Phone Number: |
011-57-1-315-0811 (embassy)
011-57-1-315-1566 (consular section - visas) Weds from 2-4
fax:
011-57-1-315-2197 (embassy)
011-57-1-315-4155 (consular section - visas) |
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E-Mail: |
IVBogota@state.gov |
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Address: |
Calle 22D-Bis # 47-51 (building entrance)
Carrera 45 # 24B-27 (mailing address)
Bogotá, D.C.
Colombia |
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Working Hours: |
Mon - Fri 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Observed Holidays - http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsembh.shtml#English
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Best Contact Method: |
As of November 15, 2007 They are accepting emails again and responding in approximately one business day.
Phone-You can call them at 877-804-5401. This call costs $15.50. They cut you off at 10 minutes and won't answer questions about scheduled times or a specific visa case, but they will tell you about the process...things I already knew.
For specific information about your petition call the consular section - visas at 011-57-1-315-1566. They accept calls on Weds from 2PM to 4PM only. |
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Approx Waiting Time for Interview After Consulate Recieves
NVC Package: |
If package 3 is returned prior to the middle of the month the appointment is usually scheduled for the following month. (Dec 4 2007: There seems to be a delay now in setting appointments. Some members have been waiting 3 weeks or more after returning package 3 documents and still no appointment.) |
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Issues Packet 3? |
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Packet 3 Contains: |
I-134
DS-2100
DS-230
Medical instructions |
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Issues Packet 4? |
Yes |
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Packet 4 Contents (if known): |
Open appointment letter |
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Forms to Consulate? |
The following guide is intended to help K1 visa petitioners. It may also apply to other types of petitions.
1. Once your I-129F is approved (NOA2), your case will be forwarded to the National Visa Center.
2. Start calling NVC everyday about 2 days after your I-129F has been approved at: 603-334-0700 press 1 then 5. You will need to reach a live person to get information on your case since the NVC’s automated system does not handle K1 visas.
Give this person your I-797 NOA1 receipt #, they will let you know if your package has been received. Once NVC receives your case, they will assign a new case # that will begin with BGTXXXXXXXXXX. Make sure you get the new case # and write it down.
A. If it has not been received.
Keep calling every few days until they receive it. Don’t pay attention
to their script. They will tell you it may take 4 weeks for them to receive your case. It does not usually take that long. Sometimes it only takes a few days.
B. If your case has been received.
Ask them if it has been forwarded to the embassy. If your case has not been forwarded, wait a day and then call again. NVC does not usually hold the cases more than a few days.
3. After NVC sends your package to the embassy it should arrive in approximately 3 business days via DHL. Your package will also be sent electronically to the embassy but it needs to physically arrive before the embassy takes action.
4. When you estimate that your package has arrived at the embassy call DOS at 202-663-1225 x1, x0 to confirm. You will need your new BGT case number. (See Step 2)
5. After confirming that the embassy has your package follow these steps. You do NOT need to wait until you receive package 3.
A. Prepare your package 3 response. It should include the following items only. There should be a total of 5 pages including your one page cover letter.
1. Cover letter
2. DS-2100 (page 4 of packet 3 instructions)
3. DS-230 Part 1 (pages 1 & 2 only)
4. Copy of fiancée's passport (biographical data page)
The cover letter should include the petitioner's and beneficiary's names and the BGT case number. State that the beneficiary has all the required documentation ready and request the earliest available appointment.
B. Fax your response to Package 3 to the embassy at 011-57-1-(315-4155. To be extra thorough, send your package 3 response via courier such as Servientrega also.
6. After receiving your Package 3 response the embassy will schedule your interview. To discover your interview date call DOS at (202) 663-1225 x1, x0. You may also call the embassy consular section for visas for your interview date at: 011-57-1-315-1566. They only acept calls on Wednesdays between 2:00 & 4:00 PM.
If you have questions, come to the VJ Colombia Club at http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2572 and post your question there. There are many helpful people in that forum who have been through the process. For Spanish go to http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=78366 |
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Other Forms (if any)? |
These documents are needed for the medical exam:
*Appointment letter
*2 passport style fotos (5cm x 5cm) of beneficiary and 2 of each accompanying child.
These documents and items are needed for the interview:
*Appointment letter
*DS-156 Non Immigrant Visa Application.(2 copies for the beneficiary and 2 copies for each accompanying child.)
*DS-156K Non Immigrant Fiance(e) Visa Application (1 copy, beneficiary only)
*DS-230 (1 copy, beneficiary only. Do NOT sign on page 4.)
*Birth certificate of applicant. (copia del folio del registro civil. Must be an "original" birth certificate which in Colombia means that it is a foto copy that has been notarized.)
*Baptismal certificate of applicant. (with marginal notes)
*Passport valid for 6 months from date of visa issuance.
*Marriage certificate. (registro civil)
*Death certificate or divorce certificate showing termination of all prior marriages of both parties.
*DAS Police certificate
*DAS migratorio (beneficiary's history of travel into and out of the country.
*I-134 Affidavit of support. (notarized)
*Petitioner's most recent US tax return with W-2's or IRS transcript. (It is a good idea to have 3 years just in case it is requested.)
*Documents received after the medical exam and laboratory tests.
*Proof of payment of the visa fees. (Note, some fees are paid at the embassy and some are paid prior to the interview.)
*4 passport style photos (5cm x 5cm)of the beneficiary.
*LOTS of evidence of a legitimate relationship. (Letters, photos, boarding passes, etc)
* A new letter of intent from the petitoner. State the intent to marry the beneficary within 90 days and to provide support.
Any accompanying children must also have passports, birth certificates, baptismal certificates, fotos, and medical exams. |
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Direct Consular Filing Offered? |
No |
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If DCF Allowed: For all or only US citizen lawfully resident in country?
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Residents Only |
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Can fiance(e)/spouse attend interview? |
Yes |
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Visa fee payment "same day" or "in advance"? |
Ahead of Time |
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Did embassy schedule interview or could you walk-in? |
Scheduled Ahead of Time |
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Visa issued same day? |
No |
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If not what's the waiting period? |
Visas are now being shipped to beneficiary via Domesa (a courier). Visas may NOT be picked up at the embassy. Beneficiary can stipulate delivery address and MAY be able to pick up the visa at the Domesa's office. |
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Is the Medical exam same day as interview? |
No |
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Cost of Medical Exam? |
$150000 pesos for the laboratory and $135000 pesos for the physical. Approximately US$160 for both procedures plus vaccination fees if necessary. |
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List of doctors? |
Instituto y Laboratorio Clinico
Calle 38 # 8-28, Local 1
Bogota
Phone: 232-7272
Dr. Maria Consuelo Gonzalez
Cra 8 # 49-25 Of. 302
Bogota
Phone: 288-7629, 245-9290
Dr. Jairo H. Roa
Hospital San Ignacio
Carrera 7 # 4-62 Of. 724
Bogota
Phone: 232-5032, 285-0020, ext. 3738 |
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How many Passport Photo's Required for the medical? |
2 |
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How many Passport Photo's Required at the interview? |
4 |
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Estimated waiting time at the consulate on the day of interview? |
2-4 hours |
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Vaccination requirements? |
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Cheap and good hotels near the Consulate? |
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Additional Info? |
Tips:
*If the beneficiary lives outside of Bogotá it can take a long time to receive the Police and Migratory certificates. They are available in a few days for those that can go to the offices in Colombia.
*Try to schedule the laboratory and medical exam at least 2 days before the interview. This will allow some extra time to deal with any unexpected problems.
*Documents in Spanish do not need to be translated into English. However, you will need an English translation of birth certificates to use in the US. It is less expensive to translate them in Colombia.
List of Scheduled Appointments updated on or about the 15th of each month:
http://bogota.usembassy.gov/iv-appointments.html
K visa applicants have to pay at the bank because K visas are technically non immigrant visas. They cost $131 and the Embassy collects all non immigrant visa fees through the bank. Immigrant visas cost $380 and are paid at the Embassy.
Helpful links:
Bogota Tourism:
http://english.bogotaturismo.gov.co/
Packet 3 and Forms
http://bogota.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/k_instructions_031908.pdf
Packet 4
http://bogota.usembassy.gov/appt-package.html
DAS
[url=http://www.das.gov.co]http://www.das.gov.co[/url]
You will need to go to SERVICIOS and then click on CERTIFICADO JUDICIAL and EXTRANJERIA (migratory)
DISCLAIMER
ALL INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME AND WITHOUT NOTICE. |
