Backlog in Bogota Embassy

[Bri&Alejandro 82]

On 1/19/2021 at 11:34 PM, MedellinCOUS said:

We are almost at the point where we don't want to have any expectations because it could easily still be 6 more months.  Our CR1 case was approved at the NVC Jun 6, 2020 so we were a few months into the lockdown.   I check it all the time and it still says case is at NVC. At this point I'm thinking of just planning a vacation together, but with everything locked down even that is hard.  

Yep, I go back and forth with visiting my fiancé. We have been waiting almost a year now, and I haven’t seen him in person since September 2019. We have been playing with the idea of getting together in March, but it is a bit anxiety inducing to plan a trip when it could all be cancelled. On top of that, we have no idea when we might get an interview. If I knew that our interview would not happen until the later half of the year, I would definitely try to see him. If we only have to wait a handful of months more...then we may as well keep waiting and not spend money on an extra trip. At this point we are just watching to see how things go. 

[Bri&Alejandro 82]

13 hours ago, EA and MK said:

I know the feeling. I sometimes feel like loosing hope. In fact, I've had severe anxiety and that horrible knot feeling in my stomach thinking about a ton of "what ifs"/"when will my wife get here" and figuring out how my wife's interview will be, etc. But knowing it's not healthy to stress out this much, I've just started to remain been positive and my anxiety had dropped.  But, we gotta remain optimistic, that this year we will all have our spouses in the US.  Stay strong!

I definitely know the feeling. 2020 was full of anxiety for me, too. We are just here desperately waiting for any kind of answer, it is maddening some days. I am feeling hopeful this week as I’m seeing things start to move along. Keep your head up, we are all in this together!!

[carva26 8]

I have a question, I hope someone here would know this hopefully. 

 

how does the visa interview scheduling works? like, is it by the priority date or is it by the NVC approval notice date? 

 

thanks, Chris.

[HBundle 44]

2 hours ago, carva26 said:

I have a question, I hope someone here would know this hopefully. 

 

how does the visa interview scheduling works? like, is it by the priority date or is it by the NVC approval notice date? 

 

thanks, Chris.

I don't think we definitely know 100% but I'm under the assumption it would be based on the NVC Approval Date/the date the application actually arrives to the Embassy. 

 

I'm also curious if the new interviews are being scheduled via phone or email or something else entirely.

[carva26 8]

1 hour ago, HBundle said:

I don't think we definitely know 100% but I'm under the assumption it would be based on the NVC Approval Date/the date the application actually arrives to the Embassy. 

 

I'm also curious if the new interviews are being scheduled via phone or email or something else entirely.

awesome! thanks for the info. 

 

And I think most people are getting notifications through emails. just like NVC would contact you for updates.

[Tacos 69]

On 1/21/2021 at 12:19 AM, Bri&Alejandro said:

Yep, I go back and forth with visiting my fiancé. We have been waiting almost a year now, and I haven’t seen him in person since September 2019. We have been playing with the idea of getting together in March, but it is a bit anxiety inducing to plan a trip when it could all be cancelled. On top of that, we have no idea when we might get an interview. If I knew that our interview would not happen until the later half of the year, I would definitely try to see him. If we only have to wait a handful of months more...then we may as well keep waiting and not spend money on an extra trip. At this point we are just watching to see how things go. 

 

I think you guys should plan a visit while it’s good To come down. Who knows if Colombia will close again, which is why go to Colombia every month after my 18 day work rotation. Get in as much time together as possible. All that you need is a PCR Covid test with a negative result within 5 days Of travel. If you have questions about traveling in and out, I’d be happy to answer. 

[joe and karol 15]

Keep in mind if you catch covid before you return to the states, you have to quarantine where you are located until you are negative.

 

They will notify by email.

 

They are finishing up cancelled interviews which was embassy acceptance date of 12/19, 1/20.  Calculate from there.

 

At some point they are going to open the interviews for everyone to schedule online, the question is at what point will that happen.

[MedellinCOUS 24]

On 1/20/2021 at 7:33 AM, EA and MK said:

I know the feeling. I sometimes feel like loosing hope. In fact, I've had severe anxiety and that horrible knot feeling in my stomach thinking about a ton of "what ifs"/"when will my wife get here" and figuring out how my wife's interview will be, etc. But knowing it's not healthy to stress out this much, I've just started to remain been positive and my anxiety had dropped.  But, we gotta remain optimistic, that this year we will all have our spouses in the US.  Stay strong!

Thanks the inspiration, you make some good points!

[MedellinCOUS 24]

On 1/20/2021 at 9:19 PM, Bri&Alejandro said:

Yep, I go back and forth with visiting my fiancé. We have been waiting almost a year now, and I haven’t seen him in person since September 2019. We have been playing with the idea of getting together in March, but it is a bit anxiety inducing to plan a trip when it could all be cancelled. On top of that, we have no idea when we might get an interview. If I knew that our interview would not happen until the later half of the year, I would definitely try to see him. If we only have to wait a handful of months more...then we may as well keep waiting and not spend money on an extra trip. At this point we are just watching to see how things go. 

Yeah its tough.  I haven't seen my wife since Aug 2019.  We would like to plan a trip as well but its just so risky not knowing what could happen.  I can't get stuck somewhere if I catch COVID as I work full time here in the US.

[Bri&Alejandro 82]

On 1/22/2021 at 1:30 PM, carva26 said:

I have a question, I hope someone here would know this hopefully. 

 

how does the visa interview scheduling works? like, is it by the priority date or is it by the NVC approval notice date? 

 

thanks, Chris.

Assuming the process has not changed due to covid, here is the information that is found on Colombia’s consulate info page here on visa journey:

 

After the appointment is scheduled by the NVC, the applicant/petitioner will receive an email with interview date details. The case is forwarded directly to the Embassy when the applicant/petitioner receive the interview letter. With electronic processing the cases it is forwarded to the embassy within a few hours of receiving the interview letter.

 

https://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=Colombia&cty=Bogota

 

Of course, we have no idea if this has changed but I guess in time we will all find out. 

[James & Helga 15]

On 1/23/2021 at 12:49 AM, joe and karol said:

Keep in mind if you catch covid before you return to the states, you have to quarantine where you are located until you are negative.

 

They will notify by email.

 

They are finishing up cancelled interviews which was embassy acceptance date of 12/19, 1/20.  Calculate from there.

 

At some point they are going to open the interviews for everyone to schedule online, the question is at what point will that happen.

Hi Joe & Carol.....So the embassy is clearing the backlog based on the embassy acceptance date and not the appointment date before cancellation?   I have a ways to go if that’s the case.  The NVC forward my documents to the embassy in mid-March 2020.  But the embassy contacted us a week later with an appointment date of April 6, 2020.  Sounds like we have a couple more months of waiting.  Question though, how do you know they are currently clearing the back log with an embassy acceptance date of December 2019 / January 2020?

This is the kind of information that I’ve been searching for.  

Thanks!!
 

[Bri&Alejandro 82]

On 1/26/2021 at 7:33 AM, James & Helga said:

Hi Joe & Carol.....So the embassy is clearing the backlog based on the embassy acceptance date and not the appointment date before cancellation?   I have a ways to go if that’s the case.  The NVC forward my documents to the embassy in mid-March 2020.  But the embassy contacted us a week later with an appointment date of April 6, 2020.  Sounds like we have a couple more months of waiting.  Question though, how do you know they are currently clearing the back log with an embassy acceptance date of December 2019 / January 2020?

This is the kind of information that I’ve been searching for.  

Thanks!!
 

I’m not sure if we are 100% certain on how they are working through it. If you go back a couple of pages, someone mentioned that they seemed to be working through cancelled interviews which were originally scheduled for March 2020 and moving on to April. I guess time will tell, keep us updated!

[joe and karol 15]

On 1/26/2021 at 4:33 AM, James & Helga said:

Hi Joe & Carol.....So the embassy is clearing the backlog based on the embassy acceptance date and not the appointment date before cancellation?   I have a ways to go if that’s the case.  The NVC forward my documents to the embassy in mid-March 2020.  But the embassy contacted us a week later with an appointment date of April 6, 2020.  Sounds like we have a couple more months of waiting.  Question though, how do you know they are currently clearing the back log with an embassy acceptance date of December 2019 / January 2020?

This is the kind of information that I’ve been searching for.  

Thanks!!
 

All of the appointments that were scheduled for march before covid hit have been taken care of.   It was stated on here that someone that knew someone at the embassy stated this.  Your appointment should be given at any moment but I would be proactive and maintaining contact with the embassy.  

[James & Helga 15]

1 hour ago, joe and karol said:

All of the appointments that were scheduled for march before covid hit have been taken care of.   It was stated on here that someone that knew someone at the embassy stated this.  Your appointment should be given at any moment but I would be proactive and maintaining contact with the embassy.  

Hi Joe and Karol.....Thanks so much!  Yes, I saw that post a couple of pages back.  In that same thread, the that person stated that in very early January, the embassy released the schedule of appointments for the entire month.  Hope they have their February schedule of appointments set.  I’m thinking we’ll get the email soon.  

[EA and MK 48]

12 hours ago, James & Helga said:

Hi Joe and Karol.....Thanks so much!  Yes, I saw that post a couple of pages back.  In that same thread, the that person stated that in very early January, the embassy released the schedule of appointments for the entire month.  Hope they have their February schedule of appointments set.  I’m thinking we’ll get the email soon.  

I surely hope this is the case. I asked when they will resume visa services for CR-1/IR-1 cases, and they just gave the same run-around during the Facebook chat session yesterday. I just wish they were more transparent with us in why they are still closed and what the driving factor is. I suspect it's the "Emergencia Sanitaria", which is supposed to expire next month on the 28th, that is keeping them closed. It's just saddening that the US Embassies in countries neighboring Colombia are already open, and have been for CR1/CR2/IR1/IR2/K1 processing for a long time now. What can't Colombia open? Anyhow, stay strong and pray for the best! Were all in this together!