Colombia Club

[ColombianoGringo 0]

Hi all,

We're going through our final check of documents before I head off to Colombia in a few days.

I was curious about the DS-156. The packet 4 instructions say that we have to fill this out, but I can't find a PDF of it on the Bogota embassy site. The only thing listed is the DS-156K for K-1 visas. I looked online, but all I could find was an e-form. Is it OK to use this to fill out and print the DS-156 or is there a PDF that I should use. I think my wife got a copy sent from the embassy, but I would rather fill it out on the computer and print it.

Thanks,

CG

[parkpapa 0]

Hi all,

We're going through our final check of documents before I head off to Colombia in a few days.

I was curious about the DS-156. The packet 4 instructions say that we have to fill this out, but I can't find a PDF of it on the Bogota embassy site. The only thing listed is the DS-156K for K-1 visas. I looked online, but all I could find was an e-form. Is it OK to use this to fill out and print the DS-156 or is there a PDF that I should use. I think my wife got a copy sent from the embassy, but I would rather fill it out on the computer and print it.

Thanks,

CG

As best I recall (my memory is a dangerous thing, though....haha), we filled out the DS-156 AT the embassy. At the time, we were getting some help from some folks in Bogota and they had overlooked the need for us to have that document. A hand-written copy of this is fine with the embassy. I'm not sure where else you might encounter one if there's none listed on the USCIS site.

[waitman 0]

Thank you for all your support everyone! We got our visa last week and the arrival to the US is imminent.

Some highlights:

0. My fiancee spent over a year in the US recently, where we actually met. Perhaps that made our burden of proof lighter than that of couples who met on the Internet and spent only a few weeks together.

1. I was afraid that the doctor would force my fiancee to get a dozen vaccinations right there and then, to the detriment of her health. Luckily that didn't happen once my fiancee presented her vaccination record-- she went to the woman (Gonzales?) and they told her to get only 2 shots of which one was actually missing and one, I believe, expired. One of those shots made her arm ache very badly, however.

2. There are two people you have to deal with closely once you get to the US Embassy for the interview. The 1st person is a Colombian who accepts documents and makes sure that everything is in order while the 2nd person is obviously the consular officer. I got the feeling that if anything goes wrong, it's likelier that it's going to go wrong with the Colombian receptionist (not sure if there's a more precise word). The one we got was somewhat unfriendly and took like 5 minutes to look everything over. I really doubt that the person could be appeased if anything wasn't in order (such as a missing form). *SO PLEASE, READ THE EMBASSY INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY AND MAKE SURE YOU HAVE EVERY SINGLE ITEM*.

3. The Consular Officer was a woman who was super nice and encouraging. It seemed like everything was decided before we got to the window. She asked my fiancee a couple of questions and then was my turn. The questions were all very basic-- where did you meet, when will you get married, how many times have you met in the last year and where do you work-- all in English. We collected a hefty pile of relationship evidence (photos, phone bills, letters from friends etc) but none of that was needed. And I spent several days on putting that FEDEX together and $140 on sending it!

4. As it follows from above, I went to Bogota in the end. However, originally that was not my plan. I chickened out during the last week before the interview after reading several horror stories here on VJ forum, about South American girls being asked by CO's to come back a few months later with their man. I didn't want to take that chance so I went. As you can read above it was probably unnecessary-- I didn't feel that I played any role in that (yes, they asked me questions but it seemed like that was out of some sort of appreciation as I was one of very few Americans there). However, even though it was expensive, tiring (long flight/connection) and seemingly unnecessary I do not regret that I went one bit. First, we had a very good time together (even though I was there only for a couple of days!) and second I have a strong feeling that by being with my fiancee there I did the right thing, I was where I was really supposed to be that day...Please don't get me wrong here-- I'm not suggesting that American petitioners go or don't go for K-1 interviews, I'm only sharing my personal experience.

5. In retrospect I can say that a lot of anxiety associated with this thing was unwarranted. It really ain't such a big deal-- you pretty much follow the published steps, follow them like a robot, precisely but without thinking too hard or brooding over what may or may not happen. People have been doing this for decades like they have taxes, college applications or any other paperwork, it's just one more bureaucratic adventure that our civilized society imposes on us ...The waiting part sucks the most (especially these last few days before her arrival to the States!) but you are in this because you are in love and love is worth a wait. And remember that in the grand schemes of things a few months don't mean much.

6. (Advice for untraveled Americans only). Please understand that Colombia isn't Kansas but a country with very serious problems, unthinkable even in the most unfortunate parts of the US. You'll probably be surprised how normal Northern/Western/Central Bogota (the parts where you'll probably spend all of your time) looks but don't be deceived-- it's an alien world for you where you are an obvious gringo for anyone within the line of vision. You can be short and dark and even remember some Spanish from your college years but it doesn't matter one bit as Colombians are extremely good and distinguishing even people who come from a different part of their own country, let alone abroad. So make sure your Colombian beneficiary literally babysits you while you're in Colombia, make sure they never let you out of sight, be like a scared little baby hanging on to Mom's hand and do one and only one thing: follow and listen to what you're told, leaving all of your pride several thousands miles North...I'm sure most of you understand the risks but I get the impression that some people think that a trip to Bogota is like a trip to New York. It's for those that this item is intended-- what I am saying is harsh but well intended.

Well, that's it, then! I'm wishing everyone luck in their journey. I'll try to drop in once in a while.

[Mononoke28 135]

2. There are two people you have to deal with closely once you get to the US Embassy for the interview. The 1st person is a Colombian who accepts documents and makes sure that everything is in order while the 2nd person is obviously the consular officer. I got the feeling that if anything goes wrong, it's likelier that it's going to go wrong with the Colombian receptionist (not sure if there's a more precise word). The one we got was somewhat unfriendly and took like 5 minutes to look everything over. I really doubt that the person could be appeased if anything wasn't in order (such as a missing form). *SO PLEASE, READ THE EMBASSY INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY AND MAKE SURE YOU HAVE EVERY SINGLE ITEM*.

Person #1 is always unfriendly no matter who you get. I'd like to call her the wicked witch of the embassy. My husband likes to call her @#$%, #$%^&.

Diana

[ColombianoGringo 0]

Hi all,

I just moved last week and I'm curious about what I need to do about it in reference to the interview next week. I read that I can call NVC and update my address, but do I also have to redo all the forms for the interview? My primary concern is with the DS-230 since my wife already sent in the first part to request the interview. This has my old address on it. Should I just fill out another one and bring it to the embassy? I already sent her a notarized I-134, but I suppose I should redo that one.

Thanks,

CG

[ColombianoGringo 0]

Another question.

Many people have mentioned printing out emails and chat transcripts. We have literally hundreds of emails which would be a pain to print. Instead, could I simply print out lists of all the emails we sent? This would be like the standard Inbox list in Outlook showing Sender, Recipient, Date/Time, Subject and the first line of the body.

I've also got phone records and chat transcripts, travel receipts, airline boarding passes and at least 50 good pics. Does all this sound like enough?

Thanks,

CG

[parkpapa 0]

Another question.

Many people have mentioned printing out emails and chat transcripts. We have literally hundreds of emails which would be a pain to print. Instead, could I simply print out lists of all the emails we sent? This would be like the standard Inbox list in Outlook showing Sender, Recipient, Date/Time, Subject and the first line of the body.

I've also got phone records and chat transcripts, travel receipts, airline boarding passes and at least 50 good pics. Does all this sound like enough?

Thanks,

CG

I printed out a handful of "representative" chat transcripts and a few emails for our interview, also. BUT, remember that if these are in Spanish, you would need a translated version, as well. If you don't have time to have that done for you, I wouldn't bother, because the translation cannot be by you or your significant other. We brought along a ton of evidence - photo album, aforementioned transcripts AND relatively expensive translations, all of the things you mentioned and more. In the end, they didn't ask to see anything. As some others have mentioned in here, sometimes it seems as if they made their decision ahead of time, perhaps based on the originally supplied applications (I-129 and/or I-130) since these often contain a good deal of the same information, if they've been prepared fully.

That said, I do think it is still a good idea to bring all that stuff anyway, and have it in hand JUST IN CASE!

One last thing, at the interview, I really think it helps your chances if you give all the appearances of being a couple: hold hands, talk together, don't act nervous or fidgety, etc. Of course, don't go overboard to put on a show. If your relationship is real, let that be the final piece of evidence they need. I have no way of knowing if this matters in the end, but you never know. There are some long wait times at the embassy and perhaps that time is used to scan the crowd for those that "just don't seem like a couple", if you know what I mean.

Best of luck to you, though it sounds like you have all the bases covered.

Charles

[Mononoke28 135]

Hi all,

I just moved last week and I'm curious about what I need to do about it in reference to the interview next week. I read that I can call NVC and update my address, but do I also have to redo all the forms for the interview? My primary concern is with the DS-230 since my wife already sent in the first part to request the interview. This has my old address on it. Should I just fill out another one and bring it to the embassy? I already sent her a notarized I-134, but I suppose I should redo that one.

Thanks,

CG

I would tell the embassy that your address in the US has changed and bring a new copy of the DS-230 just in case. Also, bring a copy of the I-134 that you already sent the USCIS, that way they will know that it has been updated. Also, make sure she shows this to the POE officer when she arrives just in case the embassy doesn't update her info.

Diana

[Mononoke28 135]

Another question.

Many people have mentioned printing out emails and chat transcripts. We have literally hundreds of emails which would be a pain to print. Instead, could I simply print out lists of all the emails we sent? This would be like the standard Inbox list in Outlook showing Sender, Recipient, Date/Time, Subject and the first line of the body.

I've also got phone records and chat transcripts, travel receipts, airline boarding passes and at least 50 good pics. Does all this sound like enough?

Thanks,

CG

What I did was I printed out 2 e-mails and 2 chat histories from each month. Since chat histories tend to be so long, I just printed out 1 page from each one, kind of found chunks that would make sense if put on one page. I'm glad I did that too because our CO read every single line of every single document we brought with us that day. So don't understimate the task.

Diana

[parkpapa 0]

4. As it follows from above, I went to Bogota in the end. However, originally that was not my plan. I chickened out during the last week before the interview after reading several horror stories here on VJ forum, about South American girls being asked by CO's to come back a few months later with their man. I didn't want to take that chance so I went. As you can read above it was probably unnecessary-- I didn't feel that I played any role in that (yes, they asked me questions but it seemed like that was out of some sort of appreciation as I was one of very few Americans there). However, even though it was expensive, tiring (long flight/connection) and seemingly unnecessary I do not regret that I went one bit. First, we had a very good time together (even though I was there only for a couple of days!) and second I have a strong feeling that by being with my fiancee there I did the right thing, I was where I was really supposed to be that day...Please don't get me wrong here-- I'm not suggesting that American petitioners go or don't go for K-1 interviews, I'm only sharing my personal experience.

6. (Advice for untraveled Americans only). Please understand that Colombia isn't Kansas but a country with very serious problems, unthinkable even in the most unfortunate parts of the US. You'll probably be surprised how normal Northern/Western/Central Bogota (the parts where you'll probably spend all of your time) looks but don't be deceived-- it's an alien world for you where you are an obvious gringo for anyone within the line of vision. You can be short and dark and even remember some Spanish from your college years but it doesn't matter one bit as Colombians are extremely good and distinguishing even people who come from a different part of their own country, let alone abroad. So make sure your Colombian beneficiary literally babysits you while you're in Colombia, make sure they never let you out of sight, be like a scared little baby hanging on to Mom's hand and do one and only one thing: follow and listen to what you're told, leaving all of your pride several thousands miles North...I'm sure most of you understand the risks but I get the impression that some people think that a trip to Bogota is like a trip to New York. It's for those that this item is intended-- what I am saying is harsh but well intended.

First of all, congratulations on getting the visa!!

I agree with most everything you mention in your post. Our Consular Officer was civil, though I would not say overly friendly. But, since we were approved, his manners don't mean as much to me now.

If I may, I'd like to offer my advice regarding your items 4 and 6. I suspect you are right that there may often be no need for the American partner to go to the interview, but not in all cases. In my own case, for example, because there was a large age difference between my wife and I, I think it was probably an important acknowledgement of our relationship that I was there with her. Did it really make a difference in whether or not she got the visa? I'll never know for sure, but my strong feeling is that approval was much less likely without me there. I think each couple should consider the need for this very carefully, based on the facts as well as the "appearance" of their relationship.

As for the (relative) safety of Bogotá, there is no doubt that the typical gringo sticks out like a sore thumb. This is true anywhere in Colombia, though it is getting better as more and more tourists venture there. Possibly part of it is because most Americans they have seen in the past were from the US military. But, my personal experience in three visits to Colombia is similar to yours, except while leaving my Yankee pride and swagger at home, I would be careful to not allow myself to look like a cupcake, either. Stand straight, try to look self assured (even if you are not), trust your Colombian partner, and have fun.

Perhaps a better analogy for Bogotá is Detroit or LA. There are parts of town that are reasonably safe (take sensible precautions with your money and valuables) and there are some parts that you would be a fool to go into (like the south end of the city). However, don´t let caution spoil your trip there. There are lots of fun places to go and see, such as the Salt Cathedral and Monserrate for culture buffs. Don´t let the site of soldiers and police, in groups of two to six, carrying automatic weapons scare you out of having a good time. If you want to be scared, talk to local residents about what it was like in the city back when Pablo Escobar was bombing 100 public and government buildings. Colombia still has a ways to go, that is true, but it is nothing like it was. Those soldiers and police are a big part of the reason Bogotá is as safe as it is.

Charles

[Mononoke28 135]

Just as an FYI for people who've had their petitions approved, even though this thread is like a ghost town nowdays.

As per a few people who posted in the Colombian K1 thread, the US embassy in Bogotá is no longer handing out packet 4 at the embassy, even if the beneficiary him/herself is picking it up. According to them, the doctors, the lab, the bank and the embassy itself will no longer ask you for it and will process your stuff without it. If need be, you can try to download a page from their embassy with your case # on it. It sounds kind of dumb because I've checked out their site a few times this week and can't seem to find anything regarding this new info, plus anybody can just print a case # down to "prove" they have an interview with the embassy. But oh well, their rules, not mine.

So anyway, recap, packet 4 can no longer be picked up at the embassy in person.

Diana

[ColombianoGringo 0]

Charles, Are your sure it is really necessary to have those chat transcripts and emails translated? The embassy appointment instructions specifically state "Translations are NOT required for documents written in Spanish or English." (caps in original) I don't see why they would want correspondence translated when they don't require it for official documents.

Diana, I guess I will print out some of the actual emails in addition to the lists just to be safe.

Thanks to both of you,

CG

[parkpapa 0]

Charles, Are your sure it is really necessary to have those chat transcripts and emails translated? The embassy appointment instructions specifically state "Translations are NOT required for documents written in Spanish or English." (caps in original) I don't see why they would want correspondence translated when they don't require it for official documents.

Diana, I guess I will print out some of the actual emails in addition to the lists just to be safe.

Thanks to both of you,

CG

Ah! Well, if that's what they say now, that's what I'd go with. Our interview was over a year ago and I know some things have changed in how they handle the process. Sorry if I gave out "out of date" information. It's really difficult to stay current with the things you're not in the middle of.

[Ken y Leidys 20]

6. (Advice for untraveled Americans only). Please understand that Colombia isn't Kansas but a country with very serious problems, unthinkable even in the most unfortunate parts of the US.

I recently rented 'City of Men' and 'Cocaine Cowboys', and these films were spot-on with regard to the issues affecting everyday people in Colombia (and many other parts of South America). My fiancee's father has told me things to be aware of when visiting Bogota. I also get altitude sickness fairly regularly, so I'm planning to acclimate to the altitude 1 or 2 days before the interview (hopefully in the not too distant future). Otherwise, that '1st Person' at the US Embassy might be wearing my breakfast.

[HAL 9000 96]

6. (Advice for untraveled Americans only). Please understand that Colombia isn't Kansas but a country with very serious problems, unthinkable even in the most unfortunate parts of the US.

I recently rented 'City of Men' and 'Cocaine Cowboys', and these films were spot-on with regard to the issues affecting everyday people in Colombia (and many other parts of South America). My fiancee's father has told me things to be aware of when visiting Bogota. I also get altitude sickness fairly regularly, so I'm planning to acclimate to the altitude 1 or 2 days before the interview (hopefully in the not too distant future). Otherwise, that '1st Person' at the US Embassy might be wearing my breakfast.

If you can, get on an aspirin regimen a few days pre-trip. Take it low dose while there, avoid alcohol, and walk evenly to increase circulation to your brain.

Some people swear by Ginko Biloba memory pills since its supposed to increase brain circulation... but I would advise against it in males if you're planning on having kids soon. Something about decreased fertility in guys.