Big Mess a Couple I am helping needs help

[Filipinawife0210 15]

NOT TRUE - you did not search far enough. According to this link: My link

K visa applicants are required to fill out the DS-156 EVAF

You have to read ALL the pages to grasp ALL the requirments (and even then its still very confusing - even more confusing as a matter of fact)!

The Embassy in Bogota has already told her differently, and they would be the ones who know whether it has been converted or not.

[john_and_marlene 162]

Bogota only requires the DS-160 according to the website. If the Embassy said the 156 is no longer required, then the DS 160 is the new form, and all they need at interview is the barcoded confirmation page as I stated originally.

If you go to the immigrant visa section of the Bogota website you will find the link to the K-1 requirements. The requirements ON THE BOGOTA WEBSITE for K-1 VISAS require DS-156 and DS-156K

[john_and_marlene 162]

The Embassy in Bogota has already told her differently, and they would be the ones who know whether it has been converted or not.

Them embassy did not tell her different--some teller at a bank did.

Ready to give up yet?????

[Filipinawife0210 15]

I won't continue to add posts. The Embassy has already told the OP that the 156 and 157 are no longer required as they have converted to the 160. Nuff said. I wish the OP luck.

[FindaLatina 0]

No, No, I did call the Embassy and their response was. You do not need to pay at the bank. You do not need to fill out form DS-156. You do not need to pay at the bank can pay at the embassy.

The Bank clerk had no idea, you would think they do because the deal with visa payments day in and day out.

I was asking if anyone had been through this already and if you anyone knew anything about the new procedure.

[john_and_marlene 162]

No, No, I did call the Embassy and their response was. You do not need to pay at the bank. You do not need to fill out form DS-156. You do not need to pay at the bank can pay at the embassy.

The Bank clerk had no idea, you would think they do because the deal with visa payments day in and day out.

I was asking if anyone had been through this already and if you anyone knew anything about the new procedure.

Did you talk to the nonimmigrant visa section or the immigrant visa section?

[Filipinawife0210 15]

One more quickie. I think for the OP to get the right answers, this thread should be moved to the Central America regional forum.

[FindaLatina 0]

One more quickie. I think for the OP to get the right answers, this thread should be moved to the Central America regional forum.

Good point ..I can´t remember really I chose the Spanish option and I made it clear what kind of visa we were requesting information for.

It is all confusing I read a post on the regional forum. And I see the link and it clearly stated do not print but the bank does not allow prefilled out forms they want you to fill it out in the bank with your own handwritting. Man!!! Thankd Guys .. I think I will play it safe and see how we can print the form.

[Mononoke28 135]

FindaLatina,

Your friend needs to take form DS-156 to Banco Helm, fill it out there and pay the visa fee of $131. Form DS-160 is used for other types of visas such as tourist visas and student visas, not for K visas.

Diana

[mike101 8]

Hello Everyone,

My name is Maria. I live in Colombia and I am matchmaker. A very special couple to me are getting ready for their interview in Bogota. I have been helping her down here with the paperwork. But we have a big doubt and I wonder if anyone knows anything about this or has been to the embassy anytime after May this year.

The instructions on the 4Th package say she must fill out form DS-156 and pay at the bank. But the Package was missing that form. I told her go to the bank(in Barranquilla) they always have extra copies get some there. The clerk totally confused her and me by telling her she needed to buy a PIN and to fill out the form online. This blew me away and I immediately knew something was wrong, there is no need to buy a pin for a K1 visa. Anyways I read online how the on line form ds 160 had replaced the ds 156 form, we proceeded to fill it out. Guess what she took the confirmation to the bank the clerk noticed he had made a mistake and told her no you need to bring the DS-156 form in order to pay. of course now we are back to point one and more confused then ever. We used the PIN to call the embassy and the response we got was: 1 to ignore such instruction from package four, 2 that the form DS-156 is no longer needed and 3 that payment for the visa (350) now has to be paid at the embassy.

Des anybody know how does it work?

Thanks for the help this couple has their appointment next week!!!

WOW!!!

They told my fiancee the same thing about 2 weeks ago. She also went to Banco Helm in Barranquilla and they also gave her a hard time.

1st) She went there with a DS-156k that I printed from the website given in package 4 and the person at the bank told her that she couldnt use the form because she signed it before bringing it into the bank. He told her that she would need to bring another copy back and sign it at the bank. She was unable to get this done the same day and had to go back the next day.

The next day she went to the bank with a printed copy that was not signed and she was then told that she had to complete the ENTIRE form at the bank. She was finally able to get someone at the bank to help her and printed out the "correct" forms.. They printed both sides on 1 piece of paper (front and back) had her fill it out with a pen without leaving any blanks. She put "N/A" in spots that didn't apply.

They also told her that she needed a PIN when she called but It was not necessary. She went to the bank with her Passport, BGTXXXXX case number and the DS-156 form.

Another thing is that in the box for "Passport Number" she will need to put the passport number that is written on the bottom of the pages on her passport that has the holes and not her Cedula number.

The process was a bit anoying but the good thing was that the fee was still $275,100 Pesos as of 5/6.

I hope this helps and let me know If I can help.

[FindaLatina 0]

WOW!!!

They told my fiancee the same thing about 2 weeks ago. She also went to Banco Helm in Barranquilla and they also gave her a hard time.

1st) She went there with a DS-156k that I printed from the website given in package 4 and the person at the bank told her that she couldnt use the form because she signed it before bringing it into the bank. He told her that she would need to bring another copy back and sign it at the bank. She was unable to get this done the same day and had to go back the next day.

The next day she went to the bank with a printed copy that was not signed and she was then told that she had to complete the ENTIRE form at the bank. She was finally able to get someone at the bank to help her and printed out the "correct" forms.. They printed both sides on 1 piece of paper (front and back) had her fill it out with a pen without leaving any blanks. She put "N/A" in spots that didn't apply.

They also told her that she needed a PIN when she called but It was not necessary. She went to the bank with her Passport, BGTXXXXX case number and the DS-156 form.

Another thing is that in the box for "Passport Number" she will need to put the passport number that is written on the bottom of the pages on her passport that has the holes and not her Cedula number.

The process was a bit anoying but the good thing was that the fee was still $275,100 Pesos as of 5/6.

I hope this helps and let me know If I can help.

I know. talk about negligence, this is not at all new to me, I have been helping people fill out their forms since 2004. I noticed that her package did not have a the DS- 156 form I told her to go to the bank and get some from them , instead the clerk gave her a link to the form DS160 and told her to buy a PIN. She did all that without consulting me. My first thought was wow did this change too? But when she went back to pay the clerk apologized for the mess he got her in and told her to bring the form DS-156. Like you said the instructions on the site say do not print but the people at the bank want them form to filled out in front of them it is just crazy!! I am planing on going there to today and talk to the manager and set them straight, they can´t go on giving out wrong information and making people lose time and money.

[Darnell 8,478]

That's a great idea, to go in to the bank and get it sorted. Whilst yer there - I suggest you ask for (and get) the name and phone number of THEIR Embassy liason contact at the embassy, and follow up with that person, as well. The DS-160 has caused confusion worldwide, for K-1 visa applicants.

Good Luck ! Bring Big Stick for beating ! (or some fish tacos, yer choice

[FindaLatina 0]

That's a great idea, to go in to the bank and get it sorted. Whilst yer there - I suggest you ask for (and get) the name and phone number of THEIR Embassy liason contact at the embassy, and follow up with that person, as well. The DS-160 has caused confusion worldwide, for K-1 visa applicants.

Good Luck ! Bring Big Stick for beating ! (or some fish tacos, yer choice

YEAH....I walked in the bank and gave them a little piece of my mind. Talked to the bank´s manager. They are just as clueless as I imagined them to be. Anyway she was able to pay. You need to fill the form on line and NOT sign it until you are in front of the Bank´s clerk. The couple is having their interview TODAY, I mean like they are at the embassy as I write this. I will keep you posted...

[mike101 8]

YEAH....I walked in the bank and gave them a little piece of my mind. Talked to the bank´s manager. They are just as clueless as I imagined them to be. Anyway she was able to pay. You need to fill the form on line and NOT sign it until you are in front of the Bank´s clerk. The couple is having their interview TODAY, I mean like they are at the embassy as I write this. I will keep you posted...

I hope they didn't have any issues at the interview and that they were able to get approved...

My Fiancee had to return to that Banco Helm office in Barranquilla the other day to pay the difference and they are still clueless. The embassy told her to print a computer generated form with the barcode and the Banco Helm people again tried to have her fill one out by hand. She refused to do so and then told her they wouldn't accept the new computer form because there was a minor and insignificant discrepancy in the "occupation" field on the new form. I had to come home from work, fix the error and then e-mail it to her again so she could pay the difference.

She is writing a "petition" against the bank and I'm also writing a letter to the US Embassy and department of state. We are paying too much money for these applications to have people who are not trained properly handling them.

Edited May 29, 2010 by mike101

[robertlaird 2]

Had our interview in Bogota on 5/24/2010 and needed form DS-156. Two copies and yes printed on front and back. I had completed the online version and bank made my fiancee change it. We were approved, but the lady that checks the forms at window 32 said the DS-156 was not the current version from Banco Helm. The embassy did accept it.