dannyherm has left 56 comments

dannyherm comments on TARIFA AEROPORTUARIA

Gator esta corecto. Pero... Cuando yo iba saliendo con mi novia y sus hijos de Bogota el mes pasado, Continental Airlines no aceptaba tarjeta de credito. No mas pesos o dolares en efectivo. Tuve que encontrar un caja de dinero en el aeropuerto para sacar dinero. No se si todos las aerolineas hacen lo mismo.

Chao,

Danny H.

dannyherm comments on Procedure after arrival with K1 visa

Thanks again, Silvia By the way, as far as you advance parole, what did you list as how you qualify for an AP document? Also, did you specify a travel date, and if you plan to use it for more than one trip?

Gracias,

Danny

dannyherm comments on Procedure after arrival with K1 visa

SSN before AOS? Silvia,

How did you get your Social Security card before your adjustment of status? What do they ask for?

Luego,
Danny

dannyherm comments on Procedure after arrival with K1 visa

Hey UTC I sent an application to the Amigos but it got sent back as "no such address". I also sent an e-mail to the contact person, and never got a reply.

If you could send me that contact info and your wife's number, I would truly appreciate it. you can send it to: dannyherm at yahoo.com


Later,

Danny H.

dannyherm comments on Procedure after arrival with K1 visa

Thanks, Silvia Those are a lot of great ideas. I have looked into having her help with a local priest who children orphaned by violence in colombia. She'll probably start doing some work with them in the new year.

We live in San Antonio, TX. Fortunately, our children begin christmas break next week, so they will keep her busy for a couple of weeks.

Luego,
Danny

dannyherm comments on Procedure after arrival with K1 visa

What did you do to kill time? Silvia,

My wife is bored to death since she's used to the go-go-go life of Bogota. She's anxious to work and start helping out her family.

Any suggestions? I have her starting ESL classes tonight, and working on her Texas drivers license.

Luego,
Danny H.

dannyherm comments on AOS Question

Thanks UTC And RJ Should these be fully certified as well, or just original and translation?

DH

dannyherm comments on My I-129F Approved!

Mine also moved fast Your case should pick-up steam past this point. Here's the important thing: Have your novia ready as much as possible for Packet 3 so she can turn it soon after she gets it. You want to get it in by about second week in November to get a December embassy appointment. If you get it in past the 20th, you might not get interview until January.

Search this site for packet 3 info, and have your novia take care of everything she can ahead of time. My fiancee got her visa last week, and I'm flying to Bogota next week to bring her home.

Buena Suerte,
Danny H.

dannyherm comments on Notorized 134???

By the way... While YOU do have to fill out and sign I-134, it does not have to go in with packet 3. I got it to my novia in time for her embassy interview.

dannyherm comments on Notorized 134???

I don't think so From my recollection, my novia handled all the packet 4 requirements on that side. Nothing for me to sign. In fact, she was able to turn it into the embassy the next day. Of course, we had anticipated what was required and she had already done much of the necessary legwork already.

DH

dannyherm comments on Notorized 134???

I would say no I sent a copy of my divorce certified by the county clerk so my novia could have as support document. But there was no request that it bent sent as such, or translated. Also, my birth certificate never came into play since since I provided copy of my passport with I-129F documentation. My novia did not need it for the embassy interview.

PM me your e-mail address, and I will forward you the packet 3 docs which Silvia T. sent me. By the way Silvia, thanks for that. It truly helped.

dannyherm

dannyherm comments on Notorized 134???

I had mine notarized Took to a regular notary public, and had the original and copies notaried. However, no need for translation.

dannyherm comments on question concerning I-129F Fiance visa..Birth Certificate

You are correct, EE I meant to say the I-129F Cover letter.

And yes, it did work out for me. My novia picked-up her visa today, about 5 months to the day after we started out process. As for the Texas apps being sent to California, mine did go there, and I believe it definitely sped-up the process.

My suggestion on all documents is better safe than sorry. For instance, my novia was not baptized, and several folks on this forum said she would not be asked for her baptismal certificate at the interview. We followed other advice to have notarized statements from family members verifying her lack of baptism. Sure enough, she was asked about, and the documents helped.

Buena suerte, EE

Danny H.

dannyherm comments on question concerning I-129F Fiance visa..Birth Certificate

I did submit it I don't want to contradict Crazy4Cali, but I did submit my novia's original and translated birth certificate with the I-129F. Our immigration document preparer suggested we submit it that way. The only request for additional information I got was for dated proof that we had met in person within the past two years.

For the record, here's what the letter of intent shows is required for submission of the I-129F:

Contents include:
- Payment in the amount of $ [PUT IN CORRECT FEE].
- I-129F
- I-129F Supplement: Part B, Question 19, explanation of meeting in person [ONLY IF USED ADDITIONAL SHEET]
- G-325A and passport style photo (Petitioner)
- G-325A and passport style photo (Beneficiary)
- Birth certificate/US Passport (Petitioner)
- FC-029
- Letter certifying intent to marry (Petitioner and Beneficiary)
- Proof of having met in person in the past two years
- Proof of ongoing relationship

Hope that helps.

Dannyherm

dannyherm comments on thank God

My mistake! This is a person mentioned in the "Conexion" magazine who is a member of the local Colombian group you mentioned to me. That's why I thought it might be your wife.

dannyherm comments on thank God

Hey UTC I read this in a San Antonio publication, and wondered if it was talking about you and your wife. I'll leave out details to protect your privacy:

"She followed her american husband here two years ago and has since taken the Texas bar exam..."


Danny H.

dannyherm comments on change of address

I did the change Rather than put my novia in hot water, I sent in the change of address form. I recieved confirmation last week. So I sent it along with my other documents to my novia so she will have it in cased questioned about the change.

Danny H.

dannyherm comments on Prepping for interview

Ake kids or not I talked with my novia last night, and told her that a couple of folks in this forum said she should take the kids.

But she says the documentation she recieved in packet for says minors under 14 need not attend. I told her to take that form with her in case the issue is brought up. Either way, she is planning to take her 11-year-old daughter to the interview to keep her company.

Thanks to all,

Danny H.

dannyherm comments on Prepping for interview

Thanks, UTC! Those items of information will be a big help. I can definitely see us being involved with this organization.

Luego,
Danny H.

dannyherm comments on Prepping for interview

Thanks Cam & UTC Cam, I did give my fiancee a nice enagement ring when I proposed, so I'm good there. Thanks for reminding me.

Like others, I usually buy calling cards. Will sending copies of those suffice? I did send plenty of e-mails which are written in Spanish, so they can tell we are communicating. Good idea on briefing her on divorce details. I've told her about it, but focusing on the specifics is probably the way to go just in case.

BTW, do you agree that I should write a note explaining why I am not there at the interview?

UTC, I figured HEB was about all there is. It's funny, but I kind of feel sad taking my novia and kids out of an environment where they buy fresh goods and pastries daily, and bringing them to our pre-packaged world. We do have some decent mangos, plantanos and such, but I couldn't believe the wide variety of fresh fruits they have in Colombia, and how you can buy them on every street corner. I guess I'll take her to the Fiesta in Austin or Houston, or HEB Central Market for a fix of some of the rarer delicacies.

dannyherm comments on When will Bogota embassy post new interview dates?

Don't lose faith I was ready to check on the 20th, assuming that's when the new postings would be listed. But on the 19th (a day before), my novia called to tell me she had recieved her packet 4 with an embassy date of October 20. The website still doesn't reflect that.

Luego,
Danny H.

dannyherm comments on Visa costs

Direct costs I'm looking more at direct costs, like medical exam, any other fees for the paperwork processing, etc.

dannyherm comments on Embassy interview set

That's a good point If I can change the dates on their flights for a minimal cost, I can probably afford to take the risk.

I was planning to be there a few days early to help my novia with any last minute items. Then I wanted to give myself a pad of 2-4 days in case the visa is granted, but there is a hiccup in actually obtaining it.

The official visa appointments are for 7a. But I hear you need to be in line a lot sooner.

Danny H.

dannyherm comments on How long until interview?

Gracias a todos! This is great information and a big relief. Maybe you can give me advice on one more thing. Would it be wise to be in Bogota to attend the interview with my novia, pick up the visa, and fly home with her and the kids? Or should I wait until she has the visa in hand? We do not foresee any snags that would slow-up the visa being approved.

Thanks, and good luck, cam0940!

Danny H.

dannyherm comments on How long until interview?

Thanks, UTC I figured that was the case, but wanted to get some expert advice. Will definitely keep you posted.

Danny H.

dannyherm comments on Need Help Please

Totally agree I totally agree with everything said. Go to Colombia to meet her in person BEFORE you decide to get married. You have to meet her face to face anyway. PS, when you do, take plenty of pictures with date stamps to prove when you where there. Also keep you airline ticket receipt. You'll need that to prove you were in Colombia.

As for sending money, I use Dinero Seguro through the US post office. Only available at certain post offices (website can tell you which ones). What I like is the flat fee. For $10 you can send up to $700 I believe.

I do send my novia money each payday. But only after I was sure we had a legitimate relationship, and we were both committed to getting married. She never asked for the money, and even refused it at first. If your novia is too eager to accept your money, be careful.

PS, here's some comforting words if you're concerned about how long it takes. I went to Colombia to meet my novia in person in April. By late May we had submitted her K-1. Just last week she recieved her first packet, which she is turning into the embassy today. If all goes well, she'll have her embassy interview next month, and be here in October or November. Seven months from meeting her in person to getting her here. Not bad.

Buena Suerte,

Danny H.

dannyherm comments on Everything rolling along!

Baptism answer Here's what SilviaT sent me in another post concernig the lack of a baptismal certificate. My novia says it helped her a lot:

BIRTH/BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE. A birth certificate (copy of the book where the birth was registered, copia del folio del registro civil) issued and certified by a notary, must be presented (except for people born before 1939). It must state the date and place of birth as well as the complete names of both parents. It must also indicate the day on which the birth was registered. The abbreviated forms are not acceptable; only the copia del folio del registro civil will be accepted..

People born before 1939 only need to present a baptismal certificate (fe de bautismo) issued recently and containing the corresponding marginal notes. If you were not baptized or if your baptism occurred after you were a year old, you should present a Sworn Statement with the birth certificate.

People born after 1939 must present their birth certificate (copia del folio del registro civil) as well as their baptismal certificate (fe de bautismo). The abbreviated forms are not acceptable; only the copia del folio del registro civil will be accepted. The baptismal certificate must contain the marginal notes. If one of these certificates existed but now is impossible to obtain for any reason, you must get a Sworn Affidavit from the church or a court, indicating the reasons why the document cannot be produced. If you do not have one of these documents, you must obtain a Sworn Statement.

The Sworn Statement must be made by two persons (preferably family members) who have personal knowledge of the event you are trying to prove. Such statement must contain the following information:

* names of the persons making the statement
* addresses of the persons making the statement
* name of the applicant
* complete address of the applicant
* date and place of birth of the applicant
* relationship to the applicant
* details concerning how the persons acquired knowledge of the event

I hope its useful for you! Thats all I could find about it.

dannyherm comments on Picking-up packet

mil gracias, Silvia My novia has gone nuts trying to figure out what to do, since here long-dead grandparents had her baptized, but no one in her family knows where. This at least gives her some options.

Luego,

Danny H.

dannyherm comments on Picking-up packet

Got your e-mail Thanks Silvia, got your e-mail with all the attachments. It really helps.

By the way, did they require baptism certificate? My novia is worried because her family lost track of where she was baptised, and she never got her kids baptized. Others said it wasn't required.


Thanks again,
Danny H.

dannyherm comments on Picking-up packet

What do I have to submit? Can you tell me what docs I need to provide. W2 and taxes for which years? Bank info, proof of income? I'd like to get these ready ahead of time.

Thanks,

Danny H.

dannyherm comments on Picking-up packet

A little confused What's in packet 3 and what's in packet 4? Does 3 need to be completed and returned before getting packet 4?

I could use those forms you have. If they are e-mailable, please send them to: dannyherm at yahoo.com

Thanks,

Danny H.

dannyherm comments on Don't Bother to Call the Visa Call Center

Thanks! Truly appreciate it, UTC. Here ya go:

Danny Hermosillo
5810 Frontier Cove
San Antonio, TX 78239

dannyherm comments on Don't Bother to Call the Visa Call Center

Can I get that too? Hey UTC, this is Dannyherm in San Antonio. Could you CC me with that at dannyherm at yahoo.com if you send it out? We got notice of petition approval for my novia about a week ago.

Also, I am just moving into a new home. Should I submit change of address, or will that just mess up what's already in motion.

Thanks,

Danny H.

dannyherm comments on Phone Card for Calling Colombia

STS Prepaid... STS Prepaid definitely gives me the biggest bang for my buck. Their Unlimited card is 1.1 cents per minute, but calls to Colombia are done by a connect fee. You pay about a buck for each connection, then have unlimited talk time. I can talk to my novia in Bogota using a $10 card for about two weeks calling her every other day.

STS Prepaid also gives discounts for quantity (5% for three or more, I think), and they have other specials around the holidays, like Fathers Day or Mothers day. I bought five cards for $42 at those time, at that gives me all the talk time I need for a month.

Check out stsprepaid.com

By the way, I do not work for them. Just generally happy with their service (there are occasional connection problems.)

Hope that helps.

Danny H.

dannyherm comments on How close am I?

Already sent pics Forgot to mention that I submitted pictures with the original application. That shows that we have met. But the RFE said since those pics weren't date stamped, they needed something more showing that I was in Colombia to meet her during the prior two years.
I submitted e-mails date stamped showing the progression of the relationship as well.

Thanks for the input.

Danny H.

dannyherm comments on

Great option, Alex - Take 2 Oops! I hit Send too early. There had been some mixed signals as to whether PayPal did business in Colombia.

What about tranfering from Pay Pal directly into a Colombian account?

Thanks for the info,

Danny H

Go Spurs Go!

dannyherm comments on "Mal genio"- Please translate for me

P.O'd It can also mean Pissed-off in the extreme case. But nothing really vulgar. It took me a while to understand as well. I was taking it as being mean-spirited.

DH

dannyherm comments on Another Too Early to Worry?

Don't Despair I sent mine priority mail to Texas Service Center on 5/16. Have not recieved the letter verifying receipt. BUT, today, the check cleared my bank. I used the account number on the back to check the status. It shows my packet recieved at California SC on 5/26.

Good luck on your application!

Danny H.
Go Spurs Go!

dannyherm comments on Too early to worry?

No worries My check to USCIS just cleared, and thanks to you guys, I was able to follow-up on the status based on the number on the back of the check.

It shows my docs were sent to California and recieved May 26. Hope that speeds up the process. Thanks for everyone's help.

Go Spurs Go!

Danny H

dannyherm comments on Sending Money (Ikobo inactive in Texas)

Finallly, I know something UTC doesn't :) The USPS says the recipient can pick up the money at Bancos Davivienda, Colmena, and Colombia.

DH

dannyherm comments on Sending Money (Ikobo inactive in Texas)

Answering my own question I just found an alternative that might interest folks out there. It's called Sure Money, or Dinero Seguro, offered by the US Postal Service.

I'm told you can go to any post office and send money to several countries, including Colombia. What attracted me is that you can send from $1 to $700 for a flat fee of $10. So it actually makes sense to send more money at one time.

The recipient is given a claim number, and they can go to one of three banks to get the money, including Banco Colombia. The USPS says the money is available 15 minutes after it's sent.

Sounds like a good deal. Anyone have experience with this?

Danny H.

dannyherm comments on Baptism required?

That's what I thought I told my Fiancee that I can't see the US government requiring a religious document. I could see it if we were planning to marry through the church in Colombia.

But she says she's been told it is required for the embassy interview for the fiancee visa.

Thanks,
DH

dannyherm comments on news up date from Sonny and the K-1 process

Boy, I hope mine goes that quick! I sent mine in from Texas on May 16. No word on its receipt yet. Hope it goes as smooth as your process!

DH

dannyherm comments on Consent for children

Understood, but is the form you sent suffice for the father as well? i would think it would be a little more complex since he is giving permission for his children to live abroad.

DH

dannyherm comments on Consent for children

Thanks Gator I take it this is the permission the mother needs to take her own children out of the country?

I would assume the permission from the father would be a little more complex. I truly appreciate your assistance.

Danny H.

dannyherm comments on USCIS

Goin' to Cali Hey Dan,

Where did you find those dates? The website I saw still shows the Texas process dates for Feb '04.

But they should be on the schedule you mentioned. Here's what Sonny posted on 5/14:

"I got a call from my congressmans off telling me that my K-1 visa application is now in California, received my tracking number and was told that California is now processing applications for the last few days of Feburary and March. This was great news not haveing to deal with Texas cervice center."

Hope it's accurate I sent in my novia's docs last week.

Later,
DH

dannyherm comments on immigration question...

Fairly simple You'll be given an immigration declaration form on the plane (take a pen!) Asks if you are bringing in any unusual goods or excessive money. NOTE: Make sure you have the address and phone number of where you will be staying. That needs to be on the form (along with info like your flight number, and passport number).

When you arrive, it's very similiar to US Immigration and customs. Keep your ticket with baggage claim number, passport, and immigration form handy. The immigration person will ask you short questions about your visit, and then stamp your passport.

You then move on to pick-up your luggage. They WILL check your baggage claim number. You then go to a customs checkpoint. If I recall correctly, you push a button, and a traffic-like signal indicates green or red. If you are red lighted, you will be inspected.
Otherwise, you exit to an area where either your loved ones are waiting, or taxis are waiting.

Take some small loose bills for the taxi if you haven't had a chance to change your currency. The airport taxi drivers are used to US money, but don't expect them to make change for you (if they due, you might get short-changed).

FYI, if you are flying Continental out of Houston to Bogota, you are not allowed to check in more than two bags. There is an embargo, and paying for extra baggage not allowed. You may want to take a bag within your luggage to bring back souvenirs.

Enjoy your trip! I fell in love with Colombia, as well as it's people on my recent trip.

Danny H.

dannyherm comments on Comments or experience with Visa Interview process

Being there? UTC,

What's your read on the importance of me attending my fiancee's interview? Does it hurt her much if I'm not there? I would love to attend, but I'm also looking at flying back to pick her up once the visa is approved (not to mention using limited vacation time).

Thanks,
Danny H.

dannyherm comments on Comments or experience with Visa Interview process

Great info, UTC By the way, I did get engaged, and we are processing her Visa ap. What happens if I can't go to Bogota for the interview? Does it hurt her? Or do I do my part at the Colombian Consulate in Houston?

Danny H.

dannyherm comments on getting married to a colombian citizen

Thanks UTC! I truly appreciate your advice. Anything I should do to expedite the process? Also, anything I can bring back for you or your wife. I live in San Antonio.