Which visa?

I live in Medellin with my wife and we both want to go to the U.S. for christmas and for her to meet my family. So I bought a pin and called the embassy in bogota. They couldn't tell me what visa I'm applying for but told me that I need forms DS 156 and 157. They gave my wife an appointement right over the phone for November 2. They told me what photos I need and about the copies for the passport and cedula. I need to pay for the forms at bancolombia and bring proof of payment. Also I need a letter stating why I want her to go to the U.S.

Anybody else have experience with this? Can someone offer me advice? The appointment is coming up in just 3 weeks. They told me if the visa is approved then it would take 7 days to recieve it. My wife is a colombian national with a brand new passport. She has never traveled outside of medellin before. If anyone can offer advice about the letters, the forms, or the interview in bogota that would be great. They told me that I'm not allowed to go with her to the interview.

By mranderson on Oct 12, 2007, 16:20 in Visa & paperwork.

msaucey says on Oct 12, 2007, 16:55:

MrA.. Okay... Let me start of by saying good luck.... What the embassy wants to know is... If she is applying for a tourist visa (which she is) the 156 (I don't think you need 157, I think that's for men only)... But, anyway the 156 is for the B2 Visa - Visitor Visa.... She needs to emphasize that she is going to the U.S. to visit her inlaws for the first time, that you will be traveling with her to and from Colombia... she needs to prove that she will be returning to Colombia.... So, if she has a job, a letter from her employer that they have granted her the time off to go on vacation for a period of time once visa is approved.... If you have property bring those documents.... Bank account statements indicating you both have money for travel... I'd say you need to write a letter to the embassy (even though they ignore it) advising them that you live in Colombia and just want to go on vacation with your wife... You might want to fill out an Affidavit and have it notarized at the embassy...

I bid you good luck because it tends to be a hit and miss with this officials... If they're in a good mood they may issue it.... They might deny and say you need a different visa, spousal visa... nonetheless... good luck....

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

Gator says on Oct 12, 2007, 18:54:

The DS-156 is the application all foreign nationals who wish to visit the U.S. on a non immigrant visas must submit to the U.S. Consulate, American Embassy Bogotá. On the question "How Long Will You Be in the USA," do not pussy foot around or vague, be exact.

I believe this is an electronically submitted form but check with the consular section. The DS-157 is a supplemental form that goes with the DS-156 and is usually need ONLY by male applicants but if the embassy KNOWS it is your wife applying and still asked for the DS-157 I would go ahead and compete one.

You will probably need:

# Documents related to your wife"s employment, such as letter from employer stating job title,how long employed, salary, how many days of leave are granted for trip, pay stubs.

# Documents related to your financial situation, such as original bank statements for the last several months, deeds to any property she and you own, Colombian tax documentation,

# Documents related to ties, such as certified copies of birth and marriage certificates,
certified copies of baptism and religious marriage certificates and planned itinerary.

It will be problematic and will cost $100 USD to find out. Also Sr. Msaucey's advice is excellent.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

mranderson says on Oct 13, 2007, 18:34:

Ok thanks for the info both of you. I think it might be a long shot but we are still going to try. If anyone else has suggestions I would love to hear them. Thanks guys.

Gator says on Oct 13, 2007, 19:16:

A la orden. ¡Buena suerte!

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

RussianFred says on Oct 13, 2007, 20:12:

You have a better chance playing lotto!!

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