Colombia Club Part II

[USColombia 6]

Diana:

Thank you and the part you quoted is what confused me. I interpreted it as us needing to translate the Spanish documents because to a US embassy, Spanish is technically "foreign". However, I read that because Spanish is so widely used and because Colombia is a Spanish speaking nation, it wouldn't be a problem. Glad for your reassurance that no translation is needed for her Spanish documents.

Kenny:

Well then still congratz on one, and hopes and cheers that the second part comes through easily. I can understand that with so much going on, things can get overwhelming at times. Best of luck in all the things you are going through and yes, the moment she is there with the two of you, all the stress well melt away and be forgotten!!

[dleeg 2]

Hi everone.......

I just wanted to share my K1 visa journey because it hasn't been a normal one. And this is also for those who are waiting waiting waiting and putting in your time through this process. Keep the faith, have patience and know that each day is a day closer to your loved one.

Our I-29F was recieved on 8/13/10 and it was approved on 1/5/2011. The embassy recieved our case on 1/21/2011. We felt that it was important that I was with Francys (my fiance from Cali) for her interview but at that time I was in a work contract until mid March. Also from reading embasssy feedback stories about beneficiaries not getting visas because the petitioner wasn't present did not settle well with us (which by the way isn't fair, if they want the petitioner to be there then require it). But I guess they need to see if the petitioner is serious. So we decided to wait to send in the DS forms until the first week of March as we were hoping for a April interview date. On 3/7/2011 we faxed the DS forms from packet 3. On 3/20 when the embassy site posted April interview dates we were not on the list. So I decided to email the embassy to ask for confirmation if they had recieved our DS forms via fax. On 3/25 I recieved an email from the embassy saying that our interview had been scheduled for 3/31. Five days notice even though we were not listed for the April dates on the embassy website! Of course we had to ask to be rescheduled as it was not enough time to plan everything, get documents together, purchase airline tickets, schedule medical, etc. Finally when May dates were released on 4/20 our case number appeared for 5/11/2011. We got everything together and arranged. I live in California and on 4/30 I had to go to Colorado (where I'm from) because my mother was suddenly ill. When I got there it was apparent the situation was not good, and to make a long story short she passed away on 5/6. Of course there was a funeral to plan and a mountain of other things to handle. We had to cancel the interview, cancel flights, cancel everything because I was in Colorado until 5/21. So now the interview is set for 6/22. It has been an interesting journey no doubt. Francys has been my rock through everything and continues to be my biggest supporter though she is so far. We have become closer and more in love through all these setbacks. We have both been patient knowing our day will come. The crazy thing is that this has been the saddest time of my life losing my mother. We were very close, talked everyday and we had a great relationship. And on the other side it has been the happiest time of my life because of Francys. It has been difficult to find a middle ground. I am looking forward to my trip to Colombia and I hope to report good news soon!

[Ken y Leidys 20]

When I got there it was apparent the situation was not good, and to make a long story short she passed away on 5/6. Of course there was a funeral to plan and a mountain of other things to handle. We had to cancel the interview, cancel flights, cancel everything because I was in Colorado until 5/21. So now the interview is set for 6/22. It has been an interesting journey no doubt. Francys has been my rock through everything and continues to be my biggest supporter though she is so far. We have become closer and more in love through all these setbacks. We have both been patient knowing our day will come. The crazy thing is that this has been the saddest time of my life losing my mother. We were very close, talked everyday and we had a great relationship. And on the other side it has been the happiest time of my life because of Francys. It has been difficult to find a middle ground. I am looking forward to my trip to Colombia and I hope to report good news soon!

This is similar to my story. My Father and I talked daily about my Wife and life in general. He watched after my dogs when I was in Barranquilla, brought in the mail, added chemicals to the pool, etc. He had been prompting me to send in my I-129F, but I had to wait for the extra money to do so. Just a few weeks before I was able to send in my initial Fiance Visa packet, he took ill and within 13 days lost his fight with Pancreatic Cancer. I tended to my Father throughout his ordeal in the Hospital, answered all questions and talked to him as he began to decline. 1 week after his funeral, I completed and sent in our K-1 Visa package. 9 weeks later, I took my Mother to Barranquilla to meet her future daughter-in-law. This really cheered her up through such a rough period of time. Here are a few pics, amigo!

Shopping at Exito with new family

Visiting with Maria - a friend in Barranquilla who does Translation and spoke to my Mother about Colombian culture and its' people.

[Tim and Adri 0]

I'm here in Bogota for our interview this Friday. We are planning to go today to pay the visa fee at Banco Helm. Does anyone know if we bring the DS-156 with us already filled out or if the bank has them there. I seem to recall a post I read before (and cannot find now) that said that the bank has a computer at their location for the purpose of filling it out there. Can anyone answer that question?

[Mononoke28 135]

I'm here in Bogota for our interview this Friday. We are planning to go today to pay the visa fee at Banco Helm. Does anyone know if we bring the DS-156 with us already filled out or if the bank has them there. I seem to recall a post I read before (and cannot find now) that said that the bank has a computer at their location for the purpose of filling it out there. Can anyone answer that question?

I've read both, that some people take the DS-156 already filled out without any issues at the bank. And there have been others that said the bank employee told them it had to be blank. Why don't you take both with you? One filled out and one blank just in case.

Diana

[Mononoke28 135]

Visiting with Maria - a friend in Barranquilla who does Translation and spoke to my Mother about Colombian culture and its' people.

Love this picture, she looks like she's having a really good time. What did she think of Barranquilla?

Diana

[dleeg 2]

When I got there it was apparent the situation was not good, and to make a long story short she passed away on 5/6. Of course there was a funeral to plan and a mountain of other things to handle. We had to cancel the interview, cancel flights, cancel everything because I was in Colorado until 5/21. So now the interview is set for 6/22. It has been an interesting journey no doubt. Francys has been my rock through everything and continues to be my biggest supporter though she is so far. We have become closer and more in love through all these setbacks. We have both been patient knowing our day will come. The crazy thing is that this has been the saddest time of my life losing my mother. We were very close, talked everyday and we had a great relationship. And on the other side it has been the happiest time of my life because of Francys. It has been difficult to find a middle ground. I am looking forward to my trip to Colombia and I hope to report good news soon!

This is similar to my story. My Father and I talked daily about my Wife and life in general. He watched after my dogs when I was in Barranquilla, brought in the mail, added chemicals to the pool, etc. He had been prompting me to send in my I-129F, but I had to wait for the extra money to do so. Just a few weeks before I was able to send in my initial Fiance Visa packet, he took ill and within 13 days lost his fight with Pancreatic Cancer. I tended to my Father throughout his ordeal in the Hospital, answered all questions and talked to him as he began to decline. 1 week after his funeral, I completed and sent in our K-1 Visa package. 9 weeks later, I took my Mother to Barranquilla to meet her future daughter-in-law. This really cheered her up through such a rough period of time. Here are a few pics, amigo!

Shopping at Exito with new family

Visiting with Maria - a friend in Barranquilla who does Translation and spoke to my Mother about Colombian culture and its' people.

Sweet pics man! That cheered me up a bit..... :-)

Sounds like you had a great relationship with your dad. Thanks for your words amigo.

[dleeg 2]

Hi

I was reading packet 4 tonight to just make sure I know it inside and out (my fiance has her interview on 6/22). When I came to "List of Documents" I was a little concerned for the birth certificate. My fiance used a photo copy of her birth certificate when we first filed the I-29F, complete with folio and notarized in July 2010. But as you can see below (from packet 4 off the embassy website) it mentions "Applicants must present the first/original copy......." and so on. I assume what she used for the I-29F application will be fine for the interview? I can't remember is she has the original or not, I think not, It's too late to call Colombia at this hour and since I'm obviously obsessing about it I thought I'd ask.

Thanks!

BIRTH CERTIFICATES: Each applicant must present an original or a notarized copy of his/her birth certificate. A copy of the Folio is required. The date and place of birth, parents‘ names, and date the birth was registered must be included. We do not accept ‘short form’ birth certificates, as they are not official extracts from government records. Applicants must present the first/original copy of their birth certificate in addition to the replacement version if it replaced an older version. The visa will not be approved until the applicant brings copies of ALL the versions of their birth certificates.

[Mononoke28 135]

Hi

I was reading packet 4 tonight to just make sure I know it inside and out (my fiance has her interview on 6/22). When I came to "List of Documents" I was a little concerned for the birth certificate. My fiance used a photo copy of her birth certificate when we first filed the I-29F, complete with folio and notarized in July 2010. But as you can see below (from packet 4 off the embassy website) it mentions "Applicants must present the first/original copy......." and so on. I assume what she used for the I-29F application will be fine for the interview? I can't remember is she has the original or not, I think not, It's too late to call Colombia at this hour and since I'm obviously obsessing about it I thought I'd ask.

Thanks!

BIRTH CERTIFICATES: Each applicant must present an original or a notarized copy of his/her birth certificate. A copy of the Folio is required. The date and place of birth, parents‘ names, and date the birth was registered must be included. We do not accept ‘short form’ birth certificates, as they are not official extracts from government records. Applicants must present the first/original copy of their birth certificate in addition to the replacement version if it replaced an older version. The visa will not be approved until the applicant brings copies of ALL the versions of their birth certificates.

dleeg,

As for most instructions in English posted by the US embassy on their web site, they differ from the instructions found in the Spanish version. The Spanish instructions don't mention anything about bringing the original certificate along with a certified copy. The beneficiary only needs to bring the original or certified copy of their birth certificate. They can get it from the notary where the birth was registered and that's all they need because many times an original is close to impossible to get. I was born in Colombia and don't have my original birth certificate and every time I go to the notary I was registered, they only give me a notarized copy since the original is not available.

Diana

[Tim and Adri 0]

I got a response from the embassy today regarding the need to translate Spanish into English:

"Do Colombian documents (baptism certs, birth certs, etc.) that are in Spanish need to be translated into English for the interview?"

Yes.

Regards,

IV Unit, Bogota

z

Also, went today to pay the visa fee at the Bank. They did not even ask for the DS-156 or look at it. Only asked for the passports and the letter from the embassy showing the interview was scheduled.

[dleeg 2]

dleeg,

As for most instructions in English posted by the US embassy on their web site, they differ from the instructions found in the Spanish version. The Spanish instructions don't mention anything about bringing the original certificate along with a certified copy. The beneficiary only needs to bring the original or certified copy of their birth certificate. They can get it from the notary where the birth was registered and that's all they need because many times an original is close to impossible to get. I was born in Colombia and don't have my original birth certificate and every time I go to the notary I was registered, they only give me a notarized copy since the original is not available.

Diana

Thanks Diana!

[Mononoke28 135]

I got a response from the embassy today regarding the need to translate Spanish into English:

"Do Colombian documents (baptism certs, birth certs, etc.) that are in Spanish need to be translated into English for the interview?"

Yes.

Regards,

IV Unit, Bogota

z

Also, went today to pay the visa fee at the Bank. They did not even ask for the DS-156 or look at it. Only asked for the passports and the letter from the embassy showing the interview was scheduled.

This answer is incorrect because documents that are in Spanish do not need to be translated into English. I'm basing this on my experience, other people's experience and the instructions posted by the embassy itself on its web site. It looks like they gave you the quickest, simplest answer to get it done with and move on to the next email. I'm only clarifying this because there will be other people out there who will freak out about not having these documents translated before their interview when in fact, they are not needed.

Diana

[ryna 132]

This answer is incorrect because documents that are in Spanish do not need to be translated into English. I'm basing this on my experience, other people's experience and the instructions posted by the embassy itself on its web site. It looks like they gave you the quickest, simplest answer to get it done with and move on to the next email. I'm only clarifying this because there will be other people out there who will freak out about not having these documents translated before their interview when in fact, they are not needed.

Diana

I agree. Documents in Spanish do not need to be translated at the consulate interview stage. Other than a flat out error by the embassy staff member, I can think of no reason why they answered 'Yes'. Even the correct answer of 'No' would have been quicker.

[USColombia 6]

Hi

I was reading packet 4 tonight to just make sure I know it inside and out (my fiance has her interview on 6/22). When I came to "List of Documents" I was a little concerned for the birth certificate. My fiance used a photo copy of her birth certificate when we first filed the I-29F, complete with folio and notarized in July 2010. But as you can see below (from packet 4 off the embassy website) it mentions "Applicants must present the first/original copy......." and so on. I assume what she used for the I-29F application will be fine for the interview? I can't remember is she has the original or not, I think not, It's too late to call Colombia at this hour and since I'm obviously obsessing about it I thought I'd ask.

Thanks!

BIRTH CERTIFICATES: Each applicant must present an original or a notarized copy of his/her birth certificate. A copy of the Folio is required. The date and place of birth, parents‘ names, and date the birth was registered must be included. We do not accept ‘short form’ birth certificates, as they are not official extracts from government records. Applicants must present the first/original copy of their birth certificate in addition to the replacement version if it replaced an older version. The visa will not be approved until the applicant brings copies of ALL the versions of their birth certificates.

Good luck!!! Let us know how it goes!!!

[K&M F&E 1]

My fiance and I are in the process of gathering the Packet 4 documents for our K1 interview. I am the petitioner (US citizen) and she is the beneficiary (Colombian citizen). Packet 4 says that we need a DAS migration certificate for both me and her. She was able to obtain hers without trouble. However, she was told that I need to send some sort of authorization letter to her so that she can get a migration certificate for me.

Is that how others have obtained the DAS migration certificate for the petitioner when the petitioner was not living in Colombia? If so, what information did you put in the authorization letter? Did you get it notarized or anything like that?

Thanks for the help...