Colombia Club

[paisita411 0]

Felizidades Chester!!! This month will fly by...

[HAL 9000 96]

Wow... its all ready to go!!

Mària is fianlly here in Chicago with me... it has been quite a journey and to be frank we've realized how much Chicago is the right city for us at the moment! Even though its sweltering HOT and Sticky here and she came down with a bit of a flu today and tomorrow we hope to exchange our vows at City Hall!!

Well folks... keep it up, you'll get your chance soon enough!

Willie

[TonyS 0]

Congrats to Chester and Willie! . Buck...relax man you are ready.

[Mononoke28 135]

Yay Willie!!!!

Congratulations to you and your new wife!!!

Diana

[CHRIS AND JUNNELL 0]

"ORGANIZING INFO ..

Buen dia, saludos a todo .. y Q vo ?

Once again I can't say enough about this site and this thread in particular !!!!!! .. Gracias muchisisisismas to all

for sharing the info, experiences and support for one another.

We are in the initial stages (formaly) and I have printed out about half a ream of paper and with a a trusty yellow

highlighter began marking and referencing points in an attempt to assemble a working check list of all relevant

points necessary from NOA2 until the Visa is in our sweaty little hands (in our case K1).

... and I mean EVERYTHING. There will be no stone unturned, no "t" not crossed or "i" un-dotted; I am loading up

for rhino !! .. I live by modest means and have little breathing room for last minute "surprises" .. jejeje. All though

there will undoubtedly be some ... it's not OCD or #######-retentive .. just believe in having a well stocked arsenal for

anything and everything thrown at us.

So ... I am sorting out and organizing all the info posted to this topic and bringing it up to date for myself in

the form of a clean concise list with ALL relevant info. To give something back to this community I would like to post

this organized info back to this topic. So it can all be had in one time sensitive post.

While I have enjoyed and gained much insight from reading through every last word I just thought it might help to

condense it all.

I will be putting in the time for myself so I would love to give something back. Everyone has shared

fragments and glimpses of wonderful insight .. I'm seeking to compose this collage into one "big picture"

Thoughts ? ... helpful ? Appreciated ? Desired ? ... hope I'm not stepping on any toes or "bum-rushing tha' show"

and as a side note ... the Missuzz will be posting from her battle station in BAQ also ... but we are both using this

same account ...

yes, I'm long winded, sorry .... =]

blessing and light apon all ... we're gonna need it .. paz a todo

[Mononoke28 135]

Christo,

That's funny, Lucho came up with a list of stuff for K1 visas that he plans to post on here. I did the translation. I'll ask him to see when he will put it up.

Diana

[lucho562 0]

The following guide is intended to help K1 visa applicants going

through Bogotá, Colombia. Also this guide is only that, a guide.

Always check the embassy's website and call the embassy as well.

This guide was written for K1 visa applicants, both beneficiary

and petitioner that have no kids, have never been arrested and have never been

married.

1. Once your I-129F is approved (NOA2), your case will

be forwarded to the National Visa Center. Normally

it will take about 1 to 2 weeks to get from CSC/VSC to NVC.

2. Start calling NVC everyday about 1 week after

your I-129F has been approved. You will need to reach

a live person to get information on your case since

the NVC’s automated system does not handle K1 visas.

Give this person your receipt #, they will let you know

the status of your case, whether it has not yet been

received, already received, or already sent out to

the embassy in Bogotá. Once NVC receives your case, they

will assign a new case # that will begin with BGTXXXXXXXXXX.

A. If it has not been received.

Keep calling until they receive it. Don’t pay attention

to their script. They will tell you it may take 4 weeks

for them to receive your case.

B. If your case has been received.

Ask them when it was received and if it has been forwarded

to the embassy. If your case has been received but not

forwarded, wait 2 to 3 days from the day NVC received it

to call back and ask again. If it has been forwarded, most

often than not cases will be sent out in 2 days after NVC

receives it.

C. Once you know when your case has left NVC to Bogotá. You

can now calculate when it should arrive via DHL at the

embassy. Our case arrived in only 2 days, however the norm

is 3 business days. For example, if your case was sent on

Monday, it should arrive at Bogotá by Thursday, the latest.

3. Now that your case is in Bogotá. Do NOT wait for the embassy

to send your fiancée the packet 3. Wait 2 business days to use

the following shortcut. Using the example days in section 2C:

If your case has arrived on Thursday it is best to use the

shortcut on Monday. The reason to wait 2 days is to give the

embassy time to input your information in their system. You can

also call NVC and they will let you know if the embassy has

received your case.

Shortcut - Fax packet 3 to the embassy. This will save you at

least 2 weeks if not more by doing so. I would advise to send the

packet 3 via courier as well (i.e. Servientrega)

Packet 3 Contents:

1. Cover letter

2. Copy of fiancée's passport (biographical data page)

3. DS-230 Part 1 (pages 1 & 2)

4. OF-169

The cover letter should be simple and brief. Include the BGT case #

on the cover letter.

4. Two or three days after the embassy has received packet 3, they would have

already scheduled you for the interview. You can wait until your fiancée

receives packet 4 to find out the date of the interview. OR you can

use another shortcut. The shortcut is to call NVC and ask them the

interview date. Once the embassy schedules your interview, NVC is

automatically notified of the date.

Packet 4 Contents:

1. Passport

2. Baptism Certificate (Partida de Bautismo)

3. Birth Certificate (Registro Civil)

4. Police Certificate (Certificado Judicial del DAS)

5. Migratory Certificate (Carta del DAS, entradas/salidas)

6. I-134 Affidavit of Support and evidence.

7. DS-156 (2 copies)

8. DS-156K (1 copy)

9. Laboratory/Medical exams/Vaccinations

10. Evidence of your relationship (photos, e-mails, boarding passes, etc.)

11. Four passport style photos, 5cm x 5cm.

Embassy:

Finally the big day is here. You will want to be at the embassy no later than 6 a.m.

I suggest 5:45 a.m. At 6 a.m. there will already be a small line. At 6:30 a.m. you will

not be able to see the front of the line. There will be 3 lines at the front gate of the embassy.

You will want to get into line 3. Do not follow everyone that gets into line 1.

K1, K3, CR1/IR1 visa petitioners need to get into line 3. This may get you in and out of

the embassy quicker.

Tips:

If your fiancée lives outside of Bogotá, have her start getting the Police

and Migratory certificates ASAP. As it may take several weeks to receive

the certificates for people living outside of the capital. If your fiancée

lives in Bogotá, she can get the certificates in a few days.

Try to schedule the laboratory and medical exam 2 days before the interview.

This will allow an extra day just in case any mishaps should occur.

You will need an English translation of the birth certificate, get it done in

Colombia. It will be a lot cheaper and faster.

LINKS

Packet 3 and Forms

http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsck1instructions.shtml

Packet 4

http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/co1/wwwfck1cita_temp.pdf

DAS

http://www.das.gov.co

You will need to go to SERVICIOS and then click on CERTIFICADO JUDICIAL and EXTRANJERIA (migratory)

Edited August 8, 2007 by lucho562

[Mononoke28 135]

Traducción en español (SPANISH TRANSLATION)

La siguiente guía es ideada para los aplicantes de la visa K1 que van por la embajada en Bogotá, Colombia. Nota: esta guía es sólo eso, una guía. Siempre llame a la embajada y chequee con su página de internet por si tienen alguna pregunta. Esta guía fué creada para el uso de los aplicantes de la visa K1, ambos el beneficiario y el solicitante que no tengan hijos, que no hayan sido arrestados y que nunca se hayan casado.

1. Una vez que su petición I-129F haya sido aprobada (NOA2), su caso será remitido al Centro Nacional de Visas. Normalmente se demora entre 1 a 2 semanas para que llegue desde el CSC/VSC al CNV.

2. Empiece a llamar al CNV todos los días una semana después que su I-129F haya sido aprobada. Necesitará hablar con una operadora para recibir información sobre su caso ya que el sistema automatizado del CNV no maneja visas K1. Dele a la operadora su # de recibo y ella le dejará saber el estado de su caso, si no lo han recibido, si lo han recibido, o si ya lo han enviado a la embajada en Bogotá. Una vez que el CNV reciba su caso, le dará un nuevo # que empieza con BGTXXXXXXXXXX.

A. Si no lo han recibido:

Siga llamando hasta que lo reciban. No preste atención al mensaje que dice que se demorará 4 semanas para ellos recibirlo.

B. Si su caso ha sido recibido:

Pregúnteles cuándo lo recibieron y si lo remitieron a la embajada. Si han recibido su caso pero no lo han remitido, espere entre 2-3 días desde el día en que el CNV lo recibió para llamar y preguntarles de nuevo. Si lo han remitido,

por lo general la mayoría de los casos son enviados 2 días después de que el CNV los recibe.

C. Una vez que su caso haya salido del CNV hacia Bogotá, ud. puede ahora calcular cuándo debe de llegar a la embajada vía DHL. Nuestro caso llegó en sólo 2 días, pero lo normal es 3 días hábiles. Por ejemplo, si su caso salió un lunes, deberá de llegar a Bogotá a más tardar el jueves.

3. Ahora que su caso está en Bogotá. NO espere a que la embajada le envíe el paquete 3 a su novia/o. Espere 2 días hábiles para usar el siguiente atajo. Usando el ejemplo de los días en la sección 2C: Si su caso llegó el jueves, es mejor usar el atajo el siguiente lunes. La razón por la que es mejor esperar 2 días es para darle tiempo a la embajada de poner su información en el sistema. También puede llamar al CNV y ellos le dejan saber si la embajada ha recibido su caso.

ATAJO: Mande el paquete # 3 a la embajada por fax. Esto le ahorrará por lo menos 2 ó más semanas. Les recomiendo que también manden el paquete # 3 por correo. (ej. Servientrega).

Contenido del paquete # 3:

1. Carta de presentación

2. Copia de la página de datos biográficos del pasaporte de la novia/o

3. DS-230 Parte I (páginas 1 & 2)

4. OF-169

La carta de presentación debe de ser simple y breve. Incluya el # de caso (BGT#) en la carta.

4. 2 ó 3 días después de que la embajada haya recibio el paquete # 3, le deberían de haber programado la cita para la entrevista. Ud. puede esperar hasta que su novia/o reciba el paqute # 4 para saber el día de la entrevista. O puede usar otro atajo. El atajo es llamar al CNV y preguntarles la fecha de la cita de la entrevista. Una vez que la embajada programa las entrevistas, el CNV es informado automáticamente de las fechas.

Contenido del paquete # 4:

1. Pasaporte

2. Partida de bautismo

3. Registro Civil

4. Certificado Judicial del DAS

5. Carta del DAS, entradas/salidas

6. I-134 Affidavit of Support y evidencia (impuestos, colillas de salario, carta del empleador, etc.)

7. DS-156 (2 copias)

8. DS-156K (1 copia)

9. Resultados de laboratorio/exámenes medicos/vacunas

10. Evidencia de su relación (fotos, e-mails, tiquetes de vuelo, cartas, etc.)

11. 4 fotos estilo pasaporte ó estilo fotos para embajada de Estados Unidos. (5cm x 5cm)

Consejos prácticos:

- Si su novia/o vive fuera de Bogotá, dígale que empiece ha sacar el Certificado Judicial y la Carta del DAS lo más pronto possible, ya que se puede demorar varias semanas para que las personas que viven fuera de la capital los reciban. Si su novia/o vive en Bogotá, puede sacar los documentos en pocos días.

- Trate de programar la cita del laboratorio y la cita médica 2 días antes de la entrevista. Esto les dará tiempo extra por si de pronto tienen algún problema.

- Antes de volver a los Estados Unidos, traten de tener la traducción del Registro Civil ya que es más barato y rápido en Colombia.

Embajada:

Hasta que por fín se llega el día. Necesita estar en la embajada a más tardar 6 a.m. Les sugiero que lleguen a las 5:45 a.m. A las 6 a.m. ya habrá una corta fila. A las 6:30 a.m. no podrá ver el comienzo de la fila. Van a ver 3 filas al frente de la puerta de la embajada. Necesita estar en la fila # 3. No siga a todo el mundo que se va a la fila # 1. Las visas K1, K3 y CR1/IR1 necesitan estar en la fila # 3. Esto puede que le ayude a entrar y salir más rápido de la embajada.

LINKS

Paquete # 3 y formularios

http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsck1instructions.shtml

Paquete # 4

http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/co1/wwwfck1cita_temp.pdf

DAS

http://www.das.gov.co

Necesita ir a “SERVICIOS†y luego haga click en “CERTIFICADO JUDICIAL†y “EXTRANJERIA†(carta del DAS de entradas/salidas)

Edited August 8, 2007 by Mononoke28

[TonyS 0]

Excellent guide Lucho! This forum just getting better and better. I really like the fact that there are Colombianos contributing.

[Bill y Bella 0]

The guide and translation is a huge help Lucho and Mononoke. Thanks!

[CHRIS AND JUNNELL 0]

ay! chevrissimo !!!!!! ... great minds think alike ... jejeje ... en serio, gracias muchisisisisisimas !!

... my high-lighter will be sad but I am ellated. Once again I am overwhelmed by the grace and

humanity, not too mention compassion, we seem to have for one another.

here's a treat for everyone longing for Colombia and the love they have there. I tear up everytime

I hear it ... hope y'all don't mind me posting it ... but it's my way of saying thnx

positivity chartin tha' course inna Babylon ... paz y amistad

*Hector Lavoe y Willie Colon - "Pa' Colombia y Sonero Mayor"

[HAL 9000 96]

Thanks to Lucho and Diana's bilingual posts I nominate this thread to 'sticky status' ...

Folks... its all official now! I am now Mr. Mària and Mària is Mrs. Willie!!

The day was perfect... the judge couldn't have been sweeter, and the event was limited to a small gathering of a couple of friends and family. It did seem a bit larger though... some of you folks were there symbolically since your input and experiences seemed so alike at times to ours.

God bless!

[Bill y Bella 0]

Thanks to Lucho and Diana's bilingual posts I nominate this thread to 'sticky status' ...

Folks... its all official now! I am now Mr. Mària and Mària is Mrs. Willie!!

The day was perfect... the judge couldn't have been sweeter, and the event was limited to a small gathering of a couple of friends and family. It did seem a bit larger though... some of you folks were there symbolically since your input and experiences seemed so alike at times to ours.

God bless!

Congratulations Maria and Willie!!!

[lucho562 0]

Willie & Maria,

Congratulations!!!!! We wish you happiness and a everlasting marriage!!!! It's a shame that everyone in the club lives so far apart. We would have loved to been there.

Now it's time to see some photos .

[Mononoke28 135]

Congratulations once again!!!

I'm with Lucho, I would've been there without question if I lived in your area.

Diana