Colombia Club Part III

[felo391971 4]

CONGRATS to the NEW USC Diana.

You Always helping us w. question we all say thanks all the time is good to say congratulation .

[Mononoke28 135]

My fiancee is being stubborn on the vaccinations. Is there an exact list of what she needs. She had some vaccinations as a child and she wants to go by that because she has records. I don't know about that. Any opinions?

Actually, a few people have said that the doctor accepted the old vaccination record they brought with them and didn't have to get any additional vaccines, she may be one of the lucky ones. If not, just tell her to make sure to bring enough money with her to cover any vaccines the doctor may tell her she needs for her medical.

Diana

[Mononoke28 135]

Hey guys! How's everyone doing!!

Diana! Congrats on the U.S Citizenship! That is so awesome!!

I have a question: the person who signed our Affidavit of Support (Amour's grandmother) is very ill. She is about 90 and is in such bad shape right now that the doctors don't give her more than a few days.

Amour and I are wondering if we are gonna have to find someone else to sign another affidavit when/if she passes, or what's going to happen with that?

We appreciate your help, and any prayers as she is a very special person and it is a shame that she's so sick.

Thanks guys! It was actually my husband who took got his US citizenship day on 07/20, it was hilarious given the fact that it was dead on Colombia's Independence Day.

Anyway, CristianAmour, you should be fine since your husband is already a permanent resident and you won't need to send another I-864 for Removal of Conditions.

Diana

[CristianAmour 1]

Thank you Diana!

That is pretty ironic that it happened on the same date, I didn't notice that before. Makes it even cooler!!

[JosephandKata 0]

My case was completed on the 19th of sept. So I'm hoping they'll call to set an interview for my wife in the beginning of nov. for a dec interview date.

[Rolando y Tania 0]

Here are my reviews and comments about our K1 Embassy interview on October 12.

We got to Bogota on Sunday evening from Medellin. We stayed at Hotel Doña Flor which is 10 minutes walking to the embassy. The owner, Doña Flor is a very knowlegable person on the embassy process and the greatest hostess. We had our scheduled lab on Monday morning and doctor's appointment in the afternoon. We chose the new doctor,, who ended up being the right choise. As ... is new to the process, he is more accomodating and quicker with the results as the other 2 doctors. My fiancee Tanya had her additional vaccines (varicella, MMR, ddT and influeza) done at their local doctors in Medellin and Dr. didn't have her get any additional re-enforcement. He did a complete medical exam and medical history. He explained that Labs are for screening for Sifilis and TB ONLY. Remember to have your 6 5x5 photos by the time you go to have the Labs done. The Lab is open from 7-10AM. They stop taking people by 10AM so make sure to be no later than 9AM. It takes around an hour to get in and out. On Tuesday I walked to the embassy and noticed the VISA lines opposite to the main entrance. There are four lines in the following order (1,3) in the front gate and (2,4) behind (1,3). Line #3 are for Immigrant Visas (K1, K3, etc) and the other lines are for business and tourist visas.

After getting the Labs we decided to go pay for the visa at the closest Helm Bank. They informed us that we needed to bring a recipt in order to pay the $350 fee. You need to schedule now your appointment, set up visa payment and delivery online at: [/url]. DHL is now the official delivery carrier for the embassy and it takes one business day to get to the major Colombian cities. They don't charge extra if you pick it up at their local facilities in your town. Tracking information is always posted online at your account in . You have the option of paying the visa fee with credit card or cash. Credit card is done through the web site but cash is done at Helm Bank after printing a confirmation page. We chose to pay cash so we printed the receipt, payed at the bank and then entered the confirmation number back into the system. Is very important to do this to complete the process.

On Wednesday we were making the line #3 by 6:15AM. There were roughly 10 couples in front of us. By 6:30AM they started letting people inside the embassy compound after checking the package 4 interview notice letter or the Banco Helm Visa receipt. Make sure not to be later than 7:00AM. Make sure to bring an umbrella with you as well. After getting inside the embassy we were routed to Window #3 as everybody else for Immigrant visas. At 7:00AM they opened the window and started checking your interview notice letter or the Banco Helm Visa receipt and assign you a turn. This turn is not related to the order you got there in the morning. I saw people behind us being interview by the consul before us so don't get nervous if they don't call you right away. At 10:30AM my fiancee got called to Window #6 over their speaker phones. They asked for all the papaerwork (passport, 5x5 photos, birth certificates, baptism certificate, judicial certificate, DAS certificate for both of us, doctor's appointment results, I-134 form (w2, 2010-1040 and employment letter), divorce decree (for those that were married), etc). After that we waited seated for another 15 minutes before we were call by the consul at window #5. The consul asked my fiancee 3 question before approving the visa:

[Rolando y Tania 0]

Here are my reviews and comments about our K1 Embassy interview on October 12.

We got to Bogota on Sunday evening from Medellin. We stayed at Hotel Doña Flor which is 10 minutes walking to the embassy. The owner, Doña Flor is a very knowledgeable person on the embassy process and the greatest hostess. We had our scheduled lab on Monday morning and doctor's appointment in the afternoon. We chose the new doctor, Dr. Rodolfo José Dennis V, who ended up being the right choice. As Dr. Dennis is new to the process, he is more accommodating and quicker with the results as the other 2 doctors. My fiancee Tanya had her additional vaccines (varicella, MMR, ddT and influeza) done at their local doctors in Medellin and Dr. didn't have her get any additional re-enforcement. He did a complete medical exam and medical history. He explained that Labs are for screening for Sifilis and TB ONLY. Remember to have your 6 5x5 photos by the time you go to have the Labs done. The Lab is open from 7-10AM. They stop taking people by 10AM so make sure to be no later than 9AM. It takes around an hour to get in and out. On Tuesday I walked to the embassy and noticed the VISA lines opposite to the main entrance. There are four lines in the following order (1,3) in the front gate and (2,4) behind (1,3). Line #3 are for Immigrant Visas (K1, K3, etc) and the other lines are for business and tourist visas.

After getting the Labs we decided to go pay for the visa at the closest Helm Bank. They informed us that we needed to bring a receipt in order to pay the $350 fee. You need to schedule now your appointment, set up visa payment and delivery online at: http://colombia.usvisa-info.com. DHL is now the official delivery carrier for the embassy and it takes one business day to get to the major Colombian cities. They don't charge extra if you pick it up at their local facilities in your town. Tracking information is always posted online at your account in http://colombia.usvisa-info.com. You have the option of paying the visa fee with credit card or cash. Credit card is done through the web site but cash is done at Helm Bank after printing a confirmation page. We chose to pay cash so we printed the receipt, pay at the bank and then entered the confirmation number back into the system. Is very important to do this to complete the process.

On Wednesday we were making the line #3 by 6:15AM. There were roughly 10 couples in front of us. By 6:30AM they started letting people inside the embassy compound after checking the package 4 interview notice letter or the Banco Helm Visa receipt and DS 156. Make sure not to be later than 7:00AM. Make sure to bring an umbrella with you as well. After getting inside the embassy we were routed to Window #3 as everybody else for Immigrant visas. At 7:00AM they opened the window and started checking your interview notice letter or the Banco Helm Visa receipt and assign you a turn. This turn is not related to the order you got there in the morning. I saw people behind us being interview by the consul before us so don't get nervous if they don't call you right away. At 10:30AM my fiancee got called to Window #6 over their speaker phones. They asked for all the paperwork (passport, 5x5 photos, birth certificates, baptism certificate, judicial certificate, DAS certificate for both of us, doctor's appointment results, I-134 form (w2, 2010-1040 and employment letter), divorce decree (for those that were married), etc). After that we waited seated for another 15 minutes before we were call by the consul at window #5. The consul asked my fiancee 3 question before approving the visa:

1. What does your fiance do for leaving?

2. Does he have children? Her name?

3. Where does my daughter live with?

After those three questions he gave a thumb up and the visa got approved. The consul did ask me any question although I was the only one. They usually ask the fiance one or two questions as well.

Several Observations

1. Make doctor appointments with Dr. Rodolfo José Dennis V as he doesn't see more than 5 embassy cases a day as opposed to over 20 for the other two doctors.

2. Be sure to bring your passport and 5x5 photos to your Lab appointment. You WON'T be allowed to get your labs done without this. Lab hours are from 7-10AM.

3. Schedule your visa payment and appointment at

4. Plan to be no later than 6:30AM with documents on hand (DS156 and DS156K)

5. Bring an umbrella and a coat

6. There are two cafeterias inside so be relax

7. Immigrant visas (K1, K3, etc) are the first to enter and they are assigned green dots which correspond to the green windows. Tourist and business visas are blue.

8. There are several shops around the embassy where you can get your 5x5 photos and print out your DS156 forms

9. Even though the consul didn't ask me for more evidence I brought a lot more evidence with me just in case (photos, personal relationship affidavits from friends, phone records, facebook photos, flower arrangement dedicatories, hotel receipts, airplane tickets, etc.)

Special Note

We were one of the few couples that brought the DAS certificate for the petitioner. The majority of the petitioners didn't bring their DAS certificate and they were allowed to interview. The consul did recognize us for being the first one with the DAS certificate for me, the petitioner. Make sure to bring it because you'll not know when they'll enforce the rule.

Edited October 26, 2011 by Rolando y Tania

[Rolando y Tania 0]

One more note:

Our visa got approved on October 12th. The visa was picked by the Bogota DHL on Thursday October 20th and delivered to the main Medellin DHL office the day after October 21st. DHL didn't charge if delivered to a local office. They will charge if you choose home delivery.

Hope all this information help current and future forum users looking for a k1 or k3 visa. Good Luck!!!

Edited October 26, 2011 by Rolando y Tania

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

One more note:

Our visa got approved on October 12th. The visa was picked by the Bogota DHL on Thursday October 20th and delivered to the main Medellin DHL office the day after October 21st. DHL didn't charge if delivered to a local office. They will charge if you choose home delivery.

Hope all this information help current and future forum users looking for a k1 or k3 visa. Good Luck!!!

Thanks much for the information.. I'm not happy at all with the time it took your visa to get to DHL Bogota (time was great to Medellin from there though!) What time was it available to pick up in Medellin on the 21st? I'm a bit worried as I need to be in your timelines (or less) and you only had one holiday where as I have two..

oooh this whole thing is going to be a nail biter time-wise

[Rolando y Tania 0]

Thanks much for the information.. I'm not happy at all with the time it took your visa to get to DHL Bogota (time was great to Medellin from there though!) What time was it available to pick up in Medellin on the 21st? I'm a bit worried as I need to be in your timelines (or less) and you only had one holiday where as I have two..

oooh this whole thing is going to be a nail biter time-wise

You are correct. I only got one holiday which was Monday the 17th. Our visa got approved on a Wednesday @ 11:00AM and DHL got the visa package on Thursday 20th. It got into Medellin by Friday afternoon. I assume that it will take 1-2 business days to get into all majors cities in Colombia with a DHL office. From the forum I saw that to the Bogota DHL office it was taking around 4 business days. It all depend what day your interview is, at the beginning of the week or late in the week. Good Luck!!!

[Jo & A 0]

My question,

"I am writing to get confirmation that the DAS certificate concerning entries and exits from Colombia is no longer needed for the interview.

I see in the new October 2011 Packet 3/4 that we received that it is no longer listed."

Embassy response,

"Thank you for your inquiry. It is not required. The consular officer may ask you to provide one at a later date if there is any question regarding your relationship that can’t be answered, i.e., have you been to Colombia to visit her? Have you travelled anywhere together. In general, it is rarely requested."

[Mononoke28 135]

My question,

"I am writing to get confirmation that the DAS certificate concerning entries and exits from Colombia is no longer needed for the interview.

I see in the new October 2011 Packet 3/4 that we received that it is no longer listed."

Embassy response,

"Thank you for your inquiry. It is not required. The consular officer may ask you to provide one at a later date if there is any question regarding your relationship that can’t be answered, i.e., have you been to Colombia to visit her? Have you travelled anywhere together. In general, it is rarely requested."

Woohoo!!! Great news!

I just wish they could update their website accordingly but beggars can't be choosers.

Diana

[married2paisita 1]

Just got my interview date - Nov 21 !! So freakin happy!

Strange because they've been telling me for a week or two that they couldn't schedule for November...

So 4 days to pickup the visa in Bogota, does that include the day of the interview and do the business days include Saturday? I've been searching on the forum and dont see the post

Thanks for all of the helpful advice and good luck!

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

Just got my interview date - Nov 21 !! So freakin happy!

Strange because they've been telling me for a week or two that they couldn't schedule for November...

So 4 days to pickup the visa in Bogota, does that include the day of the interview and do the business days include Saturday? I've been searching on the forum and dont see the post

Thanks for all of the helpful advice and good luck!

Congrats! less than 30 days.. good deal.. The four days would not include Saturday though once DHL gets it they do deliver Saturday.. Also the last person to post required five business days..

[married2paisita 1]

Congrats! less than 30 days.. good deal.. The four days would not include Saturday though once DHL gets it they do deliver Saturday.. Also the last person to post required five business days..

5 days, thanks, and good luck!