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Questions about DAS migratory certificate/carta migratoria/certificado migratorio (K-1 visa)

Alright experienced visa (to get to the US) people, I've also posted to visajourney.com, but I figured some folks here might also be in the know. So, a few questions regarding this DAS migratory certificate/carta migratoria/certificado migratorio as supposedly required for a K-1 visa, if you will:

First, is the document required if the beneficiary has never left Colombia?

Second, I've been informed that DAS wants 180k COP for said document. Is that about what you all paid, because that seems crazy to me?

Third, how recent does this document have to be when my fiancee goes to her interview?

That's it. Thanks for any tips!

By august on Apr 22, 2009, 14:39 in Visa & paperwork.

ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Apr 22, 2009, 14:41:

Yes. The document is still required. It will just show that the beneficiary has never left the country.

I forgot how much it is supposed to cost. We got it free thanks to DAS hookups. Are you doing it in Bogota? It may cost more when done from other cities.

I believe the document should be less than six months old. If you are already close to the interview, you should be fine getting it now.

You do realize that there is another document you must get from DAS that shows any criminal history?

I'm so hip, I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis.

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Apr 22, 2009, 14:49:

August, I asked a few people and that seems much too expensive. Where were you quoted that price?

I'm so hip, I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis.

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august says on Apr 22, 2009, 15:04:

Quick on the draw there CG, I like it.

My fiancee's in Medellin (of course). It was her stepfather that called DAS and relayed the price back to her. I have a feeling he either didn't get the right info or is angling for a sweet scam. Eitherway, we'll have to do some more research there it seems. Where does one come across a DAS hookup anyways? Good to know that place is as crooked as it feels.

And yes, we're on that certificado judicial also.

Thanks man.

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Apr 22, 2009, 15:14:

LoL.

It helps to be born into a big Colombian family. I have lots of relatives all over the government, military and law enforcement in Colombia. In this case, there was nothing crooked about it. We just had a relative expedite the carta migratoria. My wife ordered it from DAS in Neiva and they take forever to get anything done, if it ever gets done. We did not want to be at the mercy of their incompetence.

I'm so hip, I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis.

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Dillan says on Apr 22, 2009, 17:26:

August,

My wife paid about 41,000 COP about a month ago in Cali.

Unless it's a scam, it sounds like the price you quoted was for someone to do las tramites for you but that would only double the cost.

DAS has what appears to be a decent website where you can get more information. In Cali, DAS has gone to a pico y placa system where you only can go to DAS during specific days and hours depending on the last digit of the cedula.

Also, in Cali, you have to pay for the migratory certificate/carta migratoria at a specific bank before they will process the transaction. After you pay and DAS processes the transaction, the migratory certificate/carta migratoria arrives by mail from Bogota a week later.

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august says on Apr 22, 2009, 18:58:

Hmm, alright, this is good info.

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Robert Jorge says on Apr 22, 2009, 20:30:

I can't remember what was involved, but we got the document for the interview. Then, it wasn't even asked for at the embassy. Of course that could have been an anomoly? But it pissed me off that we went to the trouble of getting it and then it wasn't needed. (I am not suggesting not getting it)

"You can not take the barrio out of the girl you really can't." Oneforamillion

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august says on Apr 22, 2009, 21:24:

Yeah Rob, I was reading what I think was your review on visajourney. This was a while back though right? Just after they had begun asking for it? I wonder if now it's required for everyone. Boo to the uncertainty.

On another note, to anyone who might know, we've had an update. Apparently the 180,000 figure was arrived at by the bank where you pay for the certificate because they have record of some unpaid IVA loan interest (dating back to when my fiancee made a ridiculous decision to become a co-investor in a restaurant years ago that ultimately failed, even though the loans were paid off, just not all the interest apparently) and the guy at the bank says you have to clear these debts before they'll give you the document. Does this sound right?

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