Jittery about Fiance's Interview in Bogota Next Week... I'm not attending... Anecdotes?

[sohappy2 1]

Hi Everyone...

As you know, VJ is pretty much the only place to find people who REALLY get it.

My fiance's interview is on the 23rd in Bogota. I feel like we've done everything right, but my being there for the interview is just impossible. I read reviews about people getting denied, and now I'm getting paranoid.

Anyone have good news about a male fiance getting approved without much trouble without his female fiance being present? Good news only, please. Or something we could do? FREAKING OUT over here!!!

Thanks!

Traci

[Mononoke28 135]

Traci,

Many people have gone to the embassy by themselves and gotten approved. However, this does not mean that he will get his visa the day of the interview and the CO may ask for you to be present.

But in all honesty, if you have every piece of evidence needed, and all documentation has been filled out right, there shouldn't be a reason for denial unless the CO sees something fishy and asks for you to go with him to a second interview.

Diana

[TBoneTX 45,304]

[...]But in all honesty, if you have every piece of evidence needed, and all documentation has been filled out right, there shouldn't be a reason for denial unless the CO sees something fishy and asks for you to go with him to a second interview.

1. Be VERY thankful that this is Bogota, where I have heard that only U.S. citizens (consuls) conduct interviews, and foreign nationals do not conduct interviews and give God-knows-what information to the actual decision-makers, whom the interviewee never gets to see or talk to.

2. I have heard that, in Bogota, the consuls actually LOOK at the evidence that is brought to the first interview, and that they don't kick interviewees out after 4 minutes by handing them a letter saying that "the evidence presented today is insufficient" when the evidence WAS brought and WOULD have been sufficient IF the consuls had LOOKED at it. I have heard that the consuls don't say "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance(e)!" as they give your fiance(e) the bum's rush after 4 minutes.

3. I have heard that, in Bogota, the consuls don't "suggest" that the foreign fiance(e) appear for a "joint interview" "the next time he/she is in Colombia" and "bring more evidence of the relationship, if you wish" when the real meaning is that "he/she WILL show up, at his/her own expense and endangerment of his/her employment, or we will never grant this visa."

4. I have heard that, in Bogota, appointments for second interviews aren't stalled by native call-takers who can't speak understandable English and who get commissions for how many $12-for-8-minutes-of-talk-time PIN numbers they can make the U.S. citizen rack up before any service is provided.

5. I have heard that, in Bogota, any "joint" interviews are actually "joint," where the couple's interaction together as a couple is observed, versus separate interrogations that consist of foreign nationals asking intrusive, insulting questions that have no conceivable relevance to the issuance of a nonimmigrant visa, or to immigration law at all.

6. I have heard that, in Bogota, if "more evidence" is brought to a second interview, it is looked at and considered THEN & THERE. I have heard that the protocol in Bogota is not to say "Not enough evidence at this first interview -- go away!" "Too much evidence at this second interview -- go away!"

7. I have heard that, in Bogota, decisions about issuing visas are made THEN & THERE, on-site. If a decision on the visa is promised "in two weeks or less," the decision on the visa is provided in that time. Actually, I have never heard of a decision taking anywhere nearly that long in Bogota.

If your fiance is bringing copious evidence of an ongoing relationship, and if the evidence is thorough, consistent over time, and sound, I predict an OK experience for him, because this is the Bogota embassy and not a consulate in a certain neighboring country. Breathe easily, Traci, and count your blessings.

[TBoneTX 45,304]

Sorry 'bout the above, Traci -- pressure blowing up after two weeks of no sleep. The short answer is that everything that I've ever heard about Bogota -- including from a buddy who has a friend who JUST interviewed there -- indicates that the embassy has its act together. Aside from that, Diana's post is accurate and excellent. Just make sure that your man has all kinds of "proof of relationship" with him (most of which may not even be looked at!), and you can relax. Let us know how it goes.

[sohappy2 1]

Thanks Diana, and T-Bone, don't worry about venting your frustrations. I TOTALLY get it, and feel sad that you had such a rough time with Ecuador.

Diana, et. al, do you know when visas are issued if approved? That day? The next day?

Also, I was getting sick to my stomach about not being there, and so I bought a ticket today. Credit card, but what's a little more debt when you already have some? I'll let you all know how it goes.

[TBoneTX 45,304]

Thanks Diana, and T-Bone, don't worry about venting your frustrations. I TOTALLY get it, and feel sad that you had such a rough time with Ecuador.

It ain't over, Traci... I was hoping to have her here today for my birthday, which she probably would have been, had she interviewed in Bogota!

Diana, et. al, do you know when visas are issued if approved? That day? The next day?

Also, I was getting sick to my stomach about not being there, and so I bought a ticket today. Credit card, but what's a little more debt when you already have some? I'll let you all know how it goes.

Everything that I have heard & seen indicates that the DECISION is made that day. Others can comment on the speed of issuance. And, consider your ticket-purchase to be INSURANCE, rather than debt -- smart move.

Someone knowledgeable wrote me with this, regarding my own situation: "As in any overseas post, the smallest ones have the newest, least experienced, or worse, poor-performing personnel. In high-output posts, such as Manila, London, or Rio, you get the best people DOS has. This is an unfortunate reality." I would imagine that Bogota falls in the high-output category, so chin up, si man!

[Mononoke28 135]

Thanks Diana, and T-Bone, don't worry about venting your frustrations. I TOTALLY get it, and feel sad that you had such a rough time with Ecuador.

Diana, et. al, do you know when visas are issued if approved? That day? The next day?

Also, I was getting sick to my stomach about not being there, and so I bought a ticket today. Credit card, but what's a little more debt when you already have some? I'll let you all know how it goes.

Traci,

If you do end up going to the interview with your fiancée, make sure you take your US passport with you so they can let you in the embassy. Once inside make sure you behave like a couple at all times because the consuls conduct all interviews through a window and are able to see everyone who is waiting for their turn, so take that time to show them that you have a legit relationship even before you're interviewed.

As for the visa itself, the consul will let you know on the spot if it has been approved. He/she will say "congratulations, your visa has been approved". After that you have to go to DOMESA and pay for the delivery fee. DOMESA will then deliver the visa in about 3 business days if the address you give them is in Bogotá itself, or about 6-10 business days if it's outside of Bogotá. They will deliver a big brown envelope that SHOULD NOT BE OPENED by any means.

Diana

[sohappy2 1]

T-Bone,

Thanks for the encouragement. I am so sorry that things are so crappy for you, and that you couldn't celebrate the birthday together.

Diana,

The whole "mailing the visa" thing makes me very nervous... Big brown envelope or no, I'm not a fan of having that thing mailed... do they get lost?

Thanks Diana, and T-Bone, don't worry about venting your frustrations. I TOTALLY get it, and feel sad that you had such a rough time with Ecuador.

Diana, et. al, do you know when visas are issued if approved? That day? The next day?

Also, I was getting sick to my stomach about not being there, and so I bought a ticket today. Credit card, but what's a little more debt when you already have some? I'll let you all know how it goes.

Traci,

If you do end up going to the interview with your fiancée, make sure you take your US passport with you so they can let you in the embassy. Once inside make sure you behave like a couple at all times because the consuls conduct all interviews through a window and are able to see everyone who is waiting for their turn, so take that time to show them that you have a legit relationship even before you're interviewed.

As for the visa itself, the consul will let you know on the spot if it has been approved. He/she will say "congratulations, your visa has been approved". After that you have to go to DOMESA and pay for the delivery fee. DOMESA will then deliver the visa in about 3 business days if the address you give them is in Bogotá itself, or about 6-10 business days if it's outside of Bogotá. They will deliver a big brown envelope that SHOULD NOT BE OPENED by any means.

Diana

[Mononoke28 135]

T-Bone,

Thanks for the encouragement. I am so sorry that things are so crappy for you, and that you couldn't celebrate the birthday together.

Diana,

The whole "mailing the visa" thing makes me very nervous... Big brown envelope or no, I'm not a fan of having that thing mailed... do they get lost?

Oh no, nothing to worry about since DOMESA is a very trusting delivery service. That's why the embassy uses them and that's why you have to pay to have it delivered. They do this for all kinds of visas and deliver them all over Colombia, so rest assured he'll get it eventually.

Diana

[B&E 0]

Traci,

Good luck with everything...I'm certainly going to be thinking about you and Elias on Wednesday.

Our interview is the 29th and I think we have everything set. I was able to get time to go, and found a way to afford it too (sold my house last month - finally).

To everyone else who posted, this is good information that is making me feel better too...

Ben

[Mononoke28 135]

Traci,

There's another VJ member who has his K1 interview tomorrow. His name is Andrés and his fiancée's name is Jennifer. Really nice guy, so you may bump into each other at the embassy.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Diana