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Filed: Country: Colombia
Timeline
Posted

Hello everyone,

A friend of a friend of my fieance' is under the impression that there has been a order placed from the powers that be that the Embasies are to deny 95% of visa applications for Colombian citizens.

Does this sound at all familer to anyone?

We applied for her K1 in March, as you can imagine she is acared to death right now and I find it hard to belive that they have just decided accross the board to deny 95% of visas.

Thanks for any input.

Gary

Posted

I heard similar rumor, my girl is from colombia as well. I believe this just applies to tourist visa. Check out this link to get a lot of good colombian information really good site and informative.

http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/forum/

This site has a lot of experts about Colombia, atleast they sound like experts to me.

Good luck.

Hello everyone,

A friend of a friend of my fieance' is under the impression that there has been a order placed from the powers that be that the Embasies are to deny 95% of visa applications for Colombian citizens.

Does this sound at all familer to anyone?

We applied for her K1 in March, as you can imagine she is acared to death right now and I find it hard to belive that they have just decided accross the board to deny 95% of visas.

Thanks for any input.

Gary

K1

04/11/2006--sent i-129f

10/19/2006--fiance arrived USA

11/20/2006--Married

AOS

12/15/06-- noa1

01/12/07-- rfe

01/24/07-- 485 transferred to CA

02/03/07-- Biometrics

03/02/07-- welcome letter sent

03/09/07-- snail mail welcome letter received

03/16/07-- card production message received

03/21/07-- approval notice sent

03/23/07-- resident card in hand

Remove Conditions

1/12/09--noa1

2/04/09--Biometrics

6/05/09--Approval notice received in mail

6/28/09-- 10 year card received in the mail

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Brazil
Timeline
Posted

I don't think that's right. They should study each case separately not judge the country and deny 95%. I think those are rumors. Maybe they're being more careful with Colombia cases, but not given an order to deny 95% of them. :no:



* K1 Timeline *
* 04/07/06: I-129F Sent to NSC
* 10/02/06: Interview date - APPROVED!
* 10/10/06: POE Houston
* 11/25/06: Wedding day!!!

* AOS/EAD/AP Timeline *
*01/05/07: AOS/EAD/AP sent
*02/19/08: AOS approved
*02/27/08: Permanent Resident Card received

* LOC Timeline *
*12/31/09: Applied Lifting of Condition
*01/04/10: NOA
*02/12/10: Biometrics
*03/03/10: LOC approved
*03/11/10: 10 years green card received

* Naturalization Timeline *
*12/17/10: package sent
*12/29/10: NOA date
*01/19/11: biometrics
*04/12/11: interview
*04/15/11: approval letter
*05/13/11: Oath Ceremony - Officially done with Immigration.

Complete Timeline

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Colombia
Timeline
Posted

It is very hard to get a tourist visa from Colombia. It would not surprise me if there was a 95% denial rate. I really don't even think that is a directive. They just know that most people wont come back.

So far it has been pretty rare for anybody to be denied a K1 from Colombia.

10 Nov mailed I 129F to TSC

16 Nov 29 Nov Notice date

3 Dec Received NOA 1

3 Jan 05 Please I just want to be touched

3 may 05 NOA2 E mail notification

7 May 05 Mail NOA2

11 May 05 sent petition to Bogota

18 May Packet 3 arrived

19 May Checklist taken to consulate

31 May Packet 4 delivered

29 June visa granted

1 July Visa delivered

Sometime in July Lucero came to US

13 Sept 05 Married

1 Nov 05 -USCIS recieved 485 and EAD

13 December RFE stupid things I should have included Returned very quickly

27 March received bio letter for New Orleans

7 Apr_06 Bio done in New Orleans

20 April 06 Touched on all applications

21 April Email received EAD approved

27 Apr Received EAD card

30 May 2006 Received appointment letter for JaX on 13 July 2006

13 July Interview successful approved

20 July Received green card

30 June 08 Sent I751 to remove conditions

25 July 08 Application returned erroneously incorrect fee

27 July mailed new application with separate checks

15 Sept 08 Application returned erroneously K2 not within 90 day timeframe

17 Sept Mailed 3rd application with mountains of proof of error copied Senator Mel Martinez

09 October 4th application package sent. This time they said the app signature page was a copy

10 Oct Sent package again 4th time.

25 Oct Received another NOA for Wife with $625 for the amount with one year extension

30 Oct 2008 Still nothing for step daughter. Checks still haven't cleared the bank

24 November Checks finally cleared the bank

February biometrics for wife Nothing for daughter.

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Kyrgyzstan
Timeline
Posted

SPECIAL NOTICE ON THE FIANCEE VISA

POST-IMBRA:

U.S. EMBASSY, BOGOTA, COLOMBIA

Cautionary Tales and Trends for The K-1 Fiancee Visa

Revised Date: February 16, 2006

Dear Clients, Friends and Supporters,

I) FIANCEE VISA DENIALS AND WHY IT'S HAPPENING:

Following the passage last month of the International Marriage Broker Law (IMBRA) and intensifying on a pattern which started with post-09/11 security procedures, our reports are that the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia has initiated a consular protocol of "Strict Review" of K Visas, especially the K-1 Fiancee Visa.

We are receiving reports of increasing numbers of DENIALS of Fiancee Visa applications, both PROVISIONAL DENIALS under Section 221(g) and FINAL DENIALS.

It appears that there are a number of reasons behind this unhappy trend. First, for some time, the Immigrant Visa Section has been getting an increasing number of disturbing complaints from U.S. citizen gentlemen who financially sponsored a Colombian lady under a Fiancee Visa. These gentlemen are reporting that their Colombian lady left them after arriving in the U.S., or have decided to overstay their visa with no intention of returning home to Colombia.

Second, with the passage of IMBRA, Homeland Security and State Department have apparantly given instructions that the U.S. Consulates better police the issuance of K-1 Fiancee Visas.

II) STRICT REVIEW PROTOCOL:

It would seem that Fiancee Visas will no longer be a "slam dunk" (if it ever was), at least for some gentlemen petitioners and lady applicants.

The protocol of "strict review" or close scrutiny of Fiancee Visa applications, which has been in place for some time at other nearby Consulates, notably at the one in Lima, Peru, means that the Consular Officer will closely examine all of the "qualifying" factors upon which a decision to issue the Fiancee Visa is based. This includes a satisfactory showing that the fiancee relationship is sincere, genuine and in good faith, and that the couple demonstrate a "serious intention to marry" in the U.S.

While the Consulate in the past has always examined all of the factors in a given case, certain Fiancee Visa applications will now be MORE CLOSELY SCRUTNIZED for things such as sincerity of the couple's relationship, and the likelihood that the lady will comply with terms and conditions of the visa, to determine if visa issuance is appropriate under all circumstances.

EXAMPLES OF FACTORS WHICH MAY CALL FOR VISA DENIAL: If these factors lead to the conclusion that the visa applicant did NOT show a genuine fiancee relationship under regulation, then these factors MAY lead to a decision of VISA DENIAL, 1) Gentlemen who choose NOT TO APPEAR AT VISA INTERVIEW with their lady fiancee, if coupled with other factors in the case which suggest that they may no longer be together as a couple such as the length of time since they last saw each other. [As a general precaution, gentlemen petitioners should probably now consider attending the Visa Interview, time and money permitting, even if the Consular Officer has no questions for the gentleman, as a message of support for the couple's showing of relationship]; 2) Couples who appear NOT TO SHARE A COMMON LANGUAGE (that is, the gentleman does not speak any Spanish and the lady does not speak any English), if there are other factors in the case which create a reasonable doubt that the couple are indeed a "couple", such as significant differences in age, socio-cultural background and religious beliefs and; 3) Gentlemen who present THREE OR MORE PAST DIVORCES, if other doubt exists such as the lady fiancee not being aware or hardly being aware of the fact of the man's divorces or the general reasons for them. 4) Additional Factors: Gentlemen with a record of having filed two or more Fiancee Visas before, especially (but not necessarily) if the lady violated the terms of her visa, or simply left at the two year mark with her green card permanent residency. Ladies with a history of past Fiancee Visas. Gentlemen with current or recent serious criminal or family court background, especially concerning domestic violence, sexual abuse or molestation.

III) THE IMPORTANCE OF A DELIBERATE AND WELL-DOCUMENTED RELATIONSHIP, CULMINATING IN A PERSUASIVE INTERVIEW RESULT:

Couples would probably be well-advised to proceed cautiously and deliberately in their relationship-building, with a keen sense to well-document with photos, love letters, E-Mails, phone bills, trip receipts, and others, things such as: the gentleman's return visits to see his lady fiancee, continuous and robust communication between the couple, and a sincere desire to finalize a marriage in the U.S. within the 90-days. Moreover, it would probably behoove couples to make "full disclosure" to each other about all critical aspects of each other's past, such as, if any, past divorces, past criminal and domestic violence background and past visa history.

Ladies who are interviewed and are found to be ignorant about their gentleman's prior marital or visa history with other ladies, or their gentleman's criminal background, will not likely receive the Fiancee Visa as it may appear that the relationship is neither openly forthcoming nor sincere.

In the coming days, gentlemen should probably plan and be ready to attend the Visa Interview, and expect that the Consular Officer will explain to the lady visa applicant in her primary language about, if any, his past divorces, and criminal and domestic violence history. Likewise, in the coming days, the lady applicant should also probably be ready for more extensive questioning than before about her relationship, including whether the couple met through an "International Marriage Broker", and expect a detailed discussion in her primary language of her domestic violence rights.

As for legal remedies in case of a visa denial, current regulations and practice do allow for a few options depending on the exact reasons for denial (e.g. appeal, motion for reconsideration, motion to re-open, waiver petition, and new visa application, and informal appeal to a Congressman or Senator's office). But frankly none of these options offer particularly bright prospects for success. The far better course is simply to develop and present a case suitable for a winning visa in the first place.

The bottom line is that lady applicants and gentlemen will only need to be even more prepared and patient than before in the ever-changing visa process.

We will continue to monitor the situation.

Gary Bala

USA Immigration Attorney

Pennsylvania USA

Web: www.USAImmigrationAttorney.com

I'm not going through that Embassy but thought you may want the info :yes:

October 14, 2005~~~~ Mailed I-129F (Vermont)

October 17, 2005~~~~ I-129F Arrives via USPS

October 20, 2005~~~~ Check Cashed

October 26, 2005~~~~ Received NOA1 via mail :):)

October 26, 2005~~~~ Signed up for emails with uscis.gov

November 03, 2005~~~~ Received email NOA2 Approval :)

November 09, 2005~~~~ Received NOA2 in mail :)

November 10, 2005~~~~ Case mailed to Embassy!!

November 12, 2005~~~~ Received letter case has been sent.

November-December13, 2005~~~~ No Packet 3???????

December 14, 2005 ~~~~Email Embassy

December 15, 2005 ~~~~Packet 3 via email???? To me!!! ????

January 31, 2006 ~~~~ Interview

****Had to reschudule Interview, Passport problems :( Oksana needs a new one, her government makes her wait and moves SSSSSSSSLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWW :(

****February-March Still awaiting Passport

March 3, 2006 ~~~~ Medical

March 7, 2006 ~~~~ Interview And PASSED!!! :):) (They will issue visa when new passport arrives)

March 8, 2006 ~~~~ Awaiting and Awaiting New Passport :(:(

April 8, 2006~~~~ Passport Issued :):)

April 12, 2006~~~~ Visa inside New Passport :):)

April 15, 2006~~~~ Notice WRONG PASSPORT NUMBER ON VISA, Must go back to Embassy again to correct their MISTAKE

May 2, 2006~~~~ Visa corrected

May 10, 2006~~~~ Fly to Bishkek

May 14, 2006~~~~ We fly together for the US

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Colombia
Timeline
Posted

They did question me at the interview. They told me that they had gotten a lot of complaints from men that were dumped as soon as the fiance got to the states. They asked me if I was confident that Lucero was legit. As soon as I said I had no doubts that was all over with.

This is all good advice, but I wouldn't worry too much about it. There is still nothing that a lawyer can help with in this process.

I think if this rumor had any basis we would see VJ lighting up with unfair denials from Colombia.

10 Nov mailed I 129F to TSC

16 Nov 29 Nov Notice date

3 Dec Received NOA 1

3 Jan 05 Please I just want to be touched

3 may 05 NOA2 E mail notification

7 May 05 Mail NOA2

11 May 05 sent petition to Bogota

18 May Packet 3 arrived

19 May Checklist taken to consulate

31 May Packet 4 delivered

29 June visa granted

1 July Visa delivered

Sometime in July Lucero came to US

13 Sept 05 Married

1 Nov 05 -USCIS recieved 485 and EAD

13 December RFE stupid things I should have included Returned very quickly

27 March received bio letter for New Orleans

7 Apr_06 Bio done in New Orleans

20 April 06 Touched on all applications

21 April Email received EAD approved

27 Apr Received EAD card

30 May 2006 Received appointment letter for JaX on 13 July 2006

13 July Interview successful approved

20 July Received green card

30 June 08 Sent I751 to remove conditions

25 July 08 Application returned erroneously incorrect fee

27 July mailed new application with separate checks

15 Sept 08 Application returned erroneously K2 not within 90 day timeframe

17 Sept Mailed 3rd application with mountains of proof of error copied Senator Mel Martinez

09 October 4th application package sent. This time they said the app signature page was a copy

10 Oct Sent package again 4th time.

25 Oct Received another NOA for Wife with $625 for the amount with one year extension

30 Oct 2008 Still nothing for step daughter. Checks still haven't cleared the bank

24 November Checks finally cleared the bank

February biometrics for wife Nothing for daughter.

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Colombia
Timeline
Posted

Having gone through the interview process with my fiance' from Colombia on April 6 I can add that it appears that only about 95% or so of the people interviewed get a Visa. There were hundreds on the day of the interview but on the day to pick up the Visa the following day only 30 or so. But that was for all types of Visas. There only appeared a handful of people applying for fiance' visas to begin with having made it through the paper process. There were perhaps 200 people there for travel Visas the day we were at the embassy so who knows how many got through. I am aware that anyone from Colombia simply wishing to visit the U.S. or a relative has to show that they have a compelling reason to return to Colombia--a home and/or business with a financial stake that would cause them to return.

Posted
Having gone through the interview process with my fiance' from Colombia on April 6 I can add that it appears that only about 95% or so of the people interviewed get a Visa. There were hundreds on the day of the interview but on the day to pick up the Visa the following day only 30 or so. But that was for all types of Visas. There only appeared a handful of people applying for fiance' visas to begin with having made it through the paper process. There were perhaps 200 people there for travel Visas the day we were at the embassy so who knows how many got through. I am aware that anyone from Colombia simply wishing to visit the U.S. or a relative has to show that they have a compelling reason to return to Colombia--a home and/or business with a financial stake that would cause them to return.
Ive been living in SE Asia for over a decade, friends working at both the Austalian and American embassy's tell me they have a 95% rejection rate of tourist visas. The only people who make it easily are diplomats, and older people with wife and kids staying behind. I think any countries citizens who are considered as a " high flight risk" have the same policy. I haven't heard of the same when applying for immigration visa's, although old men and young girls who dont speak English always get a raised eyebrow!

2006

April 14 - sent I-129F to Vermont

April 25 - NOA1

May, June, July lost to IMBRA and RFE's

Aug 22 - NOA2

Sept 25 - interview date OCTOBER 13th

Oct 26 - arrived at JFK - work authorized

Nov 21 - apply SSN, received Nov 29

Dec 16 - marriage license

2007

Jan 05 - wedding

Jan 30 - AOS begins

AOS

Feb 07 - NOA1 ,check cashed

Feb 28 - notice I-485 sent to CSC

Mar 10 - Biometrics

Apr 16 - surprise RFE arrives..they lost my medical. New medical returned, Apr 23

Jun 1st - RFE ..more medical BS ( go back for TB skin test)

Jun 28 - CARD PRODUCTION ORDERED!!!

July 06- Green card arrives.

LIFTING CONDITIONS 2009

June 12 - mailed package

June 15 - check cashed

June 19 - NOA extension letter ( card expires June 26th)

July 03 - Biometrics notice

July 14 - Biometrics appointment

OCT 29 - CARD PRODUCTION ORDERED!!!

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Colombia
Timeline
Posted (edited)

Hey BigTex, did you happen to recognize the ones applying for the fiancee visa? In other words, do you have an idea of how many of the K1 applicants you saw on the day of your interview were there to pick up their visas the next day?

Edited by zed2283

I-129F (K-1 Fiancee Visa)

11/29/05 sent I-129F

12/07/05 rec'd NOA1

03/06/06 rec'd NOA2

03/21/06 NVC case# assigned

03/22/06 case left NVC for Bogota

03/24/06 package rec'd in Bogota

03/28/06 packet 3 mailed from embassy

04/12/06 called embassy and requested to re-send packet 3

04/18/06 faxed and mailed packet 3

04/21/06 rec'd BOTH packet 3's...

05/01/06 rec'd packet 4

05/24/06 interview - APROBADO!!

06/03/06 flew to Barranquilla

06/05/06 back in the States with my novia

09/01/06 MARRIED!!

I-485 (AOS) / I-765 (EAD)

09/19/06 sent I-485 and I-765

09/29/06 rec'd NOA for I-485 and I-765

10/10/06 AOS transferred to CSC

10/20/06 biometrics appt.

10/26/06 I-485 APPROVED, welcome letter sent!

10/30/06 welcome letter rec'd in the mail

11/02/06 REC'D GREEN CARD!

I-751 (Removal of Conditions)

07/30/08 sent I-751

08/15/08 rec'd NOA from VSC

09/10/08 biometrics appt.

 
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