K1 Visa - Coronavirus - Colombia's ban on international flights

[rosa_s 2]

Hello!

 

I recently got my NOA2 for a K1 visa on April 20, 2020 with a valid date from 4/20 to 8/19. My fiancé is from Colombia. Due to the coronavirus, Colombia is banning all international flights until August 31 (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-latam-airlines/colombia-follows-argentina-in-banning-all-international-flights-through-august-31-idUSKBN22W2T8). Is this going to be an issue on the approval notice validity date? What exactly do I have to do to extend this? 

 

I was really hoping to have my fiancé join me as soon as possible but now I'm unsure if it'll even be this year. 

 

Thank you for all the help!

[Just Paul 4,591]

2 minutes ago, rosa_s said:

What exactly do I have to do to extend this? 

To reissue a visa you have to contact the consulate with the reasons you were not able to travel during the validity period.  If acceptable the consulate will request a new DS-160, medical, interview and possibly updated documents.  This hasn't ever happened on this scale before so wait until they tell you want to do.

 

Obviously your first choice is to find a way to travel before the visa expires.

[Loren Y 2,748]

OP said they only have noa2, not a Visa in hand. Still have to schedule and pass The interview, along with medical exam and etc. I don't think they have their Visa yet. And probably won't get it until August anyway the way things are going.

And the embassy will automatically extend the noa2 until interview time.

Edited May 20, 2020 by Loren Y

[Tacos 69]

On 5/20/2020 at 4:05 PM, rosa_s said:

Hello!

 

I recently got my NOA2 for a K1 visa on April 20, 2020 with a valid date from 4/20 to 8/19. My fiancé is from Colombia. Due to the coronavirus, Colombia is banning all international flights until August 31 

 

Thanks for the post, my fiance and son are in Colombia and we received our NOA2 on 5/12. I’ve been away since February, I hope they will open flights soon so I can get down there. 

[HBundle 44]

Following this thread.  I had an interview scheduled for early August, but it got cancelled a few weeks ago.  I rescheduled and that was cancelled a few days later, and I received an email to the effect that they are closing the portal for appointments indefinitely but they are working to resume ASAP.  I have checked as recently as yesterday and there are no appointments available. 

 

Bogota is definitely a hotspot in the country and they have been under pretty tight lockdown.  I'm sure reopening the embassy will depend on what happens in Bogota specifically.  In addition, I don't see them opening up for interviews until August at the earliest, as what is the point in issuing a visa if there are no international flights out of the country (other than humanitarian flights which I don't believe are available for visa holders, though I could be mistaken).  Just my 2 cents though.  We will see!! Hang in there parceros.

[joe and karol 15]

I don't think they will open up until domestic flights are allowed to travel to the capital so sometime in July.  I believe you can have a visa for up to six months so the international travel date doesn't matter if it starts in September.  A good question you stated was if it K1 visa holders would be allowed on humanitarian flights.  I think if you got an expedited interview, you should be able to do so.  All it takes is permission.

[joe and karol 15]

"Over the past few months, the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá has arranged humanitarian flights monthly to the U.S.

The U.S. Embassy in Bogotá recently announced that Spirt Airlines will operate humanitarian flights on several dates in July from Colombia to the United States.

These flights are for primarily for U.S. citizens and permanent residents that want to return to the U.S. However, other nationals may be permitted on these flights to the U.S. to connect on their way home but U.S. citizens have priority."

[HBundle 44]

Quarantine was extended to July 15.  The President did not state how this would impact the re-opening of domestic flights (which was supposed to happen in July), or the subsequent reopening of international flights in September.  I think they purposely keep it vague until the last second to give themselves options but it creates mass confusion. 

[joe and karol 15]

I'm hearing they wont give out K1 visas to sometime next year.  Technically, K1 visas are given priority but the embassies are stating they need to reopen safely and are delaying the process even though husbands, wives, and families are separated.  Meanwhile, McDonald's is open.