The embassy email address is indeed working. I emailed an inquiry last Thursday and received a reply today.

This was their response regarding my visa delivery questions:

"Please see the attached flyer about visa delivery services. Visas can no longer be picked up at the Embassy. Please note that service to the Bogota Domesa office is the fastest option and should take 4-5 working days."

The flyer contained the same information as the link provided by snoopy.

It looks to me as if the process just got a little more difficult, expensive, slower and uncertain.

Jmarsh, please keep us informed of your experience with Domesa.

Can they make this process any more annoying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But of course there is money involved cause who knows how much they get out of Domesa for being their courier!

Scott,
What I was understanding was that you pick your visa up from a DOMESA office in whatever city you designate. You can not pick your visa up at the embassy anymore. Seems like the middle man could be bypassed at least in Bogota but no, more than a little ridiculous if you ask me. I am planning on calling tomorrow or the next day and will let you guys know the outcome.

If Domesa has offices throughout Colombia, it is not reflected on their website unless I am missing something. Maybe their website is out of date.

Hey Gang,

First of all thanks for all of the input everyone...
I was able to reach a Bogota branch of Domesa through a number that Jmarsh posted earlier (011-57-1-424-8740) and spoke to a very helpful woman (Angela Fernandez) that told me it "would" be possible to pick up the visa package at the local office which is 5-10 minutes from the Embassy. I will keep in contact with her after the interview to coordinate. The question of when we can pick it up will depend on how quick the Embassy gets it to them. Upon receipt of the package to Domesa we can pick it up immediatly so I am still hopeful. I will also call call the Embassy tomorrow to get a few more details on coodinating that and keep you all posted.

THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE...YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!!

P.S. Brian + Yenys...this may still be doable for you guys...see what you can do

Hello, guys! I am glad to see things are moving... although some times in the wrong direction. So now we'll have to chase Domesa. Scott, Jmarsh, Bill...THANKS SO MUCH for finding this information for all of us. This definetively changes a lot of plans.

And now, a little humor for those of us still waiting for our NOA2. You may want to watch this video, but just replace the word "love" with "visa" or "noa2". It helps!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpGF52FnoH0

I am so excited! Finally we can join the the list headed to Bogota (hopefully sooner than later)! After the 156 day wait we have been approved, haven't recieved an e-mail or letter in mail yet. Just spoke to someone at Vermont yesterday using the now famous "RFE Trick" as well as my "case status".

Congratulations!

PS: Don't forget to update your VJ timeline.

Bill,
I am so nervous and excited, I can not remember where to go to update my timeline! please refresh my memory!

No reason to be nervous. The Colombia Club will get you through this.

1. At top of this page click Immigration Timelines.
2. Look for timeline functions at the top left of the next page.
3. Click Edit / Add My Entries.

Done! Thank you.

CONGRATULATOINS STEVE & SANDY!!!

Thanks Scott & Bill.
Okay guys any thoughts, on this. Do we have any shot at all (using shortcuts obviously) of getting Sandy's interview by her birthday, January 31rst?
Also, should I wait a couple of days to contact NVC? I want to call them now!

Steve...you definately have a "chance" to be in Bogota by January 31st...it will depend how quick NVC receives your petition.
If you look at our timeline you see that unfortunately it took over 5 weeks for us but lets hope that the service centers have picked up the pace at forwarding petitions.
NVC processes them very fast once they are received (usually less than 1 week) and then with the shortcut...you have a good shot!!!

God bless and best of luck

Here's a link to use IF you have a problem (as outlined on the site) at any point in the process: http://www.dhs.gov/cisombudsman

Note there is yet another form to fill out, and certainly no guarantee positive action will be taken, but at least I did finally get an (automated) response when I wrote to the ombudsman.

Charles

OK.....My NOA2 was issued last Thursday the 15th.....I tried calling NVC last night and to my surprise they received it on Monday...The guy told me it was still there ....I wonder how much longer they will be holding it?? The case was given the BGT number also.

Well thats all the new news i have ...I will be leaving for Colombia tomorrow to be by Leidy's side ...They might be discharging her from the hospital tomorrow

I also got my NOA2 hard copy in the mail today...it says that its a courtesy copy and that my lawyer has the original...Wll i need the original???

OMG as i was writing this ost i was on hold with NVC and they said it is being sent to Bogota TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Byron great news! I am expecting my hard copy NOA2 in the mail as well. Is this the correct number for NVC, 1-603-334-0700? It looks as though I recieved my NOA2 about a week after yours, it will be interesting to track eachothers progress!

Since you filed at VSC, you have a very good chance. Sending the packages to NVC is the one thing that VSC still does quickly.

Look at Byron. His package is on the way to the embassy already.

WOW that's great news Byron!!!
That was fast...now the next thing to do is call U.S. State Dept. Visa office at: 202-663-1225 press 1 then 0 and they will let you know if the embassy has received your case.
You might give it a couple days before you start calling but that is up to you...when Bogota has input your case, fax packet 3 and Leidy will be here before you know it.

STEVEANDSANDYHILL , Bill y Bella, SCOTT AND YENIFER THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EVERYBODY WAS NOT KIDDING ABOUT HOW FAST THIS PROCESS GOES AFTER THE NOA2!!!!!!!!!!!

Byron,
Have a safe trip and I hope everything is OK with Leidy...I am praying for a speedy recovery for her...

Byron, have a safe flight! I also will be praying for speedy recovery! This is indoubtably the most friendly and informative forum I have ever seen! Happy Thanksgiving to all tomorrow!

Hi all.

The appointments for December (first part) are already in Bogotá’s US embassy website.
Check it out you might be lucky.
I’m hopping our BGT # will be on the second part, if they actually post a second part.

Good luck to all....... Ana

http://bogota.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/decappointments.pdf

Well...I called the Embassy today and got an operator that told me that I would have to call back next week because there was nobody to answer any questions because of the holiday...figures...not very much has been easy so far so this is nothin' new. I will call again next week but in the meantime I would like to wish everyone a very "HAPPY AND HEALTHY THANKSGIVING"

Ana,
I'm not sure if you have already done this but read through this post to speed up your process in order to get as early an appointment as possible. You can follow this even though you are a K3. Just the additional docs for the interview will be different for K3s.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...t&p=1329162

Have a great trip Byron and enjoy your stay with your lady. I think your case will be in Bogotá by the end of next week at the very latest (don't forget that the mail system does not close on Friday not Saturday here in the States). So if Leidy faxes packet 3 by next week or the week after, you have a very good shot at getting an early January interview.

Diana

Fernanda's documents took about a week to be delivered to the Embassy. As soon as her I-129F was delivered to the NVC I began calling daily. They will first send an electronic copy to the Embassy and then mail the hard copy. We attempted to fax in packet 3 to get an interview date with just the electronic copy, but that didn't happen. They said they could not do anything until they had received the hard copy. I called tonight and found out that the hard copy was there and they mailed her packet 3 the same day. Next week she is going to fax packet 3 in again. I've read it only takes about 2-3 days for an interview date to be schedule. Hopefully that is true.

Also if she has not done so already have her apply for the Migratory certificate from DAS. My wife went to the Cali office and was told it would be about 60 days, but it would only take about 3 days if she were to go to the Bogota DAS office.

Good Luck

That is the most godawful list I have ever seen. It would kill them to sort it by BGT number so someone could find their appointment without looking at 13 pages of mind numbing numbers?

Also, I must have missed something. There is a first and second part? What is the second part?

Thank you Scott.
My husband faxed packet 3 today, I'm not sure if it was too soon, we're are hoping to at least get an appointment for the beginig of January.

Bill y Bella

When I said first part is because the second line on the list it says in Spanish "Citas programadas para Diciembre de 2007 (primera parte), the writing in parenthesis means (first part) I'm assuming there will be an update on the current list.

Si claro amigo, pero gracias para la traduccion.

It was my understanding that Package 3's returned or faxed to the embassy by the middle of the month normally were scheduled for appointments during the following month. I had never heard of a second round of scheduling. I suppose if there are open slots left when they publish the first list they might publish an updated list at the end of the month but I think all slots are normally taken by the middle of the month.

In any case, I think most people here do not pay any attention to that list because they determine their appointment date by contacting the DOS visa office.

Byron,

Have a safe trip! Hope Leidy is well. Fax that paperwork in 1 week from now...next Wednesday!!! That would be the safest bet!! If NVC has sent your package out to the embassy.....embassy should receive it by Monday/Tuesday latest....1 day to input it into the system...leaves you at Wednesday.

Perhaps you'll have an early January interview??

FAST tips for searching the interview document with adobe acrobat

Here is how to automatically search the interview list in 5 seconds

A. Open the PDF file from the BGT Embassy interview list
B. Click on the binoculars thats says search
C. Type in your BGT number (Example BGT2007XXXXXX] in the search box on the right
D. search and you will find it if it appears in 5 seconds or tell you that it found no Info, meaning your number is not listed

I hope this helps others as its very simple when you follow the above directions

I am using Acrobat 8 and professional versions and works great, we also did all our paperwork ourselves with Acrobat
professional and saved the $1,500.00 most people pay a attorney to do, which is not needed in most cases.

God Bless you and Have a Wonderful Holiday Season !!

Brian and Yenys

I wouldn't pay attention to that interview list from the embassy. When they posted the list for the September interviews they had us at a different time (which doesn't matter anyway) and for a K1 visa. We were going to a CR1 visa @ 7am.

Someone else had the same issue here on VJ but I can't remember who it was, maybe it was Chester, but I really can't remember.


Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

Diana

This process is making us crazy, as you know from my last post our case arrived to Bogota November 7th (according to the NVC and the embassy) and faxed package 3 on the 14 but we haven’t received anything on the mail yet (package 3 or 4). Since the lady at the embassy could not confirm last Wednesday (November 14) if the got our fax I tried to call yesterday but, as Scott mentioned, they were closed for thanksgiving. The DOS does not have news either so by now we are going nuts!!! We were expecting a December interview so he could come for Christmas and the interview now we have to chose . So I really hope you guys are right about December list not been accurate

Send an email. IVBogota@state.gov They responded to one that I sent. Also, you should be calling DOS. If an appointment has been made they will have the information. Scott has prepared the latest list of instructions. You can find the DOS info there.

How soon before your interview can you get the medical exam? Is there anything you need from the embassy or do you just need a DS-230? My wife will be traveling to Bogota soon and I just wondered if she could get her medical exam now rather than waiting for her interview. I read the instructions from the embassy regarding packet 3/4, but it just says that you will receive more information on the medical exam.

Wow MV-JR, I'm in the same exact boat as you. Embassy received the package on Nov. 7th but I didn't find out until a week later. We faxed on the 14th and I think it arrived through Servientrega on the 16th. We definitely should have made the cut for December interviews. I am keeping my faith that she will be here by Christmas.

I've called DOS every day this week, and still no scheduled appointment. I'm glad the December list posted on the Embassy website is only partial, as our case is not on there, either.

Let's hang in there, MV! Remember: God is control.

You need to wait until you get the letter with the interview date on this. My wife got to do her exam a couple weeks before the interview.

My wife had her interview today and everything went PERFECT!!!! sorry I don't keep up with the website much everyone!!!

Scott - I hope this helps, but we have run into the same problem with the passport delivery. We are scheduled to fly home in a little over a week and this Domesa surprise is a hassle to say the least. The embassy said to allow at least 8-10 working days for delivery!!! My wife went with the option of picking it up at the Domesa office in Bogota. We will call next Wed. or Thurs. to see if it's ready. I did some investigating on the Domesa website and it says the normal delivery time from the embassy to their office is 7 days. I really hope it comes in time for our flight otherwise it looks like we are going to pay the reticketing fees.

Okay I am sifting through all this and trying to understand what to do next. All this info. is overwhelming, and I thank everyone for sharing information.

My fiance (Sandy) lives in Barranquilla. our Paperwork left NVC today. So I believe that it will arrive in Bogota (hard copy) next Wednesday (about).
The Migratiry Certificate from DAS ?? I am drawing a blank! Should she do this now in Barranquilla ? Where would she go to apply for this? I apologise for my ignorence, man am I confused.

Thank you for all your help!

Hello,
You can tell sandy that check this website: www.das.gov.co/. You can find all the information here.
I already did that but l live in Bogota maybe everything is a little bit diferent here. Good luck!

Thank you !

CONGRATULATIONS EEDDWWIINN!!!

Please let us know the date of your interview and the day that DOMESA receives the visa package to give us all an approximate time frame.
Was there anyone at the embassy that could answer specific questions like : How long does it actually take to process the visa packet and put it in DOMESA's hands?

It used to be two days for the beneficiary receive it in person at the embassy...if it is still two days to "DOMESA" then it will be almost as convenient as it used to be...we can only hope!!!

Bill and Bella, I already email the embassy (yesterday) and my boyfriend keeps calling to DOS daily, so we will see if we get some news on Monday.

Neophi hope you are right and we get a December interview!!

Congratulations eeddwwwiin
!!

She asked the same question at the embassy, they said it would be 8-10 working days. My estimates however are more along what you are thinking. Now don't take my word for it but I think it should be around 48 hours to have the visa ready at the embassy and then another day or two for Domesa to pick it up. I am hoping they will have it ready for pick up by Thursday. I will let you know as soon as we find out keep your fingers crossed! Thanks

APPROVEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MARC GOT OUR NOA2 BY MAIL TODAY!!! IT IS DATED NOVEMBER 19,007...BUT OUR CASE WAS NOT UPDATED ON LINE....

THANKS EVERYBODY FOR YOUR SUPPORT: DIANA, SCOTT, LUCHO....!!!

I HAVE NOT HAD LUNCH YET... I NEED TO EAT, ALMOST 6 PM HERE!!, I ALREADY UPDATED OUR TIMELINE...OMG, IT´S A FACT!! I AM VERY EXCITED...!
NOW: NVC OHHHHHHHHHHH....
SCOTT: YOUR NVC GIDELINE IS VERY GOOD!, MARC ALREADY PRINTED IT TO FOLLOW THE STEPS!!

TK AGAIN FOLKS!!!

YAZZ

WOW...CONGRATULATIONS YAZZ!!!

Everything will fly from now on for you guys...hold on tight!!!

Let me thank Diana and Lucho for that guideline...I think "LIFELINE" is a more appropriate name.

Thanks a lot Scott, you are really great!!!

CONGRATULATIONS !!!!

Best of luck to you

Merry Christmas and God Bless !!!

Brian and Yenys