Fionalatina has left 39 comments

Fionalatina comments on Invitation letter to UK

... Hello Sarah,

I am Colombian and my fiance is British, he sent me an invitation letter last year and I got my tourist visa without any problems, I took the paperwork in the morning and got it in the afternoon. I do have U.S. visa and have been several times out of the country... that is something else that they will look.

He did say in the letter that I was his partner but this was only my case.

Good luck!!!

Fiona

Fionalatina comments on Change fiance interview date?

Don´t do it... You shouldn´t change the date, it is very difficult to get it and the enterview won´t be more than five minutes, they will check all the paperwork and if everything is complete they will give her a new appoinment in a month... No need for you to be there.

Good luck!!!

Fiona

Fionalatina comments on England/Colombian Marriage Visas Granted in 2 Days?

Your wife is right... I am Colombian and my fiance is British. Your wife is completely right, we are going to apply for my fiance visa and at the Embassy they said they will grant my visa in a couple of days, if we get married will be easier.

I got my tourist visa in one day. Went there with the documents in the morning and I had it in the afternoon. The process in completely different than at the American Embassy.

Fiona

Fionalatina comments on Maiden Name or Married Name on I-130 Marriage Documents?

No choice I was married to an American three years ago. Once you submit your paperwork at the embassy you will get the paperwork with your husband's last name. So they don't give you any choice.

You don't need to change any document in Colombia. In the States I have one last name in Colombia and my passport shows my maiden name, I haven't had any problem.

Now I am divorce and back to my maiden name... it is a karma!!!

Fiona

Fionalatina comments on Wife is in U.S.,Esposa en U.S. now. How can she get a work I.D.,como obtengo mi identificacion por trabajo?

SSN Si llegaste legalmente a EU, con una "residencia condicional" te debieron colocar un sello que dice que eres residente y puedes trabajar. Ahora lo que tienes es que ir con el pasaporte a donde puedas conseguir to SSN (Social Security Number). Es como el numero de la cedula en Colombia... te permite abrir cuentas en el banco, etc... con el pasaporte (provisionalmente mientras te llega el "green card" en el correo) y el ssn ya puedes hacer todo lo que necesites (licencia de conduccion, apertura de cuentas, etc.)

Buena suerte!!!

Fiona

Fionalatina comments on FIANCE NEEDS ANOTHER VISA??

Something else... She doesn't need a different visa to marry you in Colombia... no fiance visa or anything. You will need to follow the Colombian guidelines for marriage. I am sorry I do not have the requirements here but if you want to get married by the Catholic church she can begin going to the ... I forgot the name but is the big church down town Bogota and request what will you need to married a foreigner... let me see if I remember a little (mine was in 2002)... the letter of the church where you go saying that you took the pre-nuptial course, baptism letter, birth certificate... and if case of civil wedding just go to a notary and ask for the same requirements "para casarse con un extranjero. Good luck...

Fiona

Fionalatina comments on FIANCE NEEDS ANOTHER VISA??

The best way to do it... I have had every kind of visa and now I am a U.S. citizen. The best way to do it is once you guys get married, you need to register your marrige in a notary (this if you are getting married by the Catholic church). Then go to the American Embassy in Bogota and get all the paperwork to apply for her residency. If you have everything you need (taxes of the last three years, afadavit of support and birth certificate) and apply that day for her visa she will be getting a new appoinment one more later (the husband doesn't need to be there) and that day she will get her visa.

Trust me, it is the easiest way. I have had tourist visa, student visa, then my husband applied for my fiance visa but we were going to get married in Bogota already when I got the paperwork back, so we did and I got my "Conditional residence" because we had been married for less than two years. Once she gets the residency she will get an envelope that CANNOT be oppened until she gets to the U.S., once there they will send her to the Emmigration office to stam her passport until she gets the green card but with that seal she will be able to get a SSN, driver's licence and will be able to work if she wants.

I hope this answer your question. Good luck!!!

Fiona

Fionalatina comments on Food/Candy that Colombia does NOT have...

Get her some... Victoria Secret... lotions, soaps, etc...
I love it, and we cannot find it easyly in Colombia.

Fiona

Fionalatina comments on Cafes Tanga

Yes... Yes, something like shooters, would you go?

Fiona

Fionalatina comments on Cafes Tanga

Yes... Yes, something like shooters, would you go?

Fiona

Fionalatina comments on Cafes Tanga

Yes... Yes, something like shooters, would you go?

Fiona

Fionalatina comments on Is it normal in Colombia?

She might have some money Prenupcials are not the rule but when the family wants to protect their goods it's the best way to do it.

Let's say that you get the divorce in two years, and she has shares in her father's company. She got (in papers) profits for 100K, then you would be able to get 50K automatically...

Sometimes love is not for ever and that is the best way to protect his daughter and his money.

Good luck!!!

Fiona

Fionalatina comments on Is it normal in Colombia?

... she might have money... This is not the normal procedure but it happens when either she has some money or some assets that her father wants to protect. If you were getting the divorce not only she would get have of your things in Ireland but you could get half of what ever she has in Colombia...

Let's say that she has some shares in her father's company, and she got profits for 100K dollars the last year (usually only in papers... not the bank), then if you file for divorce and you could come after your 50K that she made while she was away in Ireland...

I think the father just wants to protect her daugther and his goods... you never know... sometimes love doesn't last forever...

Fiona

Fionalatina comments on

... Lots of sides of the same story... I agree that one of the main problems in Colombia is the big difference between social clases and the lack of opportunities to make some good standard of living.

There are many problems here... some of these people beging on the streets have run away from their places because of the guerrilla, some other are just too lazy to work and make more money begin than working... So, never give money to the people of the street because you do not know on what side they are.

Taxes, taxes here are very high, usually 32% of the income and no matter how many taxes you pay it will never go to help anybody... most of them are stolen by politicians... that is the main reason why you don´t see investment on people or real projects that are needed.

How to make real opportunities for poor people or to make a more equal society? I think that is the real question because no matter how hard you work here (doesn´t matter if you are poor or middle class) you will not be able to have anything...

So, the system must change but who has the formula? Wealthy people are those creating jobs... the guerrilla began with a good principle but now is only drugs and kidnapping, so that is not the way either, and about politicians... who is the best and can do something for our country and ALL the people? Don´t know...


Fiona

Fionalatina comments on Does Foto Japon upload photos?

www.fotozoom.com This is a very good website where you can upload pictures and order the prints, they will delivery them to anyplace in Colombia. The size of the pictures don't matter just upload 10 at the time and you will not have any problem, you will be able to see them too from anywhere in the world.

Fiona

Fionalatina comments on Any Colombian in Northapton - U.K?

Any way I can contact them? My fiance travels a lot and when I move there, I will be by myself many times... is there anyway I can contact them? I would like to begin to make friends there...

Fiona

Fionalatina comments on How my life changed forever

Congratulations!!! I can tell you, most of the Colombian people are good. Women not only look for a visa, they look for love... most of the "latinos" are the macho type, what I do not like, and that was the reason why I married an American, things didn´t work out, so now I am divorce and back in Colombia. But I am happy I tried and did my best. So, I wish you both good luck and I hope you stay together for a life time.

Fiona

Fionalatina comments on Const. Court rules Uribe can run again

Great news for Colombia!! I think me, and most of the people in Colombia are very happy with the desition of the Supreme Court.

Now, we all (who live in Colombia) will have to be very carefull... I don´t think the FARC will be very happy with this desition and will try not only to kill Uribe (as they have tried before) but to destabilize the country with their usual methods (TERRORISM!!!).

Let´s pray that God keep him safe and we all have to tight together to support and help our President the best we can.

Fiona

Fionalatina comments on musica

Depende del presupuesto... Depende del presupuesto que tengas, creo que tienes que buscar en la ciudad donde vas a realizar tu matrimonio. En cuanto a que música poner, vete a los websites de las emisoras y ellos tienen un top 20 y puedes ver lo que esta sonando y escoger tu misma lo que te gusta.

www.lamega.com.co

y otras... los 40 principales, 88.9 (aunque no lo creas ahora es bailable)... no se que otras emisoras "guapachosas" hay, pero ese es un inicio.

Buena suerte, que disfrutes tu matrimonio y ojala te dure para toda la vida!!!


Fiona

Fionalatina comments on Travelling to Bogota on Business

Not expensive at all... My boyfriend is from U.K., he loves to come to Bogota because everything is really cheap.

A nice 5 stars hotel can cost you about 40 pounds, a nice dinner for two in a fancy restaurant with alcohol and three courses about 40 pounds, take a taxi from the north side of the city to down town no more than 5 pounds, if you like massages, facials and manicure and pedicure 20pounds... (all together). Go to see a movie about 3 pounds.

You will find British people at the pubs in La Zona Rosa (BBC, Palos de Moger or "the Pub" are the most popular for them). You can find almost anything you want in Bogota, it depends what you like.

I hope you have a nice. Have fun!!!

Fiona

Fionalatina comments on Married in Korea to a Cololumbian girl with a passport?

Requirements Before you do anything, find out what are the requirements to get married in Korea. You must find out that there... sometimes, a special visa is required.

Meanwhile, tell your girlfriend to get her passport (she will need it anyway). Later, she needs to find out if there is an Embassy here in Colombia and get the visa to travel there and later, she will have to fly there and can be quite expensive (About USD$2000 the ticket).

If you want to marry her I think it is easier if you come to Colombia, after you both get married here her residency will take only one or two months.

Good luck!!!

Fiona

Fionalatina comments on Gringo hangouts in Bogota

Go to BBC If you want to find gringos, go to BBC in La Zona Rosa, they hung up there every day...


Fiona

Fionalatina comments on culture shock

Too bad it is true My experience, no matter where you will be, you will always find some Colombian, I was living in the middle of nowhere in Washington State and there are Colombians there.

I speak English, had a good job but took me a long time to adapted... specially because my husband and I had problems from the beginning. At the end we got the divorce, now I am back in Colombia and he is already dating another girl who he meat on the internet... (too bad she doesn´t know the trouble she is getting into).

I would thing the best way to do it is to bring her to the US as a fiance, get a job that wouldn´t have to report her income, learn the language and see how well she adapts to it... if not, you won´t have to get the divorce and she will be able to come back to Colombia. Marriage is not always the best way to do it... it is just the fastest.

Fiona

Fionalatina comments on How to Question

Easiest way Dabble,

If you want to marry her the best way to do it is in Colombia.

You get married (by the Catholic church is easier), then you register your marriage in a notary and then you fill all the paperwork for her residency and apply for it at the US Embassy in Bogota, they will give her an apoinment one month later and the same day she will receive a sealed envelope. Once she gets to the U.S. she will get a stamp on her passport with her residency, and a few months later she will get the "green card" by mail... she will be able to work and travel at her convinience as soon as she gets there.

I went through all that already. Too bad I am divorce now... Good luck!!!

Fiona

Fionalatina comments on New Car Importation

Finally!!! Juanalejo, I completely agree with you. I think the other guys are just envious that they can´t bring a car for themselves... too bad for them!!!

Fionalatina comments on New Car Importation

By law... By law, used cars cannot be imported to Colombia (BY LAW...)

All what you guys are saying is truth... it is easier to buy a car here but even expensive cars come here with less "goodies" than the same car in the U.S. and that is the main reason why some people like to go through all the trouble of import it directly.

If all the documents are in order and you work with serious companies shouldn´t be any trouble with customs, it is not the first time someone does it and I know it because someone I know imported a Mustang to Colombia.

... And it is his money, if he can afford to do it and he is willing to take the risk knowing everything about thiefs, insurance, spare parts... it is his problem, don´t you think?

Fionalatina comments on por que los colombianos no quieren a su gente cuando estan en otro pais?

En todas partes hay de todo Creo que no se puede juzgar a los colombianos por ser colombianos. Yo he pasado por las dos experiencias, he tenido muy buenos amigos fuera de Colombia como hay otros que solamente quieren aprovecharse de la situación.

En todas partes hay gente buena y gente mala, lo unico es tener uno las precauciones necesarias antes de poder darle confianza a una persona y tratar de conocerlas lo mejor posible antes de realmente convertirse en amigo de ellas.

Fionalatina comments on New Car Importation

You are not the only one... And by the way, you are not the only person that I know who wants to bring a car to Colombia... no matter how expensive it is, cars in the U.S. are much nicer and better quality.

Good luck with it.

Fionalatina comments on New Car Importation

The Import Process I recommend that you buy the car from a dealer. You will need legal supports to do all the paperwork with the Colombian Customs (Invoice, B/L, etc.).

If you buy the car from the dealer, some of them know the process of export and you can ask for a CIF Cartagena price (Cost, Insurance and Freight). It would save you a lot of trouble because the dealer takes all the risk until the car arrives to Cartagena and all you would have to do would be the legalization part in Cartagena.

If you cannot do that, I would recomend that you go with one of the bigest shipping companies like Danzas or Maersk, both are very good companies and can help you with the legal part of the process.

Does it help some? If you need a person that can give you more orientation I can send you my mobile number in a private message.

Let me know.

Fionalatina comments on New Car Importation

Taxes I do import/export in the company where I work and I have several questions/comments:

1. Where are you going to bring it from (State) and where are you going to bring it to. The main ports in Colombia are Buenaventura (In the Pacific) and Cartagena or Barranquilla (In the Atlantic).

2. To bring a car it must be new, other way you will not have authorization from customs. You will have to negociate with the dealer how are you going to bring it (CIF, FOB ... ) Who is going to pay the freight and who is going to pay the insurance? (Importer/Exporter)?

3. Taxes are 35% duty tax and 16% of sales tax.

4. You will have other expenses at the port and of the person to help you with customs.

To bring a car to Colombia is very expensive as you can see. If you are still interested about doing it you can write to my e-mail and I will be able to give you better orientation.

I hope it helps.

Fionalatina comments on Two things i can NOT find in Bogota

Kohler is about Calle 118 arriba de la autopista. I am sure Carulla en Santa Barbara (Close to Kholer) has the salt.

Fionalatina comments on help with living in colmbia

Gator, you are right... I guess the first question would be where are you planning to live? and then we would be able to give you better orientation...

Fionalatina comments on passport

No necesitas nada... Yo llevo casada tres anos, aqui en EU utilizo mi appellido de casada pero en Colombia todavia utilizo mi nombre de siempre. Y cada vez que salgo del pais los tiquetes estan bajo mi nombre de casada y el pasaporte con mi nombre normal, nunca he tenido problema con nada... ni se molesten en cambiarlo. Mientras puedan probar que son la misma persona (con cedula, pase u otro documento) no van a tener problemas.

Fionalatina comments on Preparing for your trip to Colombia

Dating different than living together Dear Ress,

I am Colombian and was married to a US Citizen who I meet on the internet. Eventhoug many Colombian women are looking for a way out, some others really want to love someone and look for companion.

I was married for two years and I think the problem is that when you meet someone on the internet you are in love with what you think "she or he" is... but there are somethings that you will not find out in a visit. In my case, the way he is going to react when he is mad or drunk or all the lies he tells.

So, just try to be honest to each other and try to live together (fiance visa is the best option) before getting married.

Good luck, I hope she is the one for a whole life!!!

Fionalatina comments on Preparing for your trip to Colombia

My advice... don't go. My family is from el Huila (the State where Neiva is). I must be honest with you and this is a guerrilla zone. My sister went to San Agustin with her boyfriend from Spain and she said it is very safe, lots of policeman on the routs but I wouldn't take the risk, specially with children.

I am sorry... this is only my personal opinion.

Fionalatina comments on help with living in colmbia

Basic Rules I am not sure where you are living but you don't need to know too much, most of the people in Colombia adores foreigners and they will be able to help you with whatever you need.

Just try to be away from unsafe places... you need to ask before going anywhere. In Bogota like in any big city there are thiefs, so be carefull with your wallet.

If you are going to Bogota and you like to do turistic stuff, you need to go to Monserrate (the restaurant there is fabulus, very romantic at night), the gold museum and the Salt Cathedral. And if you like to party you can't miss Chia, Parque de la 93 and La Zona Rosa. Plenty of places to visit.

If you have any specific question, let me know... I will be able to help you.

Fionalatina comments on How do poorbuthappy guides work?

Airport or Puente Aereo Dear Cor,
Before setting the place of the meeting be sure if you are going to leave to Cali from the Airport or from el Puente Aereo (Only Avianca uses this terminal).
In both places there is Juan Valdez and you can have a coffee there. In the airport is in the second floor and you can ask anyone where is it. Just meat your party in front of this place.
Have a nice visit to Colombia.

Fionalatina comments on How do poorbuthappy guides work?

Es mejor que no rentes un carro Los taxis son muy baratos, y creeme que con el trafico y la forma como manejan alla tu no vas a querer meterte en trancones ni en vias que no conoces.
Si de todas formas decides rentar un carro, en el aeropuerto lo puedes hacer.

Fionalatina comments on Health Insurance in Colombia!!

No need for insurance Hello MaG,
I am from Colombia and there is not need for health insurance there. If you are going to be there and get sick if you go to any big city you will find plenty of good hospitals where you can go and it is inexpensive compare with other places around the world.
If you are going to be in Bogota the best two Hospitals are "La Reina Sofia" o "Clinica Santafe". They will give you treatment with only your credit card.
I hope this helps.