This question is specific to Colombia

[GYnot 8]

We're scheduled for our embassy interview tomorrow. We've been doing the process day by day. Today we went to the DAS to get the certificate that shows entry and exit from the country for the last 10 years. Turns out, we should have done this much earlier in the process as it takes two days (and 302,000 COP) to get this certificate. The earliest they could get it to us would be Monday and neither of us will be here Monday. Plus our interview is Tomorrow.

So two questions.

1) How important is this DAS certificate given that my fiancee has never left the country? Can we get the visa without it?

2) If we're short this document and it matters what happens next?

Tony

[Russ&Caro 1,549]

Sorry to hear that you're having issues prior to obtaining your visa.

Frankly, this is the first I've ever heard of a requirement for a DAS certificate associated with entry/exit of the applicant or beneficiary. My wife never needed this certificate, although we applied for a CR1 spousal visa, not a K-1 fiancee visa, so that might make a difference. Here's a VJ thread that includes multiple posts by VJ'ers discussing the need and logistics of getting this certificate.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/327215-colombia-das-request/

Since your interview is tomorrow, I guess I would ask a bunch of questions of the CO, like:

1) Why is this certificate needed? Maybe the embassy is reading something within your application incorrectly.

2) Can you order the certificate and have it sent to the embassy after the interview?

From the thread noted above, I see this can be required of either the applicant or the beneficiary or both. I would make sure you understand the requirement before you order it so that you have everything that they need.

My guess is that this could delay your visa, but hopefully not more than a few days. Good luck!

[Russ&Caro 1,549]

From the previous thread listed, here's a post from late December, 2011:

Posted 11 December 2011 - 06:34 PM

'Donald555', on 05 Sept 2011 - 08:01 AM, said:

Not sure if the K and CR1 are the same, but we are doing the CR1 and they asked for a DAS report on both of us as it states in packet 4. You can get it within about 5 days so the best thing to do is get the DAS report prior to the interview if at all possible. All you need is the marriage certificate and petitioner's passport number.

NOTE: The Colombian Embassy revised the Immigrant Visas (Packet 3/4) in December 2011. The new packet does NOT require the DAS report of entries and exits from Colombia by the Petitioner or the Applicant. It now only requires a Police Certificate ("Certificado Judicial"). See the Embassy web site for the new list of documents needed for the interview.

Again, I would question the CO at the interview as to whether you actually do need this certificate and if so, why?

[GYnot 8]

I was looking at an old pdf on the web, turns out it is unnecessary. What a relief. Though we ordered one and paid for it, but will never pick it up. Oy`vey.

Tony