How much did it cost and how long did it take?

Robert Jorge says on Sep 12, 2007, 02:44:

8 or 9 months. Took longer than "normal". Cost, $400 fee approx. Of course way more than that considering travel and other incidentals. Expect 6 or 7 months normally. And now the price has gone up, plus the adjustment of status went from about $360 to $1010!

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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campbell says on Sep 12, 2007, 02:55:

damn

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Brians says on Sep 12, 2007, 06:21:

Price is up but if you follow directions and stay on top of it you can get it done quickly. Now granted I did this 2 1/2 years ago but I mailed in her application March 23 and she had her visa June 1. So 2-3 months for me and I did it sin abogato. Lawyers are a complete waste and slow the process believe me.

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campbell says on Sep 12, 2007, 06:29:

that is awsome

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ColombianoGringo says on Sep 12, 2007, 07:54:

RJ,

Did you already adjust status? Did you go with a fiancee visa? I recently started the K3 process we're hoping for a January or February interview.

CG

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ColombianoGringo says on Sep 12, 2007, 07:56:

campell,

Brian's timeline of 2-3 months is very unlikely at this point. You should ask Lucho, he just went through a K1. Also, make sure to check out the forums and visa guides on VisaJourney.com.

CG

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campbell says on Sep 12, 2007, 12:54:

Thanks

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Robert Jorge says on Sep 12, 2007, 13:54:

CG, I did file the AOS papers already. I sent them in last April! We are still waiting, and I just sent the last RFE in 2 days ago. I have made lots of mistakes, but most are just because the instructions are so vague.

Now, with the K3, I don't think you have to file for AOS? Isn't a spouse entering the US on a K3 considered a permanent resident automatically? I haven't paid as much attention to the K3 process - because it didn't apply to us, but I think I have read that.

Oh, and Campbell, I got your PM. I just figured out who you are here on PBH. If you need any info or tips, feel free to Email me.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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Brians says on Sep 12, 2007, 14:03:

RJ and Cambell I actually was looking at Visajourney and it seems the process has changed a bit. You used to have to get everything together like her Apostilled birth cert., Cedula, Police Report, letters and photos, and you stuff along with 129 and 325 and send to service center. Then the service center would forward info after approval to Colombia where they would send out package. Now it appears that you just send in 129 and proof along with letter of intent and passport photos and forms but send the Apostilled stuff later. Am I wrong or do they now request information in phasess? Just curious as that would then seem to add time to the process.

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Robert Jorge says on Sep 12, 2007, 14:08:

What you just said Brians is basically 100% accurate.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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Robert Jorge says on Sep 12, 2007, 14:11:

The police report, the migration report, the medical exam papers, the sponser's tax returns, etc. are not even submitted until the actual interview!

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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ColombianoGringo says on Sep 12, 2007, 14:31:

RJ,

She will have to do AOS. The K-3 is a two year non-immigrant visa. It used to be a lot faster than the CR-1, but these days I wouldn't bet on it.

CG

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campbell says on Sep 12, 2007, 16:16:

So basicly it will probably cost me about 1000 for the adjustment status, 550 for the ticket and take about 6 months?

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campbell says on Sep 12, 2007, 16:17:

plus another 400 fee on top of that?

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campbell says on Sep 12, 2007, 19:02:

thanks for the info

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orestesdd says on Sep 13, 2007, 08:04:

Campbell I am in the same boat now. I am gathering all the info to send the documents (I-129F and fee) to USCIS. I hope I can do this by some time in October if I am lucky. I was in Bogota recently and had a great time.

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Crazy4Cali says on Sep 13, 2007, 14:40:

too much and too long.

waiting sucks.

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la campiña says on Sep 13, 2007, 15:40:

come to colombia on a tourist visa and marry her, then stay here.

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john_stark says on Sep 13, 2007, 19:27:

Good advice. Don't bring her to the US. Stay in Colombia and you can bang all the chicks you want. It's a male paradise.

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RussianFred says on Sep 13, 2007, 20:24:

In most cases I think it takes about six months for the Colombian Chicas to leave you once she enter the USA!

Annual Drug Deaths: Tobacco: 395,000, Alcohol: 125,000, 'Legal' Drugs: 38,000, Illegal Drug Overdoses: 5,200, Marijuana: 0. Considering government subsidies of tobacco, just what is our government protecting us from in the drug war?--Ralph Nader

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RussianFred says on Sep 13, 2007, 20:26:

The divorce will cost you thousands. It's cheaper to keep in Colombia.

Annual Drug Deaths: Tobacco: 395,000, Alcohol: 125,000, 'Legal' Drugs: 38,000, Illegal Drug Overdoses: 5,200, Marijuana: 0. Considering government subsidies of tobacco, just what is our government protecting us from in the drug war?--Ralph Nader

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la campiña says on Sep 13, 2007, 21:41:

John you are evil ha ha but I've been where your coming from, if you get my drift ha ha

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campbell says on Sep 14, 2007, 02:59:

haha thanks for the advise John

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Robert Jorge says on Sep 14, 2007, 20:48:

Well RussianFred, "In most cases I think it takes about six months for the Colombian Chicas to leave you once she enter the USA!" is the official statistic huh? I guess I have already beat the odds then. I better go buy a lottery ticket I am so lucky. If you actually thought about your point long enough, you may have realized very few fiances entering the US on a K1 visa even get their permanent residency within 6 months. If they left their husbands before their AOS was completed, they are deportable. Anyway, I think your statistic is silly and innaccurate. I would call it (the statistic) "stupid", but I don't want that to be misinterpreted as an attack. Ehhh hemmm.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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goin_south says on Sep 14, 2007, 21:21:

yeah, that's right campbell soup; take it from someone who hase waited 2 long.
go have alot of fun, with alot of ladies.
There'll be another one, jus the same, who come later, down the road of time.

Colombia es

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RussianFred says on Sep 15, 2007, 05:29:

RJ, it was a joke.

Annual Drug Deaths: Tobacco: 395,000, Alcohol: 125,000, 'Legal' Drugs: 38,000, Illegal Drug Overdoses: 5,200, Marijuana: 0. Considering government subsidies of tobacco, just what is our government protecting us from in the drug war?--Ralph Nader

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Chelesupercono says on Sep 15, 2007, 07:05:

Once you take her to GRINGOLANDIA it is all over!!!!! She will become a worthless Gringa and your life will be hell....do not do it...you will regret it!!!

never go to bed with someone crazier then you are, you will do it and you will regret it.......

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campbell says on Sep 19, 2007, 07:49:

you are right. im still young. i don't need all that drama just yet.

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chewy says on Sep 20, 2007, 06:03:

I just went to the immigration department here in Puerto Rico to ask questions about bringing my Colombian wife in US territory and all I was told I need is as follows:

TRANSLATION: ( translated in English by anyone who knows English, even me. Signed by the person who does the translation)

1. Marriage certification (with TRANSLATION)

2. Mine and her birth certificates ( with TRANSLATION)

3. My divorce or widow certification(with TRANSLATION)

4. Her divorce or widow certification (with TRANSLATION)

5. Our marriage certification (with TRANSLATION)

6. Form I-130 completely filled out

Money order to DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY for $355.00

Time waiting?? almost a year. Yes, that is what I was told but I hope it will be sooner
so I figure it would be much longer for a fiance. Also heard that Fiance Visas have a 97% chance of rejection so you must have lots of evidence.

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ColombianoGringo says on Sep 20, 2007, 10:15:

It doesn't really take a year. A CR-1(I-130) should take about 8 months according to current timelines. If you file an I-130 for a CR-1 visa, you can also file an I-129F for a K-3 visa. This would save you at least a few months of waiting, but she will have to go through Adjustment of Status once in the US. This is about an additional $1,000. Also, with a K-3, your wife won't be able to work for a while until she begins her AOS process.

So it is a trade off. If you want her here faster and don't mind the additional cost and the wait for her to be able to work, then go for a K-3. If you don't mind waiting a couple of extra months, then the CR-1(I-130) is your best bet. If you decide to go with the K-3, PM me and I will explain how to file them simultaneously. This will save you at least a month.

You really should check out VisaJourney.com. You will find all your answers in the visa guides and the forums.

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Robert Jorge says on Sep 20, 2007, 18:23:

Chewy, "97% chance of rejection?" That is simply not true. If a couple are legit, and have an uncomplicated case, a K1 petition is as close to 100% as you can get. Probably a 97% success rate, definitely not a 97% rejection rate. Maybe you are thinking of tourist visas? If so, you are on target. But that is TOTALLY different than a K1, K3, etc.

And Colombianogringo was very accurate as to the advantages of each visa.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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famsearch says on Sep 24, 2007, 20:46:

it cost a lot, and it took a while... =)

dan

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goin_south says on Sep 25, 2007, 23:43:

a lot,... and awhile....
dan, dan... I know you are not from the south?
Or, has this method of communication spread throughout the USA??

Colombia es

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famsearch says on Sep 26, 2007, 18:00:

nope, not from the south, unless you count minnesota being part of southern canada. always remember the plural of y'all is all y'all.

dan

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christobeldawg says on Sep 26, 2007, 19:07:

6-12 months for a spousasl visa, and then about 6 months before she leaves once in Gringoland? hmmm.

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

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campbell says on Sep 30, 2007, 23:49:

y'all is a plural word jackass

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famsearch says on Oct 1, 2007, 16:14:

someone fails to see the humo(u)r by being too literal...

dan

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goin_south says on Oct 1, 2007, 22:03:

the plural of y'all is all y'all.

what I think you meant was this: ALL YA'LL TIGERS ARE NUMBER ONE, NOW!!!!

Colombia es

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christobeldawg says on Oct 1, 2007, 22:13:

yo comprendo. buenas suerta LSU

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

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goin_south says on Oct 1, 2007, 22:23:

no suerta, por las pumas..
como lsu!

Colombia es

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