Costa Rica Embassy Question- I-134

[Liz_Allan 0]

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of if the Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica has a history of requiring the last years income tax return at the K-1 interview? How about the previous 3 years' returns?

We are early in our I-129F process so have not received NOA2 yet but are wanting to get everything ready. If we don't have to get so many documents would be helpful to know.

Also- does anyone know if we need to send original copies of my birth certificate and my co-sponsor's b.c. also? Or are copies enough for the birth certificates? I'm a college student so my dad is a co-sponsor along with me.

Do we need the actual pay stubs or will the tax transcripts work instead? Would prefer not to send my ONLY copies of my pay stubs, not knowing if they will be returned or not.

Thanks for any help!

[Liz_Allan 0]

PLEASE?? With 23 views to this topic, surely *someone* has a word or two of advice?

I'd love to hear what you think on this.

[gemini23nj 2]

PLEASE?? With 23 views to this topic, surely *someone* has a word or two of advice?

I'd love to hear what you think on this.

I have plenty of experience with the Embassy in Costa Rica. You do need the three years of Tax returns, as far as the originals for the birth Certificates, send a copy, but you must have the originals for the interview. They want to see paystubs. Now mine are electronic, since I get direct deposit, they accepted the print outs without any problem. If you have any additional questions here is my email gemini23nj@aol.com. Good luck, the Consulate in CR has always treated us very well.

[Liz_Allan 0]

I have plenty of experience with the Embassy in Costa Rica. You do need the three years of Tax returns, as far as the originals for the birth Certificates, send a copy, but you must have the originals for the interview. They want to see paystubs. Now mine are electronic, since I get direct deposit, they accepted the print outs without any problem. If you have any additional questions here is my email gemini23nj@aol.com. Good luck, the Consulate in CR has always treated us very well.

Thanks so much for the info!

As you know it really helps to have such good information and I know you took time out of your day to reply.

We'll go get all those documents now, want to be ready ahead of time before we need them. I'm hoping to go visit sometime before that interview happens, it sure helps to know what to send/bring ahead of time.

[Eric-Pris 1,607]

First, they like (and encourage) the petitioner to show up at the interview with the K-1 applicant. So if you can, I'd plan on attending the interview.

As far as documents go, we just went with the list they gave us for the interview. Your fiancee will be asked to come and pick up the packet. They don't mail them in CR, the postal system is the worst so they call the applicant to come pick it up. It will include forms, medical exam info, and instructions. Our interview was 2 years ago, so I don't remember the details. I brought copies of pay stubs and I did not bring my birth certificate (if I remember correctly). It definitely helped that I was there as it relaxed my fiancee and let the IO see us as a real couple, not just a bunch of papers.

You should read the embassy reviews: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.p...3&dfilter=5

[Liz_Allan 0]

First, they like (and encourage) the petitioner to show up at the interview with the K-1 applicant. So if you can, I'd plan on attending the interview.

As far as documents go, we just went with the list they gave us for the interview. Your fiancee will be asked to come and pick up the packet. They don't mail them in CR, the postal system is the worst so they call the applicant to come pick it up. It will include forms, medical exam info, and instructions. Our interview was 2 years ago, so I don't remember the details. I brought copies of pay stubs and I did not bring my birth certificate (if I remember correctly). It definitely helped that I was there as it relaxed my fiancee and let the IO see us as a real couple, not just a bunch of papers.

You should read the embassy reviews: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.p...3&dfilter=5

Thank you so much, I did not see that embassy guide, I looked last week but somehow overlooked it I guess?

Thanks so much for your time.

[brucester 0]

Thank you so much, I did not see that embassy guide, I looked last week but somehow overlooked it I guess?

Thanks so much for your time.

Hi Liz...

I took my most recent tax return and my most recent bank statement to the interview. I am self-employed, so did not furnish paycheck stubs. The bank statement showed deposits.

I think it really helps to be there as stated by others. I developed an email relationship of sorts with the person assigned to handle the paperwork for our case. That might or might not have helped, but it sure did not hurt.

I went to the interview with lots of extra documents just in case they asked for them. I did bring multiple copies of all forms that were required and that was handy. The folks we dealt with "at the counter" were very helpful and we filled out a couple of forms on the spot. I also brought extra photos that they did not ask for.

The actual "interview" was a couple of minutes and only consisted of my fiance swearing that she and I would not marry in Costa Rica prior to her coming to the U.S.

Her daughter did NOT need to be there and signed no documents due to her age. All things considered, it went very smoothly. We spent about two hours at the embassy, most of it waiting. No hay problema!

Good luck,

Bruce

[Liz_Allan 0]

Hi Liz...

I took my most recent tax return and my most recent bank statement to the interview. I am self-employed, so did not furnish paycheck stubs. The bank statement showed deposits.

I think it really helps to be there as stated by others. I developed an email relationship of sorts with the person assigned to handle the paperwork for our case. That might or might not have helped, but it sure did not hurt.

I went to the interview with lots of extra documents just in case they asked for them. I did bring multiple copies of all forms that were required and that was handy. The folks we dealt with "at the counter" were very helpful and we filled out a couple of forms on the spot. I also brought extra photos that they did not ask for.

The actual "interview" was a couple of minutes and only consisted of my fiance swearing that she and I would not marry in Costa Rica prior to her coming to the U.S.

Her daughter did NOT need to be there and signed no documents due to her age. All things considered, it went very smoothly. We spent about two hours at the embassy, most of it waiting. No hay problema!

Good luck,

Bruce

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply!! It definitely helps knowing that you were able to be successful and there was not a huge hassle when you went for the interview.

Probably the most unknown thing is my dad (and possible grandmother if needed) would be co-sponsor with me as I am a college student and don't make a lot of money so I can't qualify to be a sponsor on my own.

I'll follow the guides and do whatever I have to do to get him here, it's just the unknown that is so unsettling. Being in touch with you & other successful petitioners has helped with a lot of the embassy/interview concerns, thanks so much!

[brucester 0]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply!! It definitely helps knowing that you were able to be successful and there was not a huge hassle when you went for the interview.

Probably the most unknown thing is my dad (and possible grandmother if needed) would be co-sponsor with me as I am a college student and don't make a lot of money so I can't qualify to be a sponsor on my own.

I'll follow the guides and do whatever I have to do to get him here, it's just the unknown that is so unsettling. Being in touch with you & other successful petitioners has helped with a lot of the embassy/interview concerns, thanks so much!

Liz - I am sure that having co-sponsors will be a plus. It is all stressful and unsettling. Have your fiance get all of the health documentation possible done before the embassy packet is received - records of immunizations, etc., will save lots of dollars. Other than that, it is pretty simple if one is around San Jose to get copies of birth certificates, etc. Be prepared to shell out some dollars for official translations to English at places designated by the Embassy. Your fiance will get forms in Spanish, you can find the same forms in English and fill them out on your computer and email them or take them with you.

Things typed or filled in with a computer look more impressive - just my opinion. You being there for the interview will be the most impressive - also my opinion. If there is an error on a form, they will just scratch it out and write the correct information on it. No prob...

Bruce