Cost of second visit to embassy

[lswote]

Well guys I am back in Bogota after my honeymoon in San Andres and Providencia.  I have to agree both with Pete and Cali Vet concerning Providencia.  My wife and I enjoyed the peace and quiet to a point but were unable to spend anytime at the beach after dark because of the mosquitoes.  After three days in Providencia, one spent just sleeping because my wife had to recover from food poisoning, we were glad to get to the brisker pace in San Andres.  My wife in particular liked the shopping in San Andres.

I had a question concerning the cost of the second visit to the embassy.  I had been told $335, but the documents we were given seem to indicate that since January 1st, the cost is $215.  Almost everything we were given is in Spanish, so I am not sure what it says.  The only thing in English is the evidence of support document.

Also, I was given this long list of items beforehand for my wife to take to the second visit, but it appears the only thing she needs is 3 years of tax returns with W-2s and a letter from my employer.  All the bank records and house deed and photos of us together and many other documents appear unneeded.  I am going to give them to her to take anyway but it doesn't appear she needs anything more.

Anyone have any clear answers here?  I know that Celt went recently, but since his first visit was before January 1st maybe it was different for him.

[lswote]

... in response to Cost of second visit to embassy, posted by lswote on Feb 16, 2003

I looked at the documents closely that were given by the embassy on the first visit (they are in Spanish, why they don't also include the documents in English is beyond me) and I see that the fee my wife has to bring for the second appointment is indeed $335.  I had mistaken the fees that have to be paid for doctor's examinations (100.000 & 115.00 pesos) and confused the pesos for dollars.  Elsewhere in the document it explicitly states the amount that has to be brought for the second visit and that amount is still $335.

[Celt]

... in response to Correction, posted by lswote on Feb 18, 2003

That sounds about right. My wife said it was in the
neighborhood of a million pesos, but then again, she
is keen on shopping!

[lswote]

... in response to Re: Correction, posted by Celt on Feb 18, 2003

So you paid the money on the second visit even though they didn't issue your wife her visa?

[Celt]

... in response to Re: Re: Correction, posted by lswote on Feb 19, 2003

It is not negotiable. You do not have the right to bring
your wife to the U.S. You have the right to apply to do so.
You pay for their costs in adjudicating your request to
bring her here.

[lswote]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Correction, posted by Celt on Feb 19, 2003

So the visa is free and we are just paying for their costs to adjudcate our request?  That sounds fishy to me, but they got you over a barrel, so what you gonna do?

I am seriously considering accompanying my wife for her second interview just so she will not be so intimidated by the process at the embassy.  Based on your experience and recommendations from the agency where I met my wife, I think my being there will at least help her feel more secure even if I can't really help the process along.

[Celt]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Correction, posted by lswote on Feb 19, 2003

I would encourage this. My wife was very upset at the tone
of the questioners in her second interview. I think that
American consular staff would not be so aggressive in front of another American.

But, since I was not there, someone else will have to
tell you whether you are together during the questioning.

[wizard]

... in response to Cost of second visit to embassy, posted by lswote on Feb 16, 2003

I have heard that visa application fees have been reduced since the Homeland Security Agency has begun taking over INS functions... But I have not found any hard evidence...

You may be the first to experience the new fee structure...

Keep us posted if the fees have in fact dropped to $215...

[Celt]

... in response to Re: Cost of second visit to embassy, posted by wizard on Feb 17, 2003

My wife went for visit #2 on Feb. 10. The normal fees
applied. This was a visit following up a first visit of
January 7th.

[wizard]

... in response to Re: Re: Cost of second visit to embassy, posted by Celt on Feb 17, 2003

Here's the link to the INS Forms/Fees website... The I-130 and I-129F filing fees have changed to $96 as of 1/24/03... The I-485 filing fee has changed to $186 as of 1/24/03 too...  

www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/

It appears that many of the filing fees have changed, all as of 1/24/03...

Hope this helps...

[lswote]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Cost of second visit to emba..., posted by wizard on Feb 17, 2003

As I reported in my "Summary of wedding and embassy" post of 2/10, I can confirm the cost of the I-130 was $96.