Colombia Club Part II

[HAL 9000 96]

Wow gigisan... very nice. Felicidades!!

[gigisan 0]

Wow gigisan... very nice. Felicidades!!

In Ponce we do it better

[HAL 9000 96]

I guess you had plenty of evidence if your marriage was back in 1985. Either way... enjoy some Don Q.

[ColombianoGringo 0]

Hi Everyone,

It's been a while. It's good to see old members still around and even better to see the approvals in the last few months. Congrats to all of those who have been approved.

I just got back from Colombia with my wife yesterday and we experienced something odd at POE in Ft. Lauderdale. My wife has a K-3 which is supposed to be a multiple reentry two year visa. We haven't started AOS because we want to avoid a conditional residency and the additional hassles of removal of conditions.

When we went through immigration, the agent was confused and had to go talk to her supervisor. She came back and told us that we should call USCIS whenever my wife is going to travel abroad. She claimed that when my wife travelled with the K-3, it could "reset something" and cause a problem down the road. I realize that this is probably nonsense, but does anyone know what she meant?

Another point about our situation is that on both occasions, including her initial entry, she has never been asked for her sealed envelope from the embassy or her x-rays or vaccination records. She has never been put through secondary processing. They just stamp her passport, scan her fingerprints and off we go. Is this going to cause a problem when applying for AOS? The whole thing just seems weird and I am a bit concerned. What are your thoughts?

Thanks

CG

[HAL 9000 96]

Hey CG

Glad to see you around.

I would not freak about about the sealed envelope. They have record of her entry... and next time they give you a hassle at the airport at POE... talk directly to a sup. There shouldn't be any need for a secondary as this will be a waste of time on both sides.

Welcome back home.

[Mononoke28 134]

CG,

That whole thing about calling the USCIS before she travels is nonsense, so don't worry about it. But did I read it right, that you didn't hand over the brown envelope? I'm confused because that is the first thing they ask for at POE so they can enter all her info in the system. This is also how they see that she won't need a second medical or vaccinations because everything is in that envelope. The x-rays you don't need though.

Maybe I misunderstood what you wrote though.

Diana

[ColombianoGringo 0]

Diana,

You read correctly. When my wife first came to the US in August 2008, she offered the envelope to the agent and he just told her to keep it. The guy just stamped her passport and wrote K-3 in the blank for visa type. Then he just sent her on her way. They didn't do any additional processing.

We just went to Colombia for vacation and came back yesterday. We had the envelope with us and again they did not ask for it. They let us right on through again. However, I am concerned that this may pose a problem at AOS time. Also, I didn't realize until later that they didn't give her the little I-90(?) form that showed her entry.

CG

[foxtrot37 0]

My Fiance had her interview today and .......................... VISA APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!! WoooHOOOOO Praise God in Heaven. My baby will be here soon.

[xelance 31]

First off....CONGRATS!!!!!!!! Second, did you make it to your fiancee's interview?? I heard it is pretty difficult to get one in Bogota without showing up as proof of being her SO.

[Mononoke28 134]

Diana,

You read correctly. When my wife first came to the US in August 2008, she offered the envelope to the agent and he just told her to keep it. The guy just stamped her passport and wrote K-3 in the blank for visa type. Then he just sent her on her way. They didn't do any additional processing.

We just went to Colombia for vacation and came back yesterday. We had the envelope with us and again they did not ask for it. They let us right on through again. However, I am concerned that this may pose a problem at AOS time. Also, I didn't realize until later that they didn't give her the little I-90(?) form that showed her entry.

CG

CG,

I strongly advise you calling the USCIS to see what they say about this because the Immigration official who processed her the very first time should have received the envelope, they then forward this to the USCIS and they keep it in her file for her AOS. Actually many people who have had interviews have said that the person conducting the interview had everything with them, including the very first forms they sent to the USCIS for their visas.

If you don't get a straight answer from them, and many times you don't, try to make an Infopass appointment with your local USCIS office and tell them what happened in person, they may not even make a big deal about it but it's best to know directly from them what you need to do.

As for the I-94, this card was given to your wife either before she boarded the plane the first time she arrived or right before landing. If she didn't get one or forgot to fill it out and hand it in when she arrived or even lost it, you will probably have to file form I-102 to get it replaced. But again, triple check with them to see what they say.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Diana

[Mononoke28 134]

My Fiance had her interview today and .......................... VISA APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!! WoooHOOOOO Praise God in Heaven. My baby will be here soon.

Congratulations!!!

Diana

[Mononoke28 134]

First off....CONGRATS!!!!!!!! Second, did you make it to your fiancee's interview?? I heard it is pretty difficult to get one in Bogota without showing up as proof of being her SO.

You can just say that you're the petitioner and show your US passport in order to get inside the embassy with your SO.

Diana

[xelance 31]

First off....CONGRATS!!!!!!!! Second, did you make it to your fiancee's interview?? I heard it is pretty difficult to get one in Bogota without showing up as proof of being her SO.

You can just say that you're the petitioner and show your US passport in order to get inside the embassy with your SO.

Diana

sorry i dont think i made it clear, i was wondering if it is really necessary to be at the interview. I am trying to get a full time job at this moment and not sure how easy it will be to get vacations at the time of the interview whenever that is...but if it means the difference between being getting a visa or being denied a visa for my fiancee, it would be worth going no matter what Just wondering what all of your experiences were with that, I read the reviews and most people who went through Bogota said it would be a good idea for the sponsor to be present.

[HAL 9000 96]

CG,

I just got off the phone with a family member at USCIS. IF nobody can give you a straight answer over the phone then keep the envelope until AOS interview time. If you don't have to interview then just have it on file for the heck of it.

First off....CONGRATS!!!!!!!! Second, did you make it to your fiancee's interview?? I heard it is pretty difficult to get one in Bogota without showing up as proof of being her SO.

You can just say that you're the petitioner and show your US passport in order to get inside the embassy with your SO.

Diana

sorry i dont think i made it clear, i was wondering if it is really necessary to be at the interview. I am trying to get a full time job at this moment and not sure how easy it will be to get vacations at the time of the interview whenever that is...but if it means the difference between being getting a visa or being denied a visa for my fiancee, it would be worth going no matter what Just wondering what all of your experiences were with that, I read the reviews and most people who went through Bogota said it would be a good idea for the sponsor to be present.

Its recommended to go only because it REALLY helps further an approval. Its not mandatory, however... and if you can't... then make sure you have sufficient evidence to make your presence a non-issue.

[jpcanon 0]

My Fiance had her interview today and .......................... VISA APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!! WoooHOOOOO Praise God in Heaven. My baby will be here soon.

CONGRATS to you and Gigisan!

Joe