Embassy appointments on

[Minnesota Fats]

Fellow Gringos;

Yesterday I reviewed the U.S. Embassy's web page on scheduled appointments. I have been watching it diligently for the past week or so. They were just showing scheduled appointments for January and February.

Well they must have updated it Friday night because January was removed and only February and March were showing.

So I went into March, clicked onto the "binoculars" and entered the BGT number.

Lo and behold there are three interview appointments scheduled, 1 for the fiancee, 1 for the daughter, and 1 for the son.

Relief, relief.

And thanks to Gonzalo for his assistance, go-phering, and legwork throughout all of this.

Now it's boots to the ground ..... .

Now we're just waiting for her to receive her packet 4. I went into Visajourney.com and read that mail service in Colombia is lousy at best these days. Nail biting time until she receives it.

Fats

[HonkyTonk]

Good deal Fats! Good to see you back onboard too.

[GrizGator]

If packet 4 doesn't come, you can always go to the embassy and pick up a duplicate. If she doesn't live in Bogota, you can have a proxy do it for you with permission. I'm sure you are already aware of the requirements listed in packet 4. Unfortunately, you can't get some of it done until you have the cita in hand.

Griz

[Cubafro]

gOOD FOR YOU FATS AND for sure for the family

keep us posted!


CUBA

[SEDONA7]

Senior Fats,

Your knowledge and expertise was very timely in helping me to communticate with the visa office in Bogota.

I had been told that to try to contact the visa office to ask for clarification or information was not a good idea. However, following your lead, I sent a couple of e mails to the address you had given me and received a response back within 24 hours or less. No problema !!!!

My wife now has her interview date set up , and am looking forward to putting an end to the K-3 odyessy.

So , am thinking , "why the hell does anyone need a lawyer to help with the immigration process, when we all have Fats to guide us along the way". Seriously , I would recommend you and your services to anyone planning to apply for a visa (from Colombia).

Muy amable amigo,

M

[GrizGator]

Sedona,

You are right. There is absolutely no reason to hire an immigration attorney, unless you run into significant problems. If one is organized and can read directions, filing the forms for the K visa and then adjusting status is not difficult. If you need advice and hand-holding, then the Colombia Club threads on visajourney.com (under the "embassy" and "adjusting status" threads) are the way to go.

Now, as far as putting the K-3 odyssey behind you.....forget about it. Assuming the K-3 interview goes well, you still have a long road in front of you. There's getting her here to the U.S., getting her settled, getting her a driver's license, finding a new doctor, assimilating her with the language and culture, getting her health insurance, and getting her a social security card. It's a lot of work. And don't forget about filing the paper work for adjustment of status and then, two years later, lifting of conditions. So, my friend, while your K-3 odyssey, as you call it, may soon be over, your journey with your new wife has just begun. There will be highs and lows with some difficulties and frustrations along the way. But, in the end, hopefully you'll find that it was all worth it. Good luck.

Griz

Originally Posted by SEDONA7

My wife now has her interview date set up , and am looking forward to putting an end to the K-3 odyessy.

So , am thinking , "why the hell does anyone need a lawyer to help with the immigration process, when we all have Fats to guide us along the way".

[SEDONA7]

GRIZ,

You are right about the work that still needs to be done , after she actually has the visa in her hands. Even with all of the trials and tribulations that lay ahead, at least I will feel , "more in control" I guess you could say. Having to wait, and wait for someone else to do something in your behalf, and not being able to do anything to expedite the process is frustrating. So you are correct, that part of the odyessy is soon to be finished and on to the "second half of the game". But at least I will have her here with me. Long distance relationships are no fun. Dealing with day to day issues is less difficult to control and influence when you are playing QB.

Appreciate the comments and imput. Please don't hesitate to send more thoughts and advice when you can.

[Secret Agent 001]

Good going Sedona,

I agree with you and LL that most of the time you don't need an attorney to do this stuff. Although its not exactly fun doing it yourself, the money saved is well worth it. So, for all those gringos in similar situations, go for it. With help available on the net (such as GT), you should be OK, unless you have an unusual situation.

[GrizGator]

You have the exact attitude that you need! The interview is the BIG event because, like you said, you don't have control (other than making sure you have all of the documents) and there is always a risk that the visa will not be approved (at least initially). Once the visa is approved, there's still a lot of work, but most of it is within your control.....and the best part, of course, is that your wife is actually with you.

Good luck and feel free to ask about anything you need. There are several of us on the board who have been through everything you will face once your wife gets here, so feel free to ask. You may want to read my thread about "my new family"...as it may give you a feel for some of the issues I dealt with.

Griz

Originally Posted by SEDONA7

GRIZ,

You are right about the work that still needs to be done , after she actually has the visa in her hands. Even with all of the trials and tribulations that lay ahead, at least I will feel , "more in control" I guess you could say. Having to wait, and wait for someone else to do something in your behalf, and not being able to do anything to expedite the process is frustrating. So you are correct, that part of the odyessy is soon to be finished and on to the "second half of the game". But at least I will have her here with me. Long distance relationships are no fun. Dealing with day to day issues is less difficult to control and influence when you are playing QB.

Appreciate the comments and imput. Please don't hesitate to send more thoughts and advice when you can.

[TheBatmanDude]

Griz, so right about duplicate packs. My novia never got her pack 3 for the fiance visa. Finally she called the embassy, they said, oh, it's here waiting for you. So she went and got it. I don't believe they ever mailed it, or, could not find her house. No entiendo.