Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (Mononoke28 @ Oct 19 2009, 11:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Ken y Leidys @ Oct 18 2009, 07:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> The front seat of my Rubicon was too small to sleep on, so I curled up on the back seat for seven hours! I have a Jeep Wrangler Sahara and I cannot even fathom the thought of sleeping in the back seat for even an hour. There's just no room! You should give it a try...I'm living proof that it can be done!	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-10-19 19:49:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (HAL 9000 @ Oct 18 2009, 04:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Sorry if I didn't catch it Ken, but when are you two reuniting stateside?? Monday, November 23rd. That's a long way off, so here's how I kept myself busy this weekend... My good friend Victor and I traveled a local desert park in one of the southernmost regions in Southern California. Victor is still a rocker! haha A local desert creature out for an evening stroll The front seat of my Rubicon was too small to sleep on, so I curled up on the back seat for seven hours!	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-10-18 20:32:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Twister and I are both waiting for our K-1 Visa's to appear in our respective fiancée's hands. I hear this can take 2 weeks or possibly more!	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-10-16 19:47:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (Mononoke28 @ Oct 13 2009, 10:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> LOL! I remember those freaking stairs perfectly. I had to sit on them for like 2 hours while my husband was getting probed. Diana QUOTE (HAL 9000 @ Oct 13 2009, 12:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Ken y Leidys @ Oct 12 2009, 11:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Mononoke28 @ Oct 12 2009, 11:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ken thanks for posting those pics of Leidys, I feel like I'm back in the apartment once again. Diana How's this for memory lane? The Laboratory Clinic! Leidys standing at the Instituto y Laboratorio Clinico Calle 38 # 8-28, Local 1 Bogota Did you get to enter or did they see your gringo face and say no gringos allowed? LOL Congrats homeboy. A woman walked the line, and the family members had to stand to one side while the actual patient handed in their pruebas and passports. Everyone was told to wait outside while the patients were seen indoors. A nice cafe was downstairs where one parent waited, and I decided to walk the city a little and take some photographs. It feels like I was there yesterday...	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-10-13 23:02:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (Mononoke28 @ Oct 12 2009, 11:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ken thanks for posting those pics of Leidys, I feel like I'm back in the apartment once again. Diana How's this for memory lane? The Laboratory Clinic! Leidys standing at the Instituto y Laboratorio Clinico Calle 38 # 8-28, Local 1 Bogota	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-10-12 23:15:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (caliboylost27 @ Oct 11 2009, 11:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Awesome Ken awesome.. We are stillllllllllll waitingggggggggg for the NVC to finish the CR1 case.. I hope they finish this soon because i need to confirm that the Embassy will be able to change the K3 interview date to a CR1 interview instead arrggaagg. That must be real frustrating, waiting around for this to all happen, with your impending departure for South Korea. How long will you be there? I hope to meet you and Adriana either on your way there, or when you return if you make it through Southern CA. Buena suerte, amigo.	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-10-12 08:57:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (Mr Twister @ Oct 11 2009, 04:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ken, congrtas on your approval - ours was on the 8th and it went pretty much the same as yours but the only difference is that they did not ask for any evidence at all. CHECK THIS OUT - The 8th was our interview and my birthday so my baby decided to hire a trio to seranade me with love songs and happy birthday..... P.S. can you please let me know when you recieve the visa so I can have an idea of when we might recieve ours Happy Birthday, Twister! No evidence? I guess you paid for it in airline miles.LOL I spoke with Leidys last night about using her tracking number to find out when our visa might arrive. I will be calling her again tomorrow evening, so maybe by then, the visa will leave the U.S. Embassy. Hmmm. We'll see... I spent the weekend with my friends at the Off-Road Expo. Just spending time with them, answering questions about the U.S. Embassy interview, when I'm getting married, how things went with Leidys, etc. Here is a photo of the guys I hang with.	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-10-11 21:44:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Across the street from the U.S. Embassy stands this very cool restaurant - La Cabaña Del Sheriff (The Sheriff's Cabin). Inside, it smelled like a cabin - Mesquite had the entire restaurant smelling like a cowboy's campfire, and the food was just as good as what you get in the old west. After your interview, this would be a great place to visit! http://www.cabanadelsheriff.com	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-10-10 18:30:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (subguy812 @ Oct 10 2009, 04:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ken, Congratulations!! Troy Muchas Gracias, Troy! It was a long week, but it is finally/already Saturday! Time for a beer..	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-10-10 18:24:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (CristianAmour @ Oct 9 2009, 06:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Ken y Leidys @ Oct 9 2009, 08:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ...and off to lunch to celebrate. Congratulations again, and again. I'm actually pretty happy for you guys! Hope we get there soooooooon!! What was your NOA1 date???	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-10-09 22:21:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (jimboy @ Oct 8 2009, 01:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> My fiancee's interview is October 22nd (still haven't gotten the actual appointment letter) so we are all anxiously awaiting your report of the interview. Your "story" has been very interesting, and only the best for you and Leidy in the future. Where to start? Diana, thank you for info on Saltre Plaza and the Exito there. Leidys and I realized it was the closest place for us to shop. We hired a taxi on Monday to take us up the street to an Olympica in a nearby, but seedy section of Bogota where we bought some essentials to carry us through Thursday. We ended up not needing most of that food, and just giving it away to a friend of a friend as Leidys and I had so much to carry home to our respective destinations. We were told to line up outside of the Embassy at line #3. We were then told to remove our jackets, belts, cell phones and PDAs, etc. From there, we entered into an airport/TSA-style inspection station where we were carefully searched. With Passports and Letters of Invitation in our hands, we breezed through and walked to the far-side of the grounds where a small circular table was set up for us to file our requested items in a large manila folder (or "Carpeta" in Spanish). Inside of this manila folder, was a list of instructions, and an order of the forms which we needed to have placed inside. Once this was complete, Leidys was called to another window where she handed this Carpeta to the person on the other side of the window. Realize, that you will be sitting outside in a covered tent parking-lot with steel-wire chairs - you're not inside of a carpeted, climate-controlled building as I had pictured. After Leidys handed her folder to the receptionist behind the bullet-proof window (movie theatre style w/steel prison phone to speak to the person), we were asked to sit directly on the other side of the parking lot nearest window #2 for our actual CO Interview. A receptionist sitting on a stool called Leidys up to have her finger prints taken and a nice gentleman was behind her, inside of the building, watching our movements and studying our body language. I spotted him looking us over for easily 10 minutes while he was speaking to a woman beside him about something. It was obvious that with our arms around each other, talking attentively to each other in a loving manner that we were a legitimate couple. But, this was not actually confirmed until our "Pruebas" were given to him, containing so many photographs, love letters, telephone calling card recepts, etc. were slid under the bullet-proof glass. Leidys was not asked a single question, but after giving my oath to tell the truth, I was asked a battery of questions regarding my accent (which he thought sounded as if it was from the Bahamas or Trinidad) while he examined my Birth Certificate from Southern California, dates that we met, dates of my dissolution of my prior K-1 with Onelis Pinedo, and so forth. As I was asked the specific date that we met, my eyes were being studied as if under a microscope. I was asked specific details regarding our first date, why I broke up with Onelis, did I feel I did a sufficient job in closing my K-1 case with her, and how I found Leidys to be special to me. I watched in surprise as ALL OF OUR PHOTOGRAPHS AND PROOFS WERE KEPT AND NOT GIVEN BACK TO US. These items contained a significant sentimental value to each of us, but they were no longer in our possession. We could have requested black and white photocopies of these items, but Xerox copies aren't quite the same. After we were told a 2nd time that we were APPROVED (I misinterpreted the CO's words and nearly freaked out in public), we walked to the center of the parking-lot, 1,000 person steel chair, waiting area to the Diomesa building (VISA ACCEPTED), and paid our 56,000 COP K-1 Visa shipping charge, and at 11:20 a.m., we were on our way back to the apartment/hotel, and off to lunch to celebrate.	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-10-09 20:25:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	HEY VJ -- WE WERE APPROVED YESTERDAY!!! I have LOTS of comments related to our 15 minute interview yesterday. I have to leave for work right now, though. The CO didn't ask Leidys a single question. All he wanted to know was, "Where did SHE go?"	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-10-08 12:33:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (caliboylost27 @ Oct 5 2009, 11:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Saludes amigos, Ken, Adriana was so sad that Leidys never called her because she wanted to go out on Sunday . I hope you guys get to meet up and share your experiences as well as the medical portion. A very big GL on your interview. I am sure Leidys will get her visa. I will get Leidys to call Adriana today. We are running around and getting stuff set up for the big day. Sunday, we had no cash, so we had to walk into the Industrial Sector of Bogota in search of an ATM, a restaurant, and groceries in San Andresito at Plaza Americas. When we got back to the hotel/apartment, we cooked dinner and were already wiped out. We will get on it and call Adriana... ============================================================================= Embassy discussion report time.... I´m revising some forms at the Internet cafe, and thanks to VJ, I am sure everything will go smoothly. The line outside the Embassy this afternoon was about 1,000 persons long. Some were dressed in Business suits, and had a real serious look on their faces. We had lunch at this great restaurant across the street from the Embassy, and we´re going back for dinner there with another VJ beneficiary. I´ll report back to what happens tomorrow....	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-10-06 15:36:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Greetings from Bogota, Colombia - the city shrowded in fog/clouds. I´m stationed exactly 2 blocks from the U.S. Embassy, but at the moment, on Carretera 70 waiting for Leidys´ Medical Exam to be completed. The city is a much different environment from the Northern Coast. Sightseeing is an activity reserved for the idle rich rather than a simple VJer like myself. For Example: A trip into the nearby mountainside to check out a trendy brew pub would cost $45USD per person each way - taking the Transmilleniu Public Transportation. A simple day trip from Barranquilla to Santa Marta del Rodadero by comparision would cost roughly $45 for two persons, meal included. Leidys and I went this morning to have her TB and blood work performed, and I checked out this cool park on the mountainside near Carrera 38. The photography speaks volumes of the local environs, just too bad it is so expensive to travel the countryside. With all of the Medical exams being completed today, Leidys and I plan to have a VJ reunion with some local Bogotans tomorrow afternoon. Wednesday morning is the Visa Interview, and we´re both anxious and excited for what is to come. WeLoveBogota.com has an excellent apartment that Leidys really loves. She keeps telling me the apartment is so nice, that it makes her feel as if we are already on our honeymoon ¨Luna de Miel¨. Pretty cool advice on the accomodations, VJ - we really love our hotelapartment! Hasta muy pronto, Ken	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-10-05 15:01:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (jpcanon @ Oct 1 2009, 01:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hit 5 months of being in AP- talk about depressing... Good luck to the guys that have an October appointment at th embassy in Bogota! Joe Thanks, Joe. Just hang in there. I take it, you are not receiving email updates like Shane has been receiving? Just silence from the Embassy in Bogota? -Ken	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-10-02 08:02:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (CarlJessica @ Sep 28 2009, 05:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi all, I was wondering how long will my petition actuly sit ar NVC. They had gotten it on 9/24 I have Bgt NUMBER ALready// When do you think it will be in Bogota? Carl, Ian and Lisa (UK) on the April CSC K-1 thread told me exactly when the DHL package shipped to Bogotá. There is a formula everyone uses, but I never figured it out (due to my Mathematical ineptitudes). Drop in on that thread, and look up Ian and Lisa and they can possibly help you with this. Good luck, amigo. Ken	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-09-28 22:51:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (Ken y Leidys @ Sep 27 2009, 10:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I had a conversation with another VJ'er this morning, and we had questions about the VISA APPLICATION FEES. Leidys paid the $131 Visa non-immigrant visa fee at the Bank in Barranquilla. Is the $380 also applicable to our K-1? Even the information on the Bogota, Consulate page appears misleading with its' use of the words Immigrant and Non Immigrant and the fees which apply. Bogota Consulate Information http://www.visajourn...e...&cty=Bogota K visa applicants have to pay at the bank because K visas are technically non immigrant visas. They cost $131 USD in pesos and the Embassy collects all non immigrant visa fees through the bank. Immigrant visas cost $380 and are paid at the Embassy. Leidys answered this question for me last night on the phone. The $380 amount listed in Packet 4 is for Immigrant visas. The Non-Immigrant K-1 Visa price is $131. The big wammy comes when we pay our AOS fee of approximately $1,000.00 here in the U.S.	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-09-28 08:49:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	I had a conversation with another VJ'er this morning, and we had questions about the VISA APPLICATION FEES. Leidys paid the $131 Visa non-immigrant visa fee at the Bank in Barranquilla. Is the $380 also applicable to our K-1? Even the information on the Bogota, Consulate page appears misleading with its' use of the words Immigrant and Non Immigrant and the fees which apply. Bogota Consulate Information http://www.visajourn...e...&cty=Bogota K visa applicants have to pay at the bank because K visas are technically non immigrant visas. They cost $131 USD in pesos and the Embassy collects all non immigrant visa fees through the bank. Immigrant visas cost $380 and are paid at the Embassy.	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-09-27 12:50:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (Angie Y Shane @ Sep 26 2009, 06:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> We received another email on Thursday. they did allot of work on our Ap this week. My wife is due for our baby in November. Our case has been pending for almost three years. Shane -- Thanks for the update. I hope they can speed things along at this point. -Ken	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-09-26 09:40:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (Mr Twister @ Sep 22 2009, 04:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Ken y Leidys @ Sep 21 2009, 09:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Mr Twister @ Sep 21 2009, 02:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Diana, can you please give me a little more info on this place? If we take the master bedroom, does it have its own bathroom? Twister - Lo siento, amigo..but I reserved the Master Bedroom yesterday. I believe the rest of the hotelapartamiento is still available, though. Hey what day are you checking out? We're checking out on the 8th - Your Interview date.	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-09-23 20:33:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (Mr Twister @ Sep 21 2009, 02:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Diana, can you please give me a little more info on this place? If we take the master bedroom, does it have its own bathroom? Twister - Lo siento, amigo..but I reserved the Master Bedroom yesterday. I believe the rest of the hotelapartamiento is still available, though.	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-09-21 20:39:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (Him and I @ Sep 20 2009, 09:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Check with different traveling agencies, they can get you a good deal through the colombian airline Aerorepublica with their "Planes a Volar", they have "Visa plans" with good hotels near the embassy, and they include tickets, stayings, breakfast and transportation airport-hotel-airport, hotel-embassy-hotel. We got the cheappest deal through my traveling agency. I made my research with different hotels and airlines, and what we got was even cheaper than doing it straight with Aerorepublica. And a lot more cheaper than finding the hotel and tickets separate. Good luck ! Yesterday, I confirmed everything with Martha at welovebogota.com - they are 2 blocks from the US Embassy, and 5 nights will cost me roughly $200 US. Leidys and I are flying to Bogota using different airlines. Thank you for the information, amiga!	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-09-21 08:42:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Leidys and I did some comparisons with the lodging in the Bogotá area nearest the Embassy. Here is what she came up with: http://www.suitebogotacolonial.com/ http://www.evisos.co...a-lozano-hostal http://www.hostalcasalozano.com http://www.guesthous...e-oriental.html http://hoteles.hotel...ota.html#nolink The prices and location for: http://www.welovebogota.com still appeared to be the best deal. Bed 3 Piece Private Bath Daily Rate: 1 Night Only $47.99 Weekly Rate: 2-20 Nights $37.99 a Night 3 Week Rate: 21+ Nights $34.99 a Night Monthly Rate: 30+ nights $27.99 a Night	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-09-20 13:30:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (Angie Y Shane @ Sep 20 2009, 07:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I received a letter from the embassy that seems to sound positive about our Ap process. On top of everything our case is a expedited case, and my wife is pregnant. Dear Mr. Whitted: We are very, very sorry, but in your wife’s case, there is an administrative process that is required by law to be completed before we can approve your wife’s visa. Unfortunately, we did not notice that this process was necessary until after your wife had departed the Embassy. We apologize for the confusion and the system malfunction that resulted in your wife having to come to the Embassy twice, and we also apologize for the delay in issuing your wife’s visa. We are doing everything possible to expedite her case, and we are sensitive to the fact that she is pregnant. We are hopeful that this process will be resolved soon. Again, many apologies for the inconvenience caused to you and your wife. Sincerely, IV Unit Wow! A little one is on the way! Congrats to both of you!! It sounds to me like there are some serious technology glitches in the 286-based Windows 2000ME-era computer at the Embassy.	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-09-20 13:23:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (jpcanon @ Sep 17 2009, 09:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ken, Ha- yes, I thought you were from "Barrio Riverside!" Good luck on your upcoming interview! Joe Riverside was primarily White when I was growing up here in the 1980s. In the 90s, places like Temecula, Banning, Murietta, and Yucaipa grew/expanded. After the divorce, I could have bought in any of these places, but being African-American, I have not had to endure skin head intimidation here like I have had to deal with in places like Palm Springs, Sun City, Huntington Beach, and even in Scandinavia. So, I chose to buy in Riverside and stay in Riverside because I haven't had to deal with gangs like the Nazi Lowriders, or the Ku Klux Klan - although, I spotted a guy in the local grocery store with a KKK tattoo on his right rear calf muscle (wearing shorts, of course). He was shocked that I saw his tattoo, and even more shocked that I did not go hands-on inside of the grocery store. Just a little inside info...	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-09-18 19:55:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (subguy812 @ Sep 17 2009, 11:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> The other thing they grilled me on was how we communicate. She asked me that like 3 different ways and I explained I speak Spanglish and Alexandra went to school for 15 months for English. But she was as cordial as she could be and I did not feel the least bit intimidated, near the end we engaged in a little bit of small talk about Bogota. You will be fine... I would try to avoid the "not look in your eyes" guy Joe had QUOTE (parkpapa @ Sep 17 2009, 12:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> The CO we had was the same, neither rude nor friendly. He did look at us, at least, when we talked to him. We got some of the same questions about communicating. My Spanish was awful (only a little better now) and Lorena spoke almost no English. I told the story of how we met and how it seemed that I could understand Lorena from the first word, when I had so much trouble with virtually everyone else. As I'm sure has been stated here a hundred times or more, be yourself, be honest, be calm, and be attentive - both to each other and to the officials at the embassy. If your relationship is real, it will show. Charles Thanks guys for your input. This is giving me a good idea on what to look out for during the interview. I first took Spanish in the 8th Grade, 9th-12th, then 1 qtr. at the University I attended. After graduation, I took a "brush-up" class in 1994. From there on, deterioration set in. My co-workers are from; Peru, Mexico, and Nicaragua. They literally taught every day, proud that I took such a keen interest in learning their native language. Now, I converse with them each day in Spanish for about 15 minutes while they ask me about my Visa Journey. When I met Leidys' family for the first time, they wanted to know what Barrio I lived in (in Barranquilla). I told them, "No. I'm an American." At the hotel, and around town I was asked the same thing. Everyone that didn't know me said, "You're an American because your parents took you to America. American's can't speak Spanish - YOU'RE A COLOMBIAN!" The Spanish is pretty good, plus Leidys can't speak hardly a word of English. I'll be happy to explain (most or all of) this at the interview. Oh Yea! -Ken	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-09-17 23:03:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (HAL 9000 @ Sep 16 2009, 11:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ken I took my divorce decree to the interview and they barely looked at it. It was open. No sweat dude. And this was from Boorish lady #1 in the first set of windows... just smile. Thanks everyone for the heads up. After ~15 months, I know Leidys pretty well. I will be prepared for the interview. I'm leaving in only 2 more weeks!	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-09-16 20:56:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (HAL 9000 @ Sep 15 2009, 08:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Ken y Leidys @ Sep 15 2009, 08:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Mononoke28 @ Sep 15 2009, 10:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Required Documents Original documents, photocopies, and translations of the following documents must be submitted to the National Visa Center for the applicant and each family member who will accompany the applicant to the United States. * Marriage Termination Documentation (if applicable) Question: I received my original Marriage Termination Documentation in '07 from the Family Court here in California. Does it need to be notarized? If so, does the certificate by the Notary need to be a Jurat-type or an Acknowledgement-type of Notarization? If its sealed (stamped by the court, etc) then no... It is a stamped, wrinkled form with date stamps and the name stamp of the person from the court who prepared this form - my original. So, it is not in a sealed envelope. Will the embassy RFE this??	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-09-16 01:35:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (Mononoke28 @ Sep 15 2009, 10:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Required Documents Original documents, photocopies, and translations of the following documents must be submitted to the National Visa Center for the applicant and each family member who will accompany the applicant to the United States. * Marriage Termination Documentation (if applicable) Question: I received my original Marriage Termination Documentation in '07 from the Family Court here in California. Does it need to be notarized? If so, does the certificate by the Notary need to be a Jurat-type or an Acknowledgement-type of Notarization?	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-09-15 20:48:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (jpcanon @ Sep 13 2009, 11:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Just heading back to L.A. from Pereira (in Bogota airport now) I was hoping to hear something while here visiting my gal, but nada... Here's hoping for a few Visa approval from the next guys in line for Sept./Oct. interviews Joe Sorry for the visa letdown. Hopefully, you both had an excellent time catching up while changing your pace outside of Southern CA for the last week. In roughly 18 days, I'm leaving for Bogotá. The Interview is coming up, and I have so much to prepare for. Thanks again to everyone on this thread for the help that you provided. I genuinely appreciate it.	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-09-13 21:18:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (caliboylost27 @ Sep 10 2009, 02:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> You guys are awesome, Ive learned so much that maybe I can help other airmen in the command file their paperwork in case they have no one to turn to overseas while stationed abroad. James If what I knew after the divorce in '06/'07 as I know now, I would have spent the money on my Jeep (Rubicon Express/Air Rock Suspension). But, by chance I met Leidys and everything is great. Be sure to let your fellow airmen know exactly how careful they must be to not get taken advantage of. I would hate to hear all of the bad stuff that did happen and could have possibly happened to me, happen to an unsuspecting guy that has never been to another continent where guys are preyed upon.	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-09-10 19:41:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Flights to Colombia are reasonably priced at the moment. My travel dates are from October 3rd through October 8th. Twister -- Maybe we can meet someplace for lunch or dinner in Bogota? PM me w/your cell phone and I'll do the same. Chao, -Ken	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-09-09 22:13:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	QUOTE (Mr Twister @ Sep 8 2009, 02:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Ken y Leidys @ Sep 8 2009, 09:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Mr Twister @ Sep 4 2009, 01:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Why wait to see if the PDF has been updated??? Call NVC 202-663-1225 1,0 and ask them - I called today and they told me my appointment is setup for Oct 8 I called this phone number today, and my Interview date is scheduled for October 7th. See ya there! If you plan to spend the weekend there let me know and we can hook up!!! I am looking at flights either Friday night or Monday morning. Not sure yet, but I will let you know.	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2009-09-08 22:43:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	After reading everybody's answers here I would pay in her own city .. You never know when the fee will increase .. I paid mine 2 days ago.In Bogota. Definitely pay your Visa fees ASAP so that you won't get caught having to possibly pay the $350 twice. My wife paid for her Visa Fees in Barranquilla back in September.	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2010-04-15 23:19:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Hi, To everyone I have a queston. The visa fee that will be paid at Banco Helm is that for the K1 visa only? My fiance has a son who would be receiving the K2 visa. But I don't see anywhere about a separate fee for that. Would I only be paying for his medical exam? I think Banco Helm will require the $131 for the K-2 Visa as well. Expect to pay for Vaccinations for your K-2, too.	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2010-04-14 21:10:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	I think that if you wait for your lawyer to let you know when it has been approved and then wait for her to go over each packet and how to fill out each form, you'll be losing at least a week. Diana Diana, In the case of my original K-1 Visa, it took approximately 1 week to receive my NOA1 from the Lawyer's Office, but when the NOA2 arrived, it took almost a month to receive that form in the mail. We won't go into Packet 3 and the drama that followed...	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2010-04-13 20:16:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	she said she would help me with the whole k-1 process meaning filling out all the paper work etc. I am pretty sure she will help me with packet 3 and 4. I will ask her though just to make sure. i know she said she does all the paper work and stuff for the K-1 visa but then after that when he comes here and we get married we have to fill for another type of visa and pay more money. i might just do that on my own though now that i found this website and you guys are so helpful. I might be able to figure it out. Thank you so much! What you should do is download the Packet 3 and Packet 4 documents, and make sure all of the related forms are filled out with the help of your Attorney. But, when it comes time to file your Adjustment of Status, you can do so with the 'EXAMPLE FORMS' listed at the top navigation bar of this website. Print out and review the Packet 3 and 4 materials needed with your Attorney's office. You will also have to pay a Visa fee of approximately $350 (currently, it is $131). Plus, your Fiance will need his vaccines and medical appointments. Be sure to review your Packet 3 and Packet 4 information, but it would be best to review this information with your Attorney since you paid for this service and you should get all of the time you can for what you paid for. Good luck with everything! -Ken Edited by Ken y Leidys, 12 April 2010 - 11:34 PM.	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2010-04-12 23:32:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Hi Bertha, the pck 3 contains 2 forms: * ds-2100 is in the link call "Instruction Package for Visa K (PDF)" page 4 * ds-230 part I is not necessary go to Bogota twice, he can schedule the medical exams 2 or 3 days before the interview, I wonder if Bertha's Attorney will be able to help her navigate Packet 3 and 4, or did they only agree to help her with her I-129F? Bertha, what did your lawyer say they would do as far as helping you complete your K-1 process??? -Ken	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2010-04-12 20:54:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	oh no that is a long time! hopefully it goes by a little faster. my next trip to Colombia is in the end of July for two weeks hopefully we can get an interview date for around that time. I pulled this off of your timeline: Based on timeline data, your I129f may be adjudicated between May 20, 2010 and June 4, 2010*. Be sure to let your Attorney's know this, and be sure that your significant other in Colombia can have all of his Packet 3 paperwork ready by the middle of next month.	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2010-04-11 11:24:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	There is much "opinion" as to whether both parties should be at the interview. From my perspective why not give your self added piece of mind and attend. I was on the bubble about going and was glad I did. Obviously some people here have had positive experiences by interviewing alone. I will say on the day we went, whether it is the norm or just that day I don't know, but there were 2 ladies(2 seperate cases) prior to us who were not granted visas and told to try again when their petitoner could attend. The one thing none of us really knows is exactly what extenuating circumstances there are to each and every petition, what kind of evidence someone presented, etc... During my interview, the CO mentioned that, "Bogota is a high fraud post." Meaning, they get a lot of cases where the couples appear to not be intending on starting a life together and remaining together because they are supposed to be in love. During my interview, the CO appeared to be skeptical until he saw the photographs of my Mother meeting my wife's family, and our photos together in Santa Marta. Most of the questions he asked related to my first K-1 application, and what went wrong in that case. Had I not attended, I do not know what the outcome would have been. Since my case was different than most people's, my attendance at the meeting was critical. Because you filed through the Vermont Service Center, it looks like your case on average will take 140 days to approve. Be sure that you understand this K-1 flowchart: http://www.visajourn.../content/k1flow Be sure that you educate yourself with all of the procedures that will take place in roughly 3-4 months when your approval letter arrives at your Lawyer's office.	Ken y Leidys	Male	Colombia	2010-04-10 17:20:00