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Online Colombian marriage visa clown show

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seablock
  5/19/2022 23:40 EST

I previously held a pensioners visa which expired in 2021 and because of the pandemic restrictions was not renewed and I had married a Colombian national in the meantime. Recently I applied online for the Colombian visa and it was a horror show of incompetency by the Colombian government. I didn't know that the Dept of State and USCIS (whom I sued to move the Green Card process along) looked professional in comparison. I submitted all the documents required by their glitchy online application. I then received a request for more documents which I forwarded. This was followed by a request for documents I had submitted. I submitted those documents again. Then they denied the visa for failing to submit the certificate of marriage which I had submitted in the first group of documents. After I found that a friend with a Colombian wife had done this twice and been denied both times, I gave up down only $50. When possible, I will visit the Colombian embassy as I did with my original visa. I would recommend, if possible, waiting until you can apply in person as the Colombian visa folks are just plain incompetent and you are possibly throwing good money after bad.

elpdiver
  5/20/2022 04:29 EST

My experience with the visa process through the Colombian Embassy in Houston mirrors yours. I struggled to work with the online process and submitted everything they asked for online. Then they requested additional items and the items I had already submitted with no explanation as to why the original submissions were not accepted. Basically I think they just listed everything that is required over again. I was applying for residency based on being the parent of a Colombian citizen. I think I can wade through the issue now that they have supplied a detailed list. Time will tell.

elp

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seablock
  5/21/2022 00:40 EST

Well hopefully enough people will complain on Facebook, Twitter etc that they might embarrass them. (unlikely) Otherwise they should go back to their pen and ink system with carbon paper until they can handle the internet. Until then, my newly married friend and I will enter Colombia on tourist visas and vote with our feet (and money) for the other six months.

geoffbob
  5/21/2022 09:10 EST

In these parts I don't think complaining will do anything but beat a person down and tire them out. It's an age old problem. Way back in 1857 Dickens referred to the London bureaucracy as the "Office Circumlocution".
What works for me here in Colombia is to let it go, or ignore it or look for solutions another way. Same in Mexico. When I was turned down for a Mexican resident's visa I kept right on smiling and asked the official how could he turn down somebody with an honest face like mine. He broke out laughing and stamped my application approved. Lots of applicants would come unglued, pull out the rule book and argue. In practical terms officials enjoy a great deal of latitude. If they take a liking to you it could open a lot of doors. Sometimes you gotta forget the rule book.
But I have to admit that I haven't applied this to marriage. Even I could blow a gasket over that.

Elexpatriado
  5/21/2022 09:41 EST

The whole thing is getting worse and worse every year.

Just wait until Petro gets in.

This is atually a global issue, not just Colombia.

Personally, I think Klaus Schwab and his crew is behind it

Vikingo
  5/21/2022 17:40 EST

Why not contact a Visa service and get help from people who have the experience, do visas on a daily basis, have contacts at the Colombian immigration offices, speak English and walk you through the process until the end?
It can be done entirely on-line, no need to visit their office and their fees are reasonable.
Here is one such service in Medellín that I used from Cali that saved me a lot of stress and grief:

https://expatgroup.co/english/visasincolombia/

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Paco23
  5/23/2022 14:31 EST

@vikingo I used that service in the past. They were able to help me the first time. The following attempts were not very good experiences. I would make sure you have them clearly indicate everything you need to send them and ensure they tell you the first time how recent the do need to be etc. The expat group likes to throw a bunch of vague requirements your way and when you are on a timeline it matters. They didn’t totally screw me because I had a backup plan. But I probably wouldn’t use them again.

elpdiver
  5/23/2022 14:37 EST

I would have to second Vikingo's suggestion. Make an inquiry on the Facebook group and you will get two or three offers to assist for around $400. I have no used any of them and cannot attest to their work.

I feel like I could 'Get er done!" the second time around. I suspect that the file size or background wasn't just right the first time around, IDK as they asked for some documents that I had already submitted. I will probably give it a go one more time this summer.

lpd

Vikingo
  5/23/2022 16:36 EST

https://www.visascolombia.com/visa-de-conyuge/?gclid=CjwKCAjw4ayUBhA4EiwATWyBrkaPIkec8uXNCGH0DyLLn5JMcvnd9ntjTeIPERIaQiDBnPrcD6ByURoCyjIQAvD_BwE

It doesn't seem these folks speak English but the Colombian wife should be able to help.

They have these services in every mayor city. I choose the one I mentioned earlier because they had the lowest cost. It wasn't all smooth sailing but what mattered, I got the visa on time, a few days before mine expired. If I remember correctly they charged about 200 mil for their service which may have doubled by now. Over the 'Migración' fees they have no control of course.

seablock
  5/23/2022 16:53 EST

The sad thing is that the applicants are not the ones who need to be walked through but the incompetent clerks processing the Colombian visas who can't figure out their own system. And the funny thing is that most of the gringos who are applying are way "overqualified" financially and would never be a burden to the Colombian government. In theory, a no-brainer.

Blenheim
  5/23/2022 22:26 EST

Seablock if i understand this correctly--
"most of the gringos who are applying are way "over qualified financially" and would never be a burden to Colombia"---

One might look at this in 2 ways---
A definition of way "over qualified financially" indicates many posters then have one of two options residing in Colombia---

1.--One subject to taxes with Dian filing if over 180 days living in Colombia--

2.-- One not subject to taxes with Dian filing if less than 180 days living in Colombia--

As one currently has a Colombia wife with her green card (per one's previous posting) she cannot be out of the states more than 180 days a year to retain her green card,--- and as oneself can stay in Colombia 180 days on just one's passport ---Under the circumstances what is the purpose of having a Colombia resident visa in the first place---

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Vikingo
  5/24/2022 06:10 EST

Blen, it's actually 1 (one) year and 1 day now you can stay outside the US with a green card.
It can be extended to 2 years if you get a re-entry permit before! leaving the States.
After being absent past the allowed time you need to reapply for immigration from scratch should you decide to go back home.
A word of advise, don't do what I did, lived and worked in the US for 35 years and didn't bother applying for citizenship. You never know when you wish you could go back by just showing them your US passport.

MarcXpat
  5/24/2022 10:31 EST

Has anyone done the process through a Consulate rather than online? I am wondering if the Consulate in Miami would make it easier?

Blenheim
  5/24/2022 12:32 EST

Thank you vikingo
To help understand this--

fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/i-have-a green-card-how long can-i-be-outside-the-us/

On another note--
With one's social security benefit after death---a non citizen spouse green card holder can receive the deceased spouses SS benefits------that is if-- the non citizen spouse can afford monetarily to spend the required time in the states to retain her green card---- to then be able to retain her deceased spouses social security benefit----

A solution-- have one's green card holding spouse reside in the states the time required to obtain citizenship--(36 months) then after obtaining her citizenship-- she will receive her deceased spouses benefit permanently ---regardless living permanently in Colombia--elsewhere---

In the end under circumstances---why fool around with a Colombia visa, if one can stay in Colombia 6 months a year anyway--when the more important issue is for one's green card spouse to obtain U.S. citizenship in a minimum time frame---

geoffbob
  5/24/2022 13:42 EST

MarcXpat

My buddy went to the Colombian consulate in Miami (actually Coral Gables). He didn't even have an appointment and was approved for the resident visa the same day but that was before the pandemic so bear that in mind.

seablock
  5/24/2022 23:51 EST

In the case of the wife having US citizenship like mine, you are able to stay in Colombia as long as you like, buy property and open a bank account. It gives you more options but, for myself, it is not a necessity as I don't have plans to live in Colombia full-time. After filing a lawsuit against USCIS to push through her green card and citizenship, In the immortal words of Roberto Duran (with respect to future visa fights): "No Mas."

Blenheim
  5/25/2022 06:53 EST

Seablock for being married to a Colombia citizen for less than a year --and since you brought it up-- might explain in further detail your process used to sue USCIS & the Dept of State in such a short period of time and why----
If my memory serves me correctly having gone through this years ago--USCIS applications are through the Dept of Homeland Security for green card applications, which take several months to begin with-- not through the Dept of State-----Also per your post-- --How did your Congressman manage to bypass your lawsuits (per your post)--already on file with the Dept of state and USCIS to obtain your wife's green card--? Or to put it another way--how did he manage to put her in front of thousands of other waiting applicants??
Would assume other people attempting the same process might have an interest in this subject and who your congressman is---or to be woke correct--congressperson--

elpdiver
  5/25/2022 09:22 EST

In addition your wife's status US, Colombian or otherwise will have no bearing on your status...unless you apply for residency using her citizenship.

lpd

Wildstubby
  5/25/2022 18:37 EST

Blenheim you are correct! My wife received a 'temporary green card' a little over a year and she received a medical waiver for not being able to attend the first interview! I had to send all the paper work for 'change of status' from K-1 visa to non-immigrant. This involved I-485, I-131, work permit and temporary travel permit, (about a ream of paper!). So, having received the temp green card, around August I will have to send in the application for her permanent green card. So there is at least 3 years there.

Blenheim
  5/25/2022 21:08 EST

Wildstubby---You may be way ahead of me on this----as maybe times have changed---

I assume your wife has a "conditional green card"--as was with my wife, and good for 2 years, or 24 months from date of issue before its expiration---

If i am correct---

Within 90 days of expiration of her conditional green green card--(not earlier than 90 days) one must file form I-751 to remove conditions of permanent residence status---to then acquire her permanent green card----

So now 3 years later (36 months) after the original issuance date of her "conditional green card"--she would then be eligible to file her N-400 application for citizenship--

Now with her N-400 application---USCIS will require notarized copies of all her Colombia passport pages showing exactly all entry and exit dates to and from the states---(i cannot remember if she also has to send her Colombia passport??) In any case this is to see if she meets the residence requirements for her N-400 application for minimum days residing stateside--(This is very important--to make sure in her travels outside the states-- if any--she still has the required days in the states--
(one day short of days required, and her application will be rejected) ----If her application were to be rejected, she would then have to file a new N-400 application all over again ----which in any case will probably take a few more months before receiving her citizenship oath date--

(So with no issues ---once one files their N-400 application and approved--it will be maybe 3-6 months for her citizenship oath date)----What happens then -- she will be sent a swearing in ceremony date--however each state does not necessarily have a swearing in ceremonies each month---so one will be in limbo waiting for a date letter--

So now after receiving her citizenship diploma-- if you are in a hurry for her to return to Colombia---and without waiting a few weeks or so for her new U.S. passport issuance ---You could--(assuming one still can) locate a Dept of State passport agency in your state or other nearby state--etc.----(then as early as possible--before her swearing in ceremony date,---once you know it)--- go online for an appointment to that passport agency to acquire her passport -----Another words --knowing the day of her citizenship swearing in--i made an appointment for the next day at the Houston Dept of State passport agency--With her citizenship diploma in hand --we drove to Houston--The next morning the passport agency opened at 8 A.M. --and by 3
P.M. the same day she was issued her U.S. passport----Was not cheap but quick--

Though the requirements state 36 months to acquire a passport if married------it took us a little over 3 1/2 years---

Trust have not thoroughly confused you----And apologize if incorrect on the green card--

Blenheim
  5/26/2022 08:10 EST

Wildstubby---As sometimes my P.M's do not go through---and thinking a little more due to lack of memory--

After your wife files her N-400 application---it will take a couple of months or more for USCIS to process it--After which time she will receive a notice from USCIS with an appointment interview date at her local USCIS office---At the interview the officer will go over her N-400---such and such---and say to her the application appears okay--and he (or she) will then forward to his (her) supervisor for final review and approval---If the supervisor then okays the application---it is then a matter of time for her to receive a notice of when and where her naturalization ceremony will take place---
Thinking more about it--she will not send her passport in with her N-400 Application--just bring it with her for her N-400 interview--so she can still travel if necessary in the interim---

Trust her English and U.S. history abilities are reasonable for her N-400 interview---You can surf for publications on issues pertaining to N-400 interview guidelines--i recall USCIS also has a guideline booklet -

Though you can go to the USCIS facility--you will not be permitted in the interview room with her--Her interview should not last more than an hour----probably much less--

Am sure other posters can weigh in with their experiences on this naturalization subject--

Wildstubby
  5/26/2022 16:58 EST

Her English is a little better but not enough to get by the interview totally on her own. The son and daughter will be there too. I can ask for a dispensation being she spent 14 months in the hospital. I talked to a co-worker whose wife is from Costa Rica. They didn't even call her for an interview. They adjusted her status and gave her the permanent green card! Sorry, I didn't mean to hijack the thread this way.

Blenheim
  5/26/2022 21:12 EST

Wildstubby----sent 2 p.m.s ---may take a while--see if they work---

seablock
  5/27/2022 13:21 EST

A long story, after waiting more than 1.5 years after applying for the permanent green card in the USA she applied for citizenship while it was pending. She was approved for the green card but they did not sent the green card as they were under the mistaken impression she had been approved for citizenship. Shortly, thereafter she was interviewed for citizenship and recommended for approval. After exhausting other remedies (info pass (talked to USCIS supervisor who promised to correct situation and nothing done), congressmen and Ombudsman), I filed a writ of mandamus in Federal Court (requesting for them to do their job). I spoke with the AUSA on the case and wanted me to withdraw the case because the green card had been approved but I told her that a full remedy would be to issue the green card. (which would free up the citizenship app. as they thought there was a problem with the green card). At this point, the case got more attention at a higher level than a supervisor and the green card was issued and then the citizenship was approved. This was not a case of "cutting" in line but a case of two fat people trying to pass through a door at the same time blocking each other.

Felipe58
  6/1/2022 17:34 EST

I find that strange, my first visa in Colombia was eleven years ago, that I did in person, since then, I have done the following three online and had no problems, one marriage visa, and two Resident visas, the second Resident I applied for last year, as I had renewed my passport, I was told that the system has reverted to the old way, and Resident visas no longer need to be renewed, they are permanent, you only need to renew the Cedula, I still wanted a copy of the visa in my passport, so paid for a copy, which was cheaper, but is still dated for five years, albeit, apparently they don't expire. I'm not worried about that because, at 66 I'm applying for dual citizenship, only to avoid paying for more visas, and to try and keep people like Petro out of Government.

Blenheim
  6/1/2022 22:26 EST

Resident visas are valid as long as one stays within the guidelines of the visa---If one renews their passport---one needs to go to migration ---and migration will transfer one's visa number and stamp from one's expired passport to one's new passport--If one does not go to migration to do this--- suggest still carry one's old passport---for eventually immigration at the airport will catch this ----and will say one is required to go to migration and update----

Elexpatriado
  6/7/2022 15:53 EST

Resident visas-after you have been conntiniously here for 5 years-should not be an issue...at least for now..things are changing all the time

Other types of "M" visas-pensionada, rentista and it appears, marriage visas are an issue- in the last couple years anyway- especially the first time , espescially for Canadians (wthout the apstiollle system)

All kind of rumours about things getting more and more complicated shortly

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