Colombia Club

[Rainman3 0]

In reading various posts about vaccinations for a K-3 interview, there seems to be some conflicting information. My wife has her appointment with Dr. Roa two days before her interview.

From what I can gather, it is possible for her to have her vaccinations in her hometown before we go to Bogota for the medical exams and interview. Is this true? If so, how far an advance can she get them? I read someone post that it could only be up to a week before the medical. What has been the experience of those that went with Dr. Roa?

On another note...

Am I the only one who thinks that it's monumentally stupid to only have two doctors that can be used for the medicals? Do these two just do the medicals for spouse and fiance visas, or do they handle applicants for other types of visas?

Thanks,

CG

Im not sure if it is Dr. Roa or someone in his office but there is definitly something fishy going on when it comes to vaccinations. My fiancee received all of her shots in April and she was informed that she will have to have them all again in his office this Friday. I spent 16 years with Pfizer and am very familiar with the Center for Disease Control recommendations for vaccinations and this is a bunch of BS ! I sent an email to the embassy and told them what was going on and they replied the same day telling me they would call Dr. Roa's office and inform them that this was wrong. Now Im kinda worried that my fiancee might have trouble because he has been ratted out on this terrible practice and blatant attempt to collect more money from nervous individuals who are deperate to get their visa.

Myself and Sandra had her interview last month on the 18th but failed to receive her visa because Dr. Roa did not approve the medical due to the fact that she'd done some plastic surgery 2 1/2 weeks prior and was not 100% healed. I mean no one comes to Colombia for plastic surgery......Right...? He informed her she would have to come back in a month when everything was totally healed. Just a note for the ladies here, I did not know she was having anything done nor did I ever encourage her to. She has a sister who is very well to do and received the surgery as a wedding gift from her sister and her husband. She is happy with it and to tell you the truth I rather like it myself although I was totally happy with her body to start with. The only thing I did not like was the delays it has caused.

Sandra will be alone for this interview but the only thing that the embassy needs from her is the medical portion. FYI, her original Dr's apt back in April was with Dr. Gonzales but it got swapped over to Dr Roa after we arrived in Bogota because she was so busy that day.

There, now you guys have the whole story. BTW, my fiancee is Paisa. Maybe that will help explain things. Gents don't let your girl get any work done to close to their apts.

Rainman3

Edited May 21, 2008 by Rainman3

[Mononoke28 135]

I think we've all agreed that the vaccination process with these two doctors is way too fishy. My husband also had his vaccines the last week of may last year, his appointment was four months later and Dr. Roa said that he had to have all his shots done again because the ones from May were too old. What really struck me as odd was that when we got back at 6pm for his new shots, all 18 people who had appointments that day with this doctor were also there to have their shots "retaken". I started to do the math in my head, x amount of $ per shot times 18 = A LOT OF MONEY daily. It's insane.

My best advice is to have these shots no more than one week before the medical, whether it's with Dr. Roa or Dr. Gonzales, becasue she's in it as well.

Diana

[HAL 9000 96]

Wow... and these were questions we asked Capt. Ewok to forward the embassy a while back. I don't know what came about of these answers, and it looks like it took someone that mentioned the CDC guidelines I posted back months ago as well (thanks RAINMAN!!!) to get the embassy to do something.

I would not fear for a medical rejection because that is also something you can take up with the embassy and more so the interviewing CO if you do your stuff right.

Hopefully the MDs will stop looking to make more money out of this process. They already make a lot more to look at our SO's than their Colombian counterparts do for practicing actual medicine. The buck has to stop somewhere and I implore RAINMAN to let us know how the story develops.

[ColombianoGringo 0]

I just called Dr Roa's office and was surprised to hear from the receptionist that it was OK for my wife to get her vaccinations in advance. The only requirement she mentioned is that certain vaccinations have to be done within a month. Since our appointment is in mid-June, she can get them anytime between now and the medical exam.

Maybe they have been getting heat for this issue. When I called, I lied and said from the outset and stated that the embassy had told me that vaccinations could be done in advance. Maybe this cornered her into telling the truth instead of the "company line".

[HAL 9000 96]

I just called Dr Roa's office and was surprised to hear from the receptionist that it was OK for my wife to get her vaccinations in advance. The only requirement she mentioned is that certain vaccinations have to be done within a month. Since our appointment is in mid-June, she can get them anytime between now and the medical exam.

Maybe they have been getting heat for this issue. When I called, I lied and said from the outset and stated that the embassy had told me that vaccinations could be done in advance. Maybe this cornered her into telling the truth instead of the "company line".

Muy interesante...

The follow up could be the case... since some vaccines are supposed to be given up post initial shot in order to "complete" immunity... but not the ones on the required list for K-1/3/CR visas.

[Andres and Diana 0]

Ok you guys...

Tomorrow is the Big day!! I am here in Colombia at Colombia Lodging putting together the last paperwork with Andres. Pray for us and hope everything goes well...

I'll report tomorrow on how our interview goes!

Wish us luck!!!

[bigley 0]

Hey guys finally was approved and the NVC has sent the file to Bogota. Called the DOS this morning and they told me that the embassy has received the electronic file but not the paper file. The NVC said they sent it on the 16th. Not sure if that means physically or just electronically. I checked the dhl site and noticed a file sent to Bogota on the 16th which was signed for at the embassy on the 19th. Well should I call the embassy direct or just call DOS next week again maybe monday to find out? Also does anyone know the website that I can check on the interviews scheduled at the embassy. I saw the website earlier but can not seem to find it again. Thanks guys. Long journey since Sept. 7, 2007 but getting there. Thanks for all the information on this forum.

[Mononoke28 135]

Don't worry about finding the link for the list of appointments because it's all whacked. Many times they put you down on a different date going for a totally different type of visa.

Diana

[motu 5]

Also does anyone know the website that I can check on the interviews scheduled at the embassy. I saw the website earlier but can not seem to find it again.

http://bogota.usembassy.gov/iv-appointments.html

The info here is pretty good but the dates they post the new list is not always consistent. Your best notice is the letter you get from the embassy but if you know the case number, then this link is pretty good.

[Scott n Yenifer 0]

Ok you guys...

Tomorrow is the Big day!! I am here in Colombia at Colombia Lodging putting together the last paperwork with Andres. Pray for us and hope everything goes well...

I'll report tomorrow on how our interview goes!

Wish us luck!!!

Hi Diana and Andres,

I'm a little late in wishing you guys good luck as you guys are probably leaving the embassy by now

Hope everything went well...you guys were very well prepped so I'm sure you have GREAT news !!!!!!!!!

[ColombianoGringo 0]

bigley,

The best thing to do is to call the DOS Visa Office in DC at 202-663-1225. If I recall correctly, the prompts are 1 then 0. Either way, they will tell you as soon as your appointment has been scheduled. You can also call NVC, but it is a lot easier to get through at the Visa Office.

[Andres and Diana 0]

VISA APPROVED!!!

:dance: :dance: :dance:

It was soooo incredibly easy!!! They didn't even speak to the beneficiary. She asked to speak to me and to tell her our story...when I was done talking (didn't show a shred of evidence) she said "Go pay for your Visa at Domesa!!"

I was like...NO WAY!! I'll tell you all the rest in a few days! It was great and everything was soo easy thanks to the assistance of everyone here in Visa Journeys!!

Thanks to all!!!

Diana and Andres

[ColombianoGringo 0]

Congrats Diana!!!

But I'm confused. You say they didn't speak with the beneficiary. Are you the US Citizen or your fiance?

In any case, congratulations. Go celebrate somewhere nice tonight. Hopefully, we'll be celebrating on the 19th.

[Scott n Yenifer 0]

VISA APPROVED!!!

:dance: :dance: :dance:

It was soooo incredibly easy!!! They didn't even speak to the beneficiary. She asked to speak to me and to tell her our story...when I was done talking (didn't show a shred of evidence) she said "Go pay for your Visa at Domesa!!"

I was like...NO WAY!! I'll tell you all the rest in a few days! It was great and everything was soo easy thanks to the assistance of everyone here in Visa Journeys!!

Thanks to all!!!

Diana and Andres

"AWESOME!!!...CONGRATULATIONS DIANA Y ANDRES!!!

[Mononoke28 135]

Congrats Diana!!!

But I'm confused. You say they didn't speak with the beneficiary. Are you the US Citizen or your fiance?

In any case, congratulations. Go celebrate somewhere nice tonight. Hopefully, we'll be celebrating on the 19th.

Congratulations once again Diana & Andrés!

CG,

Yes, she's the US citizen and in the K1 forum they also said the CO didn't even talk to the beneficiary, only with Diana, the US citizen.

Diana