Colombia Club Part II

[Ken y Leidys 20]

Colombia Club II - one more thing to add.

BEWARE! THE EXCESSIVE TAXES

When I purchased Leidys' one-way ticket on COPA Airlines, I paid for an all taxes-inclusive ticket. Yet, when Leidys flew out of Barranquilla, she had to pay an additional tax, and she was not directed to the "Extencion" counter where her boarding pass should have been stamped as paid. This set me back $40 at Western Union yesterday.

BEWARE! If you are sending for your Fiancee and ______ cannot fly back with you, be prepared for this person to get stiffed at the airlines counter, because they look unprepared or unexperienced to deal with this sort of discrepancy.

Edited November 26, 2009 by Ken y Leidys

[james&adry 3]

Colombia Club II - one more thing to add.

BEWARE! THE EXCESSIVE TAXES

When I purchased Leidys' one-way ticket on COPA Airlines, I paid for an all taxes-inclusive ticket. Yet, when Leidys flew out of Barranquilla, she had to pay an additional tax, and she was not directed to the "Extencion" counter where her boarding pass should have been stamped as paid. This set me back $40 at Western Union yesterday.

BEWARE! If you are sending for your Fiancee and ______ cannot fly back with you, be prepared for this person to get stiffed at the airlines counter, because they look unprepared or unexperienced to deal with this sort of discrepancy.

Ugh one more thing i have to worry about when I fly Adriana out of Barranquilla :/. So I am picking a date for January 8th to fly from B because right now as it standings any flights closer from the 8th are insanely expensive. Sucks because I wanted to fly and be there for her when she flies to the US for the first time and visit with her family. Now that we did indeed confirm the astronomical prices we agreed that it is best I fly her out of Barranquilla alone straight to Miami. Although I really love the holidays, I am going to have to lay down my heart complete ribbon until mi esposita can be with me. So for all of you else out there Happy Turkey day, i hope it is a good one for you but for me I need to jump leaps and bounds through this holiday season till January .

Sooooooooooooooo with the CR1 visa... whats next? Social Security? Military ID? Are some of the things I know but since I am moving straight to S Korea in March I want to get a tackle on things. I know the visa for S Korea is insanely easy to get so I am not worried about that one. Just want to remain on top of things with no surprises.

James ( a happy camper come January)

[Flyingallover 0]

Colombia Club II - one more thing to add.

BEWARE! THE EXCESSIVE TAXES

When I purchased Leidys' one-way ticket on COPA Airlines, I paid for an all taxes-inclusive ticket. Yet, when Leidys flew out of Barranquilla, she had to pay an additional tax, and she was not directed to the "Extencion" counter where her boarding pass should have been stamped as paid. This set me back $40 at Western Union yesterday.

BEWARE! If you are sending for your Fiancee and ______ cannot fly back with you, be prepared for this person to get stiffed at the airlines counter, because they look unprepared or unexperienced to deal with this sort of discrepancy.

I got caught on the taxes once because I was too late to go the stamp. This time all they said was since I had been there only five days I did not have to pay the taxes. Does anyone know is there some rule about being in the country forever that would make you have to pay the taxes when you leave. I believe they are already paid with the ticket

[jlcro 0]

Colombia Club II - one more thing to add.

BEWARE! THE EXCESSIVE TAXES

When I purchased Leidys' one-way ticket on COPA Airlines, I paid for an all taxes-inclusive ticket. Yet, when Leidys flew out of Barranquilla, she had to pay an additional tax, and she was not directed to the "Extencion" counter where her boarding pass should have been stamped as paid. This set me back $40 at Western Union yesterday.

BEWARE! If you are sending for your Fiancee and ______ cannot fly back with you, be prepared for this person to get stiffed at the airlines counter, because they look unprepared or unexperienced to deal with this sort of discrepancy.

I got caught on the taxes once because I was too late to go the stamp. This time all they said was since I had been there only five days I did not have to pay the taxes. Does anyone know is there some rule about being in the country forever that would make you have to pay the taxes when you leave. I believe they are already paid with the ticket

Yeah indeed there is some rule, the tax is called "Impuesto de Timbre Nacional" or stamp tax and is charged every time u leave the country through air or sea under some conditions. It is not included in the airfare (or ticket price).

If u stayed in the country for less than 60 days you're not charged with this tax. So when someone is leaving the country for the first time is charged with the tax.

The cost is around $40. And yes there's lack of information about this for everyone traveling. You find out about this when you're checking in ur luggage and they tell you they're gonna charge u with $40.

[HAL 9000 96]

Colombia Club II - one more thing to add.

BEWARE! THE EXCESSIVE TAXES

When I purchased Leidys' one-way ticket on COPA Airlines, I paid for an all taxes-inclusive ticket. Yet, when Leidys flew out of Barranquilla, she had to pay an additional tax, and she was not directed to the "Extencion" counter where her boarding pass should have been stamped as paid. This set me back $40 at Western Union yesterday.

BEWARE! If you are sending for your Fiancee and ______ cannot fly back with you, be prepared for this person to get stiffed at the airlines counter, because they look unprepared or unexperienced to deal with this sort of discrepancy.

I got caught on the taxes once because I was too late to go the stamp. This time all they said was since I had been there only five days I did not have to pay the taxes. Does anyone know is there some rule about being in the country forever that would make you have to pay the taxes when you leave. I believe they are already paid with the ticket

It is strange. I wonder what 'tax' that was... I don't think its the DIAN tax... most foreigners DON'T pay it. I've never paid it and I lived in Colombia for a few months a couple of years ago. Of course, I departed from Bogotá. El Dorado has, I believe, the cheapest departure tax out of the other airports. And I purchased my RT tickets from the US.

Now some airports will charge you their own fees. That seems like highway robbery given the state I've seen most other airports I've used in Colombia. Can't speak for Barranquilla... but Cartagena seemed like the extra surprise tax of about $13 last year (charged directly by the airport) was really just paying for the 4 security lines we had to pass minutes before boarding.

[jpcanon 0]

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving- Ken, I hope Leidys enjoyed her first turkey day, and all the first Thanksgiving's that Club Colombia fiancee's experienced.

Today marks 7 months in AP for me, and am quite sure that nothing will happen this year, if ever, in my case. But, I just keep trying to forget about things- some days I want to write a scathing email to the embasy, and other times I want to plead with them! Oh well...

Joe

[arizreynolds 1]

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving- Ken, I hope Leidys enjoyed her first turkey day, and all the first Thanksgiving's that Club Colombia fiancee's experienced.

Today marks 7 months in AP for me, and am quite sure that nothing will happen this year, if ever, in my case. But, I just keep trying to forget about things- some days I want to write a scathing email to the embasy, and other times I want to plead with them! Oh well...

Joe

.

Sorry to hear you have been waiting so long this sucks. What does ap stand for.

[HAL 9000 96]

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving- Ken, I hope Leidys enjoyed her first turkey day, and all the first Thanksgiving's that Club Colombia fiancee's experienced.

Today marks 7 months in AP for me, and am quite sure that nothing will happen this year, if ever, in my case. But, I just keep trying to forget about things- some days I want to write a scathing email to the embasy, and other times I want to plead with them! Oh well...

Joe

Almost makes you want to become real good friends with your congressional rep doesn't it??

[james&adry 3]

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving- Ken, I hope Leidys enjoyed her first turkey day, and all the first Thanksgiving's that Club Colombia fiancee's experienced.

Today marks 7 months in AP for me, and am quite sure that nothing will happen this year, if ever, in my case. But, I just keep trying to forget about things- some days I want to write a scathing email to the embasy, and other times I want to plead with them! Oh well...

Joe

Joe I do not know what to tell you. Can you think back on the day of beloved's interview that could possible help give you clues on to why this would take so long?? Was the CO unhappy this day? What was the atmosphere like on that day? Was there an unusually large amount of people being interviewed? What kinds of questions did they ask? Was there any descrepencies that were brought to your cases information? I want to help you if at most just being a P.I. so that we can help you sort out some ideas and how you can reattack this. Obviously your Congressman is not doing enough, did you write to any other reps that are more active in the immigration policy reform? Maybe teamed up together they can steamroll the embassy and get you the information you both deserve. For goodness sakes, its going to be the Holidays and they should take heart.

For my sake I know I am just a recent visa interview aproval but I am still going to be alone for the holidays. Tickets are outrageously expensive on the return leg from either Bogota or Barranquilla. You have to return to the states after the 6th before you see a sharp decrease in prices. Sucks for me because I cannot take any more leave longer than a week in my military job for January due to my time constraints. Thus I ended up just buying a solo one way ticket from BAQ to MIA on the 8th for nearly 500 bones.. Ugh... And 40 dollars more on top of that because of that stupid tax. Ahwell. I hope to read you complaining about this stupid tax too, soon ahah.

PS I hope you are using a magic jack to talk to you woman, they are an extremely powerful way of showing your phone history and muy barato tambien.

[jpcanon 0]

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving- Ken, I hope Leidys enjoyed her first turkey day, and all the first Thanksgiving's that Club Colombia fiancee's experienced.

Today marks 7 months in AP for me, and am quite sure that nothing will happen this year, if ever, in my case. But, I just keep trying to forget about things- some days I want to write a scathing email to the embasy, and other times I want to plead with them! Oh well...

Joe

Joe I do not know what to tell you. Can you think back on the day of beloved's interview that could possible help give you clues on to why this would take so long?? Was the CO unhappy this day? What was the atmosphere like on that day? Was there an unusually large amount of people being interviewed? What kinds of questions did they ask? Was there any descrepencies that were brought to your cases information? I want to help you if at most just being a P.I. so that we can help you sort out some ideas and how you can reattack this. Obviously your Congressman is not doing enough, did you write to any other reps that are more active in the immigration policy reform? Maybe teamed up together they can steamroll the embassy and get you the information you both deserve. For goodness sakes, its going to be the Holidays and they should take heart.

For my sake I know I am just a recent visa interview aproval but I am still going to be alone for the holidays. Tickets are outrageously expensive on the return leg from either Bogota or Barranquilla. You have to return to the states after the 6th before you see a sharp decrease in prices. Sucks for me because I cannot take any more leave longer than a week in my military job for January due to my time constraints. Thus I ended up just buying a solo one way ticket from BAQ to MIA on the 8th for nearly 500 bones.. Ugh... And 40 dollars more on top of that because of that stupid tax. Ahwell. I hope to read you complaining about this stupid tax too, soon ahah.

PS I hope you are using a magic jack to talk to you woman, they are an extremely powerful way of showing your phone history and muy barato tambien.

Hey James,

I wish I knew why it is taking so long- I know we had red flags at the interview: like her making many previous trips to U.S. in the past, having her tourist visa revoked and she had a previous marriage to a U.S. citizen- I'm gussing that is enough for a very involved investigation. What they are actually investigating, is the big question. Whatever they are doing, it has been 7 months. The CO was just very matter-of-fact in the interview- he even said he believed in our relationship, but he said we had to do AP- "should just take a few weeks." ya, right.

My Congressman's office has sent three emails over the months, but the response is "in AP and in progress" - they get nothing more. Senator's office also sent one email- same response. Dunno what the hell else I can do....

Joe

[jpcanon 0]

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving- Ken, I hope Leidys enjoyed her first turkey day, and all the first Thanksgiving's that Club Colombia fiancee's experienced.

Today marks 7 months in AP for me, and am quite sure that nothing will happen this year, if ever, in my case. But, I just keep trying to forget about things- some days I want to write a scathing email to the embasy, and other times I want to plead with them! Oh well...

Joe

Sorry to hear you have been waiting so long this sucks. What does ap stand for?

Thanks- it means Administrative Processing" They put me on it at the end of our interview in Bogota. Basically, they do a background check along with other investigations on your case. There is no timeframe and they do not have to give you any info. on what they are actually investigating or doing. There are forums here on VJ that explain and are for people like yours truly, stuck in this...

Joe

[Mononoke28 134]

Colombia Club II - one more thing to add.

BEWARE! THE EXCESSIVE TAXES

When I purchased Leidys' one-way ticket on COPA Airlines, I paid for an all taxes-inclusive ticket. Yet, when Leidys flew out of Barranquilla, she had to pay an additional tax, and she was not directed to the "Extencion" counter where her boarding pass should have been stamped as paid. This set me back $40 at Western Union yesterday.

BEWARE! If you are sending for your Fiancee and ______ cannot fly back with you, be prepared for this person to get stiffed at the airlines counter, because they look unprepared or unexperienced to deal with this sort of discrepancy.

Our tickets also included the exit tax in the final price but El Dorado in Bogotá wouldn't let my husband leave without us paying for it claiming that all Colombians exiting the country had to pay it. We ended up paying it since it was an hour before boarding. Bottom line is in Colombia they all make up their own rules and charge stupid and many times unnecessary fees, you have to pick your battles and if you have time to fight them go for it, but if not, just make sure you have enough cash so they can let you leave the country.

Diana

[Mononoke28 134]

Ugh one more thing i have to worry about when I fly Adriana out of Barranquilla :/. So I am picking a date for January 8th to fly from B because right now as it standings any flights closer from the 8th are insanely expensive. Sucks because I wanted to fly and be there for her when she flies to the US for the first time and visit with her family. Now that we did indeed confirm the astronomical prices we agreed that it is best I fly her out of Barranquilla alone straight to Miami. Although I really love the holidays, I am going to have to lay down my heart complete ribbon until mi esposita can be with me. So for all of you else out there Happy Turkey day, i hope it is a good one for you but for me I need to jump leaps and bounds through this holiday season till January .

Sooooooooooooooo with the CR1 visa... whats next? Social Security? Military ID? Are some of the things I know but since I am moving straight to S Korea in March I want to get a tackle on things. I know the visa for S Korea is insanely easy to get so I am not worried about that one. Just want to remain on top of things with no surprises.

James ( a happy camper come January)

James,

Once your wife enters the US the USCIS will take about 2-7 weeks to enter her information in the system. If you marked the DS-230 to automatically get her SS# they will mail it to her as soon as her info is available in the system. You can call the USCIS a few weeks after she's arrived to find out if they're done entering her info, if they say they have and the SSA hasn't sent her her SS#, then you will have to go there in person to get it. But eventually she should get her SS# and her green card in the mail.

Diana

[bquillera30 0]

i have a question how long is it taking if u wait for visa given by domesa en bogota and what is the time frame if u have ir delivered to bquilla

[Mononoke28 134]

i have a question how long is it taking if u wait for visa given by domesa en bogota and what is the time frame if u have ir delivered to bquilla

It takes 2-3 business days for them to deliver it within Bogotá and about 6-10 business days outside of Bogotá.

Diana