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 say they are accepting emails again.
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. |
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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
OF-156
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? |
Being Updated Dec 4, 2007
The following guide is intended to help K1 visa petitioners. It may also apply to others.
1. Once your I-129F is approved (NOA2), your case will
be forwarded to the National Visa Center. Normally
it will take about 1 to 2 weeks to get from CSC/VSC to NVC.
2. Start calling NVC everyday about 2 days after
your I-129F has been approved at: [b]603-334-0700
press 1 then 2[/b]. 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
the status of your package at NVC if it 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 frequently takes much less time than that.
B. If your case has been received.
Ask them when it was received and if it has been forwarded
to the embassy. If your case has been received but not
forwarded, wait 2 to 3 days from the day NVC received it
to call back and ask again. NVC does not usually hold the cases more than a few days.
3.Once you know when your case has left NVC to Bogotá. You
can now calculate when it should arrive via DHL at the embassy. The norm is 3 business days. Your case will also be sent electronically from NVC to the embassy but it needs to physically arrive before the embassy takes action.
4. When you think that your package should have physically arrived at the embassy call DOS at 202-663-1225 x1, x0 to confirm that your package has been received by the embassy and entered into their system.
5. After confirming that the embassy has your package follow these steps. You do not need to wait until you receive package 3.
Prepare your [b]Fax[/b] packet 3 to the embassy [b]011-57-1-(315-4155)[/b]. This will save
you at least 2 weeks if not more by doing so. I would advise to send the
packet 3 via courier as well (i.e. Servientrega)
Packet 3 Contents:
1. Cover letter
2. Copy of fiancée's passport (biographical data page)
3. DS-230 Part 1 (pages 1 & 2)
4. OF-169 ( page 5 of packet 3 instructions)
The cover letter should be simple and brief. Include the BGT case #
on the cover letter.
4. Two or three days after the embassy has received packet 3, they would have
already scheduled you for the interview. You can wait until your fiancée
receives packet 4 to find out the date of the interview. OR you can
use another shortcut. The shortcut is to call U.S. State Dept. Visa office
and ask them the interview date. Once the embassy schedules your interview,
U.S. State Dept. Visa office is automatically notified of the date.
You may also call the embassy consular section for visas, only available on
Wednesdays between 2:00-4:00pm at: [b]011-57-1-(315-1566)[/b] for the interview date.
Packet 4 Contents:
1. Passport
2. Baptism Certificate (Fe de bautismo con notas marginales. Fotocopia autenticada)
3. Birth Certificate (Registro Civil)
4. Police Certificate (Certificado Judicial del DAS)
5. Migratory Certificate (Carta del DAS, entradas/salidas)
6. I-134 Affidavit of Support and evidence.
7. DS-156 (2 copies)
8. DS-156K (1 copy)
9. Laboratory/Medical exams/Vaccinations
10. Evidence of your relationship (photos, e-mails, boarding passes, etc.)
11. Six passport style photos, 5cm x 5cm.
Embassy:
Finally the big day is here. You will want to be at the embassy no later than 6 a.m.
I suggest 5:45 a.m. At 6 a.m. there will already be a small line. At 6:30 a.m. you will
not be able to see the front of the line. There will be 3 lines at the front gate of the embassy.
You will want to get into line 3. Do not follow everyone that gets into line 1.
K1, K3, CR1/IR1 visa petitioners need to get into line 3. This may get you in and out of
the embassy quicker.
Tips:
If your fiancée lives outside of Bogotá, have her start getting the Police
and Migratory certificates ASAP. As it may take several weeks to receive
the certificates for people living outside of the capital. If your fiancée
lives in Bogotá, she can get the certificates in a few days.
Try to schedule the laboratory and medical exam 2 days before the interview.
This will allow an extra day just in case any mishaps should occur.
You will need an English translation of the birth certificate, get it done in
Colombia. It will be a lot cheaper and faster.
LINKS:
Packet 3 and Forms
[url=http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsck1instructions.shtml]http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsck1instructions.shtml[/url]
Packet 4
[url=http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/co1/wwwfck1cita_temp.pdf]http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/co1/wwwfck1cita_temp.pdf[/url]
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)
Sorry for the huge post again but I found a couple more important things to add/correct.
[/quote]
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Other Forms (if any)? |
Birth certificate of applicant. (copia del folio del registro civil)
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 migratrio (beneficiary's history of travel into and out of the country.
I-134
Most recent petitioner's and tax return with W-2's or IRS transcript. Good idea to have 3 years just in case it is requested.
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Direct Consular Filing Offered? |
Yes |
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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? |
Usually Next day but remember if it's a Friday you will need to wait til Monday. |
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Is the Medical exam same day as interview? |
No |
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Cost of Medical Exam? |
Approximately $115.00 dollars 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, 245-929
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? |
1 |
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How many Passport Photo's Required at the interview? |
2 |
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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? |
http://english.bogotaturismo.gov.co/
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 nonimmigrant visas. They cost $100 and the Embassy collects all nonimmigrant visa fees through the bank. Immigrant visas cost $380 and are paid at the Embassy.
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