Summary of wedding and embassy

[lswote]

Well here are a few details for others to use as information.

I got married Thursday in a civil marriage and then a Catholic wedding Friday.  The civil wedding was with notary 29 and about 15 family members and friends of my wife showed up.  The Catholic wedding had about 70 people show up.   I don't know what it cost, because it was included in the package I bought that included translating my documents to Spanish for the notary.  

My wife had a large hand in the Catholic wedding preparations and the place was beautiful and the ceremonies were stunning.  The wedding and party afterwards had about 70 people attend and lasted from 8:00pm till 2:00am.  The total cost for everything except airfaire was about $2500.

Today we went to the embassy for the spousal visa.  First we had to go to the notary and get our marriage certificate.  It was supposed to be ready by 10:00 but it didn't get completed until almost 12:30 and that only happened because my wife basically beggged for it.  We got to the embassy at 1:20 which was considered too late.  The security would not let me in the embassy no matter what my wife told them about how the notary was late.  All the security people only spoke Spanish, and I finally said, almost without thinking, "Can I talk with someone who speaks English?".  Surprisingly they called someone on the phone who spoke English and after a couple conversations and a disconnect, security let us in.  We went to a window and was told we had to have a number.  I told them we didn't get one because we got there late.  Surprisingly again they directed me to a security person who gave me a number.  Then I went to the window with my number and they told me to fill out the two forms and come back.  One form was the I-130 (I may not have the number right, but it is the petition for alien residency) and a biographical form my wife had to fill out (well I had to answer a couple questions, but the form was in Spanish and most questions concerned her).  After the forms were filled out I went to the window and paid.  The cost was $96 dollars or 285.000 pesos.  I paid in pesos that I got from my ATM that was exchanging at 2924.66 pesos per dollar.  If I had paid in dollars my exchange rate would have been 2968.75 pesos per dollar.  Unfortunately the only dollars I had were in $100 bills which they don't accept at the embassy, so I paid in pesos.  But paying in dollars would have been a slightly better deal.  About 20 minutes after I paid they called us to the window.  The first interview is conducted at a window like a bank teller, where you talk by phone and slide all your documents through a slot under the glass window.  The lady was very nice (actually everyone was nice, even the security guards that initially wouldn't let us in).  The documents she required for this visit were my passport, the marriage certificate, the I-130, the biographic data form, my wife's birth certificate and my divorce certificate.  That was it.  The second visit which only my wife has to attend is scheduled for March 17th.  I will need to provide quite a few more documents for that appointment, but I think I already have them.

[Celt]

... in response to Summary of wedding and embassy, posted by lswote on Feb 10, 2003

My wife went to her 2nd embassy appt. yesterday. They asked
her bruskly many times, "Is this your first marriage?" and
the same about me.

Later yesterday afternoon, I wrote a soft note to the embassy,
asking them if I could
provide info about my life-long bachelor status prior to
my marriage.

They sent me back a nice note. It explained that our paper-
work was completely in order, but that a bureaucratic bug
( up someone's ass? ) prevented a whole batch of security
checks from being processed properly and on time. They said
that as soon as the sec. check is verified in Washington D.C,
she can return and have her passport stamped.

So, we are currently in a holding pattern.

I wonder, then, why the interviewers (2) were such a-holes
to her, and planted doubts in her mind about her good
intentions in marrying me. There was no need for that.

They also told her that they wanted more time to investigate
her thoroughly ( "a fondo" ). They mentioned nothing
about the problems in Washington, D.C. That is one of the shabby
benefits of the pathetic bureaucrat. Kick around someone
who is apprehensive and totally under your control.

[Pete E]

... in response to Consular window jerks, posted by Celt on Feb 11, 2003

My brother in law went in for a tourist visa interview.I told my wife he had no chance at all but he was hopefull and went.The lady at the window says"how would you like a visa for 5 years?".He smiles ear to ear and then she stamps his application denied.She told him "we know you will stay and not come back."
I guess it can be an ego trip having such power.The big duck in the little pond.When I was at the embassy I saw these long lines of Colombians,all nicely dressed,very hopefull.Most of them have a snowballs chance in hell of getting a visa.When my brother in law was there one guy in his 60's did get a visa.If you are retired with a pension it helps,they think you are not going to the US to work.
Spousal visas are different,basically a sure thing,you just have to keep wading through the BS till you get it.
I will say the 2 people I dealt with at the window were helpfull and profesional.I think an american gets better treatment.
When my wife went in the second time for her appointment she said there were all of these gringos with Colombian kids they were trying to adopt I guess.The kids were crying I want my momma and the gringos were freaking out.

Pete

[Celt]

... in response to Re: Consular window jerks, posted by Pete E on Feb 11, 2003

The rudeness she encountered was from the spanish-speaking interviewers. I don't know if they are Colombians or Americans.

In either case, they could use some lessons in manners.

[Edge]

... in response to Re: Re: Consular window jerks, posted by Celt on Feb 11, 2003

Hello Celt - do not take offense, but maybe your wife was getting paid back for your rude behavior the last time you both were at the embassy.  Maybe she was not as clever and resourceful as you supposed versus the Cali "arm candy".

Let me get this right.  You and your wife barge in front of 100 people patiently waiting their turn because you had to make a flight and the embassy had been closed.  Did you stop to think that the people (a long line of bored, sullen bombas and their spouses) had not also encountered the same difficulty?  Just what made you so special that you felt you deserved to be served before them?

I can understand you are frustrated with this process as well as many other men.

What exactly did the embassy people do to your wife today that was so rude?

It seems ironic that you criticize the people at the
embassy and advise "they could use some lessons in manners".
Perhaps they are just doing their job and following the rules.

Good luck - but always remember, my friend - What goes around, comes around.

El Gordito.

Below is your post from your last trip to the embassy.

I married last week in Cali and endured the mess at the U.S.
embassy twice in the past few days.
Dec. 30th: The U.S. embassy consular sections closed for a
week. There was no internet posting, no phone messages, and
the security people could not answer simple scheduling
questions. There was no posted info in the lobby to this
effect.

I had a window between the Cali-Bogota and Bogota-LA
legs of my flight on the 7th of about 2 hours. I arrived
at the embassy this time at 1:15. Windows 1-4 were still
closed, and a long line of bored, sullen bombas and their
spouses snaked around a few poles.

One man told me he had been waiting for an hour and a half.
My wife kept grabbing phones--the ones that allow conversation
between the customer and consular officer side of the thick glass.
A little harpie of a security agent kept screaming out, "This woman
is not in the front of the line! Do not serve her."

Suddenly, the blinders opened on window number 4.

With miraculous, perfect timing, my wife grabbed a phone, slid under
the glass our (ticket), and handed me a phone. Without greeting the
consular officer, I slid under the glass all our paperwork, and then
said to her, "I came her last week but you were closed. Shall I
complain to my Congressman about the NON-information on the website,
the NON-message at the front gate, the NON-phone access, or from the NON-staff that WAS here." She laughed, and I quickly added that I had to catch a plane at three.

She said she would expedite our paperwork. She approved the
paperwork in about two minutes, I paid the fee in window number 1,
and then had all the documents certified in window number 3. We
left at 1:20 and we were back at the airport at 1:30.

About 100 men and bombas stood there dumbfounded.

We will always treasure this bureaucratic miracle, and the enraged
looks from the midriff-bomba crowd in the lines. My wife saw the
same bombas in the doctor's office yesterday and received the
same looks. The fact that I married a clever, resourceful woman instead of some Cali arm-candy delights me more and more.

The wait between visits is about 30 days right now.

[Celt]

... in response to What goes around, comes around.., posted by Edge on Feb 11, 2003

I suppose this is the moment when I should say
something rude and argumentative and start a flame
war. Instead, I must say you are correct. The
little karmic wheel which controls universal consular
affairs whacked me in the a__.

As to their rudeness: they knew that she lacked only
a completed security clearance to receive her visa.
They kept her there six hours, and interviewed her
with harsh, doubting questions while she had a severe
cold. They had no problem accepting her cash, though.

As to mine: I remember thinking later that I did cut
in line, I did maneuver around others who had waited
patiently and that was not good. I took a little
comfort from a line I remember from Graham Greene's
"Travels with My Aunt": (paraphrase) "At least he
wanted something enough to cheat for it!" But, I was
wrong.

Thanks for pointing that out. I should not expect
courtesy until I am proficient at giving it.

Celt

[Edge]

... in response to Re: What goes around, comes around.., posted by Celt on Feb 12, 2003

The greater you are, the more you should behave humbly and then you will find favor..  More words of wisdom that I like.

Anyway - my apologies for the tone of my post.  I know you and your wife are going through a difficult period and it sounds like she had a bad day at the embassy.  Hang in there are hopefully they will complete the security clearance soon.

The govt. seems to be making it more difficult on many people now which is making it hard for people to plan.  It seems like lately every week there is some new security requirement that delays people getting together.  But who do you blame??  After 9/11 about all they have to say is that the requirements are for security purposes and there is not much people can do.

I feel for the guys like Craig and Michael B and others that are waiting for their K-1 through Texas.  That really sounds like a bad situation when you get zero answers as to why they are delaying K-1 approvals.

At least in your situation after you get through dealing with the embassy and she gets her spousal visa, you should not have to deal with the INS for a few years down the road.

Good luck Celt-

El Gordito.

[Celt]

... in response to Re: Re: What goes around, comes around.., posted by Edge on Feb 12, 2003

Thanks for your kind words. I wrote a constituent letter to
my Congressman this morning. I just asked that my wife's
background check not stay in someone's in-box until Spring,
though not in those exact words.

I do feel worse for those who chose the K-1 route. Theirs
will be a much longer and more difficult stretch.

thanks again,

Celt

[A1A]

... in response to Summary of wedding and embassy, posted by lswote on Feb 10, 2003

Buena Suerte!  Have a great honey moon.  Your adventure is still only beginning.
A1A

[Pete E]

... in response to Summary of wedding and embassy, posted by lswote on Feb 10, 2003

Bruce,
Congrstualations again.Wasn't long ago you were "lonely in Florida".Are you going anywhere for a honeymoon?Are you coming back to Florida before she gets the visa or staying in Colombia?
Good luck Bruce,I hope all works well for you.

Pete

[wizard]

... in response to Summary of wedding and embassy, posted by lswote on Feb 10, 2003

Way to go Bruce...

I wish you and Zulma all the best...

Mark