ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club
Brian,
Congratulations and thanks for all the information! I am preparing for our interview hopefully in January. I believe that I am very prepared as well. What I am lacking and I believe I can obtain are all my Western Union reciepts! I have used this service for about eight months now to send Sandy $$$ as needed. The Attorney that I wasted lots of money on, originally told me that I would not need them as it would show I was more or less supporting Sandy, and that would be frowned upon at the Embassy.
My question is did they even look or ask for this information? In any event I will contact Western Union today, I believe they will have records, they can forward to me.
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-12-10 06:39:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club
Scott, glad to see the two of you arrived safely! Hopefully Bob's accommodations are as nice as they look on his website. Still waiting for my interview date, hopefully by next week!
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-12-08 15:19:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club
SCOTT - Best of luck to you and Yenifer! You will do well. Thank you for all your input to this forum!
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-12-07 11:48:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club
Hey Bundy,
The guy who runs this place is name Bob, he is very familiar with this process and rents to many couples on visa journey - Including Scott who is headed there tomorrow. Here is the link.
(http://www.bogotacolombialodging.com). I will be staying there in January as well. Good luck!
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-12-06 15:20:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club
Scott and Yenifer and Brian and Yenys Good luck and thank you for all your advice! I am sure you will all have loads of positive information to pass on shortly!

Well I e-mailed the embassy this morning and to my surprise they replied to me this afternoon. My fax was received, yet no scheduled interview yet. Phone call hopefully on Wednesday??? I will be very happy with a January interview!
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-12-03 20:30:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club
[b]***Breaking News***[/b]
Just spoke to my fiance after she returned from the DAS office in Barranquilla. As of November 1rst, they only issue Migratory Certificate (Carta del DAS, entradas/salidas) in Bogota, no other cities. She was told it will take three days in Bogota, and was not even allowed to apply for this document today. They did give her the Police Certifacate (Certificado Judical del DAS). Just thought this would be good info. to share!
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-30 10:49:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club
Good luck Brian!!!! Please update us when you return!
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-30 06:41:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club
Scott, I as well have spoke to Bob and plan on contacting him once I have an interview date. My file left NVC yesterday, I am hoping it is there by Monday, so I can fax to them ASAP. GOOD LUCK, and thanks for all your help!
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-29 16:34:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club
The Colombia Club forum is absolutely the best source of information available! Had I only known before the process began, I would never have spent the money on a lawyer!
So I am officially ready to join the party! My case left NVC via DHL yesterday (Wednesday) I am hoping it will be recieved in Bogota by Monday, so we can fax packet #3 then and call Wednesday to verify reciept. What are my chances that Bogota will recieve by Monday?
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-29 08:18:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club
This waiting period to pick up the visa once approved is going to create travel problems for many! Hopefully someone will discover a "shortcut" to this problem as well. I believe all of us want to return with our significant other.
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-27 07:58:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club
Thank you !
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-23 16:27:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club
Okay I am sifting through all this and trying to understand what to do next. All this info. is overwhelming, and I thank everyone for sharing information.

My fiance (Sandy) lives in Barranquilla. our Paperwork left NVC today. So I believe that it will arrive in Bogota (hard copy) next Wednesday (about).
The Migratiry Certificate from DAS ?? I am drawing a blank! Should she do this now in Barranquilla ? Where would she go to apply for this? I apologise for my ignorence, man am I confused.

Thank you for all your help!
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-23 15:12:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club
Byron, have a safe flight! I also will be praying for speedy recovery! This is indoubtably the most friendly and informative forum I have ever seen! Happy Thanksgiving to all tomorrow!
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-21 13:58:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club
Byron great news! I am expecting my hard copy NOA2 in the mail as well. Is this the correct number for NVC, 1-603-334-0700? It looks as though I recieved my NOA2 about a week after yours, it will be interesting to track eachothers progress!
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-21 12:12:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club
Thanks Scott & Bill.
Okay guys any thoughts, on this. Do we have any shot at all (using shortcuts obviously) of getting Sandy's interview by her birthday, January 31rst?
Also, should I wait a couple of days to contact NVC? I want to call them now!
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-21 09:09:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club
QUOTE (Bill y Bella @ Nov 21 2007, 08:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (SteveSandyHill @ Nov 21 2007, 08:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Bill,
I am so nervous and excited, I can not remember where to go to update my timeline! please refresh my memory!


No reason to be nervous. The Colombia Club will get you through this. smile.gif
  1. At top of this page click Immigration Timelines.
  2. Look for timeline functions at the top left of the next page.
  3. Click Edit / Add My Entries.


Done! Thank you.
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-21 08:13:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club
Bill,
I am so nervous and excited, I can not remember where to go to update my timeline! please refresh my memory!
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-21 08:06:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club
I am so excited! Finally we can join the the list headed to Bogota (hopefully sooner than later)! After the 156 day wait we have been approved, haven't recieved an e-mail or letter in mail yet. Just spoke to someone at Vermont yesterday using the now famous "RFE Trick" as well as my "case status".
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-21 07:36:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club
Just curious, has anyone confirmed the issue around the Visa delivery process? I, as well am planning on attending the interview (once we get one). I also have begun to plan for Sandy and her daughter to fly from Bogota to JFK with me.

Additionally my ticket would obviously be a round trip ticket, however once my fiancé is approved and will fly with me to New York I am assuming a one-way ticket is fine? Although strangely enough some round trip tickets are less expensive!
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-16 08:36:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club
SCOTT HELP! Your info is great, however I was not reading your disclaimer!

This guide was written for K1 visa applicants, both beneficiary
and petitioner that have no kids, have never been arrested and have never been
married.

I have been married and have children, Sandy never married and has daughter. We have all the necessary documents to remove the child to USA ( Notorized letter from father-Permission, Sole custody). So am I understanding that these shortcuts may not be used, or just that more documents may be required? Thanks and if you aren't sure, not a problem!
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-14 13:34:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club
Guys, thanks for all your support and shortcuts! Yes this timeframe is killing me (and all who have gone thru this process) But ultimately it is well worth it! Just have to remain strong and play every angle we know. Thank you again !
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-14 12:15:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club
The information here is great. If we recieve our NOA2 this week, is a January interview possible? Just curious, my fiance's B-day is Jan 31. Based on what I am seeing this phase moves much quicker than the USCIS portion, providing of course that we have our ducks in a row and utilize the short cuts!
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-14 08:07:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionColombia Club
Don't mean to chime in here, however I just wanted to say thank you! I have been a "silent reader" of this forum for a couple of weeks now, and the info. sharing is great! I am hoping our interview in Bogota will happen in January sometime, was hoping for December, yet thanks to delays in VSC, won't happen. I have just been touched (11/12/07) So hopefully my NOA2 is en-route!

I have been following closely all your shortcuts, and will definately become more active with this forum, once NOA2 is in hand. Thank you again for all the advise here!
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-13 09:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWaiting for a NOA2 from VSC for your I-129F?
I hope our approvals all come very soon. The Vermont Center seems to be improving, lets hope that the Holidays do not slow them down to much.
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-11 09:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWaiting for a NOA2 from VSC for your I-129F?
OKay, so I contacted Vermont via e-mail and here is the reply I recieved. Yes they are clearly working on June K1's at last!

Mr. Hill –

As you indicate, this is a relatively small amount of data.  For example, in August and September the Vermont Service Center received over 4,300 fiancée. That’s over 100 fiancée per business day.

Right now the center is actively working fiancée petitions received on June 4th, which is slightly ahead of our 6 month goal. That’s the goal we put on our website to help customers set their expectations both before they file, and while their case is pending.  Of course some older cases are still being worked that have issues with respect to missing documentation, where we have had to ask for additional material, or where there are substantive background or other issues. I can’t comment on the cases you listed, but it’s quite possible that some of the pending cases have such issues.

As I indicated before, we recognize the circumstances of fiancée petitions, and each petitioner’s intense interest in getting their case processed so their fiancée may apply for a visa to come here to marry. To be fair to everyone we do work to process these cases in strict order. There are limited exceptions where a case may be processed more quickly, for example where we use a case for training purposes. Similarly we do give a somewhat higher priority to the K-3 variation of these petitions filed along with an I-130 relative petition since in essence we consider the duplicative K-3 petition an expedite request. To handle the volume also means we move several days or several weeks work being actively processed by our officer staff at any given time, which can lead to s slight variation in processing times among individual cases.

I hope this helps.
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-08 11:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWaiting for a NOA2 from VSC for your I-129F?
THis is the reply I recieved to my letter yesterday: Pretty "standard" reply.

Mr. Hill –
As I’ve indicated to a number of other folk who’ve recently inquired about fiancée petition processing at VSC, we do strive to do cases in order based on the date filed.  While processing times for this petition have risen recently, that’s to ensure consistency with other similar products.  For example, we do not want to put fiancée petitions ahead of petitions filed by those seeking to reunite their immediate families in preference categories where the beneficiaries will be able to apply for a visa once we approve the petition.  Our goal for fiancée petitions continues to be 6 months, and, as we’ve indicated on our website, our Vermont Service Center is at that timeframe right now.  I recommend you check our website occasionally for updates on our processing times. If you don’t receive an answer within the processing time, I suggest you contact our National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 for assistance.

It is certainly possible that an isolated case may rarely be processed out of normal order based on the compelling circumstances, or where a case was used for training purposes.  We recognize that every fiancée petition is time sensitive because of the very nature of these petitions.  As a matter of fairness we do strive to move them into the adjudicative process in the order of receipt. 
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-07 11:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWaiting for a NOA2 from VSC for your I-129F?
Maybe the sleeping Giants of Vermont have awoken! Let us hope they continue at this pace the remainder of the month, year and beyond! This is unbearable yet maybe their is some light at the end of this NOA2 tunnel!!!!
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-06 11:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWaiting for a NOA2 from VSC for your I-129F?
THis is crazy, I am reading other post and California is kicking Vermont's butt with regards to June approvals! How can that be? Is Vermont so understaffed? Can someone attempt to help me (very frustrated to say the least) understand what the H_LL is up with that?
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-06 07:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWaiting for a NOA2 from VSC for your I-129F?
Is it me or does it seem that California is way ahead of Vermont as far as approving June K1's?
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-05 06:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWaiting for a NOA2 from VSC for your I-129F?
THis is my post from earlier in this thread. It works fine, but do not get your hopes up for a positive response. Most of the time they will give you the standard "6 month" reply! Good luck!

I made the call today using the "RFE trick" and had great sucess. No problem getting through to Vermont. Here are the steps I followed:
Call 1-800-3755283
2, then 2, then 4, then 2, then 1, then put in your case number ( EAC AND THE NUMBER OR WAC AND THE NUMBER) then 1, and last 1....the last one will connect you with a live operator...then you say you are calling to inquire about the RFE ( request for evidence ) you got, baically you want to know what they are looking for. They will probably say that they havent issued one and thats when you ask what is the status of your case...say some dumb things like..." someone told me that after a certain amount of time waiting it meant that i have an RFE" or " My lawyer told me i had an RFE" say anything to make them think that you are not playing a trick on them.

The lady told me they are now actually moving May and June K1's, hopefully no mre than 30 days more, for NOA2.
Hope this helps.
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-10-19 07:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-129F June Filers
Vermont is obviously in an approval frenzy!
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-21 10:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-129F June Filers
Fianally after 156 days, I am speechless. Let's hope all June filers are approved quickly!
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-21 07:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-129F June Filers
Is it my imagination or is CSC way ahead of VSC as far as June approvals? I am very happy for all those approved, just curious as to how many VSC June filers have been approved to date?
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-12 06:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-129F June Filers
YEAH , We are in the same boat ! Including lawyer telling us to be patient!
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-10 12:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-129F June Filers
That's great news, Congradulations to you.
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-06 10:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-129F June Filers
QUOTE (Ben loves Yuki @ Nov 6 2007, 09:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (SteveSandyHill @ Nov 6 2007, 09:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
But like I said, Vermont is slow. I believe yours is in California? Thanks !


Yes mine is in CSC, but just be patient, yours is still within the normal processing time! I believe you are getting close to your approval! smile.gif


Thanks! I do appreciate your support. All of us here need some support! This process is very trying at times!
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-06 09:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-129F June Filers
But like I said, Vermont is slow. I believe yours is in California? Thanks !
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-06 08:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-129F June Filers
I am having a hard time understanding the comment about being the only June filer without a touch! That must be a California statement, because there are many June filers from Vermont without a touch, I being one of them! All we can do is WAIT! Below is the link to the Vermont waiting list, it is absolutely ridicuous!

(http://www.visajourn...c=74459&st=4260)
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-06 07:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-129F June Filers
Consider yourself fortunate! Our timelines are very simialar. Vermont is moving at a snails pace!
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-11-05 14:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-129F June Filers
I made the call today using the "RFE trick" and had great sucess. No problem getting through to Vermont. Here are the steps I followed:
Call 1-800-3755283
2, then 2, then 4, then 2, then 1, then put in your case number ( EAC AND THE NUMBER OR WAC AND THE NUMBER) then 1, and last 1....the last one will connect you with a live operator...then you say you are calling to inquire about the RFE ( request for evidence ) you got, baically you want to know what they are looking for. They will probably say that they havent issued one and thats when you ask what is the status of your case...say some dumb things like..." someone told me that after a certain amount of time waiting it meant that i have an RFE" or " My lawyer told me i had an RFE" say anything to make them think that you are not playing a trick on them.

The lady told me they are now actually moving May and June K1's, hopefully no mre than 30 days more, for NOA2.
Hope this helps.
SteveSandyHillMaleColombia2007-09-21 09:53:00