Colombia Club

[lucho562 0]

Congratulations !!!!!!!

Now on, everything will go a lot faster, hang on for the ride!!

[santamartachicago 0]

Congratulations !!!!!!!

Now on, everything will go a lot faster, hang on for the ride!!

Hello Lucho...have you heard about the 60 day waiting time being counted as actual working days only

[parkpapa 0]

WE'RE APPROVED !!!!

We received email conformation today that our case was approved last Friday!!!!! Checked USCIS and that is updated too. HOORRAAYY!!!!

THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR ALL OF THE SUPPORT!!!

Scott

CONGRATULATIONS Scott and Yenifer!!!!!!!!

You guys are further proof of the value of this thread on VisaJourney.

[Scott n Yenifer 0]

Congratulations !!!!!!!

Now on, everything will go a lot faster, hang on for the ride!!

Lucho,

I'm so so sure about the rest of this going quick...I called the USCIS to confirm our approval and the officer told me that it would be 30-45 days to get through NVC and to not bother calling...yeah right...like I'm not gonna call !!! Anyway that is the update...

1,000,000 THANKS TO COLOMBIA CLUB !!!

Scott

[Entonces... 0]

When faxing for the interview date what needs to be noratized...

the copy of the passort only

what about the OF-169 and the other docs?

thanks

Rafael

[lucho562 0]

Eric,

I'm not aware of a 60 day waiting period. It's the first I have heard of this, sorry couldnt be no help for you.

Rafael,

I'm assuming you mean faxing packet 3, right? If so, nothing that you will fax needs to be notarized. Just have her fax a cover letter stating that she has the required documents ready, her NVC case # on it as well. The DS230 Part 1 which is pages 1 and 2 only. The OF169 and copy of her passport (optional).

[Entonces... 0]

Scott, Congrats on the approval

Hopefully this week or early next month were up next.

Enjoy it...you guys are almost there.

[BYRON-LEIDY 0]

Scott CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[santamartachicago 0]

Lucho, I sent the RFE in and it said we would be notified in 60 days...when I called I spoke with an officer and she said nothing about 60 Working days...then I called again to follow up ans was told that my 60 days mean 60 working days excluding holidays. July 16 to Sept 16 is my 60 days I was told that it means 60 working days which puts us into Oct 8 aaaarggghhh!!!

[santamartachicago 0]

Scott,

I know you are on Cloud 9 right now...maybe Cloud 9,000,000,000. Just wondering if you had any input for me about this 60 working day situation.

[lucho562 0]

Now I understand, it could take up to 60 working days, however it may be reviewed earlier. Sorry for the long wait, I know how you must feel. Try hanging in there, maybe get ready for the next steps if you havent already.

[santamartachicago 0]

Now I understand, it could take up to 60 working days, however it may be reviewed earlier. Sorry for the long wait, I know how you must feel. Try hanging in there, maybe get ready for the next steps if you havent already.

Is the next step for us is preparing the info from Packet 3 OF-169, D-230, DS-156, DS-156K, and I-134...this is what I have read in old threads is this correct

[Entonces... 0]

Eric,

I'm not aware of a 60 day waiting period. It's the first I have heard of this, sorry couldnt be no help for you.

Rafael,

I'm assuming you mean faxing packet 3, right? If so, nothing that you will fax needs to be notarized. Just have her fax a cover letter stating that she has the required documents ready, her NVC case # on it as well. The DS230 Part 1 which is pages 1 and 2 only. The OF169 and copy of her passport (optional).

Lucho,

Thanks!! I thought I read somewhere here that the copy of the passport had to be notarized.. thanks for the quick response

Yeah i want to have everything in place to fax the packet3 . I may be getting ahead of myself but no other way to pass the time

[lucho562 0]

Reposting the guide I wrote back in August, also with updated links to Packets 3 & 4.

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 (Note some forms on this link are for Packet 4)

http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/co1/wwwsc...tructions.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)

[santamartachicago 0]

Reposting the guide I wrote back in August, also with updated links to Packets 3 & 4.

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 (Note some forms on this link are for Packet 4)

http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/co1/wwwsc...tructions.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)

YOU are....THE MAN!!! thank you so much