PBH / travelers / dannyherm / forum posts

dannyherm has written 26 posts

AOS G-325A

When I fill-out the G-325A for my wife's AOS, am I filling it out with her info, mine, or both?

Also, do I need to fill one out for each of her underage kids as well?

Thanks,
Danny H. ...

Well, I finally got my Colombiana to the US, and got married last weekend.

Now she's anxious to work. However, doing the change of status for her and her two kids is a bit expensive (around $800).

My question is: can I do her change of status first, then apply for the children? I'm only expecting to submit theirs about a month later, but want to get her paperwork rolling ASAP.

Thanks,

Danny H. ...

AOS Question

When I submitted my I-129F documents, I also sent my novia's birth certificate for her and her children, which were translated, notorized, apostillized, etc...

While we have visas in hand, I'm a little confused about need for BCs in the future for the Adjustment of Status. Will we need another orginal and translated set, will the first set suffice, or will we get the orginial submissions back?

Since I'm going to Bogota next week to pick-up my family, I would rather ...

Visa Approved!

My novia went for her embassy interview today, and was approved. She was told they would do one final police check (I guess to make sure she's been good since the date of the previous records she submitted) and she could pick-up her visa at 4p tomorrow.Our process took five months to the day.

There was a minor hiccup which thankfully did not de-rail us. I did not submit copies of my I-134 (affidavit of support) for each of her two children. When I filled-out her form, I assumed th ...

Prepping for interview

Hola Amigos,

My novia is getting ready for her embassy interview on Oct. 19, and I want to make sure I have all my ducks in a row. I sent her my I-134, with proof of my employment. Since I just switched jobs this month, I have a letter from my former employer verifying that I was working with them until recently, and also a letter from my current employer showing my new position and pay rate. Also sent my novia pay stubs from both jobs verifying how much I made.

I i ...

Visa costs

Hey folks,

Now that my novia has her embassy interview, how much more should I budget for related expenses? She has two kids who will also make the trip.

I figure this has been posted before, But I couldn't find it on a search. Thanks for your help.

Danny H. ...

Embassy interview set

My novia finally has her embassy interview set for Oct. 19. Not bad, considering our initial petition docs were recieved on May 18 (about five months to the day).

Here again is my big question: Am I taking too much of a gamble by flying there to be with her for the interview, get the visa a day or so later, and fly back with her and the kids a few days later?

By gamble, I don't mean on her. I mean on paying for her and the kids air fare without having the visa in ha ...

How long until interview?

My novia hand delivered her packet 3 documents to the embassy in Bogota today (9/7). We were excited, because I have read on this site that docmuents recieved before the 20th of each month will likely have an interview appointment set for the following month.

However, my novia says the senorita at the window said it would be 2-3 months. It was a bit disheartening, but she wasn't confident that the gal knew what she was talking about.

Which is more realistic? Any inp ...

Everything rolling along!

Boy, our application has really picked-up steam. I found out via calling the NVC last week that my novia's app had been forwarded to Bogota embassy on 10/23. This Saturday (9/1), my novia had already recieved packet 3, and plans to turn it in to the embassy today. My thanks to everyone, especially Silvia, for help with heads-up on what documentation to expect, and how to handle the lack of a baptismal certificate.

Here's my next big question. I anticipate that my novia will get he ...

Picking-up packet

I just found out today (9/1) that my novia's info was sent to the Bogota embassy on 8/23. I have not recieved official mail notification, but did confirm it via phone.

To expedite the process, can my novia pick-up her packet at the embassy? If so, what does she need (notarized letter, different case #)? She went down last week, but was told that she needs to set-up an appointment just to go down to see if the packet is there. I recall some posters on this site saying there's an ea ...

Change of address

I just got notification that our Fiance Visa petition has been approved!

Couple of questions. Roughly, what's my timeline from here (NVC approval, packet 3, appointment scheduled, etc.)

Also, I am closing on our new home this week. Should I send a change of address notification, or will that just muddy the waters at this stage? I will still recieve any documentation by mail forwarding.

Thanks,

Danny H. ...

How close am I?

Well, I finally got some movement on my novia's 129-F application. It was submitted to California SC (via Texas) on May 23. This week I got a letter requesting more proof that we had met in person. I submitted a copy of my e-ticket, and the corresponding pages from my passport showing my entry and exit from Colombia on the listed dates.

Am I right to assume that if there are any other issues with the application, I would have likely been notified in the same letter? Also, assumin ...

Please don't move this post!

I posted this question last night in Visas forum, and it got moved. I couldn't find it myself. Moderator, this is visa related, so please leave where posted.

My fiancee's application was recieved at California center on May 23. Up until last week, the USCIS website indicated that they were working on apps received April 1. As of last week, that was updated to show them working on apps recieved June 8.

My individual case status only indicates that it was "updated" Ju ...

Visa approval timeframe please

Hey folks,

I'm in limbo waiting for word on my I-129F approval, and was looking for some insight. The application was recieved at the California Service Center (via Texas) on May 26. For the longest time, the processing date was listed as April 1. But on July 7, it changed to applications recieved after June 8.

I have checked online, and the only indication I have recieved is that my case was "updated" July 12, with no indication of what was done.

My ...

Too early to worry?

I sent my novia's 129F application on Monday, May 16 (actually in the mail Sunday)to the Texas Service Center. That's been just over two weeks. I have yet to recieve anything indicating that the documents were recieved. Also, the check has not cleared my bank yet.

Is it time to worry yet? It seems like others sending to the same location have recieved verfication in a more timely manner. Should I check up on it, or give it a bit more time?

Thanks,
Danny H. ...

Sending Money (Ikobo inactive in Texas)

I just found out that Ikobo is no longer doing business in Texas. They say it's a problem with their Visa contract. Hope to have it fixed soon.

What are other good alternatives to Western Union? I liked Ikobo's lower fees, and using an ATM card to access the money.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Danny H. ...

Baptism required?

Is a baptism certificate required for the Fiancee Visa embassy interview? My novia says she was told she will need it. But she isn't baptized. Is it strictly required?

DH

Consent for children

Hey UTC, quick question. My novia needs the father of her children to sign a letter of consent for their move to the US. I found an attorney in Bogota, and here's the answer I got:

The cost to prepare a document of consent from the father that would be recognized by the Colombian government would be $300.000 Pesos, US$129.00

Does that sound right? I kind of expected it could be done for less. Your thoughts please.

Danny H. ...

Checking case status

I filed my novia's I-129F documents last week. How do I track it's progress? The USCIS website references "a receipt number". Will I get a letter from them acknowledging they recieved the documents?

Thanks,
Danny H ...

Medical exams

What type of medical exams and lab work do fiancee visa applicants have to take? Are their children relocating to the US required to have an exam as well? And is there an approved list of labs and doctors given to the applicants?

Thanks,
Danny H. ...

Import tax on packages?

I sent my novia a package of goodies via Global Express. It weighed about 3 pounds and cost me $86 to ship.

My novia says when it arrived, they had to pay about an extra $40 for the package. We were unclear over what the fee was for. She says I overvalued the package. It contained a ring, some jewelry, and a couple of DVDs. I valued the contents at $100.

Can someone explain, was this fee some sort of import tax? And how can I avoid this in the future (other than del ...

Marrying in Colombia

Hey UTC, I got your response on the other thread. I had some more questions, but didn't want to sidetrack that discussion.

Getting married by church first is intrguing. How long did it take to get it set-up? And how long afterwards to process paperwork.

Also, did you have the following taken care of prior, as Colombian Embassy says on website:

"For marriage in Colombia besides the visa, you will also need to take:

Birth Certificate: No ...

What's the weather like?

I'm headed to Bogota this week. What's the weather like? Don't want to bring clothing I won't need.

Tourist vs. fiancee

My novia is 36 years old with 2 kids (7 & 10). Does that increase her odds at tourist visa? Also, would it include the kids?

If she is denied a tourist visa, then applies for Fiancee visa, does it hurt her, since it looks like she tried to get in just to get married? Finally, what is estimated time for approval of a tourist visa? ...

Shipping a vehicle

My girlfriend in Bogota needs to sell her family's '53 Bel Air. All original equipment. But she's worried she won't get what it's worth in Colombia. Is it cost-worthy to send to the US and sell here? (I've seen them for sale between $17K-$24K USD) ...

Decisions, decisions

Hey folks! I'm a new poster seeking advice. Like some of you, I had never given Colombia much thought before I decided to start corresponding with some ladies there looking for a future mate. I've been divorced for five years, and have had little luck in the dating scene.

So I said what the heck, invested $40 for a month membership to a service, and wrote to several ladies. Lo and behold, what a response. I had about a dozen ladies write me back, all of them beautiful, well educa ...

Americas:

Mexico

Cuba

Colombia (travelguide)

Africa: