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| Bogota, Colombia |  Review on March 13, 2009: |
kellygon
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
My financee and I arrived at the embassy this morning at about 6:15. I can't believe how fast and easy everything went. We walked up to the main gate and got in a big, general line. Then a lady started explaining over the loud speaker what the different lines were for. We went to line 3 which is for k1 and k3 visa applicants. After a few minutes, about 7:00, embassy staff and domesa agents started moving down the line. The embassy staff asked to see the appointment letter and her ds156 with the picture on it, then gave us a green colored lapel sticker with the number 40 on it which corresponds to the number of the station we go to first and the color of the windows used for k1 and k3 interviews. The domesa agent gave us a form for arranging visa delivery. All of this happens outside the embassy on the sidewalk and grass, so wear comfortable shoes. Next we started moving through the main gate, about 7:15, and a security post where all of our things were xrayed and we passed through metal detectors. Then we walked across the front of the embassy to the main entrance and into an interior courtyard with the interview windows on 2 sides of the square shaped area. First stop is the stone bench at station 40. A very nice lady called for everyone having a second interview to come to her table first. She then explained to the rest of us first timers that she would give us each in turn a folder and how to arrange our documents in it, then the line moves down the bench toward her table. We got up, moved down, and sat back down three or four times before we got to the table. She explained the form order. A couple of things I noted were we did not need the vaccination or medical forms. Apparently the clinic forwards those directly. Also she gave us two small plastic bags, one for 2 passport photos and the other for relationship evidence. Then we went over to some metal chairs very nearby, arranged our documents, and put about fifty photos in the little bag. Next my girlfriend was called to the first window, at about 7:50. It was window number 31 and blue, where a lady consular officer asked her a few questions and checked all of the documents. She took our folder and combined it with all of the other documents she already had in our file, arranging them in order and taking pictures of a few for the computer file. She was extremely polite and asked who I was, but I did not talk to her directly. When we were finished she asked us to go over near green window 4 and wait for biometrics (fingerprints). We went over and sat down where instructed at about 8:00. We waited here until about 8:35 during which time I went for coffee and we talked to a lady who was waiting for a k3 interview. At about 8:35 my girl was called to green window 4 for fingerprints which takes about 2 minutes, if that. We returned to our seat and at about 8:40 they called her for her interview. I was shocked because we were not very close to the front of the line outside the embassy but she was the first person called when the consular agent opened her window. She was not sure it was her name at first so she went to the window (green number 5) to make sure. It was, and so my financee waived me over with the photos and relationship evidence, which we had a ton of. We took letters, cards, emails, about 100 pictures total (lots of us with other people or me with her family, her with my mom, etc...), MS messenger transcripts, phone records, boarding passes, copies of my frequent flyer account, and various other items. The consular agent told my fiancee that she did not need me and for me to have a seat, she would call me if she needed me. So I went over and sat back down. She asked my girlfriend how we met. What was the name of the website. She told her the name of the dating site. When did you meet? We met in March, 2007. When did you first ,meet in person? Our first visit together was in April, 2007. How many times has he visited you? My girl answered 13 times (actually it was 15 but I know she was a little nervous; I was, too at this point). The consular agent said wow 13 times is a lot, that really shows his intenet, your visa is approved. Please pay Domesa. Mi novia asked if she needed to see our proof, and the agent said that 13 visits was enough proof, your visa is approved. It was 8:45. The interview took about 2 minutes total. We were very surprised, excited, relieved, thankful, and I just had this overwhelming feeling of joy. Next we went over to the domesa area. First we talked with a domesa agent at a table and gave them instructions for delivery, we opted to wait in Bogota for the visa, then we went to the domesa window with the form from the agent at the table and paid for delivery. Finally we left the embassy at about 9:00. I know this review may be redundant for some but I remember how much it helped me to read about people getting their visas and knowing what to expect at the embassy. Thanks to all of the posters and people that have answered my questions. I hope you all have a happy ending!!!!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #4077