Questions about obtaining a Tourist Visa

[kennym 275]

Hello

I am hoping someone can help me understand the following things about getting a tourists visa.. My wife recently arrived here from Colombia, on a K-1 Visa, and we were maried, now working on our AOS.. I am a USC..

Her Mother and her Mother's Boyfriend for 15 years, have 2 other children together. They would like to attempt to obtain a Visitors Visa. It appears they have plenty of ties to Colombia. The BF owns property, Car, has a Job as a chief administrator in a Hospital in Colombia. They are looking to spend a few weeks visiting in the US later this year to spend time with us and visit some popular attractions like Disney World with their 2 children of 15 Years Old and 8 Years old..

We were talking to them, this evening, they told us they need to purchase a PIN.. what is the PIN and why do they need it..

What is the Process for obtaining the VISA..

Is there anything I can do as a USC to improve the chances of obtaining the VISA and/or my wife can do?

Does the things I described above seem like enough ties?

I really appreciate any help...

Thanks in advance...

Kenny

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

They apply at the local embassy and show their plans to visit the US and their ties to home. You can't do much to help other than write a letter of invitation and offer to let them stay with you while they are in your area.

[dtbrooklyn 0]

Congrats! Regarding the family. Good luck! Perhaps because it is a family you will have better luck. My girlfriend got turned down despite having a great job in Colombia, property in her name, money in the bank, etc.... Supposedly you can write a letter of invitation for them, but I'm not sure how much that will help. I've also heard that if you can show a very specific itinerary it is a positive. Colombia is a ###### to get a visa!

The visa you are loooking for is the normal tourist visa. Regarding the PIN:

You may purchase a PIN in one of four ways:

In person at any Banco Colpatria branch (cash or cashier's check only). A PIN purchased though this method becomes active 24 hours after you purchase it.

Using any Banco Colpatria automated teller machine, if you are a client of any of the following banks: AV Villas, Banco Colpatria, Banco Davivienda, Banco de Bogotá, Banco Helm, Banco de Occidente, Banco Popular, Banco Santander, Banco GNB Sudameris, Banco Tequendama, Bancolombia, BBVA, Banco Caja Social, Colmena. A PIN purchased though this method becomes active 24 hours after you purchase it.

If you have an account in one of the following banks: Banco Colpatria, AV Villas, Banco Davivienda, Banco de Bogotá, Banco Helm, Banco de Occidente, Banco Popular, Banco Santander, Banco GNB Sudameris, Banco Tequendama, Bancolombia, BBVA, Banco Caja Social, Colmena. A PIN purchased though this method becomes active 24 hours after you purchase it.

Using your credit card (Visa or MasterCard). Dial 346-9150 (in Bogota) or 01-8000-12-32-32 (in Colombia but outside of Bogota) and give your credit card information in order to purchase a 15-minute PIN. The charge is the equivalent of US$16.00 in Colombian pesos. A PIN purchased through this method becomes active immediately upon purchase.

good luck,

dt

[kennym 275]

Congrats! Regarding the family. Good luck! Perhaps because it is a family you will have better luck. My girlfriend got turned down despite having a great job in Colombia, property in her name, money in the bank, etc.... Supposedly you can write a letter of invitation for them, but I'm not sure how much that will help. I've also heard that if you can show a very specific itinerary it is a positive. Colombia is a ###### to get a visa!

The visa you are loooking for is the normal tourist visa. Regarding the PIN:

You may purchase a PIN in one of four ways:

In person at any Banco Colpatria branch (cash or cashier's check only). A PIN purchased though this method becomes active 24 hours after you purchase it.

Using any Banco Colpatria automated teller machine, if you are a client of any of the following banks: AV Villas, Banco Colpatria, Banco Davivienda, Banco de Bogotá, Banco Helm, Banco de Occidente, Banco Popular, Banco Santander, Banco GNB Sudameris, Banco Tequendama, Bancolombia, BBVA, Banco Caja Social, Colmena. A PIN purchased though this method becomes active 24 hours after you purchase it.

If you have an account in one of the following banks: Banco Colpatria, AV Villas, Banco Davivienda, Banco de Bogotá, Banco Helm, Banco de Occidente, Banco Popular, Banco Santander, Banco GNB Sudameris, Banco Tequendama, Bancolombia, BBVA, Banco Caja Social, Colmena. A PIN purchased though this method becomes active 24 hours after you purchase it.

Using your credit card (Visa or MasterCard). Dial 346-9150 (in Bogota) or 01-8000-12-32-32 (in Colombia but outside of Bogota) and give your credit card information in order to purchase a 15-minute PIN. The charge is the equivalent of US$16.00 in Colombian pesos. A PIN purchased through this method becomes active immediately upon purchase.

good luck,

dt

Thanks for all your help, what does the PIN do, why is it required?

Kenny

[kennym 275]

Another question I have is regarding the relationship of My Wife's mom and her BF...

Does applying for the Tourist Visa, as a family help if they're not legally married.. if the "ties" such as the property help the My Wife's mom if the ownership is under the BF's name?

Thanks again for everyone's help?

Kenny

Edited January 24, 2011 by kennym

[dtbrooklyn 0]

The PIN is a code, like an ATM pin, that allows you to request the interview (after paying the 15 dollars of course!). Once you call and get the PIN, you can get transferred over directly to a person to schedule the appointment. the whole process is done over the phone.

In terms of the other questions - I can't help much. The more links to the community the better, the more stable employment, and ownership of property the better... but it's still a crapshoot in colombia. We got shot down despite all those positives. Just get as much documentation as possible and take your chances.

g'luck

[Marymoon 1]

Another question I have is regarding the relationship of My Wife's mom and her BF...

Does applying for the Tourist Visa, as a family help if they're not legally married.. if the "ties" such as the property help the My Wife's mom if the ownership is under the BF's name?

Thanks again for everyone's help?

Kenny

Kenny, it depends... Do they live together? Do they have a children of their own, I mean they are biological parents of the same child?

Did he included her in his health insurance or vice-versa? Under Colombian laws any couple that had the same residence for two years have a "Sociedad Conyugal de Hecho". They can go to a notary and ask to file a "Certificado Extrajuicio" where they state that they have lived together for X number of years (at least two years). This document has the same legal effects of a marrige certificate under Colombian laws. If they keep this document and one of them dies, the one alive will enjoy the same rights as they were married.

But, If one of them is legally married with someone else. It gets complicated. Since polygamy is not legal in Colombia. However, A married person can include in his/her health insurance a boyfriend/girlfriend along with his wife/husband and children (legitimate and illegitimate).

If they have children, a birth certificate along with the "Certificado extrajuicio" would be enough to prove their marital status. However, if they have an old one will help more than one issued some weeks/moths before the interview at the embassy.

I hope it did answer your question,

Marymoon

[ryna 132]

Hey Kenny,

How is everything going? Well, I hope...

Probably not the example you want to hear but...

My wife's best friend from Colombia just got turned down for a Tourist visa this morning. The worst part is I thought she had a really decent chance of getting one as she makes a very good income as an accounting professional working for two different law firms, owns a farm as well as a house in Bogota, has a car, assets, etc...

While I knew that not getting a tourist visa was a very real probability, the story that was relayed to me was that the interview consisted of two questions:

Q: What is the purpose of your travel?

A: To visit a friend that lives in the U.S. for a week or two.

Q: Are you married or do you have children?

A: No.

followed by quick denial.

The second one was probably the killer but I am embarrassed that after she made the effort to collect deeds/titles, employment letters, bank statements, etc., and then paying good money, that they didn't even have the decency to look at the supporting evidence of her having ties to Colombia. I'm ashamed that we (the U.S.) have become so hostile to and dismissive of people who want to come here and spend their money. I also feel somewhat guilty because even though I never made the suggestion to visit, she would have never even thought of coming to the U.S. if I hadn't married a close friend of her's. I'm really thinking of paying for the denied visa even though the $140 won't break her. (I know I'd be mad as hell if I felt like I had just had my pocket picked of $140 without letting me make my case!)

Now, knowing that my sister-in-law, brother-in-law and the kids were thinking of applying for tourist visas to visit us and to go to Disney World and the beach, I think I have to tell them not to do it. Although he works in a stable job, they own an apartment and the oldest is in school, she is a stay at home Mom and I now see it as a very likely loss of $560, an amount that would be a real loss to them especially if it were all for nothing.

Whatever they decide, good luck!

Edited February 3, 2011 by ryna

[kennym 275]

Hey Ryna

It's great to hear from you...

Haven't been on VJ much as work is crazy and getting through the AOS Paperwork is taking the rest of my time..

I really appreciate your comments.. I would feel awful if that happened to them.. I know their hearts are set on comming.. There is two main reasons they want to come. 1st is to visit us, second is since Maritaz's younger Sister is turning 15, it's sort of a gift for her...

So, I just don't have the heart to say don't do it, but i've warned them how dificult it is.. And the truth is, they already now how many people are turned down everyday..

My fiancee would hate me if she felt I was trying to discourage them from attempting.. So, I am trying to do everything I can to ensure they have the best chance there is by helping them be prepared..

I found an interesting item on the bogota embassy website..

It's Not Luck

Despite what some people might tell you, luck has nothing to do with whether or not you receive a nonimmigrant visa. Consular officers base their decisions solely on the law, the regulations and Department of State policy.

The other thing that was mentioned was how important it was to show clear plans of their trip.. When they are at the interview, they need to have very specific plans that are realistic and show how they plan to pay the costs related to those plans..

So, all I can say is.. Let prepare prepare and prepare... then after that pray, pray and pray...

Kenny

[Boiler 46,034]

It would be rare to be asked more than a couple of cursory questions at the appointment.

[Marymoon 1]

Hello,

Unfortunately the last two weeks two of my friends were trying to get a visa and they were turn down after answering the same questions.

Q: What is the purpose of your travel?

A: To visit a friend that lives in the U.S. for a week or two.

Q: Are you married or do you have children?

A: No.

This is very frustrating since my family (mom, dad, sister, and niece) are applying to come and visit us for my college graduation (5 days). My mom has plans to stay longer (10 days) since she has an appointment to donate some koreanwar items to a museum in Chicago. My sister had applied twice without success. Her husband has a visa since the late 80s, they have a good company, properties and assets, But still my sister is not elegible and my niece neither (I do not know why).

My mother applied to come to my wedding two years ago and she was deined as well. My parents are married and my dad works for the government for more than 10 years, he has properties and he needs to fill some time (a year or so) in order to get his retirement benefits.

I feel bad because they are very excited about my graduation and then going to Orlando to see Harry Potter's castle in Universal. They have their appointments soon, but for some reason even when all of them have the ties and intention to return to Colombia. I feel like the embassy is not giving visas at all. In forums and people taking about tourits visas the most common answer is denied. I might be wrong.

Bye,

MM

Edited February 5, 2011 by marymoon

[Boiler 46,034]

My guess is that most people who travel on the VWP or B would never think of it as an issue and never post