Colombia Club

[g65nov 0]

Hello fellow Colombian Club Members!

My K3 was received by NVC on Monday (11/27/06) and was assigned a case number, but as of Friday (12/1/06), NVC told me they still did not know when they would send it out to Bogota. Hopefully they will send it out sometime next week!

Does anyone have any experience with this new document required in Package 3 mentioned a few posts up in this thread that says there is a new 11th document required from DAS, a letter stating how many times the Colombian national has exited the country? If anyone knows first hand about this requirement, could they expound on this for the rest of us? How much did it cost, how long did it take to get? Is there an actual name for the document? etc.

Thanks,

Tony

I don't know anything about this new document. But I have a friend whose fiance just had her embassy interview about two weeks ago. He's not on this board, but I've sent him an e-mail with the question. If I hear anything I will post it.

Mike

Thanks Mike!

Just as I think I have a handle on everything something else pops up! Any information you post will be greatly appreciated!

Tony

The 11th document is something call the Das letter and is a document that tell the consulate how many times have you been in and out of the country..if you try to get that document from anywhere outside of Bogota it takes about a month to get it.. but if you go and get it in Bogota it takes 3 days the building address in Bogota is Edificio platinum extranjeria Das..calle 100#11b-27 and the cost is 36.500 pesos..you must pay at Bancafe before you go and you must take 2 copies of your Cedula number..this document is a new requiretment so know we need to be in Bogota 1 week before the interview instead of 3 days..hope this can help a little....

This document is not required,,,it is only required for an immigrant visa,,,the K-1 is processed as a non immigrant visa...My fiancees sister had her interview 2 weeks ago and it was not required...Greg

[g65nov 0]

I also just spoke with the embassy. They told me that you only need what is in packet 3. No more no less.

[Tony & Olga 0]

Thanks for the good info! I assume that the K3 and K1 would be treated the same in this case then. I was starting to get a little worried about having to spend my whole vacation in Bogota helping my wife get this VISA, as opposed to only having to spend maybe a couple of days there! Not that I wouldn't do it, but I would rather spend it in other parts of Colombia rather all in Bogota running around and waiting on DAS and Doctors. It is not enough that they make everyone wait and nichol dime you to death for this and that and now they tell people they need a letter from DAS stating how many times a person has been in and out of the country. Seems like they could look in the passport for this.

As for what the Embassy told g65nov about only what was in Package number 3, I thought that is what the poster said was in the instructions from package number 3. But if it is only for Immigrant VISA's we should be OK!

Thanks...Tony

I also just spoke with the embassy. They told me that you only need what is in packet 3. No more no less.

Thanks for the good info! I assume that the K3 and K1 would be treated the same in this case then. I was starting to get a little worried about having to spend my whole vacation in Bogota helping my wife get this VISA, as opposed to only having to spend maybe a couple of days there! Not that I wouldn't do it, but I would rather spend it in other parts of Colombia rather all in Bogota running around and waiting on DAS and Doctors. It is not enough that they make everyone wait and nichol dime you to death for this and that and now they tell people they need a letter from DAS stating how many times a person has been in and out of the country. Seems like they could look in the passport for this.

As for what the Embassy told g65nov about only what was in Package number 3, I thought that is what the poster said was in the instructions from package number 3. But if it is only for Immigrant VISA's we should be OK!

Thanks...Tony

I

[Mike and Adriana 0]

Yes, I get the feeling this "new" requirement is not for non-immigrant visas. I wrote the fiance of a friend of mine and asked her about her experiences and about this new requirement. I translated the response she sent me. While the translation was not great, I got the impression that she knew nothing about the new requirement and hadn't been asked for that information. Her interview was only a few weeks ago.

So, I think we are OK with the DAS background check as currently required.

Mike

[Tony & Olga 0]

Que Rico!

I was informed by NVC at 7:45AM that my K3 Petition/VISA Approval was forwarded to Bogota on 12/05/06.

Now, I am planning on using Peter's Short Cuts, by having my wife fax and courier the documents required in Package #3 to the Embassy. I am tracking the NVC package via DHL and plan to have my wife send the documents a day after DHL confirms to arrival of NVC's package. I hope this will help us get an interview date in January as opposed to February. I am also hoping the interview date will occur while I am in Colombia (12/29/06 through 01/12/06)! What are the possibilities? Anyone want to take the odds? jaja! Some how I am not very optimistic about this happening, but, Espero que si!

Bueno Suerte!

Tony

[paisita411 0]

Tony&Olga, Congratulations on you news!! I'm on you coat tails...my K3 was recieved at NVC yesterday (Dec 5th) so if my timeline continues to trail yours, my docs should be on their way to Bogota by next Monday!!!! I wish you the best of luck for the January interview, I hope to be there too, though I may be more ambicious than you!!!! Anyway, I'll keep reading your posts to see where you stand...

---Dre

Que Rico!

I was informed by NVC at 7:45AM that my K3 Petition/VISA Approval was forwarded to Bogota on 12/05/06.

Now, I am planning on using Peter's Short Cuts, by having my wife fax and courier the documents required in Package #3 to the Embassy. I am tracking the NVC package via DHL and plan to have my wife send the documents a day after DHL confirms to arrival of NVC's package. I hope this will help us get an interview date in January as opposed to February. I am also hoping the interview date will occur while I am in Colombia (12/29/06 through 01/12/06)! What are the possibilities? Anyone want to take the odds? jaja! Some how I am not very optimistic about this happening, but, Espero que si!

Bueno Suerte!

Tony

[FMore 0]

I'm beginning to prepare the Packet #3 forms to send to my fiancee. I recv'I have a few questions.

- Regarding form DS-156... The Packet #3 instructions state 2 copies per person are to be completed. If the beneficiary has a child under the age of 21 one must also complete 2 DS-156 for the child. In my situation there is 1 beneficiary + 1 child. Is that a cost of $400 just for the DS156 forms? $100 per form per form, 4 forms, paid at Banco Union Colombiano.

-Other than referencing from OF-169 instead of form DS-2001, are the instructions Peter scanned, and Mike was good enough to forward to me, still up-to-date?

-Mail service in Colombia, especially residential, is less dependable than the weather forecast. Stuff goes missing all the time, but it seems to me to be more dependable in commercial areas and when consigned to a business. In addition, no one is at my fiancee's home during the day. Would it be possible to have the Embassy/Consulate send packets 3 and 4 to her workplace?

If anyone has recently recv'd or expecting their packet 3 or 4 from the Bogota Consulate PLEASE scan the documents... pdf of jpg files. I will do the same as soon as we recv our packets. Lets try to keep this thing going.

Fernando

[Mike and Adriana 0]

Tony and Olga and Oskar and Andrea:

We may all end up with the same interview date! I just got off the phone with the NVC. They said they had received the petition from the CSC, had assigned a case number and had shipped the petition off to Bogota today! I am so excited about the quick turnaround time by both the CSC and the NVC!

I plan to use the short-cuts as well and feel pretty confident about getting a January interview - a month ahead of what I optimistically expected. I am happy for all of you...and for us too!

Mike

[jamesfreddyc 0]

Hi All!

Here's a little review of the K3 process we went through. Our Interview is scheduled for Dec 15th but Sendy is leaving for Bogota tomorrow, a bit early to do some running around as well as the Lab/Medical stuff.

Anyway, just let me know of any specific questions and I'll do my best to answer them.

James

Our K3 Journey (Post Approved I-129F)

1. Once you know that your case has been forwarded to Bogota, I'd say give them 1-2 weeks before it will be entered into the system. During this time, you should recieve an I-797C notice that has this case # (it will start with BOG....).

2. Next, go ahead and give the Embassy a call (check the website for the contact details). If you call the main phone and tell them you are requesting info regarding your K3 Visa application, they will connect you or give the number to call. I think it's only Thursdays between the hours of 2pm-4pm that they accept calls regarding K3's. This call is just to verify that they have recieved the packet and is entered into the system. You can also make any special requests (perhaps changing where you want the Packet sent? Not sure).

Also -- at this point I wish that I had requested they send me the Packets as well here in Florida. Might be a good idea to request because I have zero confidence in the mail system.

* this next step is where I WISHED I had been more proactive. Sendy and I waited a total of 2 months for the Packets #3/4, never to get them.

3. Once you know the petition is entered into the system, you are now basically waiting for it to arrive. So... Head over to the Embassy website and download the required forms (DS-230, 157, 156, etc...) and fill everything out. Sendy and I got an Instant Messaging session going and we worked on it together (they are "fillable" .pdf files that you complete then print out).

4. Fax and send via courier what they ask for in Packet #3. Sendy made a copy of her Cedula, Passport, the DS-230 P1, and a short cover letter explaining what was being sent.

5. Give them 1-2 weeks to get things entered into the system, then call the Embassy. The purpose is to find out if they recieved everything, and ask if they issued an interview date. It's possible that at this point they already have that date and simply put it in the Packet #4. Again, I wish I had requested them send the Packet #4 to me here in Florida

6. Complete the I-134 Affidavit of Support and compile all supporting documents. I sent this via DHL to Sendy and it arrived in 5 days @ $70.00

7. The petitioner should call to make the medical appointment based upon the date of the interview. Sendy's Medical Appt is Wed, so she is doing the lab work on Monday and her interview is Friday.

8. Pay for the Visa. This is now done at a Banco De Credito --- bring another completed DS-230 and a DS-156/167 and a passport because once you pay, they place barcoded stickers on each of these.

9. Spend some time with your "honey" to review the documents, go over some possible questions the interviewer may ask, and make sure everything is in the correct order (the instructions in the Packet #4 specifically state the order everything should be in and is important to follow when you arrive to the interview).

Well... That's everything I think. Like I said, you can save some time by not waiting for a packet that may or may not arrive ---- I sure wish I had been a bit more proactive. We could have saved 2-3 months (our I-129F arrived in Bog around August 21st). We had to reschedule our Nov 3 invterview because waiting for Packet #3 did not give us enough time to get everything in order (including me sending the I-134 --- it will take some time to get all the support docs!!!!!!).

Anyway ---- I truly hope that everyone is successful in their Journey!!!!

We will be sure to report on our Interview after Dec 18th!

Take Care,

James

[paisita411 0]

Hola!!! Just wanted to keep everyone updated.....Our package is on its way to Bogota

Here's a little review of the K3 process we went through. Our Interview is scheduled for Dec 15th but Sendy is leaving for Bogota tomorrow, a bit early to do some running around as well as the Lab/Medical stuff.

Anyway, just let me know of any specific questions and I'll do my best to answer them.

James

Our K3 Journey (Post Approved I-129F)

1. Once you know that your case has been forwarded to Bogota, I'd say give them 1-2 weeks before it will be entered into the system. During this time, you should recieve an I-797C notice that has this case # (it will start with BOG....).

2. Next, go ahead and give the Embassy a call (check the website for the contact details). If you call the main phone and tell them you are requesting info regarding your K3 Visa application, they will connect you or give the number to call. I think it's only Thursdays between the hours of 2pm-4pm that they accept calls regarding K3's. This call is just to verify that they have recieved the packet and is entered into the system. You can also make any special requests (perhaps changing where you want the Packet sent? Not sure).

Also -- at this point I wish that I had requested they send me the Packets as well here in Florida. Might be a good idea to request because I have zero confidence in the mail system.

* this next step is where I WISHED I had been more proactive. Sendy and I waited a total of 2 months for the Packets #3/4, never to get them.

3. Once you know the petition is entered into the system, you are now basically waiting for it to arrive. So... Head over to the Embassy website and download the required forms (DS-230, 157, 156, etc...) and fill everything out. Sendy and I got an Instant Messaging session going and we worked on it together (they are "fillable" .pdf files that you complete then print out).

4. Fax and send via courier what they ask for in Packet #3. Sendy made a copy of her Cedula, Passport, the DS-230 P1, and a short cover letter explaining what was being sent.

5. Give them 1-2 weeks to get things entered into the system, then call the Embassy. The purpose is to find out if they recieved everything, and ask if they issued an interview date. It's possible that at this point they already have that date and simply put it in the Packet #4. Again, I wish I had requested them send the Packet #4 to me here in Florida

6. Complete the I-134 Affidavit of Support and compile all supporting documents. I sent this via DHL to Sendy and it arrived in 5 days @ $70.00

7. The petitioner should call to make the medical appointment based upon the date of the interview. Sendy's Medical Appt is Wed, so she is doing the lab work on Monday and her interview is Friday.

8. Pay for the Visa. This is now done at a Banco De Credito --- bring another completed DS-230 and a DS-156/167 and a passport because once you pay, they place barcoded stickers on each of these.

9. Spend some time with your "honey" to review the documents, go over some possible questions the interviewer may ask, and make sure everything is in the correct order (the instructions in the Packet #4 specifically state the order everything should be in and is important to follow when you arrive to the interview).

Well... That's everything I think. Like I said, you can save some time by not waiting for a packet that may or may not arrive ---- I sure wish I had been a bit more proactive. We could have saved 2-3 months (our I-129F arrived in Bog around August 21st). We had to reschedule our Nov 3 invterview because waiting for Packet #3 did not give us enough time to get everything in order (including me sending the I-134 --- it will take some time to get all the support docs!!!!!!).

Anyway ---- I truly hope that everyone is successful in their Journey!!!!

We will be sure to report on our Interview after Dec 18th!

Take Care,

James

[jamesfreddyc 0]

Forgot to mention....

The Packets #3 & #4 that Peter has provided are outdated. I noticed this last night while going over everything with Sendy. Unfortunately, I have already sent these to her and I do not have a copy!!!!

In the next few days I will go over the ANEXO B pages to see where the changes are made --- from what I can remember off hand, I think a couple of items were added.

Either way, I recommend that you use the Packets ONLY as a guide. I say this again -- when I first called the Embassy to see if they sent out Packet #3 & #4, I WISH that I had requested them send these to me as well here in Florida. This is ultimately how Sendy got Packet #4 (Embassy sends to me, then I send to her via DHL). The Packets STILL have not made it to Sendy in Cartagena since the embassy sent Packet #3 in August!!!!

Take Care,

James

Edited December 7, 2006 by jamesfreddyc

[Tony & Olga 0]

Hi James,

I for one would appreciate any information you have regarding any new or different forms that are sent in Packet 3. I am using a combination of the short cut tips from Peter and the Bogota Embassy web site for current forms and everything else I can glean from this site!

Thanks,

Tony

[TonyS 0]

Hello all. I'm just getting started but I am joining the club to learn and share experiences. Look forward to hearing from y'all in the future.

Tony

[jamesfreddyc 0]

Tony (&Olga) ---- Sendy and I were in such a rush to get things together (like waiting for Packet #4 to arrive in Florida only to send it back to Colombia! arrggghh!) that I did not scan the documents. But we will be going over the Anexo B page together where I noticed some differences from the Packet Peter has supplied (I think from 2004). She is travelling today, and will probably give her time to settle in -- so I'd say peheraps sometime this weekend we will review everything together.

Sorry, we still have not recieved Packet #3 so I can't help with that one --- I seriously doubt we will ever get it!!!

Anyway -- will definitely post what I find.

TonyS,

Glad to have you on board. There is a ton of good information going on this thread --- you will definitely want to "track" this thread to keep up with any new posts (if you look near the top of the first post on this page, you will see an "Options" tab. By clicking you will see several options to select from the drop-down menu. Just click "Track This Topic" and you will get an e-mail each time a new post is made).

Also -- Create a "Timeline" in your signature line. This will help understand where you might be at in your timeline and could help answer any questions.

Take Care Everyone!

James

Edited December 7, 2006 by jamesfreddyc

[Mike and Adriana 0]

From everything that I have read, the only change to packet 3 is that they want the DS-2001 instead of the OF-169. I am actually sending both (the OF-169 I got from Peter and the DS-2001 I got off of the U.S. embassy website for El Salvador and for the UK).

If there are any changes to packet 4, I'd like to know. Obviously, Peter's packet 4 was for the K-1...so it did not ask for the marriage certificate.

I am wondering if the Bogota embassy has gone to the electronic version of the DS-156 yet. The electronic DS-156 encodes a barcode on the document and provides an additional page. At this point, I've prepared both an electronic DS-156 and a paper DS-156. If anyone wants to see the electronic version, go to the U.S. embassy in El Savlador's web site.

Mike