Colombia Club

[TonyS 0]

Has anyone had any success using the DHL shortcut? I've been following the information listed by Peter Miami and even with a one day shipping window the response is that there are too many shipments and I should narrow down the shipping information.

Worked just fine for me

[Mike and Adriana 0]

Are you sure you used the proper zip code for the NVC? If so, yes, there are a lot of shipments out in a given day, but usually very few to Bogota. If it still doesn't work, no worries. DHL shipments from the NVC arrive in Bogota in 3 business days. So, count three business day, wait a day or two for processing...and then send it in.

Many of us have used the short-cut. I have not heard of one person having any problems.

Mike

Has anyone had any success using the DHL shortcut? I've been following the information listed by Peter Miami and even with a one day shipping window the response is that there are too many shipments and I should narrow down the shipping information.

[parkpapa 0]

Are you sure you used the proper zip code for the NVC? If so, yes, there are a lot of shipments out in a given day, but usually very few to Bogota. If it still doesn't work, no worries. DHL shipments from the NVC arrive in Bogota in 3 business days. So, count three business day, wait a day or two for processing...and then send it in.

Many of us have used the short-cut. I have not heard of one person having any problems.

Mike

Thanks Mike. I called the NVC this morning and the lady said my packet was leaving today for Bogota. I will tell my wife to get the packet ready early next week and send it in.

[olafgypsy 0]

Does anyone know how I can contact the embassy in Bogota? According to their recorded message, they are no longer taking inquiries about immigrant visa applications. The problem is that the NVC sent out my petition on March 21. Over a month later, my fiance has received no packet 1. So I really need to contact the embassy, but I have tried 3 different numbers and none of them are working. The NVC told me I had to contact the embassy directly, the woman on the phone at the embassy switched me to a pre-recorded message that said something like, "This number is not taking inquiries," and the number THAT message directed me to didn't ring through at all. I'm really frustrated . . . what should I do?

My fiance and I decided to wait for Packet 1 to arrive at his house because we were waiting on some documents anyway. But the fact that it has not arrived makes me think they have the wrong address. We don't want to send them the packet 1 materials, even knowing that they probably have our petition already, and risk the Packet 2 never arriving, especially because at this point we don't know if we will ever be able to get ahold of a human being who can help us fix the problem.

[parkpapa 0]

Does anyone know how I can contact the embassy in Bogota? According to their recorded message, they are no longer taking inquiries about immigrant visa applications. The problem is that the NVC sent out my petition on March 21. Over a month later, my fiance has received no packet 1. So I really need to contact the embassy, but I have tried 3 different numbers and none of them are working. The NVC told me I had to contact the embassy directly, the woman on the phone at the embassy switched me to a pre-recorded message that said something like, "This number is not taking inquiries," and the number THAT message directed me to didn't ring through at all. I'm really frustrated . . . what should I do?

My fiance and I decided to wait for Packet 1 to arrive at his house because we were waiting on some documents anyway. But the fact that it has not arrived makes me think they have the wrong address. We don't want to send them the packet 1 materials, even knowing that they probably have our petition already, and risk the Packet 2 never arriving, especially because at this point we don't know if we will ever be able to get ahold of a human being who can help us fix the problem.

Not sure where I read this, but I'm thinking that the only way to contact them is by fax. If I were in your shoes, I would go ahead and fax AND deliver your packet 3 to the embassy. Then contact them by fax and tell them you will come by to pick up the packet 4, or if that won't work, at least reconfirm your mailing address by fax.

We will face a similar situation since it is almost guaranteed that my wife will not receive either packet, since she lives 10 hours from Bogota.

[Mononoke28 135]

Does anyone know how I can contact the embassy in Bogota? According to their recorded message, they are no longer taking inquiries about immigrant visa applications. The problem is that the NVC sent out my petition on March 21. Over a month later, my fiance has received no packet 1. So I really need to contact the embassy, but I have tried 3 different numbers and none of them are working. The NVC told me I had to contact the embassy directly, the woman on the phone at the embassy switched me to a pre-recorded message that said something like, "This number is not taking inquiries," and the number THAT message directed me to didn't ring through at all. I'm really frustrated . . . what should I do?

My fiance and I decided to wait for Packet 1 to arrive at his house because we were waiting on some documents anyway. But the fact that it has not arrived makes me think they have the wrong address. We don't want to send them the packet 1 materials, even knowing that they probably have our petition already, and risk the Packet 2 never arriving, especially because at this point we don't know if we will ever be able to get ahold of a human being who can help us fix the problem.

Does your fiancée live in Bogotá? If he does, then he should make an appointment with the embassy to pick up packet 3 or maybe authorize someone else to pick it up for him.

If neither of those two options work for you, then all you can do is fax them in your questions. As of the beginning of the month they stopped taking phone calls, unfortunately.

[KathyB 0]

Does anyone know how I can contact the embassy in Bogota? According to their recorded message, they are no longer taking inquiries about immigrant visa applications. The problem is that the NVC sent out my petition on March 21. Over a month later, my fiance has received no packet 1. So I really need to contact the embassy, but I have tried 3 different numbers and none of them are working. The NVC told me I had to contact the embassy directly, the woman on the phone at the embassy switched me to a pre-recorded message that said something like, "This number is not taking inquiries," and the number THAT message directed me to didn't ring through at all. I'm really frustrated . . . what should I do?

Hi olafgypsy,

You can fax inquiries to the embassy: (571) 315-4155. Try that route to see if you get an answer. You might also consider calling the Department of State in the US. People have had luck getting interview date information from the DOS help line; they might be able to assist you in getting to a person in Bogota.

Kathy

[olafgypsy 0]

Yes, I think it's a good idea to just fax and deliver the first packet and then fax a correct address. My fiance lives in Bogota, which is why it's so strange to me that he hasn't received it after over a month . . . At least he'll be able to pick up the next packet himself.

Unfortunately I don't have ready access to a fax machine and neither does he; wish they had an email address or something. Somebody made a comment about how faxing was easier for them because they could sift through the inquiries and decide which ones to answer . . . the same would be true for email, no? But now that I think of it, internet service is unreliable in Bogota, so maybe that's why they insist on faxes. Oh well . . .

[Mike and Adriana 0]

Go ahead and fax packet 3 now. You can go ahead and follow up with a hard copy by courier, but it's not necessary. Perhaps on your cover letter you want to include his address and indicate that he wanted to verify that it was correct.

I have personally witnessed the way they deliver mail in Bogota. It does not necessarily surprise me that he did not get it.

You can find a fax machine in Bogota, you just have to pay. Have him go to Exito. He can send a fax and also send the papers by courier, if he wishes. Actually, we found the courier was CHEAPER than sending the fax, although we did both anyway.

Good luck,

Mike

Yes, I think it's a good idea to just fax and deliver the first packet and then fax a correct address. My fiance lives in Bogota, which is why it's so strange to me that he hasn't received it after over a month . . . At least he'll be able to pick up the next packet himself.

Unfortunately I don't have ready access to a fax machine and neither does he; wish they had an email address or something. Somebody made a comment about how faxing was easier for them because they could sift through the inquiries and decide which ones to answer . . . the same would be true for email, no? But now that I think of it, internet service is unreliable in Bogota, so maybe that's why they insist on faxes. Oh well . . .

[Jay1234 2]

An update, I will fly to Bogota on May 1, our interview is on May 7th. Most everything is almost done, Catherine has her appointment with Dr. Gonzalez on May 2. The police certificate from Aruba arrived at the lawyer's office today, so they will DHL it tomorrow. It looks like everything is going smoothly, even though the last few weeks have been a little nerve wracking. I am getting really excited, will have 10 days in Bogota and if everyting goes well, we will return together through Atlanta. Will update after the interview, of course, with any helpful details.

As far as not getting mail from the Embassy, Catherine lives in Barranquilla and we found no problem with receiving mail. Packet 3 and 4 came through quickly without a hitch. I received a copy from the Embassy within 10 days of her reciept, so even though I have heard that mail can be spotty, I have not had any problems with this. It may not help those who haven't got their mail, but I wouldn't say it is impossible to get mail from the embassy.

It seems like a long time as you go through the process, but once you are there, it does not seem all that bad. Good Luck to everyone!!!!!

[lucho562 0]

Hello,

I am patiently waiting for my NOA2 for k1 visa. I should be getting it very soon. I am not sure what is next. If I receive my NOA2, that is forwarded to NVC.

Where does these packets 3 and 4 come into the picture? Can I obtain them now? If so, where?

Thank you all

[parkpapa 0]

Hello,

I am patiently waiting for my NOA2 for k1 visa. I should be getting it very soon. I am not sure what is next. If I receive my NOA2, that is forwarded to NVC.

Where does these packets 3 and 4 come into the picture? Can I obtain them now? If so, where?

Thank you all

There are a couple of folks who will share copies of packets 3 and 4. I don't recall who they are without looking around some. You can get a good idea of what is in packet 3 from the Bogota embassy website. It is made up of two or three forms that your SO will need to complete and you will need to provide some financial documents also. You should take a look aroung visajourney to get more info. And you'd be wise to read this thread from early November on to this point in order to get more info. Pretty much everything you need to know can be found here somewhere....and looking for it and finding it will actually be good for you! The reason I say that is because you will learn about things that you didn't even know to ask about in the first place. Happy hunting and good luck in getting your visa!

[Mike and Adriana 0]

Yes, you are correct. You receive the NOA 2 (quicker notification if you've registerred for e-mail delivery). Then it goes to the NVC...then to the embassy. The embassy actually send out the packet 3 after receiving the petition, but, of course, no need to wait for them! Use the shortcut that has been chronicled in this thread many times. Once you submit packet 3, the embassy will send you packet 4 with you appointment and instruction. Packet 3 is now available on the embassy web site. Packet 4 is not, but some members have a scanned version that they can send you. I have a scanned version from April, 2005, but it is slightly out of date.

As parkpapa has learned and now advised you, go back to November on this thread and start reading.

Hello,

I am patiently waiting for my NOA2 for k1 visa. I should be getting it very soon. I am not sure what is next. If I receive my NOA2, that is forwarded to NVC.

Where does these packets 3 and 4 come into the picture? Can I obtain them now? If so, where?

Thank you all

[Mononoke28 135]

Lucho,

Here is the link from the embassy where they list the documents included in packet 3: http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsck1instructions.shtml

If you want to get the ball rolling you can find all those forms here on VJ here http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;page=examples

Once the embassy receives the documents your fiancée needs to send them, they will mail her packet 4 which contains the interview info.

Diana

[parkpapa 0]

One question that has been popping up a lot recently is how to contact the Bogota embassy. Here is a link to the embassy's website that explains exactly what to do and how to do it: http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsccontactiv.shtml