Frozen in Processing (NVC/Bogota Consulate)

[Aaron & Natalia 1]

20 minutes ago, Aaron & Natalia said:

Am I correct to assume that first I pay the invoice through this link and then I receive the DS-160 number? Because it is requiring the DS-160 number to create her account.

Disregard - It appears I need to first do the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160) first in order to receive the DS-160 number unless I'm mistaken.

[Maki&Kiki 123]

No. Invoice number is FREE. You need to contact NVC by phone and ask them to give it to you. Then you can complete ds 160 Form online. This is the website for ds 160 https://ceac.state.gov/ceac/ 
After that is done you go the the website me or chancy provided to pay and schedule interview.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/family-immigration/nonimmigrant-visa-for-a-fiance-k-1.html#1 This website holds lots of good information you can read !

This is website of Bogota embassy https://co.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/fiancee-visa/how-to-apply/
You might find useful info there also.

 

[Maki&Kiki 123]

and yes u will get ds 160 number once it's done  
I forgot to mention that beneficiary has to complete ds 160, not the us citizen. You can assist her/him. Website is little glitchy so make sure she/he saves the progress after each page. Also make sure he/she remembers application ID, so it can be accessed again. Beneficiary needs to upload passport style picture 5x5 also in order to complete ds160. Ds 160 is used for other visas too, so make sure he/she chooses fiance when asked. 

[SalishSea 17,839]

1 hour ago, Aaron & Natalia said:

The process as it was explained by the immigration attorney who I trusted to provide accurate information... I also assume my plumber knows how to do plumbing.

There is no amount of money you could pay an attorney that would supersede knowing, and owning, your own process 100%.

[Diane and Chris 651]

This must be so frustrating for you. I’m glad you came here to get some answers. It seems like it won’t be too much longer for you two. Best of luck to you and come back here if you have any more questions. Visa Journey has helped so many. I know it got my fiancé (now husband) through many questionable times. 

[SteveInBostonI130 3,459]

4 hours ago, Aaron & Natalia said:

I've added that to my list of reasons to be outraged with the level assistance they've provided.

 

It seems this is another case to add to the attorney blues pile.  It looks like you have been waiting since Sep/Oct for no reason.

 

4 hours ago, Aaron & Natalia said:

Disregard - It appears I need to first do the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160) first in order to receive the DS-160 number unless I'm mistaken.

 

Use the case number from the NVC to create an account and fill out the DS-160. Use the DS-160 application/receipt number to pay the fee.  Use the payment receipt to schedule the interview.  At least, that is how it is done for Kyiv.

 

[Maki&Kiki 123]

I confused case number with invoice number. When we called NVC we got 2 numbers : Invoice ID which consist of eight numbers and CASE NUMBER that starts with three letters and 10 numbers. I don't remember if we ever used Invoice ID. So you might not even have to call NVC for it. To my knowledge, Invoice ID is used to pay the fee for marriage visa. You can complete ds 160 with your Case Number: BGT######. When paying the k1 visa fee I really don't remember what number we put. Post above say Ds 160 application/receipt number. It sounds correct. But even if you need invoice somewhere in the process, you can call NVC. To give it to you, operator will ask for uscis receipt number (#wac) and both names and date of birth. But you might be able to complete the process with just case number and ds 160 receipt number. It's really not that hard, especially last step (registering and paying the fee, website is well designed with no lag and everything is explained well).  

There are couple of steps left:
Beneficiary completes DS 160. Just read each and every question carefully before answering. 
She registers and pays the visa fee online.
Once you have interview date she can schedule medical exam. 
Meanwhile, as interview date comes closer, she collects all documents needed for it (proof of payment, 2x usa style passport pics, her police certificate, birth certificate, her children birth certificate (if any), court documents (if convicted of crimes), yours and hers divorce certificate (if ever been married) or death certificate if spouse passed away, evidence of relationship, your affidavit of support and supporting documents (your employment letter, tax transcripts and pay stub), letter of intent x2 etc.. there is complete guide here on visajourney what to bring to the interview. 

You are almost done  You got this. Really not complicated at all, you don't need attorney. You can always come back and ask here if any question. 

[Aaron & Natalia 1]

Thanks all so much for the help and support! I've called the NVC and received Natalia's Invoice ID #.

 

I've sent the below email to our lawyer to try and move things along. I'd rather just finish this myself, but unfortunately they already have her invoice money held in trust. Hopefully their feedback isn't more nonsense...

----------------------------------------

 

 

****** and *****,

 

I've just been given Natalia's Invoice ID # by the NVC. 

 

We now have her Case Number: BGT######    /   USCIS Receipt Number: WAC######      /      Invoice ID #: #######

Is there anything preventing us from completing her DS-160 with CEAC here?: https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/Default.aspx

 

With her DS-160 complete, is there anything preventing us from creating her account, paying her invoice, and scheduling her interview on the Department of State Visa Appointment Service here?: https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-co/niv

[Maki&Kiki 123]

All good sir. Sucks that you already gave them the visa fee money.. filling ds160 and registering/paying visa fee takes no longer than hour~ hopefully they reply you fast so you don't have to wait much longer~

Edited January 14, 2022 by Kittinpaw

[Aaron & Natalia 1]

Thank you all for the spectacular advise! I called the NVC, received the Invoice Number, and to our surprise we immediately got an interview appointment in Bogota on Feb 10! So now we're rapidly preparing.

 

Our primary concern at this moment is does the consulate in Bogota accept cosponsors for the Affidavit of Support? I'm hopeful that we can use my parents as cosponsors as a backup in the event that my affidavit is not accepted because (a little background here):

 

-I'm self employed and for several years have been able to write-off so many of my expenses that my reported income has been lower than the requirement.

-Additionally complicating matters is that my return for 2020 was sent back to me with a "Request for Signature or Missing Information to Complete Return". I'm just discovering this because I moved shortly after filing and apparently it came back to my previous address.

-I'm scrambling to complete my 2021 return which will show income above the required threshold for 2021, but unless it is processed in time for the interview I will only have my 1040 as opposed to an IRS transcript. Can I submit the 1040 as supporting evidence or can I only use IRS transcripts?

-I can prove assets well above the 3X minimum annual earnings requirement, mostly in the form of a fully owned home and fully owned vehicle. Can prove assets in lieu of providing tax documents to get approval at this stage of the process, or is this only applicable to when she's state-side and we're applying for permanent residence?

 

Thanks to all again for the excellent advise thus far

[Boiler 45,541]

9 minutes ago, Aaron & Natalia said:

Thank you all for the spectacular advise! I called the NVC, received the Invoice Number, and to our surprise we immediately got an interview appointment in Bogota on Feb 10! So now we're rapidly preparing.

 

Our primary concern at this moment is does the consulate in Bogota accept cosponsors for the Affidavit of Support? I'm hopeful that we can use my parents as cosponsors as a backup in the event that my affidavit is not accepted because (a little background here):

 

-I'm self employed and for several years have been able to write-off so many of my expenses that my reported income has been lower than the requirement.

-Additionally complicating matters is that my return for 2020 was sent back to me with a "Request for Signature or Missing Information to Complete Return". I'm just discovering this because I moved shortly after filing and apparently it came back to my previous address.

-I'm scrambling to complete my 2021 return which will show income above the required threshold for 2021, but unless it is processed in time for the interview I will only have my 1040 as opposed to an IRS transcript. Can I submit the 1040 as supporting evidence or can I only use IRS transcripts?

-I can prove assets well above the 3X minimum annual earnings requirement, mostly in the form of a fully owned home and fully owned vehicle. Can prove assets in lieu of providing tax documents to get approval at this stage of the process, or is this only applicable to when she's state-side and we're applying for permanent residence?

 

Thanks to all again for the excellent advise thus far

Non primary car and house can be usefully 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ray87 0]

21 hours ago, Aaron & Natalia said:

Thank you all for the spectacular advise! I called the NVC, received the Invoice Number, and to our surprise we immediately got an interview appointment in Bogota on Feb 10! So now we're rapidly preparing.

 

Our primary concern at this moment is does the consulate in Bogota accept cosponsors for the Affidavit of Support? I'm hopeful that we can use my parents as cosponsors as a backup in the event that my affidavit is not accepted because (a little background here):

 

-I'm self employed and for several years have been able to write-off so many of my expenses that my reported income has been lower than the requirement.

-Additionally complicating matters is that my return for 2020 was sent back to me with a "Request for Signature or Missing Information to Complete Return". I'm just discovering this because I moved shortly after filing and apparently it came back to my previous address.

-I'm scrambling to complete my 2021 return which will show income above the required threshold for 2021, but unless it is processed in time for the interview I will only have my 1040 as opposed to an IRS transcript. Can I submit the 1040 as supporting evidence or can I only use IRS transcripts?

-I can prove assets well above the 3X minimum annual earnings requirement, mostly in the form of a fully owned home and fully owned vehicle. Can prove assets in lieu of providing tax documents to get approval at this stage of the process, or is this only applicable to when she's state-side and we're applying for permanent residence?

 

Thanks to all again for the excellent advise thus far

Quick question, how you managed to get you interview so quickly? was it in Ready status already?

[Aaron & Natalia 1]

21 hours ago, Ray87 said:

Quick question, how you managed to get you interview so quickly? was it in Ready status already?

It was in ready status for a long time. Since October, but we were advised by our lawyer that we needed to wait for our invoice number to be sent to us. After receiving the information provided by others in this thread I learned I could call the NVC to receive the invoice number. After that, we submitted the DS-160 and our lawyer was able to set the appointment over the phone with the embassy directly. I don't know how they did that, but I do know that as of Friday the embassy stated that several days in early Feb are open for interviews, and that it was unclear when there would be other availability later this year.