Colombia Club

[paisita411 0]

DIANA FELIZIDADES. That's wonderful news.

As far as the pictures, GREAT QUESTION......I took them in an album.

For those waiting for interviews, take notice of Buck's and Diana's experiences. Buck was suprised that Paola was asked relatively few questions and ZERO evidence. Diana's fiance was interviewed extensively and the evidence was carefully reviewed.

Two things can be concluded from these two experiences....

1. Everyone needs to prepare well. You never know what CO you will have and how they will view your relationship. Prepare for everything. Its better to throw away a couple reams of paper that no one looked at, than to fumble for something you didn't bring and then make explinatons.

2. There is a stark difference in the treatment to male beneficiaries vs female beneficieres. Although we're in the minority in this forum and in the process itself, its important that any FEMALE sponsor take extra care with their fiance/spouse in compiling evidence of the relationship. Its a double standard but it can be overcome with proper preparation.

[buck501 0]

CONGRATS DIANA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow......2 for 2 for VJ. We rock!! There are some very wise advice above. Every case is different. Apathy will not succeed. I think we got lucky. If you look at our age difference, the messed up divorce for me from 32 years ago that never got finaled untill after my second divorce, Poala being out of Colombia to a country that has a bad rep with Colombians...............lot's of red flags and yet we went thru pretty easy. We did have all the docs in oreder and were prepared. Looking at Dianas foto and her fiance, one would assume they are a perfect couple and yet they were asked to present and justify all their evidence.

[Scott n Yenifer 0]

First of all CONGRATULATIONS DIANA AND FREDY !!!

Second...I was thinking exactly about the same point that Dre brought up...how inconsistant the COs are about their interviewing process. Some get put through the ringer and some not. Cases that involve women petitioners obviously are put under a microscope. Bottom line for people going to Bogota for your interview...be over prepared!!!

Third...Thanks lucho for the cover letter for packet 3 shortcut ...perfect format. If anyone needs this cover letter I would be happy to forward it to an email address (PM me).

[Juan Carlos 0]

Diana, Buck, Paola.... CONGRATULATIONS on your Visas!!! Even though I just joined the club, I can feel your excitement. You really motivate people like me (who are just starting) to move forward.

Now, about being prepared.... Buck, I have a question for you on that Police Certificate from Panama: did you get an Apostille for that certificate, or did you take it to the Consulate as they gave it to you in Panama?

Thanks a lot for your help and once again, Congratulations!!!!

[Bill y Bella 0]

Congratulations Diana! That is great news. your advice is excellent also. I am taking it to heart.

[faith11 0]

Hello everybody,

Sorry for keeping you waiting but we had to the 20 de Julio to thank the Divino Niño for all His blessings, you know how us Colombians are about that.

Anyway, visa APPROVED! I´ll give you the summary today and then the full details next week when we get home. I just wanted to say that everybody at the embassy was very, very nice, from the ladies outside the embassy to the first lady at the window to the CO. I noticed that they were a little mean to the people who were not prepared, who were missing documents even though they were told they needed them and to the people who kept asking the same stupid questions. I was even annoyed at them. If you´re prepared and make it smooth for them, they´re nice to you.

The CO grilled my husband with all kinds of questions, where did you meet, when, all about my family, plans for the future, etc. Then asked to see evidence, my husband said he had a ton, he said it didn´t matter, so we handed it to him. He saw ALL pictures, read most e-mails and chats (now I feel bad I was bitching about having to print all that), read every b-day and Christmas card, the whole thing. It only took 15 minutes and we were approved, he never asked to talk to me.

To the folks who are worried about not being able to go to the interview, don´t worry. I saw more people being approved who were there by themselves than the people who were there with their SOs. Mainly because again, they were missing documents. Bring everything you THINK you may need even if you end up not needing it. We had 2 big plastic bags full of stuff and it paid off. Again, bring everything, be overprepared and it´ll pay off.

Buck, I don´t think I saw your lady. There were several ones that I thought might be her but wasn´t really sure. I sat next to my husband the whole time and dozed off a few times so I´m pretty sure I missed her. I´m glad she was approved though and that you´ll be together soon.

Byron... dude!!! what´s with your NOA2???? You´re killing us here!

Take care everybody and thanks for all your good wishes. I´m sure the good vibes helped out a ton.

Diana

Hola l am Faith11, l am from Colombia too, my husband lives in Phoenix,az.

We are still waiting for our approvals.

l have read all the stories in Colombia Club.

All of you have a very strong bond.

l JUST WANT TO SAY FELICIDADES PARA TI Y TU ESPOSO. DIOS LOS BENDIGA.

[faith11 0]

Paola just called..........................SHE GOT APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The guy I talked to at the embassy mislead me, she DID NOT have to have another interview. She showed them the Police Certificate from Panama, they said, very good, thank you. Come back on Monday and get your visa.

That is all I have tight now. Details to follow when she gets back to Bob's office and I have a better translation of the details. Most of what i got out of Paola was squeals and sensless jabber comming at me about 100 MPH.

Hello, l am Faith11, l am from Colombia and l am waiting fOR my approvals, we filled on k3 visa.

l just want to say CONGRATULATIONS BUCK AND PAOLA, GOOD LUCK TO YOU, GOD BLESS YOU.

[LUISH 0]

Congratulations Diana! That is great news. your advice is excellent also. I am taking it to heart.

CONGRATULATIONS DIANA, IT WAS A PERFECT DAY HERE AT VJ, IT'S GOOD TO SEE HOW WE ALL HELP AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER, FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE JUST STARTING THEIR PROCESS, BE PATIENT AND FOR OTHERS LIKE BYRON, YOU KNOW YOUR DAY IS COMING, WE ARE ALL PULLING FOR YOU AND YOU WILL SOON HERE THAT YOUR NOA2 IS APPROVED, JUST KEEP WAITING AND AT THE END YOU WILL BE REWARDED..

LATER

[Entonces... 0]

Congrats Diana and Buck. Thank you for sharing and helping us that haven't gone through BGT yet. I hope everything else goes just as smoothly through the rest of the process. Thank you again.

Rafael

Diana,

P.S.

I read that many where not at the interview with there fiances. Off hand how many that where going for the interview where there with there fiances that you can see?

[buck501 0]

Diana, Buck, Paola.... CONGRATULATIONS on your Visas!!! Even though I just joined the club, I can feel your excitement. You really motivate people like me (who are just starting) to move forward.

Now, about being prepared.... Buck, I have a question for you on that Police Certificate from Panama: did you get an Apostille for that certificate, or did you take it to the Consulate as they gave it to you in Panama?

Thanks a lot for your help and once again, Congratulations!!!!

Jaun, you do not need an Apostille, it will come to you in a sealed brown envelope, same as the one from Colombia. If you go to Panama City it will take 8 days to obtain the Police Certificate. If you go to the Panamaian Embassy in Bogota it will take 60 days. I chose to fly Paola to Panama. ($$$$$ ouch). I was not willing to wait another 60 days. We do have many friends in Panama City so she was able to stay with them. The flight from Cali to PC is $450.00 plus the $500.00 security money for entrance to Panama. The cost for the certificate was $10.00.

[BYRON-LEIDY 0]

Diana, Buck, Paola.... CONGRATULATIONS on your Visas!!! Even though I just joined the club, I can feel your excitement. You really motivate people like me (who are just starting) to move forward.

Now, about being prepared.... Buck, I have a question for you on that Police Certificate from Panama: did you get an Apostille for that certificate, or did you take it to the Consulate as they gave it to you in Panama?

Thanks a lot for your help and once again, Congratulations!!!!

Jaun, you do not need an Apostille, it will come to you in a sealed brown envelope, same as the one from Colombia. If you go to Panama City it will take 8 days to obtain the Police Certificate. If you go to the Panamaian Embassy in Bogota it will take 60 days. I chose to fly Paola to Panama. ($$$$$ ouch). I was not willing to wait another 60 days. We do have many friends in Panama City so she was able to stay with them. The flight from Cali to PC is $450.00 plus the $500.00 security money for entrance to Panama. The cost for the certificate was $10.00.

Buck, being that im going to Panama in 2 weeks and Leidy is meeting me there, Does she have to have the $500 in dollars or pesos or does it matter??

[buck501 0]

Congrats Diana and Buck. Thank you for sharing and helping us that haven't gone through BGT yet. I hope everything else goes just as smoothly through the rest of the process. Thank you again.

Rafael

Diana,

P.S.

I read that many where not at the interview with there fiances. Off hand how many that where going for the interview where there with there fiances that you can see?

Entonces, That is a tough question. When I was there for the first interview, I could only identify one other couple that was obviously a gringo and Colombiana. They really got interagated. They were at the window for over 1/2 hour, first her, then him, then togeather, then him, then her. The CO made the other leave and sit while talking to the person at the window. They had 2 foto albums (huge) and reams of other papers. Who knows what the problem was. From the look on their face I do not think they were approved.

Other couples looked like they could have been Colombian. How can you tell a Colombian from a American??? Other then someone like me. LOL.

Another couple that I suspected was American/Colombian was approved fairly quick. All the rest were singles. Many of those were not well prepared, did not have the proper docs or much eviedence. They were not at the window long before the tears came.

As for the importance of being there with your sweetie..........................Man, I am up in the air about that. I wanted to be there to support her and show the CO that we were real. I think that was important for me. I talked to others that had been through the interview the day before or in the last two or three days that were denied. They had been grilled big time, cross examined, when they got confused, gave different responses, they got denied. I saw some what of a pattern there. On the other hand, I was there, I was never asked one question. I think it depends on the day, the CO and whatever else influences them.

Talking to Bob and Luz Ayneda, from Colombian Services, who see 1 or 2 folks a week come through their apartments or ones they are helping, they say it does not make any difference if you are there or not. Being prepared, knowing what questions may be asked and having all you docs and evidence in order is what makes the difference on approval.

Myself..................If I was to do this over again, I would be there. If for no other reason then to support my fiancee and to celebrate or cry with her depending on the outcome. I can tell you, there would not have been one question that they could have asked that we were not prepared for. We were 100% confident that we were prepared enough for any question that came up.

[buck501 0]

Diana, Buck, Paola.... CONGRATULATIONS on your Visas!!! Even though I just joined the club, I can feel your excitement. You really motivate people like me (who are just starting) to move forward.

Now, about being prepared.... Buck, I have a question for you on that Police Certificate from Panama: did you get an Apostille for that certificate, or did you take it to the Consulate as they gave it to you in Panama?

Thanks a lot for your help and once again, Congratulations!!!!

Jaun, you do not need an Apostille, it will come to you in a sealed brown envelope, same as the one from Colombia. If you go to Panama City it will take 8 days to obtain the Police Certificate. If you go to the Panamaian Embassy in Bogota it will take 60 days. I chose to fly Paola to Panama. ($$$$$ ouch). I was not willing to wait another 60 days. We do have many friends in Panama City so she was able to stay with them. The flight from Cali to PC is $450.00 plus the $500.00 security money for entrance to Panama. The cost for the certificate was $10.00.

Buck, being that im going to Panama in 2 weeks and Leidy is meeting me there, Does she have to have the $500 in dollars or pesos or does it matter??

Yes she will need the $500.00, without that she WILL NOT be allowed to enter Panama. If any one else comes with her (family) the max you will need is $1000.00. Another change, it may not matter but Panama has changed the time you can stay in Panama now from 90 days to 30 days. Very strictly enforced!!! Always carry your passport or a copy with you, her to. Paola was stopped several times by the police and asked for papers and passport. Even during the daytime, which is unusual. If they even think you are a Colombian they will want to see papers.

[buck501 0]

Whoops Bryon.....................Have US dollars, pesos aint no good in Panama. The US dollar is the currency. Take pesos and you will get burned big time on the exchange rate. I sent the money Western Union and had the payout be in US dollars.

[Entonces... 0]

Congrats Diana and Buck. Thank you for sharing and helping us that haven't gone through BGT yet. I hope everything else goes just as smoothly through the rest of the process. Thank you again.

Rafael

Diana,

P.S.

I read that many where not at the interview with there fiances. Off hand how many that where going for the interview where there with there fiances that you can see?

Entonces, That is a tough question. When I was there for the first interview, I could only identify one other couple that was obviously a gringo and Colombiana. They really got interagated. They were at the window for over 1/2 hour, first her, then him, then togeather, then him, then her. The CO made the other leave and sit while talking to the person at the window. They had 2 foto albums (huge) and reams of other papers. Who knows what the problem was. From the look on their face I do not think they were approved.

Other couples looked like they could have been Colombian. How can you tell a Colombian from a American??? Other then someone like me. LOL.

Another couple that I suspected was American/Colombian was approved fairly quick. All the rest were singles. Many of those were not well prepared, did not have the proper docs or much eviedence. They were not at the window long before the tears came.

As for the importance of being there with your sweetie..........................Man, I am up in the air about that. I wanted to be there to support her and show the CO that we were real. I think that was important for me. I talked to others that had been through the interview the day before or in the last two or three days that were denied. They had been grilled big time, cross examined, when they got confused, gave different responses, they got denied. I saw some what of a pattern there. On the other hand, I was there, I was never asked one question. I think it depends on the day, the CO and whatever else influences them.

Talking to Bob and Luz Ayneda, from Colombian Services, who see 1 or 2 folks a week come through their apartments or ones they are helping, they say it does not make any difference if you are there or not. Being prepared, knowing what questions may be asked and having all you docs and evidence in order is what makes the difference on approval.

Myself..................If I was to do this over again, I would be there. If for no other reason then to support my fiancee and to celebrate or cry with her depending on the outcome. I can tell you, there would not have been one question that they could have asked that we were not prepared for. We were 100% confident that we were prepared enough for any question that came up.

Buck,

Thank you for the info. Yeah I'm with you on that one. I want to show that this is real. And show the CO the joy that I have beign with my fiancee. Thnak you again Buck.

Rafael