Colombia K1 Visa

[sberg24 2]

I received case number from NVC this week but they stated they can’t send the case to Colombia because Bogota is not processing K1 Visas. Has anyone received a similar response or has anyone received the opposite response and had their K1 case sent to the embassy in Bogota for processing?

[Chancy 6,233]

*** Moved from K1 Process & Procedures to US Embassy & Consulate Discussion, as the topic is about a specific consulate ***

 

[DJH 1]

That is interesting (and frustrating I would imagine).  I received my notice from NVC on June 6 that it was sent to Bogota.  I set up my account, paid fees, and scheduled my appointment, but still have not received an official confirmation letter, so makes me wonder if I could get caught up in whatever business is putting your case in limbo.

Edited July 16, 2023 by DJH

[sberg24 2]

DJH. I wish you all the best. Hope you can keep in touch with information here as yours progresses. If you don’t mind me asking for what date we’re you able to schedule an interview?

[DJH 1]

On 7/18/2023 at 4:56 PM, sberg24 said:

DJH. I wish you all the best. Hope you can keep in touch with information here as yours progresses. If you don’t mind me asking for what date we’re you able to schedule an interview?

So great news,after sending a few inquiries I finally received the confirmation letter.  I had scheduled the interview for August 4, and medical appointment for July 28, so other than paying a bit more for an airline ticket than I would have preferred had I received the confirmation sooner, everything is a go.

[WiLMan 5]

I did 2 inquiries and in both answers, they said the U.S Embassy in Bogota is not accepting visas due to covid 19 and my petition will not be mailed.

This was from 2 days ago.

To Whom it Concerns:

 

Due to COVID-19 concerns, the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General in Bogota, Colombia suspended routine visa services. The National Visa Center will not forward K1/I-730 visa petitions until they resume routine visa services. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate General will resume visa services as soon as possible, but they cannot provide a specific date. For the most up-to-date information about the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General's operating status, please visit their website at https://usembassy.gov

 

This is from the 1st of July:

To Whom it Concerns:

 

The correct case number is BGT-------------.

 

Due to COVID-19 concerns, the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General in BGT suspended routine visa services. The National Visa Center will not forward K1 visa petitions to BGT  until they resume routine visa services. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate General will resume visa services as soon as possible, but they cannot provide a specific date.

 

For the most up-to-date information about the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General's operating status, please visit their website at https://usembassy.gov

 

 

 

[Boiler 43,719]

You will notice that most people on VJ have a major downer on K1.

[DJH 1]

3 hours ago, WiLMan said:

I did 2 inquiries and in both answers, they said the U.S Embassy in Bogota is not accepting visas due to covid 19 and my petition will not be mailed.

This was from 2 days ago.

To Whom it Concerns:

 

 

 

Oh wowza.  Maybe the embassy had to honor the NVC approval I got on June 6 then, not sure.  My letter from the Bogota embassy came on July 17:

 

This office is pleased to inform you that you may begin the visa process as a fiancé(e).

You will receive the following documents enclosed with this letter:

 

1. In accordance with U.S.C. Sec. 1375a (International Marriage Broker's Act), we must attach any derogatory information on your fiancé(e) that is available in U.S. records. If you find an attachment to this communication that refers to your fiancé(e)'s criminal, domestic violence and/or protective order history you should read and understand it in its entirety. Please note that this is a general search and additional information may be available.

 

2. Brochure with information about the rights and resources that exist in the United States for victims of domestic violence.

 

3. If after reading and understanding the above information you wish to continue with the visa process, please follow the attached instructions. Here is how to schedule your appointment and what documents you need to present on the day of the interview.

 

Please note that you have four months from the date USCIS approved your petition to schedule and attend your appointment.

 

If you have questions about the process, we invite you to visit the K Visa website:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/family-immigration/nonimmigrant-visa-for-a-fiance-k-1.html

 

To contact us by e-mail, please include your name and case number exactly as shown in this letter.

[WiLMan 5]

On 7/15/2023 at 9:26 PM, DJH said:

That is interesting (and frustrating I would imagine).  I received my notice from NVC on June 6 that it was sent to Bogota.  I set up my account, paid fees, and scheduled my appointment, but still have not received an official confirmation letter, so makes me wonder if I could get caught up in whatever business is putting your case in limbo.

 

 

When did they send your petition to the NVC? How long did the NVC have it before sending it to the embassy?

[sberg24 2]

Wilman- so you are in the same situation I am with the same response from NvC. What is your plan of attack? Just continue to wait and send periodic requests for updates each month? My lawyers didn’t really have any other suggestions

[sberg24 2]

My NOA2 is from 3-23-23

[DJH 1]

4 hours ago, WiLMan said:

 

 

When did they send your petition to the NVC? How long did the NVC have it before sending it to the embassy?

I filed petition on 7 Jan 2022.  They sent to NVC on 4 March 2023.

[Bh_sarah 942]

Hey, all! Not from Colombia but I've seen this NVC email a few times already. Same thing happened to some filers in Baghdad and Johannesburg. For Baghdad, the embassy was contacted and they are open and processing cases, but in a limited way.

I would say that the best bet is to contact the embassy in Bogotá and check with them directly. NVC emails seem to not be up to date ever since the pandemic. 

If you look at VJ K1 timelines, there are people who are being able to schedule interviews there as well. You may need to check their NOA2s/etc.
https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list.php?op6=All&op66=All&op7=Colombia&op1=3&op2=&op3=1&op4=1&op5=5%2C6%2C8%2C10%2C11%2C13%2C14%2C15%2C16%2C17%2C18%2C20%2C21%2C22%2C25%2C26%2C27%2C28%2C108%2C110%2C111%2C208%2C210%2C211&cfl=
(If this link doesn't work, go to Immigration Timelines > K1 Visa Timelines > Select Colombia > Select by Visa Interview > Set filter)

[sberg24 2]

Thanks Sarah. We have talked to Embassy and they are indeed open and processing. Unfortunately the NVC holds the power and the Embassy in Bogota has no ability to speed up the process.

[Bh_sarah 942]

3 hours ago, sberg24 said:

Thanks Sarah. We have talked to Embassy and they are indeed open and processing. Unfortunately the NVC holds the power and the Embassy in Bogota has no ability to speed up the process.

Oh my. So you're telling me NVC is the one that thinks the embassy is closed and then won't send cases there and the embassy can't really do anything about it? There's a NVC DHL "hack" and there are packages leaving for Bogotá frequently (check here, DHL tab). This is madness! I am so sorry about all of this.

Forgive me if you're already doing this since I am thinking of obvious solutions – I'm sure you're doing all you can.
I know you have lawyers and probably is already sending NVC public inquiries about it, but I'd question them in every inquiry about the Bogotá embassy being open. Attach proof from the embassy in the requirements as well.

Another would maybe try to get your congress representative involved so they could advocate for you. A lot of them can get better answers from the DOS/NVC.

And another option as a last resort would be maybe sending snail mail to NVC instead of online inquires? See if it they respond to it better? However, I think this one might not result in anything, but it's something to try since they turned their phone line off.

I wish you the best of luck and that maybe your case does get shipped next week. It's just infuriating they are holding your petition hostage.