Colombia Club Part II

[DeathNova 0]

What is the best way to get a new original birth certificate after the beneficiary has already entered?

[jpcanon 0]

Lets keep in mind that the COs at Bogotá aren't exactly the most trusting of folks. Ask around how they do B visas there.

Wife's cousin has a very good government job. She spent a summer in the US at a kids' camp as a counselor. Went back home. Applied now for a tourist visa and got rejected because the CO said she's young (25) and pretty and would likely make a gringo marry her. She will be appealing this decision.

Hal,

I've heard that it can be very tough to get that precious tourist (B?) visa. My fiance had one for 5 years, then got it renewed a second time for another 5 years. About 6 months after that second renewal, she applied for a tourist visa for her son- at my request- just so he could come to the U.S. for a visit. Well, not only did they deny his, which we figured they may anyway- but we thought "no harm, no foul" However, they also decided to revoke her visa on the spot. I guess asking for the son was a huge red flag- hence me here for the K1 process....

I didn't realize that you could "appeal" those tourist visa decisions, just thought you had to re-apply?

Yeah that was just silly. To be honest... it was your request that likely set off the dumba$ at the embassy to do so. Did you have your USCIS paperwork in process?

Yes... there is an appellation process... the CO was pretty rude apparently... told her to not even think about appealing. Kind of weird.

At the time she got her visa pulled, I had not started the K1 process at all. She had come to the U.S. to visit several times over the years she had the tourist visa. After I met her (online) she came twice to see me in the U.S. I am thankful she at least had a chance to see where I live and meet my family, on the tourist visa. I'm guessing for many people on VJ, coming for the first time to U.S. is only after a K1 or K3 is issued, not being able to ever get a tourist visa....

In underline I think is the reason your 'invitation letter' became an issue for the embassy. I find it pretty amazing they'd be so untrustworthy, even though the current system is understandable.

If tourist visas of this type could come along with temporary sponsorship requirements... where instead of an invitation letter you'd have an affidavit of support and guarantee of leaving the US at or before expiry of the tourist visa with consequences on the USC and visitor doing the sponsorship if the visa is violated... then we'd be talking about a lot more honest approvals for tourists that would otherwise be discriminated against in places like Colombia.

That would be a much more fair system and IMO would actually cut down on visa overstays- ironically making it easier for the embassy people to work.

Hal,

Good points! In my case, I didn't send any kind of an invitation letter or have any contact with the Bogota embassy at all. I just suggested to her to go and apply for a tourist visa for her son, since she already had one. So, the embassy knew nothing about me....the son got shut down, (which we kinda figured may happen) and they decided to revoke her visa on the spot (which we had no idea would happen). In hind sight, I guess they figured she was gonna head to the U.S. with her son and never return- even though she had been to the U.S. several times and never over-stayed a visit or anything......

Joe

Oh I thought there was some kind of letter involved... which in the case of a single male 'inviting' a female with her son as tourists does have a slight connotation of something more than tourism... but still... there is a line the CO shouldn't cross in assuming unless they are telepathic... and trust me they're not!

It does seem really fishy they'd revoke her tourist visa too. How unfortunate she couldn't fight that at the time as it does seem a bit odd.

Yes, it was quite a shock. I will say that she told me the CO said something to her about me sending money thru Western Union- they knew about that, so then they asked her about me at that point- I'm guessing that sealed it... Is it a pretty extensive background check on a person that is performed before the tourist visa interview? Similar to what they do before a K1 or K3 interview as well?

Is it pretty much up to the individual CO that is standing there dealing with you, as to which (yay or nay) "rubber" stamp gets slammed down?

Joe

Well the rubber stamp is handle by someone who is human, and follows some loose rules that essentially tell him not to give visas, because the burden of proof is on the applicant. He has to assume that the applicant is a potential immigrant, therefore it is totally up to him (her). On the contrary when the law requieres them to justify, it is a different thing, especially if there is a citizen involved, Visitors visas are vulnerable, but if you are denied, and appeal, maybe someone will take a second look, and, the denying CO might get a tick mark in his folder, (an oh ######! erases 1000 ataboys!). So if you think this was arbitrary, appeal. You do not have to be right. Let me tell you a little story, I went to get my learners permit in Kingston NY, the lady decided that my passport was not valid, and the visa was not valid, and since my alien card did not have my mothers name, it was not valid either, I told her to show me the rule, she went to her boss who also sided with her, I show them the rule in the pamphlet, they call the supervisor, she called immigration and Albany and they had to accept it. They were just stupid, they did not know the rules, If I had accepted they word, I would have to wait a year to change my Alien card name(if ever). Appeal.

Gigisan,

Thanks for the reply- it helped shed some light on the subject, and it is an interesting story about your learners permit.....

Joe

[CristianAmour 1]

Appeal.

You can't appeal the denial of a tourist visa, or even the decision they made to revoke hers. I've had it happen to me and they very clearly tell you that you can't appeal, but that you're welcome to apply again (yay!). All in all, they can do whatever they want with tourist visas.

[jpcanon 0]

Just a quick question about appointment scheduling:

We sent the packet 3 response to the embassy on Friday March 13th (I know, Friday the 13th!) from Pereira by Servientrega. It should have arrived on Monday the 16th. We didn't use the short cut, just sent in. I have been calling the DOS including today, and they say no information- just wondering how long it usually takes for them to schedule an appt. date? Looks like they are not fully done posting April appointments on the embassy website- still says "partial report" so maybe they have had our case for a week now, but have not assigned a date yet?

Thanks,

Joe

[Mononoke28 134]

Just gotta keep calling either the DOS or the US embassy on Wednesday to make sure they did get the packet and see if they've scheduled the interview. Also, don't count too much on their site because many times they post the wrong information on there.

Diana

[Mononoke28 134]

What is the best way to get a new original birth certificate after the beneficiary has already entered?

You mean a birth certificate for the beneficiary? If that's the case then anyone can go to the notaría where she was registered in Colombia and ask for as many copies as they're allowed to have.

Diana

[jpcanon 0]

Just gotta keep calling either the DOS or the US embassy on Wednesday to make sure they did get the packet and see if they've scheduled the interview. Also, don't count too much on their site because many times they post the wrong information on there.

Diana

Thanks Diana- one question I have if you know the answer: will the DOS know (be notified) when the embassy actually received packet 3, or just they will be notified of the actual appointment date- nothing regarding just receiving it?

thanks,

Joe

[TonyS 0]

Joe looking at your time line you should be getting a interview date soon. I don't know if things have changed now but I remember calling the embassy and never getting through. The website really suck too as far as updating. I remember there is a number here in the US you can call and easily get the interview date. Anyone here remember?

[Omar G. 4]

i have a question regarding filing out the DS-156 for K-2. question 34 asks 'Names and Relationships of persons traveling with you' well we are not sure who will pick up my fiance's daughter (filing FOLLOW TO JOIN), we are thinking me or my fiance. in order for my fiance to pick up her daughter she will need her advance parole and i heard it may take a few months to actually get once we are married. we are planning on marrying in june/july (1 month after arrival) and then continue with the AOS which is when we can file for advance parole for my fiance. we want for her daughter (K-2) to travel sometime in august before the school year starts. should i put my name or my fiance's name?

one more question, do we need a migration movement letter for both, K-1 and K-2?

thank you

[Dillan 0]

Hi,

I have two DS 230 related questions. Do I need to have the original police certificate from DAS to send in with the DS-230 or is the police certificate needed only for the interview at the embassy? Do I need the migratory document to send in with the DS 230 or is that also for the interview?

FYI, I see somebody asked a similar questions a few days ago, though I would still like a response. If it can be done online, what website?

Thanks in advance,

Dillan

Edited March 26, 2009 by Dillan

[jpcanon 0]

Joe looking at your time line you should be getting a interview date soon. I don't know if things have changed now but I remember calling the embassy and never getting through. The website really suck too as far as updating. I remember there is a number here in the US you can call and easily get the interview date. Anyone here remember?

Hi Tony,

Thanks much for the message. I have called the DOS (202) 663-1225 x1 and then x0 to speak with someone- they say no appointment date yet... I thought maybe it would happen quicker- been about 9 days since they received my packet 3- maybe i am just being impatient!

Joe

[Omar G. 4]

Hi,

I have two DS 230 related questions. Do I need to have the original police certificate from DAS to send in with the DS-230 or is the police certificate needed only for the interview at the embassy? Do I need the migratory document to send in with the DS 230 or is that also for the interview?

FYI, I see somebody asked a similar questions a few days ago, though I would still like a response. If it can be done online, what website?

Thanks in advance,

Dillan

the police certificate and the migratory document are only needed at the interview. you can send the DS-230 part 1 just as is. the list are the requirements for the visa interview

[jpcanon 0]

Just called the DOS and they have an appointment date of April 29th for me! I have a couple of questions if anyone knows: My fiance has a 10 year old son, and I noticed the packet 4 documents on the embassy website says:

"Children under 14 years of age whose names are listed on a parent’s appointment letter are not required to come to their immigrant or K visa interviews."

"LABORATORY EXAMINATION: Applicants who are 15 years of age or older are required to have blood tests and a chest X-ray done BEFORE their general physical examination at the following address: Instituto y Laboratorio Clínico Calle 38 No. 8-28, Local No. 1 Bogotá Tel. 232-7272"

BUT, it also says:

"GENERAL PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: Each applicant, regardless of age, must have a general physical examination with one of the doctors (also known as panel physicians) listed below. The doctors see patients Monday through Friday. Dra. Maria Consuelo Gonzalez Cra. 8 No. 49-25, Cons. 302 Bogotá Tels. 288-7629, 245-9290 Dr. Jairo H. Roa Centro Medico La Sabana Cra. 7 No. 119-14 , Cons 325 Bogotá Tels. 2151763, 6589366 Examinations from a laboratory or doctor not included on this list will not be accepted."

So, I guess there is no getting around her son making the trip to Bogota in order to just be seen by Dr. Roa or Gonzalez, correct?

Thanks,

Joe

[james&adry 3]

Greetings friends, fellow VJers, Colombianos and yes even Costenas.

First and update,

Adriana and I are doing very fine. We decided to push back the date of our union to April 30th because her mother was going through a tough time and my work was creating some havoc. All in all love seems to conquer all and in the midsts of everything her mom pulled through and I decided to just visit her o inn the dates we set for the wedding Bogota instead. Even though we did not get married as planned we had a blast together! Did some shopping, went to the central park for a picnic, watched Slumdog Millionaire (great btw), played at the recreational facility, and ended up at Jaime Parque near Zapaquira on the last full day of my trip. Fun fun.

My question is a small one, I wasn't sure If mounting all the possible evidence for a bonafide relationship would go so I am going to turn to you all for advice. We want to build up as much evidence supporting statements as possible from friends and family. Can her Colombian friends and family send in an affidavit as well supporting our validity of a bonafide marriage?

Thanks!

James

PS: The advice of the I130 package is tremendous lifesaver on here but does everyone really send all the pages of chat logs, cell phone bills, photo albums and pictures in the mail along with the visa paperwork??

[james&adry 3]

Greetings friends, fellow VJers, Colombianos and yes even Costenas.

First and update,

Adriana and I are doing very fine. We decided to push back the date of our union to April 30th because her mother was going through a tough time and my work was creating some havoc. All in all love seems to conquer all and in the midsts of everything her mom pulled through and I decided to just visit her o inn the dates we set for the wedding Bogota instead. Even though we did not get married as planned we had a blast together! Did some shopping, went to the central park for a picnic, watched Slumdog Millionaire (great btw), played at the recreational facility, and ended up at Jaime Parque near Zapaquira on the last full day of my trip. Fun fun.

My question is a small one, I wasn't sure If mounting all the possible evidence for a bonafide relationship would go so I am going to turn to you all for advice. We want to build up as much evidence supporting statements as possible from friends and family. Can her Colombian friends and family send in an affidavit as well supporting our validity of a bonafide marriage?

Thanks!

James

PS: The advice of the I130 package is tremendous lifesaver on here but does everyone really send all the pages of chat logs, cell phone bills, photo albums and pictures in the mail along with the visa paperwork??