US Consulate in Guayaquil, Ecuador

[TBoneTX 45,248]

Hi all, I'm late to the party [...]

(This always happens when I'm off VJ for a few days... someone needs help with Guayaquil... sorry, si man.) I started reading the K-1 forum first and provided some advice here, in post #42:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/352249-skype-log-how-many-is-too-many/page__pid__5169309__st__30#entry5169309

From reading what you say here, especially the gladdening news that you'll attend, I can relax a bit more, si man. Read what I said about being early. You seem to have your head on straight, si man, and there's hope, glee man.

[fantonledzepp 159]

(This always happens when I'm off VJ for a few days... someone needs help with Guayaquil... sorry, si man.) I started reading the K-1 forum first and provided some advice here, in post #42:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/352249-skype-log-how-many-is-too-many/page__pid__5169309__st__30#entry5169309

From reading what you say here, especially the gladdening news that you'll attend, I can relax a bit more, si man. Read what I said about being early. You seem to have your head on straight, si man, and there's hope, glee man.

Thanks dude. I really appreciate the advice. I will definitely do my best to be there and do everything right.

[TBoneTX 45,248]

And again, it has happened:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/354172-inappropriate-interview/

[TBoneTX 45,248]

And yet AGAIN, it has happened:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/356629-bringing-my-ecuador-wife-to-us/

[JessandPreston 0]

Hey guys, I would like to know how that interview date works, they set a day for me? or online I can schedule in a day they will have free?

[TBoneTX 45,248]

Hey guys, I would like to know how that interview date works, they set a day for me? or online I can schedule in a day they will have free?

It used to be (and may still be) that you had to buy a PIN for $12, then call, get the runaround from the evil harpies on the phone line (who almost certainly earn commissions for how many times they can get you to call back), and call again multiple times before getting an offer of dates. They would offer a date far in the future, and people would have to be very persistent to get them to admit that earlier dates were available. Asking their name and to speak with their supervisor usually got action.

I know that for tourist visas, appointments are scheduled on-line, but I don't know if it's the same for family-based visa appointments. Check the consulate's website for instructions.

[JessandPreston 0]

thank you

[amyjohans 4]

I am trying to get all of the documents in order to send to the NVC and figure out what I'll need to bring to the interview once the time comes. I'm hung up on the marriage certificate. We got married in Guayaquil a year and a half ago, we did our paperwork at the national Registro Civil, not the Registro Civil de Guayaquil. On the US consulate website I found some information that says we need an official copy from the records book, however they no longer use that. It also says that if your marriage was registered in the Registro Civil de Guayaquil you can use a copy of the printed marriage certificate, but that doesn't apply for us either. What I have so far is an official copy of the Inscripcion de Matrimonio (printed) with our signatures and the signatures of the witnesses. I also have an official copy of the Certificado de Matrimonio with just the judges signature. Does anyone know if either of those papers will be accepted or if there is some other one that I need to get?

And do any of the documents need to be apostilled? The birth certificate, police record, or marriage certificate?

[TBoneTX 45,248]

Starting with your third sentence above, I'd e-mail your questions almost verbatim to ivguayaquil@state.gov, so that you have an answer in writing.

Print off the response and bring it with you to the eventual interview, in case someone tries to pull monkeyshines or there's confusion on the scene. The consulate apparently doesn't pay very good attention to what's on its website (or to what papers it sends us), so start a paper trail with a fresh answer. Please let us know what they tell you, so that others will know what the current policy is.

One would guess that everything would have to be apostilled, si man.

[amyjohans 4]

Here is what they said about which document to submit from the National Civil Registry:

Thank you for your message. We will received the original marriage certificate from the National Civil Registry in Guayaquil.

If you need to contact us again, please include this message in your new inquiry. This way we will be able to serve you better.

Sincerely,

Immigrant Visa Unit

American Consulate General

And here is what they said about the apostilles:

Thank you for your message. You need to present to USCIS original Ecuadorian documents with English translation.

I assume that means the printed marriage certificate with the stamp on the back will be okay and that I don't need to get anything apostilled.

[TBoneTX 45,248]

Here is what they said about which document to submit from the National Civil Registry:

Thank you for your message. We will received the original marriage certificate from the National Civil Registry in Guayaquil.

If you need to contact us again, please include this message in your new inquiry. This way we will be able to serve you better.

Sincerely,

Immigrant Visa Unit

American Consulate General

And here is what they said about the apostilles:

Thank you for your message. You need to present to USCIS original Ecuadorian documents with English translation.

I assume that means the printed marriage certificate with the stamp on the back will be okay and that I don't need to get anything apostilled.

Assumptions with this outfit are dangerous. Shoot them a note back about it (and let us know the answer here), si man.

[amyjohans 4]

Assumptions with this outfit are dangerous. Shoot them a note back about it (and let us know the answer here), si man.

Here is the latest email from them:

Thank you again for contacting us. We do not required apostilled documents.

Sincerely,

Immigrant Visa Unit

American Consulate

Guayaquil, Ecuador

[TBoneTX 45,248]

Good to know about not needing the apostille. Sounds like the same chica who responded to us, with the vague answers that took pulling teeth to get.

[leenkath 7]

amyjohans,

When you submitted the I-130 to USCIS, did you only send the computerized marriage certificates or a handwritten document from the Registro Civil? I'm almost ready to send mine in, but noticed that in the GYE embassy they require all handwritten versions. Wondering if USCIS has the same policies.

Thanks!! We hope to get our NOA2 as fast as you guys did!

[anastasiysr 0]

Hello everybody!

I was at interview in Guayaquil embassy and I don't understand what's going on. I actually won DV lottery (I'm not Ecuadorian, rather a foreigner living in Ecuador) and passed successfully the Guayaquil interview. That actually was one of the happiest day in my life!! And they gave me a paper stating I will receive the passport in 10 working days. And then a strange thing happened. Two months have passed (2 months!) and I never received the passport with visa nor they gave me a specific information why it is happening!

When I'm calling the Embassy (04-259-6800) they mostly answer that they don't know anything and I have to wait more... every time I got a different answer about situation. But they cannot tell anything specific by phone. When I send them letters (at IVGuayaquil@.... or infoasa@usvisa-...) they just answer "We apologize for our service", or "Please wait more" and as well don't give any information on what's going on. Noone can tell me what is it.

I feel like trapped. I don't know what to think or to do.

So is there a way, or maybe another phone number or email, or person to get the information on anything in Guayaquil from? Maybe I need to talk to the consul? How is it possible?

Thank you!