What's going on in Colombia?

[RV2019 24]

I am honestly going crazy. The Ecuadorian Embassy filed a request to transfer my fiancee's case from Bogota to Guayaquil nearly 4 months ago and Bogota refuses to do anything about it. I've sent them multiple emails over the last months and they never reply. I can't get through to anyone when I call. Why is the Colombia Embassy so terribly inefficient compared to Ecuador? What can I possibly do to get someone's attention?

[HBundle 44]

Your guess is as good as any.  They are still working on an extremely limited basis, and nothing on K1s.  I'm not sure what that means for you since your situation is not a common one (from what I understand).  They may be grouping you in with all "K1 Work" so that they wouldn't transfer your case until they start working on K1s again. Or maybe there is another person in the embassy that handles transfers-- I have no idea and am purely speculating . 

 

We're still waiting on any information after our interview was cancelled back in March. My guess is that nothing will change until possibly the new administration.  Also, Bogota and other major Colombian cities are going back to pico y cedula (quarantine).   I've been staying in Colombia since September so that I can at least be with my fiancee; however, I might have to return to the States soon.

[RV2019 24]

1 hour ago, HBundle said:

Your guess is as good as any.  They are still working on an extremely limited basis, and nothing on K1s.  I'm not sure what that means for you since your situation is not a common one (from what I understand).  They may be grouping you in with all "K1 Work" so that they wouldn't transfer your case until they start working on K1s again. Or maybe there is another person in the embassy that handles transfers-- I have no idea and am purely speculating . 

 

We're still waiting on any information after our interview was cancelled back in March. My guess is that nothing will change until possibly the new administration.  Also, Bogota and other major Colombian cities are going back to pico y cedula (quarantine).   I've been staying in Colombia since September so that I can at least be with my fiancee; however, I might have to return to the States soon.

I don't see how the new administration will change anything given that the current one has already given the embassies the green light and many embassies are already processing K1s.  The problem is entirely with the Colombian Embassy. 

 

Anyway, I got a response from them today saying my case has been sent already so that's good news.

[MedellinCOUS 24]

On 12/22/2020 at 9:07 AM, RV2019 said:

I don't see how the new administration will change anything given that the current one has already given the embassies the green light and many embassies are already processing K1s.  The problem is entirely with the Colombian Embassy. 

 

Anyway, I got a response from them today saying my case has been sent already so that's good news.

Glad you finally got a response.  My wife and I are going crazy as our CR1 visa is essentially stuck at the NVC (even though it was approved there 8 months ago) as Bogota is totally closed up from what I can see.  You are right, it literally has NOTHING to do with the state department or NVC... it is the Colombian embassy.  I don't know what they are doing.  Personally I think they are taking a nice long paid vacation.  

[Bri&Alejandro 82]

9 hours ago, MedellinCOUS said:

Glad you finally got a response.  My wife and I are going crazy as our CR1 visa is essentially stuck at the NVC (even though it was approved there 8 months ago) as Bogota is totally closed up from what I can see.  You are right, it literally has NOTHING to do with the state department or NVC... it is the Colombian embassy.  I don't know what they are doing.  Personally I think they are taking a nice long paid vacation.  

Same for me. Our K1 visa is stuck at NVC since March. I have tried inquiring on when they think they will be sent and get the same answer of “when the embassy resumes normal processing.” Well goodness who knows when that will be! I feel concerned because it is my understanding that the K1 visa’s expiration can be extended up to a year. I surely hope they will honor our petition beyond the year mark given the circumstances and not make us start all over.

[Tacos 69]

On 1/18/2021 at 11:03 AM, Bri&Alejandro said:

Same for me. Our K1 visa is stuck at NVC since March. I have tried inquiring on when they think they will be sent and get the same answer of “when the embassy resumes normal processing.” Well goodness who knows when that will be! I feel concerned because it is my understanding that the K1 visa’s expiration can be extended up to a year. I surely hope they will honor our petition beyond the year mark given the circumstances and not make us start all over.

 

I called the NVC, one of the questions I asked was if the petitions will be extended beyond the year mark, the person I spoke with said that they will. I’m going to call every few weeks and check up. 

[DanNJ02 19]

Is it possible to request that our case not be sent to Bogotá, but to some other embassy instead?

 

I saw on someone's timeline (from Europe) that they had gotten their case transfered to a nearby country because their embassy was closed.

[joe and karol 15]

1 hour ago, DanNJ02 said:

Is it possible to request that our case not be sent to Bogotá, but to some other embassy instead?

 

I saw on someone's timeline (from Europe) that they had gotten their case transfered to a nearby country because their embassy was closed.

why would you do that? the embassy is not closed and it would put you in the back of the line at the next embassy.  I wouldn't advise it but sure, you can ask.

[Crazy Cat 39,215]

2 hours ago, DanNJ02 said:

Is it possible to request that our case not be sent to Bogotá, but to some other embassy instead?

 

I saw on someone's timeline (from Europe) that they had gotten their case transfered to a nearby country because their embassy was closed.

Consulate shopping is normally not allowed except in very special circumstances.