Colombia Club

[florida-photo 0]

Mystery:

Great Info! Thanks. Just one question comes to mind right now. Are the applicants required to have all vaccinations done months before the interview? Most don't even receive the packet until shortly before the interview. Can't all of that be handled at the medical?

Also - Good luck on Wednesday!

Mark

[Mike and Adriana 0]

Hi all...

Just got home from Bogota. My wife and step-daughter follow on Friday.

A couple of more notes on the interview process:

*I echo what was previously said - just bring the documents....don't worry about presentation. Just make sure you are organized and have everything. And remember, anything you give them has to fit through the slot between you and the interviewer (kind of like a bank teller with glass in between you).

*My wife thought she had all of her immunizations, but when she went she was told that she was lacking two (think that maybe one was expired)...so she got the shots there for an extra 70,000 COP. Obviously, if its an immunization that requires more than one dose, that's not going to work.

*My wife's very brief interview was in Spanish. She could not have handled an English interview - listening or speaking. They are very accommodating.

*Dre - so sorry. I smell a little bit of sexual discrimination here (at least in part). You are right, if the U.S. male is older (at least by a reasonable amount) than the Colomian female, no problem (I am older than my wife by 13 years). But you being older than him may have been questioned. Also, I noticed very few males going through the process. Most of the beneficiaries being interviewed were women.

If I can help anyone, let me know (PM me)....because I'll probably be spending more time on the AOS forum now.

Mike

PS - congrats to Tony and Olga!

[TonyS 0]

Hey BradVicky! so we're pretty close then. When do you arrive in Bog??

I'm in Bogot as I type this. We got the medicals and lab work done today. We also picked up the Certificado Migratorio from DAS today. Here is some info for those still waiting to go to Bogota....

1. Lab- its now 150.000 COP. Seems to be gettin more expensive by the week. We got there at 6:30am. There was like 5 people in line when we got there. Open by 7am. At the door they asked everybody for (1) Interiew date sheet, (2) passport (3) ONE passport picture. (They say take 2, but they only asked for one. I would not take a chance either way and take 2 just in case since its what the packet says) Thats it. She was out of there by 8am. Btw, they do not let anybody in other than the person doing the test.

You do not need to set an appt for the labs. Just show up early in the morning. They open at 7am. I recomend you get there atleast by 630am. Since it gets full.

2. Medical - we went to the female Dr on the list (I think Maria Consuelo Gonzalez). My fiance said she was the sweetest and nicest lady. She was in and out in less than 20 min's. They again do not let anyone enter for this either.

We had a minor set back here though.My fiance had her immunizations about 2 months ago. She only had ONE shot of everything. Well apparently theres a second dose for Td and Varicela. So she sent us to a lab place a block away from the Dr's office to get them done. Cost me 103.000 COP for that. Took us less than 30 mins. We took it back to her office, bingo. We're supposed to return tmw to pick up results so we can take that to the interview on Wed.

Note: need to schedule Medical appt. and you need to schedule it atleast 2 days b4 the interview since it takes a full day to get results back.

3. Certificado Migratorio del DAS - my fiance requested it in Bogota on Thur and we picked it up today (Monday). This is the FASTEST way to get it for sure. It costs 37.000 COP. When we went to pick it up today in the morning there was hardly anybody there. She was in and out in less than 10 min. The document is in a sealed envelope and they tell you NOT to open it. Take it unopened to the interview. The adress is the same posted earlier: Calle 100 #11b-27, its on the bottom floor of the building.

Place to stay- for anyone not knowing where they can stay. I am staying in a pretty nice apartment about 2 1/2 blocks away from the US Embassy. Its fully furnished, has hot water, cable and high speed internet connection (you need to take a laptop). Its not huge but if you only rent the master bedroom which is nice it'll only cost you $35/day plus $10 dollars for an extra person for the full stay. (not $10 more a day). Its in a nice area, feel safe. Anyone interested let me know so I can give you contact info......

We have our interview on Wed so I'll let you guys know how it goes.....feel free to ask away

Hola! Good to know everything is going well for you two. I know you are busy and focus now but when you have time, email me the apartment info. Good luck on the interview

[mystery 0]

Mystery:

Great Info! Thanks. Just one question comes to mind right now. Are the applicants required to have all vaccinations done months before the interview? Most don't even receive the packet until shortly before the interview. Can't all of that be handled at the medical?

Also - Good luck on Wednesday!

Mark

Mark,

I would have her get them as soon as possible at her local doctor. She can even get one at the Red Cross if they have one in the city where your fiance lives (mine lives in Cartagena and they had one).....

Thing is that my fiance got her shots like in Nov. When she went to her Dr's appt yesterday they said she needed the second dose for the Td and Varicela. Now my fiance was not aware and was not told she needed a second dose at all until yesterday....

Usually with vaccinations you need to wait a certain amount of time between doses, so I would not recomend you do everything here in Bogota a few days b4 the interview.....give yourself some time for the 2nd dose...

[florida-photo 0]

Mark,

I would have her get them as soon as possible at her local doctor. She can even get one at the Red Cross if they have one in the city where your fiance lives (mine lives in Cartagena and they had one).....

Thing is that my fiance got her shots like in Nov. When she went to her Dr's appt yesterday they said she needed the second dose for the Td and Varicela. Now my fiance was not aware and was not told she needed a second dose at all until yesterday....

Usually with vaccinations you need to wait a certain amount of time between doses, so I would not recomend you do everything here in Bogota a few days b4 the interview.....give yourself some time for the 2nd dose...

Mystery:

She mentioned to me something about Red Cross recently so I know there is an office in Barranquilla. She is not sure which vaccinations are required by the embassy. Could you tell us which ones are listed in the packet? Thanks again!

Mark

[fredbird 0]

Mark,

Your wife will need the following shots:

TD

MMR

Varicela

She can go to the Red Cross in Barranquilla. That is where my wife went. They are very familiar with the immigration process and know which shots to give. I believe it was COP 260k for all three but can't remember for sure. Good Luck!

Brian

Edited January 23, 2007 by breppsr

[Tony & Olga 0]

Update!

After my wifes K3 Visa was approved in the interview yesterday, today she went to the Embassy at 4:00PM as instructed and sat through all the names being called out. Finally at the end of the names called out they asked if anyone didn't have their name called. My wife and another American there trying to pickup a K3 for his wife said they did not hear their name. So they asked them for their names and said they would check on them. They finally came back and said the computer did not release their Visa's yet! They tell my wife to check back tomorrow at 4:00 PM, with no further explanation. My wife is sooooooo Pissed! She is an emotional mess because she had already purchased her plane ticket back to Cali and was suppose to go back to work tomorrow. She has already been in Bogotá for a week getting her medical, Migratory letter etc. The thing is they don't even tell her if there is a problem or what!

My wife says the American guy has been there 3 days already with the same situation and won't tell him anything other then to return tomorrow at the same time!

I am calling the Embassy again tomorrow morning!

Can you believe this is the way our American Embassy treats people? Amazing. I saw an article today that said the US tourism industry is off by 17% since 9-11 and that the US is rated one of the worst as far as being an unfriendly towards foreign nationals. I can believe this!

Has anyone had or heard of a situation like this? Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Tony

[OjosAzules 0]

Mystery-Thanks for all the info. Things are all much clearer now.

Silvia's going to get the vaccines starting this week so we have enough time for that follow up. The info about the second dose is priceless!

We're very much looking forward to getting that packet 4 with the interview date in the mail. Nothing yet.

[paisita411 0]

Hi Guys,

Well I wanted to keep you updated.. we have a new interview date set for February 16th. I had to do the PIN thing and argue with the guy about the K3 status, he said it could only be CR1 or IR1...anyway, I finally told him to just put down K3 and I would deal with it.

After Oscar calmed down some more yesterday, he told me that the CO was actually rather sweet and that her main concern was pictures, he answered all the questions to her satisfaction, she just insisted on more pictures than he had with him. That makes me feel better.

And yes, its a little bit of a double standard, but Mike's right, there aren't too many girls in my position or guys in his, as is evident in this same forum. I'm not bitter though. I actually woke up today in great spirits. I've made the appointment, my flight reservations (I'll get to use my Delta Sky Miles before they take them away!!!) and I'm printing out more emails, phone records, ect... I've also been planning our church wedding for July 7th (07/07/07) and have the reservation for the ceremony since back in September '06, so I'm having the wedding coordinator write me a letter stating the fact and bringing that with me, along with all of the quotes for the reception, wedding dress, etc..... I know that we're already married and I don't have to prove that, but I'm hoping they realize that I'm planning a wedding with my friends and family, here in the states, where I've lived for 28 years and that should be PROOF enough of our relationship. I really should have sent this to Oscar, but I thought it was cheesy for him to take it....hindsight is 20/20!!!

Well guys, thanks for your support again. As always, let me know if I can be of help to anyone (that means the newbies...too).

Dre

[KathyB 0]

Congratulations Tony & Olga and Mike & Adriana. I'm new, but I have followed your story through the thread and am so happy for you!

Dre, I am sorry, too! But I read your last post and am awed by your positive attitude. I know the next time will be a charm--the embassy is just going to make you work for it! As if we all haven't worked hard enough already...

[Mike and Adriana 0]

Hi Dre:

I am glad that you and Oskar got an interview date so quickly. I guess you can look at it as a nice way to get away for a few days. Hopefully the taxes on the plane ticket won't run you too much and you and Oskar can enjoy a nice celebratory evening after the interview. My wife and I celebrated with a nice dinner at Criterion in the Rosales area.

Gosh, I just fail to understand the explanation they gave Oskar - lack fo pictures? Seems kind of petty to me, given everything else. But that is the authority they gave you.

But everything happens for a reason and I'm sure next time will bring success.

Mike

PS - heard from my wife today and she successfully retrieved the passports with visa yesterday at 4:00.

[bradyvicky 0]

Hey BradVicky! so we're pretty close then. When do you arrive in Bog??

I'm in Bogot as I type this. We got the medicals and lab work done today. We also picked up the Certificado Migratorio from DAS today. Here is some info for those still waiting to go to Bogota....

1. Lab- its now 150.000 COP. Seems to be gettin more expensive by the week. We got there at 6:30am. There was like 5 people in line when we got there. Open by 7am. At the door they asked everybody for (1) Interiew date sheet, (2) passport (3) ONE passport picture. (They say take 2, but they only asked for one. I would not take a chance either way and take 2 just in case since its what the packet says) Thats it. She was out of there by 8am. Btw, they do not let anybody in other than the person doing the test.

You do not need to set an appt for the labs. Just show up early in the morning. They open at 7am. I recomend you get there atleast by 630am. Since it gets full.

2. Medical - we went to the female Dr on the list (I think Maria Consuelo Gonzalez). My fiance said she was the sweetest and nicest lady. She was in and out in less than 20 min's. They again do not let anyone enter for this either.

We had a minor set back here though.My fiance had her immunizations about 2 months ago. She only had ONE shot of everything. Well apparently theres a second dose for Td and Varicela. So she sent us to a lab place a block away from the Dr's office to get them done. Cost me 103.000 COP for that. Took us less than 30 mins. We took it back to her office, bingo. We're supposed to return tmw to pick up results so we can take that to the interview on Wed.

Note: need to schedule Medical appt. and you need to schedule it atleast 2 days b4 the interview since it takes a full day to get results back.

3. Certificado Migratorio del DAS - my fiance requested it in Bogota on Thur and we picked it up today (Monday). This is the FASTEST way to get it for sure. It costs 37.000 COP. When we went to pick it up today in the morning there was hardly anybody there. She was in and out in less than 10 min. The document is in a sealed envelope and they tell you NOT to open it. Take it unopened to the interview. The adress is the same posted earlier: Calle 100 #11b-27, its on the bottom floor of the building.

Place to stay- for anyone not knowing where they can stay. I am staying in a pretty nice apartment about 2 1/2 blocks away from the US Embassy. Its fully furnished, has hot water, cable and high speed internet connection (you need to take a laptop). Its not huge but if you only rent the master bedroom which is nice it'll only cost you $35/day plus $10 dollars for an extra person for the full stay. (not $10 more a day). Its in a nice area, feel safe. Anyone interested let me know so I can give you contact info......

We have our interview on Wed so I'll let you guys know how it goes.....feel free to ask away

Hey man...glad things seem to be going well for you! I will be flying in to Bogota on the 28th. Will be there through the 2nd, then off to Barranquilla for another 7 days and hopefully returning here to Ft. Lauderdale with Vicky!

I wanted to expand-on and/or question a few things you wrote:

1. I am renting the SAME place as you I believe - in case others are interested, this place can be found at http://www.welovebogota.com/ and if they do not have any rooms booked, you can talk them into the WHOLE apartment for $50.00 a night. If it is the same place, dont trash it before WE get there! jajajaja

2. Medical - FIRST a question...was it necessary to have a DS-230 form filled out for this? Vicky chose the other doctor listed and they want her to have this? Not sure why, but we will. COMMENT...the other doctor listed (NOT Gonzalez) will do an appointment and results same day. We have the appt. on Tuesday and are arriving on the weekend, so Gonzalez said it was impossible to get results in time but the other office (sorry, I forget the name but it is listed in the packet) will do medico and results same day, and our appt. is at 4pm!!!

3. Certificado del Migratorio - QUESTION....is this the same DAS form listed in the packet instructions or something new? Vicky paid a fee in a bank then visited DAS to get a certificate (a little booklet) but she didnt get it in Bogota and they didnt seal anything. Know if this is the same thing? She said it is alike a record that shows any entry/exit to other countries - assuming Migratorio?

Thanks for any help... Hope all is well down there and GOOD LUCK tomorrow!!!!

Brad

[Mike and Adriana 0]

Not trying to "butt in" on this conversation, but perhaps I can help with some of these questions:

2. Medical - FIRST a question...was it necessary to have a DS-230 form filled out for this? Vicky chose the other doctor listed and they want her to have this? Not sure why, but we will. COMMENT...the other doctor listed (NOT Gonzalez) will do an appointment and results same day. We have the appt. on Tuesday and are arriving on the weekend, so Gonzalez said it was impossible to get results in time but the other office (sorry, I forget the name but it is listed in the packet) will do medico and results same day, and our appt. is at 4pm!!!

I know that you are pursuing a different visa, but I believe the answer is still no. For my wife's medical, she only needed to provide her "cita" and her ID. Can't imagine why the doctor would want to see the DS-230. Hmmmm. Can't imagine what the doctor was taking about. Unless you are lacking immunizations, there should be no reason why you can't get your medical packet the same day.

3. Certificado del Migratorio - QUESTION....is this the same DAS form listed in the packet instructions or something new? Vicky paid a fee in a bank then visited DAS to get a certificate (a little booklet) but she didnt get it in Bogota and they didnt seal anything. Know if this is the same thing? She said it is alike a record that shows any entry/exit to other countries - assuming Migratorio?

The certificado del Migratorio is the record of entries/exit. This is the newer requirement.

[bradyvicky 0]

Not trying to "butt in" on this conversation, but perhaps I can help with some of these questions:

2. Medical - FIRST a question...was it necessary to have a DS-230 form filled out for this? Vicky chose the other doctor listed and they want her to have this? Not sure why, but we will. COMMENT...the other doctor listed (NOT Gonzalez) will do an appointment and results same day. We have the appt. on Tuesday and are arriving on the weekend, so Gonzalez said it was impossible to get results in time but the other office (sorry, I forget the name but it is listed in the packet) will do medico and results same day, and our appt. is at 4pm!!!

I know that you are pursuing a different visa, but I believe the answer is still no. For my wife's medical, she only needed to provide her "cita" and her ID. Can't imagine why the doctor would want to see the DS-230. Hmmmm. Can't imagine what the doctor was taking about. Unless you are lacking immunizations, there should be no reason why you can't get your medical packet the same day.

3. Certificado del Migratorio - QUESTION....is this the same DAS form listed in the packet instructions or something new? Vicky paid a fee in a bank then visited DAS to get a certificate (a little booklet) but she didnt get it in Bogota and they didnt seal anything. Know if this is the same thing? She said it is alike a record that shows any entry/exit to other countries - assuming Migratorio?

The certificado del Migratorio is the record of entries/exit. This is the newer requirement.

Thanks for your response Mike and Adriana...all information is always appreciated!

[Tony & Olga 0]

Hello and welcome Kathyb and all other newbys!