couple of questions because I would rather not turn in my tax returns if I don't have to, and never made enough until this year to support my fiance anyways.

I am not self-employed so do I need to include copies of my tax returns? I have included a letter from my employer, a letter from my bank, paychecks for the last 6 months and bank statements for the last 3 months.

Am I missing anything for the i-134?

I appreciate any help you can give.
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-05 21:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGlossy OR Matte ?
We did a collage on two pages that had 6 to 8 photos per page. Plain paper, black and white ink settings. Nothing nearly as fancy as all that...
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-19 06:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProblems with loading DS 156

Have anyone experienced that recently? I did a search and I can see it happened a lot in the past but I am a bit panicking now, my interview is on Monday and I cannot load DS 156 form... I tried every possible browser etc... Any ideas what else can I do? Time is ticking ... :(


What kind of computer are you using, and what kind of web browser? I had trouble using Firefox and had the best luck with google chrome. Be sure that you have all versions of adobe reader up to date. When it came to opening DS156, I had to load it from the link at the bottom of the page though.

URL: http://evisaforms.st...gov/default.asp

Scroll to the bottom of the page for the URL listed above and you will see this with live links:

"Available e-Forms:

Nonimmigrant Visa Applications

DS-160 Online: New Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Use this form if you are applying for any nonimmigrant visa category, except for a K visa.)
DS-156: Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Use this form if you are applying for a K visa.)
DS-1648 Online: New Application for A, G, or NATO Visa (For Applicants Applying in the U.S. Only)"



Try this link, what if anything happens?
https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asp

I hope this helps!
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-19 06:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTiter Testing in Costa Rica
Thought I would share that I discovered Costa Rica is one of the countries that requires the k1 visa petitioner to obtain all the required vaccines prior to the interview and entering the US. Hope this helps someone else going through the same thing.
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-23 17:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTiter Testing in Costa Rica

Just as an FYI, vaccinations are optional for the K1 visa though you will need them for AOS.



Thanks, I did read that. However, I would prefer to save myself a lot of money by taking care of this through his public healthcare system rather than here in the USA where our medical care fees are through the roof. ;) It will lessen the headache later.

Edited by MichonandRuben, 27 August 2012 - 11:16 AM.

MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-08-27 11:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTiter Testing in Costa Rica
We are at that point that it seems so many others have come to in Costa Rica, where we need to get a history of vaccines and it is full of holes. My fiance moved around so much when he was a kid that it will be impossible to get an accurate list. He is contemplating just getting them done over but I wanted to ask and find out if anyone has been successful in getting a titer test done in Costa Rica? I read back through older discussions and it seemed that they were never able to get the test done in that country... anyone out there have any luck with it?

Suggestions other that just redoing all his vaccines?

He has already gone into the public clinic and spoken with the nurse that gives the shots and knows he will need certain ones that they were not giving at the time he was a child, but any help from someone who has experienced this first hand would be helpful. FYI - We are going to get all the required vaccines done through the public system before making a doctors appointment so as to save ourselves that expense. :)

Thanks!
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-08-27 10:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDS-156 problem
Have you tried using a different browser? Google Chrome, Safari, something other than your usual?
Have you tried clearing your cookies?
Make sure your version of Adobe is up to date and you are running on the latest.
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-30 10:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures129-F photo assortment?

Hello, this may be a silly question to some (and maybe all) but indecisiveness got the best of me
I am assembling my 129-F petition and I have quite a few photos included in my petition
Does the way you order your photos make things any easier on the adjudicator?
I just want to show the trips sorted in an efficient manner so I am deciding between ordering them chronologically/by events or sections such as only photos of my fiance and I and then a section only with family.

What do you think?
Doesn't matter?
Sections?
Chronologically?
Up to your own discretion?


Thanks in advance.


It doesn't make a difference. Just include photos of yourselves together, I included one with his mother and one with my father also. I did a collage on one page of 9 photos and wrote at the bottom that they were "photos of" and our names. You could include the places and dates for each photo if you wish but I don't see that making much of a difference. They just want you to show them that you two are in a relationship together and can prove it.
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-09-30 10:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWe got Approved for k1
Congratulations!
MichonandRubenFemaleCosta Rica2012-10-03 22:18:00