biggish data

QUOTE (jpcanon @ Aug 28 2009, 10:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey Ken,

Sounds like you'll be heading to the famed Embassy in October- best of luck to ya Ken!

Joe

Yes - by this Thursday, I am expecting an email from the Embassy - or at least to hear from Leidys with our confirmation email. "Pretty soon" is what I told my Mother this morning about the whole process. She is really happy about all of this as well.

-Ken

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-08-29 13:12:00

QUOTE (jpcanon @ Aug 28 2009, 06:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, let's roll!!!!! I am heading to Pereira next Thur. (LAX-Bogota-Pereira on wonderful Avianca) I may just extend my stopover in Bogota and storm the embassy

But seriously, thank you guys for thinkin' of me!

Joe

Joe -- I was totally thinking of you when I ran through the earlier posts on Colombia Club II, getting my Packet 3 together. Your questions were clearly written, helping me decide precisely which forms to email to the embassy late last night. Thanks! Also, your description of the Embassy, and the layout of Bogotá was also very helpful. I hope you have a great time in Pereira, later next week. Enjoy!

-Ken

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-08-29 00:21:00

QUOTE (Mr Twister @ Aug 28 2009, 08:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Ken y Leidys @ Aug 28 2009, 08:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Mr Twister @ Aug 28 2009, 10:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Ken y Leidys @ Aug 27 2009, 11:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have a fast question - DS 230 - pages 1 & 2 are all that are necessary along with DS2100? I was going to fax both parts of the DS-230, but it appears that it is not required.

Thanks,

Ken

This is on the US Bogota Embassy site - these are the instructions in Spanish for K1 http://spanish.bogot...ciones_temp.pdf
DS2100 = DS230 DS2100 English DS230 Spanish send that in with the OF-169. OF-169 is page 5 of the above link/document - its the page you need to fax in to let them know you are ready.

Thanks, Twister. Late last night, I emailed a short cover email/letter, Form DS-2100, Passport (Biographical page) of Beneficiary, and DS-230 Part 1 (pages 1 & 2). Now, it's just kick back 2 weeks, and wait to see where we are placed in October...Chevere.

Same here my friend but now that Football season has started the waiting is just a tiny bit easier

But not much...

Cool! You can watch the game...uninterrupted!

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-08-29 00:17:00

QUOTE (Mr Twister @ Aug 28 2009, 10:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Ken y Leidys @ Aug 27 2009, 11:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have a fast question - DS 230 - pages 1 & 2 are all that are necessary along with DS2100? I was going to fax both parts of the DS-230, but it appears that it is not required.

Thanks,

Ken

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-08-28 19:50:00

QUOTE (Ken y Leidys @ Aug 27 2009, 08:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have a fast question - DS 230 - pages 1 & 2 are all that are necessary along with DS2100? I was going to fax both parts of the DS-230, but it appears that it is not required.

Thanks,

Ken

Sorry for the redundancy. I reviewed the first month or two of this thread, and I was enlightened. Biographical page of Leidys' Passport, Part I of DS-230, DS-2100, and Fax Cover sheet did the job. Leidys will mail from her home to the embassy just in case the fax jammed up. Thanks Colombia Club II -- You guys/gals rock!

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-08-27 22:46:00

I have a fast question - DS 230 - pages 1 & 2 are all that are necessary along with DS2100? I was going to fax both parts of the DS-230, but it appears that it is not required.

Thanks,

Ken

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-08-27 22:31:00

QUOTE (Mr Twister @ Aug 27 2009, 04:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Ken y Leidys @ Aug 24 2009, 09:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Leidys has the DAS Certificate AND her Vaccines!! We're waiting for Packet 3 at the moment. I believe I can create a .PDF file or FAX everything to the Embassy myself... Another VJer is helping me compile things correctly so that I can get on the Interview list for October '09...

heads up...you really don't have to wait for packet 3. If the embassy has recieved your documents you can download what you need and send it in but just make sure what you fill out is the latest rev.
Read my post here http://www.visajourn...howtopic=215055

Thanks for the heads up. For Packets 3 and 4, this is the link I have been referring to:
http://www.visajourn...e...&cty=Bogota

I never heard of the OF-0169 you mentioned in your thread, but no worries. Thanks for your info.

I hope to Fax everything this evening.

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-08-27 19:51:00

QUOTE (caliboylost27 @ Aug 25 2009, 08:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wow thats crazy Ken, a sealed envelope that you cannot access to even check to see if the Embassy and NVC are going to recieve the proper documentation that they will need. Are you sure this is it? Im going to call the Embassy and NVC tomorrow..

This certificate is hand-delivered by the beneficary (and you) to the embassy as part of your packet of goodies to hand-in.

Leidys was told this by the personnel at the DAS, and specifically, "Do Not Open The Sealed Envelope." It should arrive within a few days for your wife.. Good going on the acceptance, amigo!

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-08-27 01:40:00

DS230 Question: Do I fill out two DS230s - 1 for Leidys, and 1 for me? OR Does the Consulate in Bogota want to receive only 1 DS230 - relating specifically to Leidys, my beneficiary??

The wording on the form appears they only want to receive by fax information as it pertains to the beneficiary and not the petitioner.

I'm confused and on stand-by, Colombia Club! The first Colombia Club member to nibble at this gets a Cafe Sella Rojo at the next Colombia Club meetup!

Muchisimas Gracias!!

-Ken

Edited by Ken y Leidys, 27 August 2009 - 01:37 AM.

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-08-27 01:36:00

QUOTE (Ken y Leidys @ Aug 25 2009, 06:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (caliboylost27 @ Aug 25 2009, 12:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Ken y Leidys @ Aug 25 2009, 01:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My next challenge will be for Leidys to fill out her DS 230, sign, and SCAN/SEND it to my email addy. Sound simple?

We'll see how this step in our VisaJourney goes when we discuss this tomorrow evening. Buenas noches, amigos!

-Ken

Hi Ken, was the DAS certificate in a booklet form or a one page certificate? Just wondering.. As for anything going on for us.. we are still waiting for our NOA2.

Straight from Leidys fingertips...

Desert Outlaw: y tu certificado...fue en un librito o era un certificado de solo 1 pagina?
Desert Outlaw: de DAS
leidys: es un sobre sellado
Desert Outlaw: una stampa?
leidys: dice sobre sellado para la embajada no abrir
leidys: mas o menos
leidys is typing a message.
leidys: es un cerificado en un sobre
Desert Outlaw: yo recuerdo esa descripcion que tu me dijistes como 4 veces....

Hope this helps...

-Ken

Translation: Leidys told me that this certificate arrived inside of an envelope that cannot be opened by anyone except the person at the Embassy. Very delicate form from what I am told. Printing something from the Internet could be changed, and I seriously doubt it would be accepted. Leidys had hers in 2 working days. Very fast, IMO.

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-08-25 22:14:00

QUOTE (caliboylost27 @ Aug 25 2009, 12:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Ken y Leidys @ Aug 25 2009, 01:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My next challenge will be for Leidys to fill out her DS 230, sign, and SCAN/SEND it to my email addy. Sound simple?

We'll see how this step in our VisaJourney goes when we discuss this tomorrow evening. Buenas noches, amigos!

-Ken

Hi Ken, was the DAS certificate in a booklet form or a one page certificate? Just wondering.. As for anything going on for us.. we are still waiting for our NOA2.

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-08-25 20:27:00

My next challenge will be for Leidys to fill out her DS 230, sign, and SCAN/SEND it to my email addy. Sound simple?

We'll see how this step in our VisaJourney goes when we discuss this tomorrow evening. Buenas noches, amigos!

-Ken

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-08-25 00:51:00

QUOTE (subguy812 @ Aug 24 2009, 09:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Ken y Leidys @ Aug 24 2009, 09:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes we faxed ours before we received the Packet 3 and were given our appointment early...

I think this is the route we will go...this weekend. I have a final exam in an on-line class I am taking, and I want Leidys and I to have our interview as soon as possible. Packet 3...Packet 3...Packet 3...Packet 3...

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-08-25 00:41:00

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-08-24 20:30:00

I came across the DS-2100 and DS-230 forms en Español.

DS-230 [http://spanish.bogot...dfs/ds_230.pdf]
DS-2100 [http://spanish.bogot...sakfeb2009.pdf]

Everything looks good...Thanks SubGuy, Maria, Hal, Joe, James, Mononoke...let's get this party started!

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-08-22 21:23:00

QUOTE (Mononoke28 @ Aug 20 2009, 10:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

James,

The DAS still gives out the booklet for the Certificado Judicial, I'm sure of that. It's also valid for a year so if she got hers less than a year form the date the NVC asks you for it, then you can send that one.

And yes, don't get me started with Avianca. They are NOTORIOUS for overbooking their flights and I cannot tell you how many times people have to fly stand by all the time because of this issue. I try to avoid having to fly on that airline as much as possible, they're HORRIBLE!

Diana

I just got off of the phone with Leidys. She told me that after receiving her Certificado Judicial which will be delivered to her from Bogota, it will be in a sealed envelope that cannot be opened. This will be carried along with her vaccine certificates to the interview - along with all of the other pruebas in our portfolio. She also mentioned how vaccine prices vary from doctor to doctor and how you can shop around for the best prices. This weekend, I'm going to work on the good 'ole shortcut. Leidys should have all of her required paperwork in hand by this time next week.

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-08-20 23:57:00

NVC shipped my paperwork yesterday to Bogotá - Case # is in-hand as we speak!! I'm going CD shopping to get ready... YEAH!

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-08-19 19:25:00

QUOTE (subguy812 @ Aug 14 2009, 03:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Ken y Leidys @ Aug 13 2009, 06:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Leidys was quoted $750K COP for vaccines in Barranquilla. What did everyone here pay recently? She is trying to find a lower price...

Ken,

You know I can't remember how much we paid because it was all very confusing near the end because so many things needed to be completed..but Alexandra got hers done in Cali and Dr. Roa wanted more and then again when she came to the states more...vaccinations appear to be an ongoing process. I don't know how old Leidys is, but the HPV is expensive if she has to have that. My advice is if she has to get the HPV and has time permitting between injections get all of those in Colombia they are much cheaper, they are about 175.00 here.

Thanks! We found out that in Bogotá, the prices are least expensive. She is close to turning 29, so the HPV vaccinations are not needed. We're waiting for Packet 3 to arrive, and hopefully, schedule our interview in early October. Many thanks again,

-Ken

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-08-17 23:08:00

Leidys was quoted $750K COP for vaccines in Barranquilla. What did everyone here pay recently? She is trying to find a lower price...

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-08-13 17:57:00

Okay, Colombia Club...

NOA 2 - 4th of August 2009!!
NOA 1 - 1st of May 2009!!

Things are moving steadily along!! Yippee!

Now, my SO is going for her DAS Certificado - 15 day turnaround from what she was told.
I haven't received my letter from the NVC, so I have been trying to call instead. The number has been busy, so I will just keep trying until I get our BGT #. But, thanks again for all of your support and help...

-Ken

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-08-12 11:52:00

That is a wonderful story about your approval, Orlando. I am happy for all 3 of you!

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-07-26 20:04:00

Buenos Dias todos Uds. I am traveling to Barranquilla soon, and I am waiting for my NOA2. Is there anything I can do to prepare and get things rolling more quickly while I am there visiting? My SO now has her passport and DAS. We are waiting patiently for our NOA2 and the list of instructions from Bogota once the NOA2 arrives. Thanks everybody,

Ken

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-07-13 09:57:00

QUOTE (SAVM @ Jun 22 2009, 12:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (HAL 9000 @ Jun 20 2009, 11:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There are free services that allot a certain amount of minutes per week to call Colombia. My wife uses it for calling my suegra. Can't remember the name right now though.

Ken, I'm not sure if you're interested only in plans to call Colombian cells (in which case, Orbitel's online pins seem cheap to me at $0.05/min after 6 pm), but fairly recently Skype started a plan where you can make unlimited calls to Colombian land lines for just under 6 bucks a month - flat rate. That's a steal in my book.

Skype sounds good to me. I spent $8 this week in calling cards so far.

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-06-25 22:06:00

QUOTE (HAL 9000 @ Jun 20 2009, 08:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There are free services that allot a certain amount of minutes per week to call Colombia. My wife uses it for calling my suegra. Can't remember the name right now though.

Hal, I will talk to Verizon about this and report back. It would provide us with a valuable resource - instant communication.

Let me know of the free services your wife uses?? Thanks, I appreciate it.

Ken

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-06-20 13:14:00

QUOTE (OskaryAndrea @ Jun 20 2009, 07:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If any of you live in an area with MetroPCS...check out this thread. I've had Metro here in Atlanta for 7 years and I love them...unlimited calling!!! Now they are expanding it to 100 countries for $5 a month. My friend called me yesterday to tell me and I called and had it added on. The calls are for LAND LINES ONLY. but its a great deal anyhow.

http://www.metropcs.com/

That is the best deal. I spend between $5-$10 per week on calling cards.

I thought last night about adding on a second line through Verizon, and then delivering the phone to Leidys in Barranquilla in 3 weeks. Then, I could call that line for free (I think). Since I received free calls to my cell from the US whenever I was in Barranquilla.

Any ideas on this? Gracias,

Ken

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-06-20 09:25:00

Felicidades, Pat!

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-06-13 09:19:00

QUOTE (Ken y Onelis @ Mar 4 2009, 07:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

New American Embassy Opening in Cartegena de las indias in 2010

Leidys told me this morning that this embassy will be processing visas for Americans. The office unfortunately, does not open until 2010.

Cartagena tiene una Oficina de EU
El embajador de Estados Unidos en Colombia, William Brownfield, y la vicecanciller de Colombia, Clemencia Forero, inauguraron la Oficina de la Embajada Norteamericana en Cartagena, que partir de 2010 se convertirá en consulado y facilitará el trámite de visas para ingresar a ese país.

Question: Leidys told me on the phone last night that the Cartegena U.S. Embassy is open and processing apps. Is this true??? This would be much more convenient than traveling to Bogota. I just mailed out my K-1 one week ago. What are my chances that we will have our interview in Cartegena versus Bogota???

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-04-26 18:33:00

QUOTE (MR&MRSWILDTXS @ Mar 10 2009, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

HOLA AMIGOS SOY COLOMBIANA , MI NOVIO DE TEXAS. NOS ENCANTA ESTAR EN ESTE WEBSITE. NOS CASAREMOS PRONTO Y ME GUSTARIA QUE NOS AYUDARAN CON LO QUE DEBEMOS CONTINUAR DESPUES DE CASADOS PARA CONSEGUIR LA VISA CR1 O K1 . NO SE SI ES LA MISMA VISA.
QUE BUENO SABER QUE AQUI SE ENCUENTRAN RESPUESTAS A TANTAS PREGUNTAS.. UN SALUDO GRANDE.

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-03-11 21:36:00

QUOTE (Mononoke28 @ Mar 3 2009, 08:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

For her visa she will need the TD, MMR and varicella vaccines. If she's under 26 years of age, she will need to get the HPV vaccines for her AOS. So it's a good idea to get this last vaccine in Colombia, have the approval of it by the doctor there than get it here and pay another doctor to approve it.

Diana

Diana,

Thank you for taking the time to alert us to this information. You Rock!

New American Embassy Opening in Cartegena de las indias in 2010

Edited by Ken y Onelis, 04 March 2009 - 09:35 AM.

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-03-04 09:34:00

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-03-02 23:15:00

Leidys is on the phone, and she is asking me, "What vaccines do I need to get for my medical?" What should I tell her? Thanks for your quick reply. COLOMBIA CLUB II ROCKS!!

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2009-03-02 23:13:00

Bogota Embsssy Vaccines?

Thanks for answering but that list is of little help....I'm aware of the list on page 7 but that information does not reflect what the DR's are currently requiring.

Thanks for the help....

So, go and have your Fiance get her vaccinations. Its no big deal.

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2011-06-27 18:40:00

Bogota Embsssy Vaccines?

Can any recent vistors to the U.S. Embassy in Bogota tell me what Vaccines they asked you for when your (fiance/fiancee or loved one) went for their medical appointment. Past posts indicate there were four main vaccines that the Dr's were looking for. Just looking for people who know for sure and have been up their recently.

I know the Laboratory/Clinic offices haven't changed since my Wife and I were in Bogota in '09! :thumbs:

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2011-06-27 00:55:00

evidence of ongoing relationship

At my Consular interview in Bogota, I was asked for the items to be passed through the slot at the particular window I interviewed at (with my now Wife). A large photo album will not fit through a 10" by 3.5" slot. Just keep that in mind, and organize your proof of an on-going relationship as such. Photos showing family members interacting and in love are very beneficial - as are plane ticket boarding passes, phone records, etc. Good luck with everything.

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2011-10-12 23:51:00

Hey guys! How's everyone doing!!

Diana! Congrats on the U.S Citizenship! That is so awesome!!

Ditto. Good for you, Diana! We're proud of you! :thumbs:

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2011-10-23 20:09:00

I'm so glad you got this information! I just signed up and have chosen where to pick up passport. I chose Salitre, it's the closest one to the embassy, I believe. I hope I didn't pick the one that is the slowest/messiest/the one that loses the most amount of things. We need yelp or something similar.

Without traffic, Plaza Salitre is about 5-7 minutes from the Embassy. Good luck with everything.

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2011-10-19 23:34:00

Why is it bad?

Is it the conflicting data that concerns you? If so, send a corrected LOI, and if the question comes up, be honest... jast tell them if asked, it was a mistake, the other forms show the correct data.. the point is of the letter of intent is to affirm your intent to marry within the 90 days...

Kenny

Kenny - I couldn't see spending upwards of $1,500.00 to have a K-1 filed incorrectly. UGH! :bonk:

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2011-10-17 18:31:00

Overall, the changes I see are positive, but on the downside I have no "cookbook" to follow with the from the experiences of others.

I need to read through it again, and hopefully have enough confidence tomorrow to create the embassy account, pay for the interview, and schedule the date.

Any insight is appreciated.

Andy

Andy - My Master's Degree work was just like this. Just break it all down in order of importance, and knock each task out individually. Don't worry about there being a cookbook - just ask your Fiance to help figure out the tasks, since all of the above is explained to the beneficiary - right down to the interview process at the US Embassy. You have to have faith in your other half that she will be organized and make the right decisions in order to get your Visa approved. :thumbs:

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2011-10-13 22:10:00

Where in Barranquilla did she get the vaccines?

My wife said, "En la Cruz Roja (donde es mas costoso), o cualquier centro de vacuñacion". She had private Nurse take care of her vaccinations.

Ken y Leidys

Male

Colombia

2011-10-13 22:05:00