Does anybody know when the embassy in Colombia will open?

[Paula&Carlos 1]

Does anybody know when the embassy in Colombia will open?

[JFH 12,190]

*~*~*country-specific question moved to regional forum*~*~*

[Lorena y Sean 1]

We are also trying to find out. We spoke to them and learned they are doing emergency interviews (2 per day) but we are not getting an answer on when they will open or not. I'll check in on this thread... but if anyone is waiting on the embassy in Bogota.. trying to find out information you can add me on instagram @ lebecksean and we can all compare notes every week!

[joe and karol 15]

it will either be in july when/if domestic flights resume or after  sept 1.  

 

best case scenario: they open after july 1st and will conduct emergency interviews and those that were expedited.  they will then give special clearance to go onto humanitarian flights.  international flights resume sept 1 but the visa is valid for six months so I don't see why the interview can't be done and dealt with.

 

worst case scenario: they wait until after sept 1. with a longer delay for those that haven't received expedited requests competing for a time slot, perhaps 3-4 months later.

Edited June 15, 2020 by joe and karol

[Paula&Carlos 1]

9 hours ago, joe and karol said:

it will either be in july when/if domestic flights resume or after  sept 1.  

 

best case scenario: they open after july 1st and will conduct emergency interviews and those that were expedited.  they will then give special clearance to go onto humanitarian flights.  international flights resume sept 1 but the visa is valid for six months so I don't see why the interview can't be done and dealt with.

 

worst case scenario: they wait until after sept 1. with a longer delay for those that haven't received expedited requests competing for a time slot, perhaps 3-4 months later.

What about for people that are waiting on Administrative process?

 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

47 minutes ago, Paula&Carlos said:

What about for people that are waiting on Administrative process?

 

We are in a pandemic and the governmental offices and the embassies are running with a skeleton and in some cases are completely closed. Nothing is going to happen until this virus dissipates. There will be action announced closer to the opening of the embassies on how they will address those who had interviews scheduled and those who want to schedule an interview. Also, if you have a NOA2 about to expire there is no reason to panic or be concerned. That too will be addressed by the embassies once they are closer to opening. We are in a wait and see mode till the embassies start opening again.

 

There is a conversation here on this topic: https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/737060-coronavirus-embassy-reopening/page/3/?tab=comments#comment-10146929

 

 

Also, there is an article that has the DOS phase opening schedule for DOS affiliates to include embassies:

https://www.axios.com/pompeo-coronavirus-state-department-reopening-ec5dc86d-6393-4614-b05f-68d3b5f6ec10.html

 

BTW, this is my opinion and that is the embassies will begin to open with those that are in a less affected areas then move on to those in highly affected areas. I believe that the embassies will reschedule those that were cancelled and then open the schedule for those who are ready to receive an interview date. Best place to be tuned in to what will happen at the embassy level is to be on their webpage because that is where the announcement and further instructions will be posted.  

Edited June 15, 2020 by Greenbaum

[HBundle 44]

Following this thread.  I have a plane ticket back to Colombia in September, when they supposedly will open back up, but I'm having more and more doubts of that. The mayor of Bogota has apparently been saying she doesn't want to open up the airport in July (for domestic travel), despite the President saying otherwise.  My fiancee doesn't live in Bogota, but considering it is the capital, I could see other cities following their decision. 

 

Plus you have the whole fiasco with the day without IVA, which could undo a lot of the progress they've had with controlling corona

 

I wish there were something we could do as K1 applicants-- it seems the emergency interview is not an option, only for married couples.  Please correct me if I'm wrong. 

 

Thanks

 

Edit to add that my Colombian attorney has not heard any news either as of yesterday

Edited June 20, 2020 by HBundle

[Just Paul 4,595]

30 minutes ago, HBundle said:

Following this thread.  I have a plane ticket back to Colombia in September, when they supposedly will open back up, but I'm having more and more doubts of that. The mayor of Bogota has apparently been saying she doesn't want to open up the airport in July (for domestic travel), despite the President saying otherwise.  My fiancee doesn't live in Bogota, but considering it is the capital, I could see other cities following their decision. 

 

Plus you have the whole fiasco with the day without IVA, which could undo a lot of the progress they've had with controlling corona

 

I wish there were something we could do as K1 applicants-- it seems the emergency interview is not an option, only for married couples.  Please correct me if I'm wrong. 

 

Thanks

 

Edit to add that my Colombian attorney has not heard any news either as of yesterday

Columbia does seem to be slowing down on new reports.  https://ncov2019.live/data  But the steps needed in the State Department plans haven't moved much.  Just making a guess I think it is atleast a month or so away from changing.  I have cousins around Barranquilla and they are still locked down / can't travel.

[amarilloslick 13]

On 6/14/2020 at 7:52 PM, Lorena y Sean said:

We are also trying to find out. We spoke to them and learned they are doing emergency interviews (2 per day) but we are not getting an answer on when they will open or not. I'll check in on this thread... but if anyone is waiting on the embassy in Bogota.. trying to find out information you can add me on instagram @ lebecksean and we can all compare notes every week!

Did the Embassy in Bogota say what kind of emergency interviews? For what kind of visa application?

[HBundle 44]

On 6/22/2020 at 7:36 PM, amarilloslick said:

Did the Embassy in Bogota say what kind of emergency interviews? For what kind of visa application?

My understanding is that the emergency interviews are not for K1 but for K3/already married or for visas for children of American citizens.  I would love to be wrong on this though.

[Just Paul 4,595]

25 minutes ago, HBundle said:

My understanding is that the emergency interviews are not for K1 but for K3

Well not for K3s.  Just for CR1/2, IR1/2/4, IH4 and a very few select others.

[joe and karol 15]

It's interesting how the embassy cannot open which I would assume would be a critical service to bring loved ones and spouses together that have been waiting for months but the local liquor store and restaurant can open and serve beer.

[Just Paul 4,595]

On 6/22/2020 at 5:36 PM, amarilloslick said:

Did the Embassy in Bogota say what kind of emergency interviews? For what kind of visa application?

They processed 12 CR1/IR1 visas in May

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Statistics/Immigrant-Statistics/MonthlyIVIssuances/MAY 2020 - IV Issuances by Post and Visa Class.pdf

 

And 10 K1s

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Statistics/Non-Immigrant-Statistics/MonthlyNIVIssuances/MAY 2020 - NIV Issuances by Post and Visa Class.pdf

Edited June 27, 2020 by Paul & Mary

[joe and karol 15]

16 hours ago, Paul & Mary said:

They processed 12 CR1/IR1 visas in May

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Statistics/Immigrant-Statistics/MonthlyIVIssuances/MAY 2020 - IV Issuances by Post and Visa Class.pdf

 

And 10 K1s

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Statistics/Non-Immigrant-Statistics/MonthlyNIVIssuances/MAY 2020 - NIV Issuances by Post and Visa Class.pdf

probably for those that live in Bogota.

[Just Paul 4,595]

50 minutes ago, joe and karol said:

probably for those that live in Bogota.

and had medicals in hand.