Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	just wanted to say hi to everyone and say good luck to all upcoming interviews. an update on sandra, the embassy doctor said that her treatment for her sickness would take 6 months to finish but if she was better in 2 months she could come and finish treatment in usa. it has been 2 months and she is better now and her doctor in barranquilla said that she can travel. the embassy doctor said that he thinks there is a law in Atlantica where she can not travel until she finishes treatment. we pointed out that the doctor said it was ok and the the embassy doctor said it would be ok so why is he changing his mind. then the embassy doctor said maybe can not finish treatment in usa because drugs are to expenisive. he has know idea if we can afford or not i do not think this is his place to say. i told her we can buy all the meds from colombia embassy doctor if he wants. at the end of the conversation he said call back next week so he can think about it. now we might have to wait for more months. this is so frustrating.	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-05-28 05:10:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	I've got another question for you if you dont mind. Which airport in the USA was your POE and what kind of questions were you asked and how was the overall experience? Im thinking about having my fiancee come through Miami but I've heard the wait times can be up to 5 hours at Immigration. she has not enter usa yet because she is sick we will find out next week if she is well enough for travel. here is the story of what happen during my interview we left the apartment at 6am and took maybe 5min to get there. they told us to get in line 3 while we waited to go through security to enter embassy. they started letting us in at 6:30 and told us to go to window 40. around 7am a lady came over to our group of people and gave us a folder to organize all the papers in. a little while later they started calling people to window 30 and 31 to turn in papers. they did not call us and we was wondering how long it was going to be. finally they call 5 of us to window 40 and they told us to follow them to window 4 where the interview was. we made a couple of friends there while we waited and they turned their paper work into windows 30 and 31. it was not very cold to me there but other people said it was i guess it just depends where you are from. finally they call us to window 4 and we turned in our papers. we are thinking that they have us doing something different maybe because we did not pass medical. so we asked one of the 5 people that came with us to window 4 if they had all papers and they say yes. they started finger printing everyone that went through window 30 and 31 so we are very concerned because we did not do samething as others and they have not called any of us to finger printing. at this point we think they might just tell us to go home until we get medical. its around lunch time and the place is getting thined out and we are wondering if and when we will get interview. a little later they call everyone that did not have an interview yet to stand in line and they took our names and told us to sit down again. finally 30 min later they call us for interview. i stood next to sandra as they interviewed her and they asked her a few questions and they wanted to talk to me. the only thing he said was everything looked good and visa is approved as long as she gets her medical. now we are waiting for this and it will be roughly 45 days doctor said. this is a long story you can ask me if you want to know. once we have an approval on medical then we turn in to embassy and pay for visa	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-05-15 11:30:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Thank for the advice. I have a clean record so I'm not going to worry about getting a DAS certificate. Like you said we will be focusing on passing the interviews.. Thanks again just want to wish you good luck with interview. I was nervous durning mine and everything went pretty smooth. Most of the time is just waiting I think our interview was around 5min maybe less. Just try to relax and you should be fine	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-05-14 21:30:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	another quick question: Are translations from spanish to english needed for my wifes birth certificate and our marriage certificate? I called the consular with a couple questions (SOME were answered lol) and they said that translations were needed...but then on the visa journey embassy info part where they talk about the Colombian consulate, it says that translations are not needed. Any advice/ experience with this? I read on the embassy info page. And is say do not need to translate and we did not get anything translated and had no problems. So I would not get it translated	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-05-12 21:43:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Hi, I have not read anywhere about a fee for the DS-156K. We paid today for the visas with the forms DS-156. Is there a fee for the DS-156K? I know we are suppose to take it with us to the interview. I personally don't think so , but she wants me to ask. It doesn't hurt to be sure. There is no fee for ds 156 you just bring it with you when you pay for visa at the bank. We brought the ones we filled out and the bank made us use there ds156 forms. Same forms so I do not know why.	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-05-06 23:38:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	I called the DOS today and found out that our interview date is June 17...por fin!!! At least I'll have plenty of time to plan for the trip to Bogota. My goal was for Carol to arrive at POE before July 4th...which is still attainable. congrats. i am also hoping sandra will be coming around this time maybe they can travel with each other	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-04-24 05:13:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Hello everyone! I am Bertha I am brand new to this just joined the club today I live in Florida and My fiance lives in Medellin Colombia. We have a lawyer and she sent the k-1 visa application on Feb 12 we still havent heard anything. hopefully we hear something soon....i have no clue what to do or anything thats why we hired a lawyer but she doesnt say much either lol. so any tips or advice or anything please let us know! hope to hear from you guys soon! hi bramirez04 welcome. i have never used a lawyer. after we filed our case we got a letter about a week later saying they have our case. then we waited 4 months before we got an approval and they send to embassy. there is a lot of waiting for the i129	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-04-09 17:51:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	So once we have an interview date, Carol can go to a Banco Helm branch in Cali and pay for the visa? yes you can go pay when you have interview date and you can pay at the branch in cali. you need ds156 2 copies and her passoport To pay the fee, go personally to any authorized Banco Helm office. See http://bogota.usemba...gov/scabco.html for a list of locations and hours of operation. Make sure to take your two completed DS-156 Forms (Nonimmigrant Visa Applications) to Banco Helm when you pay the fee. The bank will affix a receipt to your passport and will mark the DS-156 Forms with a folio number. Do not remove the other two parts of the receipt from your passport, or you will not be able to apply for a visa. You must bring the same Form DS-156s to your visa interview that you presented to the bank when you paid the visa application fee.	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-04-07 18:08:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Mark, Thanks this was the link I was looking for.. But I still would like to know how far in advance we can pay the visa fee and do the medical. Some say within 30 days others say within 3 days. Which answer is correct? I also hear that some do not get packet 4 And they are able to get a medical with the BGT# and appointment date.. We never recieved packet #3 but downloaded it as you suggested to me when we talked last week and that worked fine. They said yesterday packet 4 was sent out on 3-31-10. But I am not holding my breath on that comming to her.She is nervous and needs my help with everything. I do not mind as long as I know what to do. Drew sandra started her vaccines in barranquilla a month a head of time and then saw the embassy doctor 3 days before interview. i was worried at first we were not going to get our appointment letter so i was going to ask what we do if we do not receive because i read without it you can not enter. but then i received my appointment letter in the mail before she got her appointment letter. we downloaded packet 4 but packet 4 and appointment letter finally arrived at her house 1 week before interview.	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-04-07 00:59:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	What was the visa fee when you paid it? I think it was like 133 dollars it tells you either in packet 3 or 4 the exact price	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-04-03 06:18:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	It was followed by this: In barranquilla they supply the form. I do not know about how they do it in bogota. We brought our ds156 to the bank and the made us use theirs .	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-04-03 06:15:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	I thought the same Ken but I founded it in Spanish, just one thing, the form is a previus edition (2007) and the ds-156 form in spanish here ds-156 & ds-156K we filled out both the spanish and the english version of the ds156, but when we went to the bank to pay for the visa they gave her the spanish form there. they would not let her use the one we got off line.	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-04-03 00:13:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	HI Guys, i have a quick question. We faxed the embassy in bogota the two forms from packet 3 on march 32. While i did put in an email address on the forms for a confirmation, i still have not received one. How long should i be expecting to wait for a confirmation? Or how long should i wait before i should just fax or email the forms again? I just don't want to wait another month for an interview date. I should also take this moment to thank every one who posts on here. I am posting this now only because this was the one thing i could not find the answer to this already posted. The answers posted here have been extremely helpful already. And i don't think i could have gotten this far with out the information posted here and on this site. We got a response 3 days after we faxed	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-03-30 23:56:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Thanks for all the helpful replys....Do we have to use one of the doctors listed in the Visa package information pages? Or can we choose one ? Also Maria was raised on a farm in southern Colombia and never had any shots as a kids .. so she tells me. I do not thik they will make her get a polio vaccine at 48 years old and I also was told at that age they do not require the Hepatitus A+B shots either. Please Someone who knows for sure answer this for us... You can choose your doctor to start vaccines. Is cheaper I hear than embassy doctor but you must go see one of the doctors a copule of days before interview. We called they asked us when our appointment day was and sceduled an appointment. As far as what shots she needs and do not need only doctor can say	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-03-27 03:19:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	[quote name='Ken y Leidys' date='24 March 2010 - 07:19 PM' timestamp='1269483568' post='3822019'] They sure are putting you and Sandra through your paces. Its like the Doctors are sniffing around for more and more money, and these "tests" are just there to depleat your wallet. I'm sorry you have to go through all of this. Happy Birthday, BTW. -Ken [/quotes sadra talked to doctor yesterday and today will be last exam no matter what and will start her on meds monday i believe. monday she will call the embassy doctor and let them know what is going on. now we wait six months of taking meds. we hope embassy doctor will say she can come in 2 months when no longer contagious and finish treatment in usa thanks ken for the happy birthday [quote name='PanamaJack' date='25 March 2010 - 08:32 AM' timestamp='1269531171' post='3823152'] I forgot to mention that Maria is 48 years old and was told she does not need certain shots ... Does anybody know what ones they are? Thanks [/quote] no but the doctors should be able to tell you	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-03-25 11:15:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Ken, Absolutely, not that I have plenty of cash, but yes...it's all about the Benjamin's. The next few months are going to be very expensive, so I need to save all the money I can. Good luck with your AOS process! I also think its about the cash they say they knows what she has but not 100%. They keep on wanted to do exam after exam. They do skin test and it was positive but when they do tissue sample they say it is negitive maybe because she is in early stages. I told her they need to start treament that we do not have time or money for them to continue just doing exams every week. Its time the doctors make a descion	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-03-24 00:47:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Harold, We're sorry to hear the bad news and hope you and Sandra will be okay. I read Ken's link and am pretty sure she'll get over it, and although this might (and probably will) delay her trip, your visa is still approved and that won't change. I say just focus on getting her better, which is what's important now, and then she'll get her passport with the visa and will be able to go live with you forever! Best of luck to you and Sandra!! And best of luck to Mark and Carol too! hopefully you will have your interview and the visa soon! A little bit of news from us: We got Cristian's passport with the visa and the envelope today (3 days after the interview) and are going to buy his ticket sometime during the day. Woo-hoo!! We're so excited!! everything will be fine but doctors say will take 6months to treat. i think we have 1 year to get medical approved. i also want to say best of luck to mark and carol. and i am also very happy for you guys must be really exciting you get to buy ticket today and have her with you soon.	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-03-19 13:20:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	OMG..I am very sorry to hear that about Sandra. I hope that you are not infected and that the treatment for Sandra is a success. We will keep the both of you in our prayers. Good luck and Godspeed! Mark thank you for your prayer and i know everything will be fine we just have to wait until she is better	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-03-18 22:28:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	I would recommend that the package is emailed, it is safer and furthermore you'll get an acknowledgment from the embassy. If you fax, the line can be busy a long time or the call falls during the transmission. another thing, you can track the package on DHL website to know when is received by the embassy. we faxed the forms it to them and that seemed to work fine for them to receive and they emailed us saying they recieved everything	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-03-18 22:25:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Just wanted to update all with the latest new on us sandra has TB and trement takes about 6 month at least. I also need to go get test since it is highly contagiuos . She is very sad and scared right now. I just want her to get well	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-03-18 20:52:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Vermont was processing fast last summer (NOA2 in 2 months), but slowed down in Nov. Don't we have to wait until we schedule an interview before getting the vaccinations? I already told her to request the police report and certificado de migratorio. I know that everything moves fast from now on. Thanks for the advice Ken. Mark we got our vaccines right away before appointment was scheduled but i sent in forms Forms DS-2100 and DS-230 Part I and (Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration – Biographic Data) right away before we had everything done. you should send now so you can get an appointment for beginning of may	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-03-18 17:26:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	You were there today? And if so, who were you? How'd your interview go? ...Cool Yeah. She was a really nice lady. Very sweet. Ours was on the 9th but i think I know the girl you speak of they way you discribed her.I pointed her out to other people cause she seemed very happy and everyone she had got approved. Ours got approved pending medical	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-03-17 06:25:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	The picture was taken during a trip to Villa de Leyva. Our visa was approved about 5 or 10 minutes into the interview. None of our evidence was reviewed (we had a lot)and the lady who interviewed us was REALLY nice and sweet and you could tell that she was happy for us when we started jumping and celebrating after we got approved. It was a really nice experience over all. The questions were very simple. Mainly about our relationship, like how did we meet, when did we get engaged, how many times we've seen each other, etc. The consular officer lady was so nice! ... Thanks SO MUCH to everyone who helped us by answering our questions, etc. We are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY that we don't even know what to do with ourselves. Honestly, you guys helped us a lot and we're VERY grateful. So thank you all a million times. Hopefully we'll be able to help some good, decent people, like you guys did with us, now that we know a lot more about this process. We managed to not have a single RFE or any other problem of any kind thanks to all the info we found here and the questions you guys answered for us. So thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. P.S: Diana you are a really special person. You helped us understand this process. When we first came here, we didn't even know what an I-130 was or the difference between an I-864 and a bag of potatoes, but you patiently answered all of our questions, however silly they were. So we want to extend a special gratitude to you. congratulations i am very happy for you 2 i think i saw the lady who interviewed you i was hoping i would get her she was always smiling and she seemed to approve all visa.	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-03-16 23:49:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	today sandra had a consultation with doctor and they said they exam will take 45 days for the broncoscopy. they says they need to send out sample to lab and that takes 45 days. they doctor looked at xrays from bogota and says they see nothing so i think everything is fine but we will see in 45 days. if they find something they just want to make sure not contagious here is a link to my pictures on flickr were taken in mostly in barranquilla but the airport pics are in bogota	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-03-15 21:46:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Hey guys, Congrats to Sofia and Derrick! We're happy for them! We would also like to congratulate Ken and Leidys on their wedding! Our interview is on March 16th. We're so excited and looking forward to that day. Any tips or info that could help us? Best of luck I am sure you will do fine. Let us know how it goes.	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-03-14 17:13:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	I found this information: "Callers in the United States must dial must dial 1-877-804-5401, and the call will be charged to their credit card (Visa or MasterCard). The charge when calling from the United States is US$16.00 per call (the service has a time limit of 15 minutes per call)." more info thanks for the info	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-03-12 15:54:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	have a quick question after we obtain the medical it says we need to buy a pin to call the embassy. i looked at the website and this says we only need if we are outside the usa. can i call from usa and make another appointment with out buying a pin?	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-03-11 21:18:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	hello everyone just wanted to update you on everything. interview went great and was very easy at the embassy. they said we are approved pending medical results. so today sandra went to doctor and said everything looked good but they want her to have a bronchoscopy to make sure everything is good. they said that she can get this done in her city(barranquilla). sandra goes to her city late tonight so maybe monday we have an appointment for this. then if we get a green light with that we can get the ok on the medical bring to the embassy and pay for them to send her visa. when she goes back to the embassy the only thing she needs to bring is passport paper they gave during interview and money for domesa, should she bring all other papers we had for interview with her or is she fine with out it ? i will upload some pictures of my trip later when i unpack my bags	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-03-11 17:01:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Yesterday, I received an email from my friend Joe Williams regarding a car accident he was in yesterday. Joe's mere survival was a miracle as the driver was killed and Joe wasn't seriously injured. His beneficiary ('09) is from Cartagena and she plans to give birth to their son next week. Joe helped me file my K-1 and organize my forms for the Bogota interview I had in October '09. Joe and Ana Rosa Williams http://www.visajourn...?showuser=45285 If any Colombia Club II members have the time, please send Joe and Ana Rosa an email. sorry to hear that about the driver that is bad new but its good that your friend is not seriously injured.	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-03-11 16:42:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	hey ken i got your shirt and leidys shirt for you i will get your address from you when i return and send to you	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-03-07 16:44:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Harold, Leidys wants to talk to Sandra about this. We'll buy a calling card and give you guys a call tonight. -Ken ken sent you a message with the phone number. i also gave you a call and left you a message talk to you soon	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-03-07 09:14:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	hi all i am in barranqilla today and sandra had medical on thursday? they say that the x rays show maybe something wrong with her lungs but they are not sure and that they need 3 more test to verify? she had the flu before test so we are all hoping that is what it is. our interview is tue what happens if we do not have medical durning interview? the doctor said we do not need that if they approve that they will wait for test to be finish is this correct? no we are worried but i think she just has a cold and i do not know why doctors can not tell the difference	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-03-06 11:14:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	just want to wish everyone luck with upcoming interviews. i am heading to barranqilla tomorrow morning to spend time with sandra before i have interview on tuesday. i will let everyone know wed night how things go. keep fingers crossed	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-03-04 22:38:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Sofia and Derrick's Interview was today, and they were APPROVED! Yesterday, Leidys and I celebrated with family and friends our marriage here in Riverside, CA. Here are a few pics... Leidys posing with her English-language teacher and her son You go girl! that is great news congrats sofia and derrick. do you have a recap of how the interview was conducted such as questions asked ect.?	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-03-02 00:17:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	When your Beneficiary arrives to their Point of Entry (POE), they will be instructed to be married within 90 days, and have their paperwork sent in within that time. Last week, our paperwork arrived on the 90th day via US Postal Service priority mail - roughly $5 in a Priority packet from the Los Angeles area. I wouldn't waste my money on more expensive shipping. So, how did we celebrate the conclusion to our K-1 Visa and step into AOS-land??? By some quality time in the dirt, camping and climbing. Yea! Campsite made for two Our friends didn't mind the blasting Salsa music good way to celebrate looks fun Upcoming Interviews at the US Consulate - Sofia & Derrick -- March 2nd Harrold & Sandra -- March 8th Leidys and I had dinner with Derrick in Garden Grove on Wednesday night. When Derrick returns, maybe we can meet up with Joe Cannon and all compare our experiences?? Good luck on your interviews Derrick and Harrold!! thanks keep fingers crossed	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-02-27 13:37:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Just wanted to pass on the latest info: Valeria was in Bogota last week to try and get the visa re-issued. She went to the embassy on Thur. to pick up her packet, that they were holding. By the time she got it that morning, it was too late to get the labs- they are only open from 7 am until 10 am each day. So, when she went to the doctor's office (Gonzales) they wouldn't do the medical- need labs first. So, she went back to get lab work on Friday morning, then doctor on Friday late afternoon- they made her do about 6 shots again, of course. She had to wait over the weekend in Bogota until this morning to go take the results back to the embassy. We thought they would make her pay for Domesa and then probably wait a few weeks for them to re-issue it and it send out. But, she got lucky and they gave her the visa package after a short wait. So, she now has a "valid" visa that is good until July- unless, of course, there is an act of war, act of God, or maybe the dog will eat the package Joe finally over i bet that is a great feeling i happy for you all	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-02-23 02:05:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Hi, Thanks for asking , Well still waiting for lawyer to get answers.As far as Jess and I we are stilled in shock after 2 weeks.Its hard to think of what are plan B will be if we dont get second interview ..I think the HPV vaccine was 200,000 for the frist one in Bogota at medical appointment. We went to the Red cross and got some done there .They were a little cheaper.. I dont have the vaccine record in front of me Jess has it in Bogota/. I do remember the doctor asking her if she had Varacellia as a child she did. Doctor said something about it. Then said she needed it now or she cant wrtie off for the interview.So the day of the medical exam she got 2 vaccines Hpv and Varacellia Hope that helps you a little hey carl just wondering how things are going havent heard from you in awhile	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-02-19 01:55:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Saludos Colombia Club. Leidys and I mailed our AOS package yesterday, and now it's time to celebrate! Hopefully, there won't be an RFE... Sunday at Mormon Rocks, CA congrats ken hope it goes smooth for you all? you guys do a lot of hiking?	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-02-19 01:53:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Congrats on the appointment- big day coming! Where are you guys going to stay, while in Bogota? Joe we will stay in the apartments we love bogota ken recommended. sandra will be there on the march 3 for medical and arrive on the 5 and we both will go to barranquilla on the 6 to the 8th and interview on the 9th Harold, Be sure to DEMAND an additional X-Ray report when Sandra gets her Chest X-Ray. You will need it for your Adjustment of Status (AOS) paperwork. thanks ken i will do	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-02-13 20:37:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Colombia Club Part II	Joe, OMG...the saga continues. You must have an enormous amount of patience. If I were you, the guys in the white coats would be coming after me. LOL When your fiancee arrives, you should party for a week!! Anyway, I hope she has no problems and you can put all of this behind you and chill until June. Good luck. Mark Diffenitley need to party when all done. Sounds like just trying to squeeze every penny they can get. Today we schedule labatory and medical and they say she needs all the vaccines she just got a week ago because of her age. They say is booster. Thet just keep wanting money from everyone.	arizreynolds	Male	Colombia	2010-02-12 20:15:00