CR-1/IR-1 Colombia Club

[bradyvicky 0]

Packets 3 and 4 come from the k-3 process not the CR-1. My understanding, from a previous response to one of my posts is that our spouse will receive a packet from the embassy with instructions for the medical exam and date of the interview as well as what needs to be brought to the interview. That is the only packet in the CR-1 process to my knowledge. I was confused about this earlier and have received a packet 3 and 4 from a fellow VJer earlier but these are not for the CR-1. Hope this helps a little. Any word yet Brad?

Doug

Thanks for clearing that up... I think people get confused and believe the process is the same for all the various visa types. I'm glad someone sent you the packets so you could see them and confirm this....I was getting a bit confused myself as to what to expect from the Embassy.

And no, nothing yet. In 23 minutes I will start trying to get through and see if they have the date this week.

Edited January 3, 2007 by bradyvicky

[bradyvicky 0]

See my new post in the CR1 area.... Visa appointment on 1/30/07!!!!!!

[coffeeguy 0]

Hey everyone, count me in for the CR-1 Colombia Club. It's good to know I'm not the only one who has had the good fortune to find love in Colombia.

I have applied for both the CR-1 and the K-3. I've been planning on applying James' shortcuts as far as the CR-1 is concerned and the shortcuts from PeterMiami for the K-3. There's a lot I still don't know, but as our visa process continues, I'd be more than happy to contribute when I am able.

[bradyvicky 0]

Hey everyone, count me in for the CR-1 Colombia Club. It's good to know I'm not the only one who has had the good fortune to find love in Colombia.

I have applied for both the CR-1 and the K-3. I've been planning on applying James' shortcuts as far as the CR-1 is concerned and the shortcuts from PeterMiami for the K-3. There's a lot I still don't know, but as our visa process continues, I'd be more than happy to contribute when I am able.

Coffeguy.... Welcome to the thread, and the Colombia Experience! You look like a great couple inthe Avatar, and you will find nothing but really nice guys and beautiful Colombianas here! I have made several "friends" and hope to spend time personally with many of them someday in the future as we all end up here in the US together with our wives!

Good luck in your process!

[dougyceci 0]

Welcome Coffeeguy, I saw your post and responses in another section here and to be honest, in all cases the K-3 is not quicker. I did not even file for it and am moving right along. I know, maybe lucky but saw how things had been going. Any help we can be ask, the group here is great. Good luck,

Doug

[RabbitNYC 0]

What's up errbody!!! Hey if anyone has a clue as what is the his Vaccination Certificate stuff... my wife is freaking out, cuz she went to the doctor and they told her that all those vaccines that the embassy asks for were supposed to be given to her when she was a baby and she doesn't have any records of that. She knows shes has them but doesn't have anything to prove it.

Can someone help me with this??

RabbitNYC

[thieving69 0]

Yes I have heard the same, I guess our timelines are all very similar and all waiting for that interview appt. I have also heard many things the same about the packets, that for the CR1 visa, you are already married and proven married so it is just basically medical info and making sure they she has all the proper papers. As far as I can remember they already have the proof of income and marriage from when you send all the papers to NVC and that whole packet is sent to Bogota, so they should already have all that info. We are just waiting for our case to be fowarded to Bogota. Does your priority date have anything to do with how fast you get the visa? Because ours is from beginning of 2006......

Packets 3 and 4 come from the k-3 process not the CR-1. My understanding, from a previous response to one of my posts is that our spouse will receive a packet from the embassy with instructions for the medical exam and date of the interview as well as what needs to be brought to the interview. That is the only packet in the CR-1 process to my knowledge. I was confused about this earlier and have received a packet 3 and 4 from a fellow VJer earlier but these are not for the CR-1. Hope this helps a little. Any word yet Brad?

Doug

[Mike and Adriana 0]

Welcome Coffeeguy, I saw your post and responses in another section here and to be honest, in all cases the K-3 is not quicker. I did not even file for it and am moving right along. I know, maybe lucky but saw how things had been going. Any help we can be ask, the group here is great. Good luck,

Doug

Coffeeguy:

Doug is probably right that the K-3 is not quicket in ALL cases, but I suspect in the vast majority of cases. Look at my timeline - approval of I-129F in 40 days. My wife's interview is on Friday.

I guess it depends on how quickly you want your wife to get here. The IR-1 is the superior visa, but typically not as fast (I'm guesstimating a two month difference, based on current experiences of those on the board).

That said, however, recent evidence suggests that because you filed for the K-3...that is the route you will have to go. From what we on the board has been able to ascertain, I-130s related to K-3 petitions are now being held in the U.S. on the assumption that the beneficiary will come to the U.S. and then file adjustment of status. Previously one had the option of choosing whichever visa was process more quickly...but apparently not so any more.

So, you may want to focus most of your time on the Colombia Club thread on this forum...as opposed to this thread...as, in all likelihood, K-3 will be the way you'll be going. Good luck.

Mike

[bradyvicky 0]

Ok everyone, we finally got the packet from Bogota - This is for the CR-1 Visa. Good luck getting your packets if the Beneficiary is in Barranquilla! Now we know why so many dont get them...it was a JOKE to track them down. It went all over the city for 6 days before we were able to lock them in and commit to getting it to us when they said they would!

Package contains:

1. Letter of Notice that has a bunch of general information and the date/time of appointment.

2. Multiple pages of instruction/recommendations for preparation and modification of the process if necessary, including official notice that the approved Visa is picked up at the embassy the following day at 4:00pm.

3. A copy of the DS-230, with request to have it completed unsigned for the interview.

4. Medical Appointment information - 2 appointments necessary: a Cinic (for sexually transmitted disease testing) and a Medico (vaccinations and general physcial) in Bogota - includes contact information to set up appointments and total cost for both is $285,000 COP.

5. List of the necessary vaccinations and says you must have proof of these vacinations, however if you do not have it you may pay extra for all vaccinations required and get them at Medico.

Has a list saying that the following items are needed:

1. 4 Photos (newer front view passport style)

2. Beneficiary Passport

3. Finished DS230 I and II, unsigned.

4. Registro Civil de Nacimiento

5. Baptismal Certificate

6. Some type of certificate if Beneficiary does not have Baptismal Certificate

7. Certificates of Birth for Children of Beneficiary

8. Certificates of Birth for Brothers/Sisters of Beneficiary if they live in the US.

9. Certificado de Matrimonio of Petitioner/Beneficiary

10. Divorce Records of Beneficiary

11. Certificate of Death of previous Spouses of Beneficiary

12. Certificate of Marriage of Beneficiary's Mother and Father (never figured this one?!?!?)

13. Completed Affidavit of Support (assuming this is the one already submitted with application?)

14. Certificado de DAS (Certificado de Policia - from everywhere Beneficiary lived 16yoa to now)

15. Certificado de DAS (DAS Colombian entry and exit records)

16. Certificado de Tribunales y Prisiones (if ever previously convicted or incarcerated of a crime)

17. Deportation Papers (If ever entered and deported from US)

18. Medical Examination Results w/complete vaccination records.

Everything in Spanish must be accompanied by a translation (assumably with a translator's statement)

Hope that helps you all out there!

Brad & Vicky

[florida-photo 0]

Thanks Brad! I may contact you later about a couple of the items on the list. I really appreciate you posting the contents of the package.

Mark

[Looking4Wife 0]

Brad:

Thanks SO MUCH for the update on the embassy package. However, surely you knew that would generate more questions

1. How did you "track down" the package in BAQ? Any tips on how to do that?

2. You said a "Cinic", but did you mean "Clínico"?

3. Certificate of Marriage of Beneficiary's Mother and Father (never figured this one?!?!?)

WOW... My wife's parents are divorced, and her mom lives in another country. I don't think its likely this document will be easy to find... I guess if we have to get it from "public records", then we may as well start the process now... I wonder how important this really is? I don't think its mentioned on the US Embassy site...

Thanks again, Brad! You da man!

Good luck to you guys with your Interview Prep!

[bradyvicky 0]

Brad:

Thanks SO MUCH for the update on the embassy package. However, surely you knew that would generate more questions

1. How did you "track down" the package in BAQ? Any tips on how to do that?

2. You said a "Cinic", but did you mean "Clínico"?

3. Certificate of Marriage of Beneficiary's Mother and Father (never figured this one?!?!?)

WOW... My wife's parents are divorced, and her mom lives in another country. I don't think its likely this document will be easy to find... I guess if we have to get it from "public records", then we may as well start the process now... I wonder how important this really is? I don't think its mentioned on the US Embassy site...

Thanks again, Brad! You da man!

Good luck to you guys with your Interview Prep!

Mark...

Glad it helped! Talk to ya soon....

Looking...

Yeah I kind of figured this would generate more questions, but we all have to learn somewhere! If I am the first one in this round of VJers to make it through the process and post my results then I am more than happy to help!

1. Track Down? Well...we had no idea how it was sent, so Vicky had to find that out first. She was smart, figuring our government wouldnt spend a penny on us and was able to (through many phone calls) find out it was in the hands of the public mail system. Eventually she tracked down who had it and where their office was and had to take a taxi to the freakin airport TWICE! She is pretty "grosera" at times, so she made it a point she was not happy with them. After 5-6 days she was able to get them to keep it in the main office for pickup, which she did today.

2. Yes, I meant "Clinico"...quit raggin' on my typing. Today is a vacation day.

3. I agree with you - I dont know why, all I know is what she read to me. Hell, I dont know, but she says it is what exactly I wrote. So she is working to get it also...her parents have been divorced for over 10 years! I cant BELIEVE it is actually something needed and applicable to the CR1, but oh well.

Have a great night y'all.....

[dougyceci 0]

Hey Brad, thanks a lot for the post. Nothing I did not expect, well maybe the parents marriage certificate but Ceci says that is no problem either. I can't believe the trouble Vicky went through to get the package. If people here knew how lucky we are when it comes to the mail. I mailed a greeting card going on 6 weeks now, and she still has not got it. Anyway thanks again, will be thinking of you two on the 30th, hope all goes well. When are you heading down? If I do not talk to you again, tell Vicky Happy Birthday from Ceci and I. If you guys are in Bogota for a few days before, let me know, maybe you could have coffee or a drink with Ceci if you wanted to meet her. Just a thought. Take care.

Doug

[cali52506 0]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first time posting on this web-site..All the information has been really helpful...

I also found love in Colombia and married my sweetie in May2006.

I noticed several timelines similar to mine. Unfortunately my husband has not been assigned an interview date in Bogota yet. So far it has been a month, my case arrived at the embassy 12.11.06. I call the embassy every week and they keep telling me that he is on the list but interview has not been assigned yet because they are backed up. I also called the (202) number here in the US and they told me that my husbands background check just went through 2 days ago?????

Not sure what to make of all this.... could there be something wrong it has been one month already....is anyone else in a similar situation????

[cali52506 0]

found out today!!!visa interview scheduled for 2/21/07....