Backlog in Bogota Embassy

[James & Helga 15]

10 minutes ago, EA and MK said:

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!

I totally agree. Their lack of transparency is what is most frustrating.  And I believe you’re correct, the lockdown in Bogota is probably the major factor.  The problem is they keep extending it.  But the embassy’s actions and lack of transparency is not sustainable.  They are going to have to resume routine processing of visas sooner rather than later.  Or they’ll have to come clean at some point and tell us what the hold up is.  I wonder what kind of impact Biden’s executive order to the state department that all embassies are to resume routine visa processing will have.  
 

What’s your situation?

[EA and MK 48]

14 minutes ago, James & Helga said:

I totally agree. Their lack of transparency is what is most frustrating.  And I believe you’re correct, the lockdown in Bogota is probably the major factor.  The problem is they keep extending it.  But the embassy’s actions and lack of transparency is not sustainable.  They are going to have to resume routine processing of visas sooner rather than later.  Or they’ll have to come clean at some point and tell us what the hold up is.  I wonder what kind of impact Biden’s executive order to the state department that all embassies are to resume routine visa processing will have.  
 

What’s your situation?

I just don't get how B1/B2 visa extensions and student visas are priorities for them, but family reunification isn't. I've had my I-130 approved in May 2020, and DQ a few weeks later. We've been waiting almost a year now, and going into 2 years of marriage pretty soon. That just baffles me. The damage being done on the lives of the US citizen is unquantifiable. I see my married friends being able to start having kids, a family, find their fist home with their spouse, etc. I wish I could the same with my wife. Time is flying, and we're getting older. We will never get all this time lost back. We can't plan anything because there just isn't an end in sight for this awful wait. My wife and I just get anxiety, that knot/sinking feeling in our stomachs, any time we talk about our long term plans cause we don't know when we will truly be able to execute those plans! I'm a COVID critical worker, and submitted an expedite request, but to no avail. I've had to work through the pandemic, and thank God I've not gotten ill. It comes down to strong adherence to the CDC guidelines, and just good hygiene that has kept me safe. Not sure why the embassy can't implement the required CDC standards and open safely. I'd like to say I try to keep my stress level under control, but that would be a lie lol. 

[James & Helga 15]

30 minutes ago, EA and MK said:

I just don't get how B1/B2 visa extensions and student visas are priorities for them, but family reunification isn't. I've had my I-130 approved in May 2020, and DQ a few weeks later. We've been waiting almost a year now, and going into 2 years of marriage pretty soon. That just baffles me. The damage being done on the lives of the US citizen is unquantifiable. I see my married friends being able to start having kids, a family, find their fist home with their spouse, etc. I wish I could the same with my wife. Time is flying, and we're getting older. We will never get all this time lost back. We can't plan anything because there just isn't an end in sight for this awful wait. My wife and I just get anxiety, that knot/sinking feeling in our stomachs, any time we talk about our long term plans cause we don't know when we will truly be able to execute those plans! I'm a COVID critical worker, and submitted an expedite request, but to no avail. I've had to work through the pandemic, and thank God I've not gotten ill. It comes down to strong adherence to the CDC guidelines, and just good hygiene that has kept me safe. Not sure why the embassy can't implement the required CDC standards and open safely. I'd like to say I try to keep my stress level under control, but that would be a lie lol. 

Oh wow.  We’re in similar situations although I’m not on the front line of the covid fight.  Thanks for everything you do!  Totally right - student visas get priority over family reunification?  Unbelievable.  I also read on this thread that K-1 visas are getting priority over CR1 / IR1s.    Don’t know if that’s true.  But if they are giving student visas priority over spousal visas, I guess anything is possible.   My wife and I passed the 2 year married point on January 12th.  It’s been a rough go of it for us is well.   My wife and I keep other from total despair over this situation.  And at least we can now travel between the U.S.  and Colombia.  I travelled to Cartagena for a week this past November and we were able to spend some time together.  They finally opened up the skies.  So my wife bought a ticket to visit me over Christmas and New Year’s. She was to fly in on Christmas night.  She called me on Christmas Eve and said I think my flight is canceled.  So I called Spirit Airlines and sure enough, it was cancelled.  I was told that the airport in Orlando was limiting flights in because of COVID.  We tried to find another flight but couldn’t on such short notice.  So frustrating.  I was planning to travel down to Cartagena in February but I haven’t bought my plane ticket yet because Iike you said, I think we’re getting close and we’ll soon be getting the appointment reschedule notification.  I want to be there with her in Bogota when she finally has her interview.  Your appointment  will be right behind us since you were were approved in May 2020.  This entire situation is nuts.  Hang in there!!

Edited January 30, 2021 by James & Helga

[EA and MK 48]

28 minutes ago, James & Helga said:

Oh wow.  We’re in similar situations although I’m not on the front line of the covid fight.  Thanks for everything you do!  Totally right - student visas get priority over family reunification?  Unbelievable.  I also read on this thread that K-1 visas are getting priority over CR1 / IR1s.    Don’t know if that’s true.  But if they are giving student visas priority over spousal visas, I guess anything is possible.   My wife and I passed the 2 year married point on January 12th.  It’s been a rough go of it for us is well.   My wife and I keep other from total despair over this situation.  And at least we can now travel between the U.S.  and Colombia.  I travelled to Cartagena for a week this past November and we were able to spend some time together.  They finally opened up the skies.  So my wife bought a ticket to visit me over Christmas and New Year’s. She was to fly in on Christmas night.  She called me on Christmas Eve and said I think my flight is canceled.  So I called Spirit Airlines and sure enough, it was cancelled.  I was told that the airport in Orlando was limiting flights in because of COVID.  We tried to find another flight but couldn’t on such short notice.  So frustrating.  I was planning to travel down to Cartagena in February but I haven’t bought my plane ticket yet because Iike you said, I think we’re getting close and we’ll soon be getting the appointment reschedule notification.  I want to be there with her in Bogota when she finally has her interview.  Your appointment  will be right behind us since you were were approved in May 2020.  This entire situation is nuts.  Hang in there!!

I'd hate to think its because of money that they prioritize student visas, for example. But perhaps it is!

 

Sorry to hear about your wife's cancelled flight back in December. I can't imagine having to spend the holidays with out your wife. That surely must have been so difficult for the two of you. Hopefully, you get a chance to go down there to see her soon. I would go down there if I were you, and spend time with your wife irrespective of what the embassy does. There are some pretty good deals on tickets going on, depending on where you fly out of. 

 

My wife had plans of coming here too, to visit. But we're just scared of her coming on a B2, while an immigrant visa case is pending and them denying her entry. Instead, I traveled to Colombia to spend three weeks during Christmas and New Year to spend the holidays with her. I was lucky that at that time, international travelers didn't need a COVID test yet (it's a painful test!). Fortunately my manager was sympathetic to my situation, and figured out how to let me use all that vacation time I racked up during the last year. I too want to go down in February/March time frame, will check with my boss to work something out. But, in the meantime, I'm keeping an eye out on the health emergency order they have expiring on 28-Feb. Hope it expires and they don't extend it. Let's stay positive and optimistic!

[Tacos 69]

2 hours ago, EA and MK said:

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!

 

I don’t get it either, the lease on our apartment in Medellin is up, I was hoping her and our son would be in the US by now. Stay strong, know that we will ALL get through this; eventually. 

 

1 hour ago, EA and MK said:

I just don't get how B1/B2 visa extensions and student visas are priorities for them, but family reunification isn't. I've had my I-130 approved in May 2020, and DQ a few weeks later. We've been waiting almost a year now, and going into 2 years of marriage pretty soon. That just baffles me. The damage being done on the lives of the US citizen is unquantifiable. I see my married friends being able to start having kids, a family, find their fist home with their spouse, etc. I wish I could the same with my wife. Time is flying, and we're getting older. We will never get all this time lost back. We can't plan anything because there just isn't an end in sight for this awful wait. My wife and I just get anxiety, that knot/sinking feeling in our stomachs, any time we talk about our long term plans cause we don't know when we will truly be able to execute those plans! I'm a COVID critical worker, and submitted an expedite request, but to no avail. I've had to work through the pandemic, and thank God I've not gotten ill. It comes down to strong adherence to the CDC guidelines, and just good hygiene that has kept me safe. Not sure why the embassy can't implement the required CDC standards and open safely. I'd like to say I try to keep my stress level under control, but that would be a lie lol. 

 

You guys are doing a good job. I’m a pilot for a cargo company, and most of our freight out of China are medical supplies, and Apple products. I appreciate what you guys do as I had COVID about a month ago. Have faith that everything will be fine in due time.

 

41 minutes ago, James & Helga said:

Oh wow.  We’re in similar situations although I’m not on the front line of the covid fight.  Thanks for everything you do!  Totally right - student visas get priority over family reunification?  Unbelievable.  I also read on this thread that K-1 visas are getting priority over CR1 / IR1s.    Don’t know if that’s true.  But if they are giving student visas priority over spousal visas, I guess anything is possible.   My wife and I passed the 2 year married point on January 12th.  It’s been a rough go of it for us is well.   My wife and I keep other from total despair over this situation.  And at least we can now travel between the U.S.  and Colombia.  I travelled to Cartagena for a week this past November and we were able to spend some time together.  They finally opened up the skies.  So my wife bought a ticket to visit me over Christmas and New Year’s. She was to fly in on Christmas night.  She called me on Christmas Eve and said I think my flight is canceled.  So I called Spirit Airlines and sure enough, it was cancelled.  I was told that the airport in Orlando was limiting flights in because of COVID.  We tried to find another flight but couldn’t on such short notice.  So frustrating.  I was planning to travel down to Cartagena in February but I haven’t bought my plane ticket yet because Iike you said, I think we’re getting close and we’ll soon be getting the appointment reschedule notification.  I want to be there with her in Bogota when she finally has her interview.  Your appointment  will be right behind us since you were were approved in May 2020.  This entire situation is nuts.  Hang in there!!

I don’t understand either, how student visas are more important than family visas. I work for the airlines, I’ve never had an issue getting down to Colombia from either from Fort Lauderdale or Miami, there are so many options out of both, They’re close enough that you can take a train and quickly be at the Other airport. My airline has me pretty much based out of Anchorage, when I commute out, I get on the midnight flight out of there and it puts me into Miami in time to get the Viva Air flight to Medellin at 7:45pm. Stay strong, we’ll get through this together. 

 

I also am planning on attending the interview with my fiance and our son. I just hope she isn’t denied, which would crush me. 

[Tacos 69]

18 minutes ago, EA and MK said:

I was lucky that at that time, international travelers didn't need a COVID test yet (it's a painful test!).

 

I think, sadly, I’ve gotten use to that test that they don’t bother me anymore. I think my record is 3 Of the tests within a 36-hour time span, they’re definitely not fun. 

[DanNJ02 19]

2 hours ago, James & Helga said:

I totally agree. Their lack of transparency is what is most frustrating.  And I believe you’re correct, the lockdown in Bogota is probably the major factor.  The problem is they keep extending it.  But the embassy’s actions and lack of transparency is not sustainable.  They are going to have to resume routine processing of visas sooner rather than later.  Or they’ll have to come clean at some point and tell us what the hold up is.  I wonder what kind of impact Biden’s executive order to the state department that all embassies are to resume routine visa processing will have.  
 

What’s your situation?

What executive order from Biden are you referring to?

[James & Helga 15]

28 minutes ago, EA and MK said:

I'd hate to think its because of money that they prioritize student visas, for example. But perhaps it is!

 

Sorry to hear about your wife's cancelled flight back in December. I can't imagine having to spend the holidays with out your wife. That surely must have been so difficult for the two of you. Hopefully, you get a chance to go down there to see her soon. I would go down there if I were you, and spend time with your wife irrespective of what the embassy does. There are some pretty good deals on tickets going on, depending on where you fly out of. 

 

My wife had plans of coming here too, to visit. But we're just scared of her coming on a B2, while an immigrant visa case is pending and them denying her entry. Instead, I traveled to Colombia to spend three weeks during Christmas and New Year to spend the holidays with her. I was lucky that at that time, international travelers didn't need a COVID test yet (it's a painful test!). Fortunately my manager was sympathetic to my situation, and figured out how to let me use all that vacation time I racked up during the last year. I too want to go down in February/March time frame, will check with my boss to work something out. But, in the meantime, I'm keeping an eye out on the health emergency order they have expiring on 28-Feb. Hope it expires and they don't extend it. Let's stay positive and optimistic!

Glad you got down to see your wife over the holidays.   I’m try to head down every other month or so, for at least a long weekend. Yeah, it was nice being able to travel to Colombia without having to take a covid test.  I’m definitely not looking forward to that either!   
 

There is a very small silver lining of having the visa approved after being married for two years .  When your wife gets her green card it will be without conditions and will be good for ten years.  But of course I’d much prefer to have had her here last spring.  
 

Right, we were planning on being very careful of how long she stayed.  She had to be back by January 4th because of her job.  And she planned to explain that at passport control when she entered he country.  We wanted to make clear that her intention was not to stay permanently until she received her permanent visa.  But that can get tricky.  I was worried about misperception.  

[James & Helga 15]

3 minutes ago, DanNJ02 said:

What executive order from Biden are you referring to?

I’ve been seeing on YouTube that Biden was to issue an executive order on immigration and part of that directive will be for embassies to resume processing routine immigrant visas.  I don’t know if that happened yesterday or not.  

[joe and karol 15]

in the interim, prepare diligently for the interview, folks.  I don't want to spook anyone on what I witnessed but paperwork and relationship must be legit.

[EA and MK 48]

20 minutes ago, joe and karol said:

in the interim, prepare diligently for the interview, folks.  I don't want to spook anyone on what I witnessed but paperwork and relationship must be legit.

Yeah, I've added my spouse to my health insurance, and will be putting her as beneficiary to 401K. Hard to do much else without her having a SSN. I've visited, and keep pictures we made into an album.. Etc. It's important to prepare more tho...

[Tacos 69]

21 hours ago, EA and MK said:

Yeah, I've added my spouse to my health insurance, and will be putting her as beneficiary to 401K. Hard to do much else without her having a SSN. I've visited, and keep pictures we made into an album.. Etc. It's important to prepare more tho...

 

I’m going through the K1 process, but how were you able to add your spouse to your health insurance? I was told my fiance has to have a SSN, which isn’t going to happen until she’s in the US. Or should we get a joint H.I. plan in Colombia? 

[EA and MK 48]

56 minutes ago, Tacos said:

 

I’m going through the K1 process, but how were you able to add your spouse to your health insurance? I was told my fiance has to have a SSN, which isn’t going to happen until she’s in the US. Or should we get a joint H.I. plan in Colombia? 

I got an exemption through my insurance during open enrollment. I let them know my wife is in the middle of immigrating this year, and does not yet have an SSN. They asked for tax returns showing her as my spouse and marriage cert. That's all!

Edited February 1, 2021 by EA and MK

[James & Helga 15]

So my wife called the embassy in bogota today and she was told that the embassy is closed.  I’m hearing the embassy is closed, I hear they are working on clearing the backlog.....I have no idea what to believe any more.  Does anyone know if the embassy is closed or open?

Edited February 2, 2021 by James & Helga

[EA and MK 48]

30 minutes ago, James & Helga said:

So my wife called the embassy in bogota today and she was told that the embassy is closed.  I’m hearing the embassy is closed, I hear they are working on clearing the backlog.....I have no idea what to believe any more.  Does anyone know if the embassy is closed or open?

I believe it is open, as they are offering routine American Citizens Services, as well as emergency appointments for IV and NIV cases, and of course limited services on student visas. They may have just said they are closed for routine visa services.