Letters

Robert Jorge says on Oct 16, 2007, 12:44:

I would seek information on www.visajourney.com You can do a topic search, just like a Google type search, and there should be information on what to include in such a letter. As a matter of fact, there is a good chance there are sample letters that are down-loadable and then you just fill in the blanks with the appropriate information. Good luck. Let us know if she gets a visa.

Grateful Dead says on Oct 16, 2007, 13:18:

Something like this would work:


Dear Immigration ,

I know you guys got a lot of Mexicans to deal with but my wife is not one of them.She looks Mexican but actaully she's from Colombia.My Mother and I are both American and we swear that we will use our credit cards to pay for whatever she uses. Because she is my wife it would be kind of nice to see her , we promise that if she tries to escape we will contact the Minutemen and have her tracked down so we can deport her ass.

Thank You in advance.


lol

peterNC says on Oct 16, 2007, 13:34:

lol!!!! that's funny as hell!

msaucey says on Oct 16, 2007, 14:26:

GD that was hysterical!... Maybe they'll actually read it!

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

msaucey says on Oct 16, 2007, 15:44:

I'll send you a pm with a sample of what mine looked like that I sent my grandmother...She did get her visa, but she said they didn't look at the letter... Similar letter was sent to my aunt, but her visa was denied... Like I've said before... It's a hit and miss with the embassy people, just depends if they're in a good mood...

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

mranderson says on Oct 16, 2007, 16:04:

Awsome, thanks. By the way, how do I check a pm? I went to my profile and I saw just 2 comments but no pm's.

msaucey says on Oct 16, 2007, 16:05:

I'll be sending you a private message... an e-mail directly.... I'm doing a search on my computer now to find out what clever name I gave the letter...

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

mranderson says on Oct 16, 2007, 16:32:

I got your message. Thanks so much, that helps a lot. One question, I thought the letter was supposed to be directed to the embassy? Should I address it Dear sir/madam or address it to my wife?

Portena says on Oct 16, 2007, 17:43:

Pretty funny, GD! Good luck mranderson.

I feel better! I can smile at it now, I feel better. Ohhhh, better! Gnarls Barkley

Tinto (Moderator) says on Oct 16, 2007, 17:48:

So your wife lives in Colombia and you're trying to get a tourist visa for her? You must have found a friendly embassy official because I **thought** getting a first-time tourist visa was about impossible for a spouse of a US citizen. I thought they'd tell you to get in line and get an immigrant visa.

MaSep says on Oct 16, 2007, 18:12:

no! is easy I got the turist visa and the consul didn´t ask me for any documents, and I was engaged at that time with my gringo fiance, he gave me a letter like the "above one" and that was it!

mranderson says on Oct 16, 2007, 18:28:

Apparently I can demand to be present at the interview for my wife at the embassy. My wife asked around today and she told me I can come and go throughout the embassy like it's my house. So hopefully it will go smoothly. Thanks for all the help. The interview is just a couple weeks away.

vicshere says on Oct 16, 2007, 18:32:

3 years ago I got a tourist visa for my wife to go to Canada for 4 weeks....we went to the embassy in Bogotá and showed not much in documents....considering she wasn't working...but did leave a 9 year daughter behind...we got the visa the same day

listo

Robert Jorge says on Oct 17, 2007, 02:13:

Mranderson, you don't have to "demand to be present" with your wife. There are many couples who go in together for the interview. Now, as far as being able to enter the embassy at will like it is your house??? .....jajajajajajajajajajajajajajaja

But anyway, good luck at the interview. I am sure the visa will get approved.

Gator says on Oct 17, 2007, 06:35:

"demand to be present"

Friendly advice. You don't "demand" a damn thing if you want to get any where.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

msaucey says on Oct 17, 2007, 08:39:

Mr. A, someone told you wrong... There are 2 entrances to the U.S. Embassy... One Entrance is for U.S. Citizens, yes you can enter through this side without an appointment as long as you're there to do some type of transaction like renewing your passport, getting docs notarized, things like that... The other entrance is for Colombian Citizens that have an appointment for a Visa Interview or any other type of appointment... These 2 entrances are literally on opposite sides... You do no comingle since there is a bar fence separating both areas.... The only time you'd be together going down this route is if you both hang out together at the same gate on opposite sides... I know, because I tried to go in with my aunt when she had her visa appointment and was told I couldn't enter with them..... The only way you can enter is if you make an appointment for the both of you to be present... Which probably means calling that wonderful 800 number, and paying the additional $100 at the bank...

As for the letter... I'm still trying to find the other letter I wrote to the Embassy, I must have named it something really creative.... Like dear a-hole... or something.... I'm going to search my other computers, I have like 2 more computers to search.... But, if they read the letter they pretty much want to know that she will not be a burden on the state and that you plan to spend plenty of gringo money to boost the economy.... and they want to ensure that she will be returning to colombia... My aunt has 3 kids in Colombia, and her house... and they told her she did not have enough "perfil", which means, nothing enough to hold her back... Crazy, but whatever....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

mranderson says on Oct 17, 2007, 13:31:

So I have to make the appointment for the both of us? My wife asked at a buisness that helps get visas and they told her that I can just go in with her.

Robert Jorge says on Oct 17, 2007, 15:49:

If Msaucey is correct, the visa interviews for K1s/K3s have different rules than the other visas. Because not only is it OK for a petitioner to be present with the applicant during the K1/K3 interview, it is normal - even expected. I am not saying msaucey is wrong, I am just surprised. I admit I know very little about US visas other than the K1.

msaucey says on Oct 17, 2007, 16:05:

You can try... I'd say contact someone at the embassy directly... I know I tried to enter with my aunt when she went for her Visitor Visa, and they denied my entrance and I could only be on the U.S. Citizen side, they told me that if I wanted to enter on the same side as she was entering I needed to have an appointment. I just tried on 9/17/07 and that's what I was told.

RJ, I think you are correct on the K1/K3 visa, but Mr. A is going for the Visitor Visa... I'm sure he needs to apply for the K1/K3 visa too... and yes, I would guess that both of you would be present for the K1/K3 interview.... Different ball game for Visitor...

So, I went to the U.S. side, convinced the guy at the U.S. gate to let me in, because originally he didn't want to let me in either when I told him I wanted to talk to someone about my aunts Visitor Visa... So, I told him I needed to get something notarized... Went inside, talk to the reps, they said the only thing I could do is write another letter, have the letter notarized at the Embassy and hand it to my aunt through the iron gate... Well, the notarization cost me $30, (they accept credit cards) and my aunt said they didn't even look at either the invitation letter or the notarized letter!...

Like I've said before... It's a hit and miss, or a hit and run with the Visitor Visa's.... I have one uncle that even said he had 4 fincas that he needed to return too, technically he had 2 stores but it worked for him, he got his visa!

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

mranderson says on Oct 17, 2007, 19:22:

ok thanks. So I guess I have to buy another pin to call them again just to ask if I can make the appointment for the 2 of us? I've already had to call them twice because they speak slow and I think they just read from a list. Either way I want to try to get in with her because if I'm actually sitting there I think or at least I hope there won't be any problems.

mranderson says on Oct 18, 2007, 12:06:

I just remembered. They told me that I have to give my passport to my wife, not a copy, the original. So I guess I won't be able to get through the door without a passport. I don't know what is better. Keep my passport and try to get in to the interview or just give her my passport and wait it out outside. I guess if they don't let me in the same door with her then I'll just give it to her.

msaucey says on Oct 18, 2007, 14:55:

Worst case scenarios if they don't let you in with her, you can enter the U.S. Embassy side and hand her your passport through the iron fence... That way you're still inside the embassy and you can sit in the chairs in the shade, instead of outside on the street in the grass.... They'll ask you for your passport and driver's license... make sure she doesn't take a camera cell phone, or anything like that... they wont allow it on her side of the embassy.... If I remember correctly, the lady that denied my entrace with my aunt said that she would have let me enter if my aunt was 'de la tercera edad' (a senior)....

And I totally understand the calling and asking questions... I had that issue in the past as well... They don't know how to answer if you ask them something not scripted....

I'd say call the Bogota Embassy Office first, but I hate their website, I can't ever get to the contact us window... http://bogota.usembassy.gov/ or just drive down there if you live in Bogota and ask this week before the appointment so that you know if advance...

BTW, I couldn't find the other letters, I have hard copies somewhere, but no where handy.... Good Luck.... Let us know how things turn out...

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

MaSep says on Oct 18, 2007, 15:02:

I think they will let them in, last time I was at the embassy picking up my packet #3 and I asked the lady id my fiance could come with me to the interview, she said yes but its not necessary,,

msaucey says on Oct 18, 2007, 15:23:

But, you were probably going for a K1 visa, right?

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

MaSep says on Oct 18, 2007, 16:17:

yes, but I think for a Turist visa they would allow him to go too, US citizens have the right to go

mranderson says on Oct 19, 2007, 07:10:

Unfortunately I don't live in bogota rather in medellin, but I am planning on going a day early since my appoinment is at 9am. I'm going to stop by the embassy the previous day to ask questions. Masep, They let your fiance enter on the colombian side?

msaucey says on Oct 19, 2007, 08:34:

MaSep... That's what I told them when I tried to enter... But, it did not work... I had to enter on the U.S. side and my aunt on the Colombian side....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

MaSep says on Oct 19, 2007, 14:28:

he entered on the US side, but next tuesday for my K1 interview he will probably will allowed to enter on the Colombian side.

msaucey says on Oct 19, 2007, 14:51:

Yup... that's true... I think they are expected to go for the K1, but the Visitor one is different... I don't think they're buying the here's a picture from my gringo fiance, no I haven't met him yet, type of scenario....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

Robert Jorge says on Oct 20, 2007, 00:11:

At the K1 interview, it is not required that the petitioner be with the beneficiary. It can't hurt, and it is very common for the petitioners to be present. But, one of the fundamental requirements of the K1 is that the petitioner has physically met the beneficiary at least once in the previous 2 years. You must provide photos to prove this (and more evidence), even when sending in the initial petition. At the interview, they expect more evidence also. Basically, it looks a lot better if the beneficiary is accompanied by her / his fiance at the interview. The interviewer most likely will not interact at all with the petitioner, but he or she isn't blind. The interviewer seeing you there with your fiance is pretty strong evidence of a relationship. When we went for our interview, there were only a few other K1s in line with us. Everybody was there as couples. I did not see one beneficiary without the fiance from the US present. But that was just my experience.

mranderson says on Oct 20, 2007, 21:05:

Thanks for the advice. I've been married for over 4 months and been living with her so would I still need to bring pictures to prove that I met her? How is the interview done? I was told that it was over the phone and not face to face. The picture I have in my mind is it's like a prison setting with the glass and the phones. That's the picture the agency painted for me. Anyway, It can't hurt to bring photos and anything else I can think of.

Gator says on Oct 21, 2007, 08:28:

Aren't you applying for a B1/2 visa for a visit and not a K-1, which you are not eligible to receive, for, or a K-3 spouse visa? Remember YOU are NOT applying for the visa SHE is. I seriously doubt you will be allowed to appear with her for the interview.

What you MUST concentrate on is providing sufficient proof to convince the individual conducting the interview she has sufficient ties to ensure her return to Colombia after the visit.
Any hint that this is an attempt to circumvent the normal process she/you must follow as a prospective immigrant will be the kiss of death.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

mranderson says on Oct 21, 2007, 09:42:

I think I am applying for the B visa for my wife. Over the phone when I made the appoinment they couldn't tell me what visa I was applying for. Anyway, I'm sure it's the B visa because niether of us are planning on moving to the states. I'm hoping with the marriage licsense, letters, bank statements, my passport, and hopefully me it shouldn't be a problem. Am I missing anything? I don't legally work or own property in Colombia so that may be a problem.

MaSep says on Oct 21, 2007, 11:39:

that´s cool you´ve got every thing you need to prove that your marriage is true, and that you wont move to US.

Gator says on Oct 21, 2007, 13:05:

not much more you can do at this point.

Good luck!

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

MaSep says on Oct 21, 2007, 14:28:

cheers! we know..

mranderson says on Nov 3, 2007, 05:01:

Well I just returned from Bogota. They denied my wife a visa and refused to tell me why. They also refused entry into the embassy for me on both sides. The farthest I could get was the telephone on the wall inside the gate. They refused to let me speak to an american consulate. Basically, I had absolutely no rights there. Am I a criminal or what?

john_stark says on Nov 3, 2007, 08:14:

Your tax dollars at work. NOT! Bend over and get it from Uncle Sam. No lube either.

MaSep says on Nov 3, 2007, 11:07:

Mranderson I cant belive it! they should allow you to come in, there is no sense why they would refuse your wife´s visa . I´m sorry for you.

I had too my interview for K1 USA visa was approved but they couldn´t issue until i bring a Police Certificate from UK (where I lived 1 year)... so I have to WAIT and WAIT about 40 days... Is so unfair they should have all of the police on a web base data.. I´m so freaking out about it

mranderson says on Nov 3, 2007, 11:12:

Just like john stark says...bend over.

I don't believe the embassy cares about it's citizens living in colombia. They only care about the money. pay pay pay..They didn't give us a reason for denial and according to the u.s. department of state they have to. But who's going to make them? I couldn't even get through the colombian security. Couldn't even speak to an american.

MaSep says on Nov 3, 2007, 11:18:

Oh! last time my fiance went to USA embassy they allow him to come in (miracle I guess) but I thought for turist visas they allowed USA citizens.

In the other hand few months ago when I went to get a turist visa I went alone, the consul asked me 2 questions and he approved, BUT I saw many people refused so I was thinking ... well if they refuse me i would apply again and again (maybe they just want the money)

MaSep says on Nov 3, 2007, 11:23:

check your messages I sent you their email adress

mranderson says on Nov 3, 2007, 11:56:

MaSep did you mean nivbogota? I already sent them an email. Thanks for the info. That's the only thing they told me at the embassy. If I was unhappy with the result the only thing I can do is email them. What a bunch of shit.