how long will packet 4 take on arriving after I fax the OF-169 and DS-230 (K-1visa)

rjstuff says on May 31, 2005, 09:18:

I have seen different time frames Hola Silvia:
I check the forum on Visa Journey and I have seen time between sending packet 3(or the DS230 and OS169) and receiving packet 4 as all over - one person in 8 days, one in 3 weeks and one in 5 weeks. So, I would assume it would be somewhere between a week to 5! (I am only talking of Bogota.) Most people can find out their interview date on the website and receive the packet 4 a few weeks before the interview it seems.
My fiance is also faxing her DS230 etc. today (or tomorrow) from Barranquilla. Is it a good idea to mail it also like you are doing? What would you say in the cover letter? Will you mention that you faxed it also on such and such date? Good luck
Its possible you two may end up having the interview on the same date in July! Good luck

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silviat says on May 31, 2005, 10:17:

rjstuff Well lets hope your fiance and I are as lucky as that person who got the packet 4 in 8 days... nothing worse than uncertainty for me!

I already faxed it and mail it. I faxed a white sheet with my case number and name (as it appears in the cover sheet of packet 3), plus DS-230 and OF-169.

Then I went straight to the closet Servientrega and in an envelope put again a white sheet with my name and case number, the original OF-169 and the original DS-230 (after I made copies of them of course).

Then in the envelope I wrote

EMBAJADA AMERICANA
SECCION DE VISA DE INMIGRANTE
CASO NO. BGT2005...
and the address.

So basically my case number and name were written everywhere.

I didnt mention I already faxed it. I didnt think on that, but it could have been a good idea... I dont think it matters.

So let me know when your fiance receives packet 4 (I will let you know if I receive it first)

And good luck! :) :)

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Brians says on May 31, 2005, 10:42:

You will have an early July interview. They will post the interview list for July on the embassy website the last week on June. However I am sure you will get Packet 4 in two weeks. If you do not get Packet 4 in three weeks I would go to embassy and pick it up or have someone else pick it up for you with a notorized letter. I know someone who is down there now and never got Packet 4. He found out they had an interview tomorrow when the web site posted. My fiancee also has her interview tomorrow but we got Packet 4 a few weeks ago and scheduled the medicals etc.. They won't be able to get the medicals done before the interview so I don't know what they will do.

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silviat says on May 31, 2005, 11:03:

Brians Thanks a lot for the information!

I hope everything goes great with your interview tomorrow!

Let us know if you have a chance!

Silvia :)

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Jlove says on Jun 1, 2005, 03:42:

I am playing catch up on you guys. The are sending packet 2 to me and I suppose paccket three is going to my girlfriend. I am going to cali on the 15th so therefore I am hoping packet two arrives here before I leave. Is there anything that I must file with packet two or is it just a reciept?

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Brians says on Jun 1, 2005, 06:01:

Packet 2 There is no Packet 2 just a reciept that your case was approved. If you are going to Cali I would get the information together for the Affidavit of Support. Go to Visajourney.com and they will have the Form and a link to show you what you need to get together. Then I would bring it with me to Cali and give to your finacee as she will need at interview.

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silviat says on Jun 1, 2005, 13:00:

JLove You wont receive a packet2, you will receive a NOA2 (I guess thats what you mean) which means the USCIS center finished reviewing your case and they will be forwarding it to the NVC, then it will take around 2 weeks there, you will receive another notification (by mail) saying the NVC assigned you a case number, and forward your case to bogota, that letter will also say that Bogota embassy will be mailing your girlfriend packet 3.

Your girlfriend should be receiving packet 3 whithin a week after your receive that NVC letter.

In case it doesnt arrive in that time she should go (or have someone going with a notarized letter that includes your case number and her complete name) pick it up herself cause they usually get lost (I've read a lot of people on this forum saying their packets 3 have get lost).

Thats the part of the process where we are now, after that she just have to fax or mail (or fax and mail) a couple forms and wait for the interview.

About the affidavit of support in the embassy documetns says what is needed is:

-Copy of the last 3 years of Form 1040 (something of taxes, is written in spanish and I dont know the translation) and Form W-2 (wage and tax statement)
-Earning statement, pay slips (showing how much money you have made on your job during the last year).
-Work letter (saying where do you work and which is your exact position in the company, how much money do you make and how long have you been working with that company).

Ok I hope the info is useful for you and good luck with your process :)

Silvia

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Brians says on Jun 1, 2005, 16:17:

Also... You need your form notorized and you need a bank statements. This is written by the bank telling how much in deposits and balances. I als added my bank and stock statements along with my 401k etc. Funny thing is she had her interview today. She only gave them my information. We had tons of other things like picturs phone records etc.. I mean a pile of stuff I spent hours putting together. Since I wasn't going to be able to be there I made sure she had every piece of evidence of our relationship. Anyway they didn't ask to see one thing. Nothing. Just asked her three questions and basically that was it. Anyway I am just happy we have it now. It has been a second job for me but at least the reward is here in two weeks!

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silviat says on Jun 1, 2005, 19:51:

Congratulations!! Hey Brian... Congratulations for the 2 of you... I am very very happy for you (and hoping things are going to go the same for us :)).

Have a very happy wedding and a very successful time together :)

By the way (if it isnt too much asking)

What did they ask her? (I am dying to have an idea about what to expect!)

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Brians says on Jun 2, 2005, 04:17:

Interview Silviat you should go to the Visajourney.com site. There have been about 3 or 4 embassy interview experiences posted in the last month. However ours was so easy. She had so much info and they asked her only about my family (she just gave them the names of my brother, sister and mother). Then they asked her what my job was and what I do. She said that they asked when we are planning to marry. Then asked if we had talked about having kids. Then that was it. Gave her back all the stuff I sent in the original packet to the service center and never asked to see any photos or evidence. I have read so much about embassies asking for a lot of information so we brought the whole book. She said all the K1s were getting approved with no problems. Just make sure you know everything about each other like family members names etc.. I mean the rest of the questions she could have said anything and they would not have even known if she answered correctly. How would they know if we talked about kids or when we are planning to marry. She answered honestly but as I was not there how would they even know if it is correct. Don't worry you will have no problem.

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silviat says on Jun 2, 2005, 11:00:

Brians Hey congratulations again and thanks for the questions you wrote. I will go to visajourney right now and check about those interviews.

God I am so excited! I hope ours comes soon!

:)

Silvia

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Jlove says on Jun 10, 2005, 03:08:

Thanks for the comments and congradulations. Hopefully I will be as lucky. I will be in cali in 4 days. therefore I am attempting to get the information I need before I go. I dought I will receive the letter for NOV in time. Therefore I am attempting to take whatever I ened with me.

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cobra says on Jun 10, 2005, 10:33:

question has anyone ever had package four not arrive but their interview date post and if so what happened? I was told package four would be sent again and our interview date would be in july. should i believe that.

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lpdiver says on Jun 10, 2005, 10:42:

My wife never Received the packet 4 in Aruba where she was residing at the time. I phoned the embassy and they faxed me a copy of the packet and resent a copy to her sisters in Medellin.

The packet to Aruba never arrived.

T

"cook some rice!"

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utopiacowboy says on Jun 10, 2005, 10:58:

Faxing works if you can get hold of them. If you can't, just send someone to the embassy to pick it up with a notarized letter authorizing them to do so.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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lpdiver says on Jun 10, 2005, 11:09:

You are right about that cowboy It used to be only on Tuesday between 1 and three. The first time I called I made the mistake of asking who was helping me and got a dial tone. Next week I was not so foolish.

T

"cook some rice!"

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cobra says on Jun 10, 2005, 11:13:

T hey T, who or where did you call to get the package faxed to you?

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lpdiver says on Jun 10, 2005, 11:17:

It was a line at the Embassy in Bogota. That was in 2003. I don't remember exactly but it was one of those enless, press 1 if your an idiot, press 2 if iam an idiot lines.

They typically answered e-mails in six weeks if at all.

Hope its better now.

Tony

"cook some rice!"

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silviat says on Jun 10, 2005, 17:36:

packet 4 hasnt arrived and I am simply going crazy... I know its really stupid to be going crazy... Its so soon since I faxed it and mailed ds-230 and of-169 on the 31st of may.

But I am just so anxious... depending on my interview date I will be able to know when my fiance is arriving, and I will be able to plan on my trip...

And this really pesimistic ideas keep coming to my mind, like that packet 4 wont come, or it will come the last day of june and we will have the interview the first day of july and it just wont work (like happened to someone brians knows), or that it will happen to me like to this guy bob (who writes in visa journey and probably in poor but happy as well) who sent packet 3 on may 3rd and didnt receive a visa interview until july.

I know I am making it harder and I am stressing out with no reason... And I know I gotta sound dumb and loca and I guess you probably cant understand it

Anyway I mailed a notarized letter to my best friend in Bogota today so if it hasnt come on tuesday she will go and try to pick it up...

Guys I know I am stressing out a lot (sorry I cant help it, I just want to be with my love organizing my happy wedding and without so much land between the 2 of us :(, and I've been feelign emotional lately) and I am sorry for writting this (I should probably post it in women forum of craigs list) but I just needed to put it out.

I want my packet 4!

Silvia

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cobra says on Jun 10, 2005, 17:46:

hey silva i'm the guy that my fiance and didn't get packet 4, and all i did was go the the embassy and told them what had happen and they didn't do what i would have liked which was give me copies of the packet but sent it though mail again and so now will we have a july interview. write to me if you have any questions, but i'm sure you will get your packet, we just had a little bad luck.

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Crazy4Cali says on Jun 10, 2005, 19:35:

mi novia faxed her forms in about May 26 (She never got her Packet 3 in the mail so she used the forms downloaded from the department of state web-site.) Yesterday she got a call from the Embassy saying the date in the packet 4 they sent out was incorrect, however she hasn't got the packet so far as I know, but we are expecting it to arrive next week.

I know what you mean about the waiting and the anxiety! We've both been going crazy for the past two weeks. Hang in there, you shoud get your's in a couple of weeks. Her appointment is the 3rd week of July so I think it's safe to assume your's won't be in the 1st week. I don't know if that's good or bad news for you. Either way... keep the faith!

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utopiacowboy says on Jun 10, 2005, 23:23:

Silviat, they will post the July appointments on their web site sometime after June 20th. Keep an eye on it.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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silviat says on Jun 11, 2005, 00:29:

thanks guys cobra, I hope your july interview goes all right and fine (and hopefully I will be celebrating by then as well!

Crazy4cali, Its good to know I am not the only anxious one... This waitting just sucksss so bad :-S anyway at least your novia already knows her interview which I guess makes it better... Lets cross fingers so my packet gets here next week and I am posting happier messages ;) and feeling less crazy :P

utopiacowboy, thanks for telling me about when they post the appointments for july, I heard it was around the end of june but I wasnt sure about the dates. Anyway I hope to know when my appointment is before those days so my fiance can schedule his trip to colombia and be here very very soon!

Thanks guys... seriously this proceses are easier thanks to the support of others going through the same situation

hugs

Silvia

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lpdiver says on Jun 11, 2005, 03:07:

I do remember The waiting. In my case I was separated from my love for five months the first time. Then fourteen months at which point we got married. Then seven months for the K-3 visa.

On top of the stress of waiting we fully expected a denial and to have to file a waiver of excludability.

Try to fill your time with useful things like learning language. Or maybe you can start to investigate the requirements for abtaining a drivers license. In SOME state this is darn near as stressful as the immigrations process.

Good Luck,

Tony

"cook some rice!"

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cobra says on Jun 11, 2005, 13:50:

Very Happy I'm very happy to say that my fiance just recieved package #4 with the interview date for july 8.

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silviat says on Jun 11, 2005, 16:35:

cobra and tony Hey cobra congratulations! 8th of july its so soon! I hope the interview goes allright... For me theres no packet 4 yet :(... and I am trying to manage my anxiety by doing as much things as I cand uring the day... HOpefully monday will be the day! ;)

Tony I am glad after so much waitting you are already with your love.

And also thanks a lot for the advicing, yes I've been trying to do things to keep myself busy... and do a lot of the wedding stuff that I can do from here. I will be looking into the drivers license stuff this weekend... I hope it isnt that painful in oregon.

Have a happy weekend!

Silvia

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lpdiver says on Jun 12, 2005, 03:05:

Silvia Go to DMV.ORG they have the general requirements. I would also make a trip to the office in person as interpretation of the rules varies. On my fifth trip to dmv I slammed a printout of the law on the counter and told them they were full of shit and that I wasn't leaving until I had it explained to me why my wife would not be allowed to test.

five hours later and seven level up the chain of command they now understood the Louisiana statutes in place. then poor Angela took four more tri[ps to pass the written test. Then two to pass the driving portion. Very frustrating to say the least.

Also banks and credit unions will try to tell you your spouse needs a social security number to be added to your account due to the homeland security act. this too is total bull. A valid passport is fine.

Tony

"cook some rice!"

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silviat says on Jun 15, 2005, 12:45:

I have an interview date :) Well since you helped me a lot in my anxiety days I want to tell you that today my friend picked up the packet 4 at the embassy and I have an interview on july 18 :) :) :) :)

Huuugs

Silvia

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lpdiver says on Jun 15, 2005, 15:12:

Great One more domino toppled!!!

T

"cook some rice!"

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Crazy4Cali says on Jun 15, 2005, 21:20:

OK... We're still waiting for for packet 4.

Can someone who has received it, recently, tell me what is in it?

We already know the interview date (they called), but is there anything else "personal" or is it just more forms that are the same for everyone?

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silviat says on Jun 16, 2005, 07:44:

I havent receive it from my friend yet but She told me it has one letter saying the date and the medical exams forms.

I will probably be receiving it tomorrow so I can tell you with more certainty

I think yours is on the way!:)

Silvia

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norman says on Jun 17, 2005, 03:18:

QUESTION? Norman A Verbel
Technical Support Representative
4000 Metropolitan Dr.
Orange, CA 92868

Norman A Verbel Technical Support Representative 4000 Metropolitan Dr. Orange, CA 92868

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norman says on Jun 17, 2005, 03:26:

QUESTION? Norman A Verbel
Technical Support Representative
4000 Metropolitan Dr.
Orange, CA 92868
norman.verbel at att.net

Has any one or does anybody know?. About waivers for people that have been ilegal in the US for several years. Are the usually denied or approved? I'm a US citizen married to a Colombian wife, who was in the US ilegally, but was never deported and left the U.S. voluntarely, and never had a criminal record of any kind. Plus we are expecting a baby in September. I just hope it gives us time to have our baby in the United States.
Thanks to all.

Norman A Verbel Technical Support Representative 4000 Metropolitan Dr. Orange, CA 92868

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lpdiver says on Jun 21, 2005, 06:14:

Norman It depends on many factors. Did she she enter without inspection etcetera, how long was she here ilegally, etc. Yours is a case for an attorney to review and advise you. An attorney EXPERIENCED in your type of problem.

I don't want to rain on your parade; but, you should plan on her not being here for the birth of a baby in September. I hope I am wrong.

Tony

"cook some rice!"

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silviat says on Jun 21, 2005, 09:54:

norman Yes I am sorry to sound not very optimistic but I also doubt you can plan on having her by the babys birth.

Our process was a k-1 fiance visa (which if i am wrong suposes to be a little faster) and its going to end taking us about 4 months.

I agree with lpdiver when he says you should definately work this out with a lawyer. I wish you the best luck in this and congratulations on your soon to come baby

Silvia

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rona says on Jun 22, 2005, 08:21:

packet 4 FINALLY ARRIVED - time between packet 3 & 4 took about 15 days for us . . . her interview is for July 26 . . . i guess it could have been expedited faster if it did not have to be sent to Cartagena

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silviat says on Jun 22, 2005, 21:07:

yes ours took around 16 days as well and we have ours on the 18th.


During hte last 4 or 5 days before receiving that packet 4 I was going a little crazy of anxiety so thanks god it finally arrived and now I can just focus on prepairing everything for our interview!

Good look on yours rona.

Silvia

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Crazy4Cali says on Jun 24, 2005, 10:37:

Me too Por fin!

Mi novia just received her packet 4 today!!!

Interestingly enough, I received a copy of the appointment letter from the embassy, just yesterday. Actually, I received two letters, one dated June 3 and the other dated June 9. They changed the appointment date on the 9th and sent another letter. So if they sent the packet with the first letter, that would mean it took 3 weeks to arrive.

Thanks to everyone for the moral support. Now it's just four more weeks 'til the interview!

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rona says on Jun 24, 2005, 20:31:

Good Luck . . . Good Luck to everybody on their interviews -
thanks to everybody on this thread for your input and support

it would be nice to meet you all after this is over

. . . I'm planning to fly down for her interview - que tal Doña Flor's and can anybody recommend other alternatives close to the embassy?

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silviat says on Jun 25, 2005, 11:41:

Congratulations crazy4cali I am gl

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silviat says on Jun 25, 2005, 11:44:

Congratulations!!! I am so glad you finally received your packet 4.

& I am also glad your novias fears about the packet werent true.

I will have my interview before her (18th)so I will post my experience as soon as I get out of it.

Rona when is your gfs interview?

And about acommodation, I heard good things about Dona Flor, we were going to stay there but a friend agree on renting us his place and its cheaper.

Call her and negociate with her... she told us 50 but I know other people has get it for lower, so you can negociate if you want.

Ok so good luck for all of us, june is about to end and the interviews are getting closer

hugs!

Silvia

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Jeffrey says on Jun 25, 2005, 16:40:

comments Well, I must say I enjoyed reading all your comments. I have been in the same situation - anxious is not a strong enough word to describe it...

One thing,
My fiancée had her final interview May 17th, after packet 4. We thought that was the last step.
Everything went well as far as all the papers and the interview. They did however, have to do a background check because her name matched someone else's in the USA. I am not worried, and know that she will clear the background check, but we are still waiting for the check, It has been almost a month and a half.
I talked to the US Consular and the FBI and they say to have patience but not to worry.

Anxious again...

The hardest part of this whole entire process is not the paperwork requirements, but rather the waiting and uncertainty of not knowing where your stuff is after sending it.

At least I know that our stuff made it back to D.C. and we are just waiting for the State Department to check out this other person.
-patience is virtue

Best of luck to all of you!

Jeff

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Crazy4Cali says on Jun 25, 2005, 20:03:

Thanks Silviat We are both breathing easier now, and it looks like I'll be able to go down there for her interview! I know we'll both feel better about that. I'm sure I would pace a hole in the carpet waiting to find out how it went!

Good luck again to everyone going to la embajada este julio!

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silviat says on Jun 26, 2005, 13:56:

jeffrey That really sucks...

I hope nothing like that happens to us... we got tickets for the 29th :-s

I am sure your fiances papers will be down soon and you will be able to travel and be together soon.

Gosh this inmigration process its so careless and heartless.

hugs for eveyrone and good luck in julio

Silvia

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vladimiro says on Sep 27, 2006, 15:16:

Packet 4/Appt Its been over two weeks since I faxed DS-230 and OF-169 and am waiting for packet 4. The website still does not show the schedule for October. Also, I just noticed I was supposed to send two DS-230 forms, one for my wife and another for my step-daugher. I only faxed one for my wife. I wonder if that caused a problem. Thanks.

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

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Jpine says on Sep 27, 2006, 18:47:

vladimiro Im also at 2 weeks but stilll have not received pkt3, but we did fax everything in. just checking the list but no updates maybe tommorow.

good luck

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