Colombia Club

[sldavy 0]

Also, sorry I don't know how to add the timeline to the posts.......another question she changed her address so how do i update her new address so the embassy has it? Our NOA2 was approved on 5 november, what number do I call to ask the NVC if they have recieved it.

thanks

seth

[Matt y Fernanda 0]

Thank you everyone for your help with the vaccination question. I am going to call the Embassy and confirm it is alright to get the vaccinations at the Red Cross.

Also, I found out that my wife's packet is at the NVC now. Hopefully in a few days it will be in Bogota. I'm using the shortcuts, so I will let everyone know how it goes, if anyone else is thinking about using them.

Thank you everyone for your help.

Also for those of you in the military. If you want to try to get your interview date earlier because of a deployment, the operator at NVC told me to call the Washington D.C. Visa Office (202-663-1225). I was able to get my documents expedited at the USCIS. Well, atleast I think my request was the cause. I sent in a request and 4 days later both my wife's I-129F and I-130 were approved. You need to have orders stating you are deployed or are pending deployment.

Trust me for all of you who may be deploying soon. You can do all of this while you are in the sand box, but you need to make sure you have someone responsible in the states to manage the handling of your documents.

Be safe and God bless.

[MV-JR 0]

Thanks to all for your responses, specially Scout who has been very patient with us. Today we called to the department of state (the phone that Scott gave us) and the guy said that he won’t be able to confirm that the embassy got the papers and that it doesn’t matter since the sent the electronically on the 7th of November. So I am planning to go ahead and fax the papers and see what happens. !!!

[Juan Carlos 0]

Just to share more info. with you on the vaccines and on the exact doctor I called, it was the official embassy doctor, Ma. Consuelo Gonzalez (I didn't speak with her, but with her staff). The other one (not recommended by Diana) is Dr. Jairo Rosa. Their numbers were posted early on this forum. Here is their information, both numbers from Bogota so remember to add +57 1:

Dra Maria COnsuelo Gonzalez 288-7629 or 245-9290

Dr. Jairo Rosa 215-1763 or 658-9366

- Byron... I feel your pain. Hang in there!!

[Bill y Bella 0]

Thanks to all for your responses, specially Scout who has been very patient with us. Today we called to the department of state (the phone that Scott gave us) and the guy said that he won’t be able to confirm that the embassy got the papers and that it doesn’t matter since the sent the electronically on the 7th of November. So I am planning to go ahead and fax the papers and see what happens. !!!

What is transmitted electronically? The petition package from NVC to the embassy? That would be a new development in the process. Please clarify.

Thanks.

[Scott n Yenifer 0]

Thanks to all for your responses, specially Scout who has been very patient with us. Today we called to the department of state (the phone that Scott gave us) and the guy said that he won’t be able to confirm that the embassy got the papers and that it doesn’t matter since the sent the electronically on the 7th of November. So I am planning to go ahead and fax the papers and see what happens. !!!

What is transmitted electronically? The petition package from NVC to the embassy? That would be a new development in the process. Please clarify.

Thanks.

Bill,

Yes...the case is sent electronically as well as physically from NVC to the embassy.

MV-JR,

It does'nt matter if the embassy has "physically" received your case but it is important that it is in their system and the State Dept. can absolutely tell you the embassy has input your case in their system.

[Scott n Yenifer 0]

Also, sorry I don't know how to add the timeline to the posts.......another question she changed her address so how do i update her new address so the embassy has it? Our NOA2 was approved on 5 november, what number do I call to ask the NVC if they have recieved it.

thanks

seth

Welcome Seth,

To add timeline to posts click my controls at top of page then on left side of page (menu) click edit signature.

On the address change you will have to wait until your case is received by the embassy and then include the change of address when you fax them the packet 3 shortcut...I had to do the same thing and it wasn't a problem. (The embassy seems to be well organized)

Page 111 on this thread will help you see the steps you need to take to simplify this whole process and pull things together efficiently...Lucho and Diana organized these steps and they are very very very helpful!!!

National visa center: 603-334-0700 press 1 then 2

[SteveSandyHill 0]

The information here is great. If we recieve our NOA2 this week, is a January interview possible? Just curious, my fiance's B-day is Jan 31. Based on what I am seeing this phase moves much quicker than the USCIS portion, providing of course that we have our ducks in a row and utilize the short cuts!

[Scott n Yenifer 0]

The information here is great. If we recieve our NOA2 this week, is a January interview possible? Just curious, my fiance's B-day is Jan 31. Based on what I am seeing this phase moves much quicker than the USCIS portion, providing of course that we have our ducks in a row and utilize the short cuts!

Steve,

I hope that everything goes at light speed for you but our inteview date even using the shortest of shortcuts took almost 12 weeks from our approval date NOA2. I understand the pain and I wish you and everyone very speedy processes!!!

[Bill y Bella 0]

The information here is great. If we recieve our NOA2 this week, is a January interview possible? Just curious, my fiance's B-day is Jan 31. Based on what I am seeing this phase moves much quicker than the USCIS portion, providing of course that we have our ducks in a row and utilize the short cuts!

Steve,

I hope that everything goes at light speed for you but our inteview date even using the shortest of shortcuts took almost 12 weeks from our approval date NOA2. I understand the pain and I wish you and everyone very speedy processes!!!

Scott & Steve,

VSC seems to get the packages to NVC a lot faster than CSC, so perhaps Steve's goal of a January interview is possible. If the embassy gets the package in the first part of December Steve should be able to obtain a January interview date.

Good luck!

[Scott n Yenifer 0]

UPDATED GUIDE 11-14-2007

The following guide is intended to help K1 visa applicants going

through Bogotá, Colombia. Also this guide is only that, a guide.

Always check the embassy's website and call the embassy as well.

This guide was written for K1 visa applicants, both beneficiary

and petitioner that have no kids, have never been arrested and have never been

married.

1. Once your I-129F is approved (NOA2), your case will

be forwarded to the National Visa Center. Normally

it will take about 1 to 2 weeks to get from CSC/VSC to NVC.

2. Start calling NVC everyday about 1 week after

your I-129F has been approved at: 603-334-0700

press 1 then 2. You will need to reach

a live person to get information on your case since

the NVC’s automated system does not handle K1 visas.

Give this person your receipt #, they will let you know

the status of your case, whether it has not yet been

received, already received, or already sent out to

the embassy in Bogotá. Once NVC receives your case, they

will assign a new case # that will begin with BGTXXXXXXXXXX.

A. If it has not been received.

Keep calling until they receive it. Don’t pay attention

to their script. They will tell you it may take 4 weeks

for them to receive your case.

B. If your case has been received.

Ask them when it was received and if it has been forwarded

to the embassy. If your case has been received but not

forwarded, wait 2 to 3 days from the day NVC received it

to call back and ask again. If it has been forwarded, most

often than not cases will be sent out in 2 days after NVC

receives it.

C. Once you know when your case has left NVC to Bogotá. You

can now calculate when it should arrive via DHL at the

embassy. The norm is 3 business days. For example, if your case was

sent on Monday, it should arrive at Bogotá by Thursday, the latest.

(Your case will also arrive electronically from NVC to the embassy)

3. Now that your case is in Bogotá. Do NOT wait for the embassy

to send your fiancée the packet 3. Wait 2 business days to use

the following shortcut. Using the example days in section 2C:

If your case has arrived on Thursday it is best to use the

shortcut on Monday. The reason to wait 2 days is to give the

embassy time to input your information in their system. You can

also call U.S. State Dept. Visa office at: 202-663-1225 press 1 then 0

and they will let you know if the embassy has received your case.

Shortcut - Fax packet 3 to the embassy 011-57-1-(315-4155). This will save

you at least 2 weeks if not more by doing so. I would advise to send the

packet 3 via courier as well (i.e. Servientrega)

Packet 3 Contents:

1. Cover letter

2. Copy of fiancée's passport (biographical data page)

3. DS-230 Part 1 (pages 1 & 2)

4. OF-169 ( page 5 of packet 3 instructions)

The cover letter should be simple and brief. Include the BGT case #

on the cover letter.

4. Two or three days after the embassy has received packet 3, they would have

already scheduled you for the interview. You can wait until your fiancée

receives packet 4 to find out the date of the interview. OR you can

use another shortcut. The shortcut is to call U.S. State Dept. Visa office

and ask them the interview date. Once the embassy schedules your interview,

U.S. State Dept. Visa office is automatically notified of the date.

You may also call the embassy consular section for visas, only available on

Wednesdays between 2:00-4:00pm at: 011-57-1-(315-1566) for the interview date.

Packet 4 Contents:

1. Passport

2. Baptism Certificate (Fe de bautismo con notas marginales. Fotocopia autenticada)

3. Birth Certificate (Registro Civil)

4. Police Certificate (Certificado Judicial del DAS)

5. Migratory Certificate (Carta del DAS, entradas/salidas)

6. I-134 Affidavit of Support and evidence.

7. DS-156 (2 copies)

8. DS-156K (1 copy)

9. Laboratory/Medical exams/Vaccinations

10. Evidence of your relationship (photos, e-mails, boarding passes, etc.)

11. Six passport style photos, 5cm x 5cm.

Embassy:

Finally the big day is here. You will want to be at the embassy no later than 6 a.m.

I suggest 5:45 a.m. At 6 a.m. there will already be a small line. At 6:30 a.m. you will

not be able to see the front of the line. There will be 3 lines at the front gate of the embassy.

You will want to get into line 3. Do not follow everyone that gets into line 1.

K1, K3, CR1/IR1 visa petitioners need to get into line 3. This may get you in and out of

the embassy quicker.

Tips:

If your fiancée lives outside of Bogotá, have her start getting the Police

and Migratory certificates ASAP. As it may take several weeks to receive

the certificates for people living outside of the capital. If your fiancée

lives in Bogotá, she can get the certificates in a few days.

Try to schedule the laboratory and medical exam 2 days before the interview.

This will allow an extra day just in case any mishaps should occur.

You will need an English translation of the birth certificate, get it done in

Colombia. It will be a lot cheaper and faster.

LINKS:

Packet 3 and Forms

http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsck1instructions.shtml

Packet 4

http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/co1/wwwfck1cita_temp.pdf

DAS

http://www.das.gov.co

You will need to go to SERVICIOS and then click on CERTIFICADO JUDICIAL and EXTRANJERIA (migratory)

Sorry for the huge post again but I found a couple more important things to add/correct.

[SteveSandyHill 0]

Guys, thanks for all your support and shortcuts! Yes this timeframe is killing me (and all who have gone thru this process) But ultimately it is well worth it! Just have to remain strong and play every angle we know. Thank you again !

[Jeff y mabel 0]

Hi VJ's we received our case aprobation NOA2 by email the last october 8th, but we haven't received the letter yet , my boyfriend has been tried to call to the NVC and nothing, is bad if we don't have the NOA2 letter?? my boyfriend will trying continue to call.

Thanks for your help

[SteveSandyHill 0]

SCOTT HELP! Your info is great, however I was not reading your disclaimer!

This guide was written for K1 visa applicants, both beneficiary

and petitioner that have no kids, have never been arrested and have never been

married.

I have been married and have children, Sandy never married and has daughter. We have all the necessary documents to remove the child to USA ( Notorized letter from father-Permission, Sole custody). So am I understanding that these shortcuts may not be used, or just that more documents may be required? Thanks and if you aren't sure, not a problem!

[Scott n Yenifer 0]

Hi VJ's we received our case aprobation NOA2 by email the last october 8th, but we haven't received the letter yet , my boyfriend has been tried to call to the NVC and nothing, is bad if we don't have the NOA2 letter?? my boyfriend will trying continue to call.

Thanks for your help

Jeff y mabel,

Your NOA2 letter is a very beautiful document and it is good feeling seeing it come in the mail but NVC will receive your case wether you receive your NOA2 document or not.

Looking at your timeline NVC is very close to receiving your case...give it another week of so before being too concerned. (It's taking much longer than it use to for NVC to receive approvals...ours took about 5 1/2 weeks)