Colombia Club Part II

[Mononoke28 135]

Ok, so I did a little digging regarding the famous baptismal certificate and found out that the instruction package for the visa in English says that without this document the process of getting the visa may be delayed, but then when you read the same package in the Spanish version it says that it is needed only if it's available. So it would be a good thing if someone double checks with the embassy to find out exactly if they want it or not because it's really confusing. I also wrote about this in the Spanish K1 visa thread to see if someone contacts the embassy to get more information regarding this issue.

Instruction Package for Visa K in English:

BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE: Recently issued baptism certificate with marginal notes is required for all applicants. Failure to bring a baptism certificate may delay the processing of your visa.

Paquete de Instrucciones Para Visa K in Spanish:

CERTIFICADO DE BAUTISMO: (Si se encuentra disponible) certificado de bautismo expedido recientemente con notas marginales.

Diana

[ryna 132]

Ok, so I did a little digging regarding the famous baptismal certificate and found out that the instruction package for the visa in English says that without this document the process of getting the visa may be delayed, but then when you read the same package in the Spanish version it says that it is needed only if it's available. So it would be a good thing if someone double checks with the embassy to find out exactly if they want it or not because it's really confusing. I also wrote about this in the Spanish K1 visa thread to see if someone contacts the embassy to get more information regarding this issue.

Instruction Package for Visa K in English:

BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE: Recently issued baptism certificate with marginal notes is required for all applicants. Failure to bring a baptism certificate may delay the processing of your visa.

Paquete de Instrucciones Para Visa K in Spanish:

CERTIFICADO DE BAUTISMO: (Si se encuentra disponible) certificado de bautismo expedido recientemente con notas marginales.

Diana

They didn't ask us about it (last October) for my wife's K-1. Not even a mention of it. We must have looked at the Spanish version because I remember the "if available" part.

[USColombia 6]

That's it, you got it. You can also email the embassy or call the DOS at 202-663-1225 to find out the day of your interview.

Diana

Last questions (for now!) - When you send in packet 3 to get an appointment date, should the subject be the case number and is there a sample cover letter that we can use? Do we have to mention anything specific? I seem to recall she needs to put in it a reconfirmation of her intent to marry me... Should it be in Spanish or English (or both?).

Thank you for your help! And the phone number! I thought I had missed a piece for the packet three so thanks for confirming it's only those three pieces.

And sorry about all the questions! I thought I mapped it out but the more I think about it, the more I want to be triple sure of everything!!

[Mononoke28 135]

Last questions (for now!) - When you send in packet 3 to get an appointment date, should the subject be the case number and is there a sample cover letter that we can use? Do we have to mention anything specific? I seem to recall she needs to put in it a reconfirmation of her intent to marry me... Should it be in Spanish or English (or both?).

Thank you for your help! And the phone number! I thought I had missed a piece for the packet three so thanks for confirming it's only those three pieces.

And sorry about all the questions! I thought I mapped it out but the more I think about it, the more I want to be triple sure of everything!!

The case number in the subject of the email should make it easier for the embassy to find her. The cover letter is simply the email itself, just say you have all the documents they requested and that you're sending forms DS-2100 and DS-230 Part 1 as per their instructions.

Diana

[kennym 275]

Hello All

As some of you know, we are attempting to bring my Wife's Daughter "To Follow" over on the K2 Visa..

As part of this, I had some questions which I addressed with the Embassy in Bogota via Email... The email was as follows;

Subject: Question regarding BGT2010######

Hello,

My name is Kenneth Mais

My wife (Beneficiary) Name is Maritza Katerine Correa Lopez

Reference: Case Number BGT2010######

I would like to ask about my wife’s case and daughter..

In October, 2010, My wife (Fiancée then) and I interviewed for the K1 Visa… My wife’s daughter was on the DS156 “To Follow”… We received the Visa in October 2010, My Fiancée travelled to the US on Dec 2nd, 2010, we were married on Dec 7th 2010. Now we are looking for additional help to complete the process of the Visa for My Wife’s Daughter. Her daughter is 8 years old.

We would like to get information on “next steps” to complete the Visa…I have been having difficulty finding specific information on how to proceed.. I am asking for the specific steps and specific documents needed to get my Wife’s daughter’s Visa..

Thank you in advance for your assistance..

Sincerely

They then responded the today with the Following;

Mr. Mais:

Valentina Correa Cerezo will be schedule for a formal interview with a consular officer. The Immigrant Visa Unit will send an appointment package outlining in detail the remaining steps in the processing of a K2 visa.

If Valentina Correa’s appointment is listed on our website but she doesn’t receive an Appointment Package and interview letter, please download an Appointment Package from our website and follow the detailed instructions. She may schedule her medical appointment and enter the Consular Section waiting room (on the scheduled date of her interview only) without her interview letter. The Consular Section maintains a list of the daily scheduled visa applicants.

To download forms, learn more about the visa process, or see if their appointment has been scheduled, please go to the Immigrant Visa Section of our website at http://bogota.usembassy.gov/visas.html.

If we may be of further assistance on this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Immigrant Visa Unit

c

I beleive I created some confusion, I was not prepared to request the Interview just yet, I was only inquiring about the Process and Requirements unique on a case where the dependant of the K1 Beneficiary was specified as "to follow".. It appears that they have interpreted my request as a request to actually schedule the "Formal Interview"..

Logistically, we aren't ready... Maritza is currently in Colombia by using her AP, but she is returning 1st of July. So, My suspicion is they will schedule the interview for July which will be almost impossible for one of us to attend.. So, I asked Maritza to start considering another family member to accompany her daughter to Bogota, just in case, but also at the same time, I replied to the email, and attempted to point out we were not ready for the interview..

So, this is interesting... I certainly hope I didn't complicate things too much!..

[Daniel and Laura 1]

I have 2 very specific questions that no one seems to have an answer about...So I was directed to this page to ask.

1. My fiance has a military ID card but technically did not serve in the military because he paid to go the university instead. Is there any specific paperwork we should bring? Is a copy of the ID card sufficient or even necessary?

2. When it asks for record of past refusals of entry to united states, does that include denied tourist visa applications? My fiance was denied twice for a tourist visa but has no documents stating that. He was simply told "no" and sent on his way. Do we need to have any paperwork for that? If so, how do we get it?

We tried emailing the embassy with these questions but got no response. I tried starting this as a topic but no one seemed to have any information. We are ready to go except for these last 2 items and they are driving me nuts!!! Any information would be greatly appreciated!!

[Mononoke28 135]

I have 2 very specific questions that no one seems to have an answer about...So I was directed to this page to ask.

1. My fiance has a military ID card but technically did not serve in the military because he paid to go the university instead. Is there any specific paperwork we should bring? Is a copy of the ID card sufficient or even necessary?

2. When it asks for record of past refusals of entry to united states, does that include denied tourist visa applications? My fiance was denied twice for a tourist visa but has no documents stating that. He was simply told "no" and sent on his way. Do we need to have any paperwork for that? If so, how do we get it?

We tried emailing the embassy with these questions but got no response. I tried starting this as a topic but no one seemed to haveHe does not need h any information. We are ready to go except for these last 2 items and they are driving me nuts!!! Any information would be greatly appreciated!!

Daniel and Laura,

1. The only military records needed are for people who actually served time in the Army. If your fiancé was never in the Army, then he doesn't need them.

2. Getting a visa denied at the embassy is different from any records of past refusals of entry to the US. What they're asking is the document a person gets when they arrive in the US and are denied entry by an Immigration official, or if a person is deported. If your fiancé was never given a visa then he doesn't need this document.

Diana

[kennym 275]

All,

We Recieved an email notification today regarding the AOS Petition for Maritza... It says;

"On June 7, 2011, we ordered production of your new card."

What a relief,,

Finally, we've reached a huge milestone in our journey...

Thank God!!

[USColombia 6]

Congratz Kennym!

Did you just use the generic e-mail address? IVBogota@state.gov? Or is there one more direct for visas?

Thanks!

[ryna 132]

Congratz Kennym!

Did you just use the generic e-mail address? IVBogota@state.gov? Or is there one more direct for visas?

Thanks!

USColombia,

That's the address for the consulate in Bogotá. Kenny is talking about an approval notice from USCIS for AOS (Green Card) which is completely different from (and after the visa process).

If you have any questions about your fiancee's visa process after the NOA2 and before the K-1 interview (Packets 3 & 4), that is the email address to use. They're pretty good about responding with one business day also. At least that was my experience last fall...

[USColombia 6]

Fantastic, thank you! Just saw that DHL dropped of what is meant to be the package at 12PM so I'll pop them a friendly email now

[ryna 132]

Fantastic, thank you! Just saw that DHL dropped of what is meant to be the package at 12PM so I'll pop them a friendly email now

Good luck!

[USColombia 6]

Got the reply I wanted! As of sometime after 12PM the embassy has our application and my fiancee is running about Bucaramanga getting her two forms scanned for sending when she gets home! I feel so blessed and happy. I know some people have a lot of trouble getting here and I feel for them, but ours has zipped through after the NOA2!

Might as well ask this question now: Does she need to get her documents translated? I have heard conflicting reports. I'm talking about her baptismal certificate, criminal record, birth certificate, etc.

Thanks!!

[Mononoke28 135]

Got the reply I wanted! As of sometime after 12PM the embassy has our application and my fiancee is running about Bucaramanga getting her two forms scanned for sending when she gets home! I feel so blessed and happy. I know some people have a lot of trouble getting here and I feel for them, but ours has zipped through after the NOA2!

Might as well ask this question now: Does she need to get her documents translated? I have heard conflicting reports. I'm talking about her baptismal certificate, criminal record, birth certificate, etc.

Thanks!!

No, they don't need to be translated unless they're in another language other than English or Spanish. This is what the instructions say:

LIST OF DOCUMENTS

Informal English translations are required for civil documents written in a foreign language. We can return most original documents if you also bring notarized photocopies to your interview.

Diana

[kennym 275]

Congratz Kennym!

Did you just use the generic e-mail address? IVBogota@state.gov? Or is there one more direct for visas?

Thanks!

'USColombia'

I've got 2 things going on...

1st, Maritza, My wife has been here since Dec, 2010.. I was waiting on her GC Approval.. which came yesterday..

and

2nd, Valentina, is for My Wife's 8 year-old Daughter.. When we submitted or Packet 3/4 to Bogota, last year for Maritza, Valentina was listed as "to-follow". We are now ready to complete the steps for her Visa so she can come to live with My wife and I.. I had some questions about how to begin this process, so I email'd the Embassy @ IVBogota@state.gov. They replied with the steps.. I was a little confused with the response from the embassy but am always impressed how quickly they reply.. It's seems to me, they always try thier best to provide helpful information when you request anything from them by email..

So, the good news is; Our GC is approved.. We're very excited about reaching this milestone.. On the otherhand, we have all this still to do for her daughter.. However, it will be really cool when all this is done and her daughter is in the US with her mom and I...

Kenny