Colombia Club

[olafgypsy 0]

To answer your question Mike, and to echo Kathy, I think that in my case it was just the individual person (or rather, two individual people) who happened to be people that could fall in love very easily That being said, in my case, a lot of what drew me to my fiance were things people might associate with a "typical" (if there is any such thing) Colombiano: love of life, optimism, cheerfulness, and a little bit of irreverence, or refusal to take life too seriously. It was definitely a case of opposites attracting: I am a fairly serious person. I find that we balance each other well, and some of that might be *because* of his "Colombian" traits. But then again, beyond his family I don't know too many other Colombians, so I can't be sure.

Looking at the posts in response to my question, it seems I should plan on attending the interview. Luckily I'm a student and the interview will likely be in May or June, so no problems there. Mainly I am worried about the cost of the plane ticket. I'm guessing I probably can't write that off on my taxes

BTW, I love this website, and particularly this thread. Everybody is so helpful!!

Don't really know that there is any logic. As I said in previous posts, it seems as if there is a bit of discrimination in cases where the woman is older than the man...probably because that is not typical in a Colombian relationship. One year is not much of a difference...but the fact that the beneficiary is a man...makes me think the relationship will be looked at a little more closely. Not fair perhaps, but probably the way it is.

From what I can tell, the embassy seems to consider the attendance of the petition as a piece of evidence! So, even if you have a lot of other evidence, often being there (and displaying an engagement ring) can really help. If you can't be there, it might pay to (as others have done) provide your fiance with a letter explaining why you get be there (i.e., can't get away from work, can't afford the additional expense at this time, etc.).

Good luck,

Mike

PS - general observation...my perception had been (based on my experiences in Colombia and on this board) that the typical relationship was between an American man and a Colombian woman. Until recently, Andrea had been the exception, although she is Colombian. I have found it interesting to see recent posts by American women who are engaged to/married to Colombian men. I have read a lot about why American men have interest in Colombian women....I am interested if there are any particular reasons why American women have interest in Colombian men (or for the women, is it just the individual person...and not any traits that can be associated with a Colombiano).

Wow -- I just read OskaryAndrea's story and I have to admit, I'm kind of in shock. And yes, to answer your question, the beneficiary is a Colombian man. I am surprised that it would make a difference: what's the logic there? There is very little age difference between us -- he is just one year older. We met two years ago when he was on an exchange visa in the states and have been together ever since.

I would definitely not *mind going to Bogota for the interview and getting to see my fiance that much sooner. But the truth is, I'm wondering what my presence would prove when we already have such copious evidence of a long-term relationship. Then again, so did Oskar and Andrea . . .

The whole thing just seems so ARBITRARY.

[waitingforher30 0]

Tony,

I noticed that in your reply you stated not to worry if you met online or through an agency. Could you expand on that a little bit. I met my fiancee through a prominant marriage agency in Bogota. I have seen some posts, I do not remember if it was in this forum or the K-1 forum, but the comment was made to not tell immigration that you met through a PAID service. I am pretty sure that The USCIS knows that virtually every IMBRA required the member to pay a fee so I am not sure what the intent is here. I feel that my fiancee and I love one another just as much as couples who met in other ways do. I have plenty of phone records, pictures, emails, and other documentation to show proof of our relationship. I have been to Bogota twicw and we have kown each other for almost 1 year. I just don't think giving the Embassy false information is a good idea for anyone. I am for just telling the truth. Does anyone have any comments or ideas?

[Mike and Adriana 0]

Tell the truth. Using an agency is not a big deal. You had to meet somehow. It's not better or worse than meeting on-line or on the street during a vacation to Colombia, IMO. I have not seen any evidence from posts on this board that it makes any difference in success or failure. On the other hand, it one lies or withholds info...and gets caught...that's a whole other problem.

Tony,

I noticed that in your reply you stated not to worry if you met online or through an agency. Could you expand on that a little bit. I met my fiancee through a prominant marriage agency in Bogota. I have seen some posts, I do not remember if it was in this forum or the K-1 forum, but the comment was made to not tell immigration that you met through a PAID service. I am pretty sure that The USCIS knows that virtually every IMBRA required the member to pay a fee so I am not sure what the intent is here. I feel that my fiancee and I love one another just as much as couples who met in other ways do. I have plenty of phone records, pictures, emails, and other documentation to show proof of our relationship. I have been to Bogota twicw and we have kown each other for almost 1 year. I just don't think giving the Embassy false information is a good idea for anyone. I am for just telling the truth. Does anyone have any comments or ideas?

[married2006 0]

Way to go mike on the aos,you are flying.jerry

[olafgypsy 0]

Can somebody email me the most recently scanned packets 3 and 4? I know somebody has them, but can't remember who . . .

My email address is posted on my profile.

Just trying to be prepared

Thank you in advance!

[TonyS 0]

Very well said. I have seen on some forums where they felt that meeting online or through a dating agency may be a problem. In my experiences and talking to people at the interview, it was not a issue at all. No matter how the couple met, the number one thing is to prove the relationship is real.

Tell the truth. Using an agency is not a big deal. You had to meet somehow. It's not better or worse than meeting on-line or on the street during a vacation to Colombia, IMO. I have not seen any evidence from posts on this board that it makes any difference in success or failure. On the other hand, it one lies or withholds info...and gets caught...that's a whole other problem.

Tony,

I noticed that in your reply you stated not to worry if you met online or through an agency. Could you expand on that a little bit. I met my fiancee through a prominant marriage agency in Bogota. I have seen some posts, I do not remember if it was in this forum or the K-1 forum, but the comment was made to not tell immigration that you met through a PAID service. I am pretty sure that The USCIS knows that virtually every IMBRA required the member to pay a fee so I am not sure what the intent is here. I feel that my fiancee and I love one another just as much as couples who met in other ways do. I have plenty of phone records, pictures, emails, and other documentation to show proof of our relationship. I have been to Bogota twicw and we have kown each other for almost 1 year. I just don't think giving the Embassy false information is a good idea for anyone. I am for just telling the truth. Does anyone have any comments or ideas?

[KathyB 0]

Can Francisco pay the nonimmigrant visa fee at any time prior to our interview? I saw the list of Banco de Creditos; Pereira is close to his home. Will he need to bring any other documentation besides the DS-156/DS-157?

Thanks!

[Mike and Adriana 0]

Kathy:

As far as I can tell, you can pay the fee at any time prior to the interview. They will place a small stamp on the DS-156...and then attach a barcode sticker (with printed info as well) on the passport. When we paid the fee, we provided the DS-156 (which the bank reviewed and entered some information into the computer) and her passport. The DS-156K and DS-157 did not apply to us...but I believe you need only bring them to the interview, not the bank.

Now...here's the only thing we experienced that was a little strange. If I understand my wife correctly, the doctor took the DS-156 at her medical exam and placed it in the sealed envelope with the results of the exam/blood test. I was not prepared for that to happen.

So, you may want to plan to pay the fee BEFORE the medical....even though I don't recall seeing anything in packet 4 that says you need to do it that way.

Mike

Can Francisco pay the nonimmigrant visa fee at any time prior to our interview? I saw the list of Banco de Creditos; Pereira is close to his home. Will he need to bring any other documentation besides the DS-156/DS-157?

Thanks!

[OjosAzules 0]

Hi Folks,

Sitting here in the Avianca lounge in Bogota waiting for my flight to board back to NYC, and this is the first chance i've had to update our journey. I apologize, and so first, without further delay...Silvia's K1 was approved on Wednesday and picked up the visa without incident on Thursday! We're both so thrilled, and many shoutouts to the people on visa journey, especially here in Colombia Club for all the invaluable help that kept us ready and prepared for whatever came our way.

We arrived at the embassy at 5:30am and there were probably 5 people infront of us. including 1 K1. By 5:45 there were 50 people in line, by 6am there were maybe 250. They split us up into the 3 lines at about 6:10 and we were the second K1/k3 couple, and there were maybe 10 others in the line. (so majority were there for other visas).

We were handed a folder with the instructions to put everything in order (as noted before by others). Have everything in the order noted on the pckt 4 docs, and you'll be ready to go. After about 30 minutes, Silvia was called to the window for her prelim interview and to review the docs.

The woman began to review the docs and said, "How many times has your fiancee been married?" Silvia replied, "none".

The woman said, "your fiance has lied to you, he's been married twice before" Silvia said, "I don't believe that" and looked back at me standing 20 feet away and I waved and smiled unknowingly. The woman said, it says right here, "divorced twice" and passed the papers to Silva. Her heart dropped and she took the paper to review....which had someone elses name on it!!! "Senora", she said, "my name is not xxxxxx". QUE PENA! the woman said and they started fresh with our correct documents. Well, at this point from the distance I saw them laughing and thought things must be going well. (this was the prelim interview, so the US Citizen is not at the window. She asked her when we met, and very basic questions.

We then sat down together and waited. There were three other K1's with gringos with them. The rest were there solo, including one older (50's) colombian man solo.

we were called to the window for the interview at 10:30am. The woman was actually very nice and pleasant.

Questions were:

When did you meet?

How did you meet?

Does he know your parents?

Have you travelled together?

She then asked to see the photos and nothing else. We had calling card records, emails for a year, msn messenger transcripts, boarding passes, hotel receipts, etc... but she only asked to see the 30 pictures we had arranged in a plastic small album.

She then asked to speak to me..

The woman asked me to sign the I-134 which I did.

Then she asked-

What trip that we took together did I like the best?

Has She met my parents? (no, she can't come to the US and they didn't come to colombia) the woman agreed it was kind of a silly question.

how many sisters does she have? Now this was a trick question, and thanks to Andrea, I was prepared. She two older brothers which I know. But her father also has a 6 year old registered child with another woman which is kind of a hidden story. I've never met, no one talks about her. But, the US consul KNEW about it, and i was ready with the answer.

She then said, this relationship looks real to me, gave us a paper and said come back tomorrow at 4pm to pick it up. We were done by everything by 10:40am and were on our way out the door. It pays to get there early. also it's cold in the morning, bring a coat.

Back the next day, we saw who was approved and who at least appeared to be not approved by lack of presence.

5 solo women were approved. 2 other couples besides us, (one couple was not there). the older colombian man was not there.

Don't know what more to say about that. I really suggest going to the interview if you want to help things along.

Feel free to ask me anything about the whole process. Silvia will finish up her stuff in colombia and come to NY in about a month!

All the best to everyone.

Dan

[KathyB 0]

Congratulations Dan and Silvia! That's wonderful news!

[Looking4Wife 0]

Hi Folks,

Sitting here in the Avianca lounge in Bogota waiting for my flight to board back to NYC, and this is the first chance i've had to update our journey. I apologize, and so first, without further delay...Silvia's K1 was approved on Wednesday and picked up the visa without incident on Thursday! We're both so thrilled, and many shoutouts to the people on visa journey, especially here in Colombia Club for all the invaluable help that kept us ready and prepared for whatever came our way.

We arrived at the embassy at 5:30am and there were probably 5 people infront of us. including 1 K1. By 5:45 there were 50 people in line, by 6am there were maybe 250. They split us up into the 3 lines at about 6:10 and we were the second K1/k3 couple, and there were maybe 10 others in the line. (so majority were there for other visas).

We were handed a folder with the instructions to put everything in order (as noted before by others). Have everything in the order noted on the pckt 4 docs, and you'll be ready to go. After about 30 minutes, Silvia was called to the window for her prelim interview and to review the docs.

The woman began to review the docs and said, "How many times has your fiancee been married?" Silvia replied, "none".

The woman said, "your fiance has lied to you, he's been married twice before" Silvia said, "I don't believe that" and looked back at me standing 20 feet away and I waved and smiled unknowingly. The woman said, it says right here, "divorced twice" and passed the papers to Silva. Her heart dropped and she took the paper to review....which had someone elses name on it!!! "Senora", she said, "my name is not xxxxxx". QUE PENA! the woman said and they started fresh with our correct documents. Well, at this point from the distance I saw them laughing and thought things must be going well. (this was the prelim interview, so the US Citizen is not at the window. She asked her when we met, and very basic questions.

We then sat down together and waited. There were three other K1's with gringos with them. The rest were there solo, including one older (50's) colombian man solo.

we were called to the window for the interview at 10:30am. The woman was actually very nice and pleasant.

Questions were:

When did you meet?

How did you meet?

Does he know your parents?

Have you travelled together?

She then asked to see the photos and nothing else. We had calling card records, emails for a year, msn messenger transcripts, boarding passes, hotel receipts, etc... but she only asked to see the 30 pictures we had arranged in a plastic small album.

She then asked to speak to me..

The woman asked me to sign the I-134 which I did.

Then she asked-

What trip that we took together did I like the best?

Has She met my parents? (no, she can't come to the US and they didn't come to colombia) the woman agreed it was kind of a silly question.

how many sisters does she have? Now this was a trick question, and thanks to Andrea, I was prepared. She two older brothers which I know. But her father also has a 6 year old registered child with another woman which is kind of a hidden story. I've never met, no one talks about her. But, the US consul KNEW about it, and i was ready with the answer.

She then said, this relationship looks real to me, gave us a paper and said come back tomorrow at 4pm to pick it up. We were done by everything by 10:40am and were on our way out the door. It pays to get there early. also it's cold in the morning, bring a coat.

Back the next day, we saw who was approved and who at least appeared to be not approved by lack of presence.

5 solo women were approved. 2 other couples besides us, (one couple was not there). the older colombian man was not there.

Don't know what more to say about that. I really suggest going to the interview if you want to help things along.

Feel free to ask me anything about the whole process. Silvia will finish up her stuff in colombia and come to NY in about a month!

All the best to everyone.

Dan

Dan:

Congratulations to you and Silvia , and thanks for sharing such a great report!

[HAL 9000 96]

Awesome Dan! Felicidades to you both.

We will be in the same situation, Mària and I, when we eventually get to the interview. Hopefully due to work reasons it will all go down in May and then by June I'll be picking her up in Bogotá.

[parkpapa 0]

Hola a todos! I'm fairly new to VJ and just today found the Colombia Club. I hope I can join in the festivities (especially the festivities of having my bride's visa approved soon!!!).

VJ has already been a valuable guide to me, I've tried to read most, though not all, of the posts here at the club, and I'm sure I'll be asking some of the same questions that have already been covered. Please bear with me.

If I did things right, my timeline should show up below. If not, someone may have to clue me in.

[Mononoke28 135]

Hola a todos! I'm fairly new to VJ and just today found the Colombia Club. I hope I can join in the festivities (especially the festivities of having my bride's visa approved soon!!!).

VJ has already been a valuable guide to me, I've tried to read most, though not all, of the posts here at the club, and I'm sure I'll be asking some of the same questions that have already been covered. Please bear with me.

If I did things right, my timeline should show up below. If not, someone may have to clue me in.

Welcome! Your timeline is missing the I-129F info by the way.

Edited March 8, 2007 by Mononoke28

[parkpapa 0]

Hola a todos! I'm fairly new to VJ and just today found the Colombia Club. I hope I can join in the festivities (especially the festivities of having my bride's visa approved soon!!!).

VJ has already been a valuable guide to me, I've tried to read most, though not all, of the posts here at the club, and I'm sure I'll be asking some of the same questions that have already been covered. Please bear with me.

If I did things right, my timeline should show up below. If not, someone may have to clue me in.

Welcome! Your timeline is missing the I-129F info by the way.

Took me three trys to figure it out, but I think I finally got it. Thanks!