Colombia Club Part III

[kali1229 6]

Almost a whole week with my husband in the US! We've been relaxing and sight-seeing. Ah. It still feels surreal to have him here. Good luck to all those out there still on this journey!

[9520G 0]

Same here got we got home yesterday, now home now really feels like home!

[Mononoke28 135]

Bump.

[HONEY! 1]

I have been a long time "lurker" on the "Colombia" Clubs and now I am initiating my CR-1 process.

I have read and re-read A LOT of information and I sincerely hope I am not repeating questions.

I am the USC petitioner in NY and we married in Cali this past Sept. 3 after many years of doing the long

distance thing. But when the time is right, it's right.

My initial million questions are now only half a million. LOL - So as I gather the initial documentation, I see it's

pretty straight-forward, but of course I don't want to make any mistakes and make the process any longer than

absolutely necessary. So here goes...

The G325-A, biographic info. for my husband has to be signed. Does that have to be an original signature? Or can

my husband print out the form, sign it, scan it, and e-mail back to me?

I understand our marriage certificate has to

be translated, is there a template anywhere that could help me do the translation myself?

I thought I had seen something but I spent hours looking for it, but I just can't seem to find it.

My last question for now is one I definitely have not seen addressed here. At the end of the process, I do hope

to be able to go to the interview date in Bogota. My 13 year old daughter assumed she would be going, because

she ALWAYS travels with me to Colombia, but also because she sees Leo as her step father already even though he doesn't live with us yet. She is born in the US, so the question is: Would my daughter be allowed into the US embassy on the date of the interview with my husband and me???

I am grateful to anyone that can take the time to answer. Happy New Year to all VJ'ers!!!

Sandra Lucia

[HONEY! 1]

OOPS Correction: I am the sponsor and my husband is the petitioner.

I have been a long time "lurker" on the "Colombia" Clubs and now I am initiating my CR-1 process.

I have read and re-read A LOT of information and I sincerely hope I am not repeating questions.

I am the USC petitioner in NY and we married in Cali this past Sept. 3 after many years of doing the long

distance thing. But when the time is right, it's right.

My initial million questions are now only half a million. LOL - So as I gather the initial documentation, I see it's

pretty straight-forward, but of course I don't want to make any mistakes and make the process any longer than

absolutely necessary. So here goes...

The G325-A, biographic info. for my husband has to be signed. Does that have to be an original signature? Or can

my husband print out the form, sign it, scan it, and e-mail back to me?

I understand our marriage certificate has to

be translated, is there a template anywhere that could help me do the translation myself?

I thought I had seen something but I spent hours looking for it, but I just can't seem to find it.

My last question for now is one I definitely have not seen addressed here. At the end of the process, I do hope

to be able to go to the interview date in Bogota. My 13 year old daughter assumed she would be going, because

she ALWAYS travels with me to Colombia, but also because she sees Leo as her step father already even though he doesn't live with us yet. She is born in the US, so the question is: Would my daughter be allowed into the US embassy on the date of the interview with my husband and me???

I am grateful to anyone that can take the time to answer. Happy New Year to all VJ'ers!!!

Sandra Lucia

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

OOPS Correction: I am the sponsor and my husband is the petitioner.

I think you mean that you are the petitioner (the USC) and your husband is the beneficiary..

Welcome to VJ and congrats on your marriage

To answer your questions: On the G-325a it needs to be the actual signature. When I traveled down to Colombia for the wedding I had it already filled out and she signed it.. For the NVC step there is the DS-230 that also needs a signature (I took the paperwork on the next trip down) and she had signed it in the wrong spot.. I did something I am not overly proud of so that I did not have to wait another three weeks regarding the signature and they never caught it.. made for some sleepless nights though Long story short: it needs to be an original signature.

On the translation: I have not seen any templates but that is a good idea. I sent mine (scanned PDF) to be translated which took less than a day and they email a PDF back with the translation. The cost was $25 a page (two pages). I think the name was FOX translation (I have no connection with them).

On taking your daughter: I can't see why they would deny her but someone more knowledgeable should answer this one.

Edited December 30, 2011 by OnMyWayID

[HONEY! 1]

I think you mean that you are the petitioner (the USC) and your husband is the beneficiary..

Welcome to VJ and congrats on your marriage

To answer your questions: On the G-325a it needs to be the actual signature. When I traveled down to Colombia for the wedding I had it already filled out and she signed it.. For the NVC step there is the DS-230 that also needs a signature (I took the paperwork on the next trip down) and she had signed it in the wrong spot.. I did something I am not overly proud of so that I did not have to wait another three weeks regarding the signature and they never caught it.. made for some sleepless nights though Long story short: it needs to be an original signature.

On the translation: I have not seen any templates but that is a good idea. I sent mine (scanned PDF) to be translated which took less than a day and they email a PDF back with the translation. The cost was $25 a page (two pages). I think the name was FOX translation (I have no connection with them).

On taking your daughter: I can't see why they would deny her but someone more knowledgeable should answer this one.

Thank you so much for the response.

It looks like I will have to use Avianca Express or some other similar service to get the signature because I don't plan to return to Cali until February. Thanks for the heads-up though on the DS-230, now I know to be prepared. (and I definitely don't want any sleepless nights!!!) Just to confirm, I don't need the apostille on the Colombian marriage certificate for the initial paperwork, correct? I just want to make sure because after reading many Topics/Posts, I have seen the process change ie-the DAS migratory letter for the petitioner.

Again, thanks for the info.

Anyone else out there have any idea if my daughter would be allowed at the interview in Bogota?

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

Thank you so much for the response.

It looks like I will have to use Avianca Express or some other similar service to get the signature because I don't plan to return to Cali until February. Thanks for the heads-up though on the DS-230, now I know to be prepared. (and I definitely don't want any sleepless nights!!!) Just to confirm, I don't need the apostille on the Colombian marriage certificate for the initial paperwork, correct? I just want to make sure because after reading many Topics/Posts, I have seen the process change ie-the DAS migratory letter for the petitioner.

Again, thanks for the info.

Anyone else out there have any idea if my daughter would be allowed at the interview in Bogota?

Hey there...

The only time you need Apostilles is when you are getting married in Colombia. Nothing in the visa process requires an Apostille.

Neither of us were asked for our DAS migratory letter. We both had them as they changed the requirements and asked for the petitioner to provide a DAS letter. This has since been changed back so for sure you do *not* need to provide one.

[HONEY! 1]

Hey there...

The only time you need Apostilles is when you are getting married in Colombia. Nothing in the visa process requires an Apostille.

Neither of us were asked for our DAS migratory letter. We both had them as they changed the requirements and asked for the petitioner to provide a DAS letter. This has since been changed back so for sure you do *not* need to provide one.

Thanks once again OnMyWay,

I already had my previous divorce and present marriage certificate apostilled thinking I needed to. Oh well, no harm done...

I was looking at your timeline, and it seems that everything really went smoothly and in a timely manner. So I'm definitely listening to anything you have to say!

Sandra Lucia.

[JJ NY 0]

My wife's interview is in BOG on Thursday. We already submitted the required (CR-1) photos in the packet to NH. What photos does she need in BOG? Her medical is done, and they took a photo. What does she need to bring photo wise to the interview? She has two passport style photos, but they were partially creased, so we want to know if she needs to get more photos before the interview. Additionally, will there be an issue if the new photos are "different" than the others previously submitted. I would rather not have to get more photos, but don't want issues the day of the interview if we need the two additional photos in our files for the interview--since they are not 100%.

Thank you in advance for your assistance!

J+A

[Wilr 0]

Our consulate is in Bogota, Colombia, and I have a few questions:

-- Is K1 an immigrant or non-immigrant visa -- there are confusing notes on the consulate website which says there two categories...

-- I have applied for an immigrant K1 visa (fiance)-- can someone tell me

all the forms I will need to fill for the 1st (mailed to the consulate) and the 2nd rounds(actual interview)

-- How best can I report my fiance's change of address in Colombia-- how easy is it to call and reach someone at the consulate?

-- Does the consulate send our packets through Colombia's Postal mail, or will they be communicated through email and forms downloaded from the consulate's website?

Many thanks to those of you who have dealt with the US consulate in Colombia and could kindly send me some tips...

Thx,

Wil

[Mononoke28 135]

My wife's interview is in BOG on Thursday. We already submitted the required (CR-1) photos in the packet to NH. What photos does she need in BOG? Her medical is done, and they took a photo. What does she need to bring photo wise to the interview? She has two passport style photos, but they were partially creased, so we want to know if she needs to get more photos before the interview. Additionally, will there be an issue if the new photos are "different" than the others previously submitted. I would rather not have to get more photos, but don't want issues the day of the interview if we need the two additional photos in our files for the interview--since they are not 100%.

Thank you in advance for your assistance!

J+A

The paperwork doesn't say that all pictures have to be the same, they just need to be recent. I know that they ask for a total of 6 pictures and if my memory doesn't fail me they need to give 1 to the lab, 1 to the doctor at the medical exam and the others to the embassy. But don't quote me on that, just check what the letter says in the interview packet they sent to be 100% sure about that.

Diana

[Mononoke28 135]

Our consulate is in Bogota, Colombia, and I have a few questions:

-- Is K1 an immigrant or non-immigrant visa -- there are confusing notes on the consulate website which says there two categories...

-- I have applied for an immigrant K1 visa (fiance)-- can someone tell me

all the forms I will need to fill for the 1st (mailed to the consulate) and the 2nd rounds(actual interview)

-- How best can I report my fiance's change of address in Colombia-- how easy is it to call and reach someone at the consulate?

-- Does the consulate send our packets through Colombia's Postal mail, or will they be communicated through email and forms downloaded from the consulate's website?

Many thanks to those of you who have dealt with the US consulate in Colombia and could kindly send me some tips...

Thx,

Wil

The K1 visa is actually an non-immigrant visa because the beneficiary still has to file for Adjustment of Status once they arrive. However, the US embassy puts it in the immigrant visa category for some odd reason, perhaps because it's completely different from all other non-immigrant visas that are available.

You can find all the information in the K Visas Instructions Package, from what documents are needed for the interview, to lab and medical information, to how to schedule your own interview date online. Your fiancée is supposed to get this interview package in the mail but since the mail system in Colombia is not very reliable, they have posted it online for easy access.

You can contact the embassy via email or by phone on Wednesdays from 2 P.M. to 4 P.M.. This info is available on their website.

Diana

[JJ NY 0]

"IV expires on 22MAR2012" ... My wife's CR-1 was issued on January 13/2012. This isn't a very long window to enter the states. Am I reading it correctly? She has to enter the US before the 22nd of March? I was under the impression there was more time.

Figured it out. Her medical was earlier, and 6 months from medical date.

Edited January 17, 2012 by JJ NY

[Mononoke28 135]

"IV expires on 22MAR2012" ... My wife's CR-1 was issued on January 13/2012. This isn't a very long window to enter the states. Am I reading it correctly? She has to enter the US before the 22nd of March? I was under the impression there was more time.

Figured it out. Her medical was earlier, and 6 months from medical date.

That's very interesting, it usually expires six months after the visa is issued, not from the date of the medical exam. If you need more time, then it would be best to contact the US embassy directly.

Diana