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| Bogota, Colombia |  Review on February 2, 2020: |
abymarie
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Let me start the review of by saying that I do not live in Colombia. I'm an Aruba citizen and was sent to Bogota, Colombia for my visa process.
Arrival:
I had my interview set up for Jan 27th at 8:00 AM. The hotel I stayed at was a block away from the U.S Embassy so, I can't speak for how the traffic is for making it on time. I've read several reviews saying not to come super early so I arrived at 7:32 AM. Still thinking it was a bit too early, I went up to the officers at the gates anyway. They checked my passport, my DS-160, and my interview confirmation and asked me what visa I'm going for. Once everything was cleared I was let in. Once inside I had to wait in a line for about 20 minutes with other K visa applicants / Resident visa applicants. My appointment was set for 8:00 AM, but that doesn't mean you will be interviewed at that time. Just make sure you are there, and inside before 8. They call out groups by appointment time and let you in.
Once Inside:
After the 20 min wait there were two little tables where you get called at so the officers can check your documents and organize them in order for your interview. Make sure you have everything on hand as they will not let you in if you're missing something. They asked for the Birth Certificate of my US Citizen fiance, but I didn't have it. (luckily it wasn't a requirement, but if you can get it please take it!)
After your documents are checked, they will put them in order in your passport, give you a green sticker and send you through security to check your bags.
Once you get through security (which is very quickly) you will be on your way to the interview spot!
I thought it was going to be an indoor setting with different offices, but it was in fact an outdoor setting with numerous phone booth type stalls.
With a K /Resident visa they will direct you where to go,because inside it's a mix of every kind of visa.
1st "Interview":
So once I was inside the interview area I was called up to a small table so the officer can check my documents, see if they are still in order and asked me to write my phone number and e-mail. I told her I didn't live in Colombia, so I don't have a Colombian phone number. She said it's okay and to write whatever number I use and my email anyway. I also asked her if the interview can be done in English (Because most of the workers and officers spoke Spanish) and she said yes, to simply ask the person at the booth if they can speak English. (My spanish is kind of bad, which is why I asked)
The officer directed me to sit down, and eventually I was called and told to stand in line on Booth 31.
Once I was there this nice colombian lady asked me a couple of questions (in english). She asked me what kind of visa I was going for, asked where I lived, if I was ever married, any kids, and then proceeded to ask me for my sealed Physical Exam envelope. She opened it, sorted it out and placed it; along with the rest of my documents in my passport. She also asked me for my payment receipt since I paid my visa fee online and it was all good. She also made me sign a new "Intent to marry", eventhough I did bring an updated one of my own!
I thought that was it, until she gave me a number card! This is where ALL the waiting began.
2nd and "actual" interview:
When I tell you that this was the longest wait of my life. I got number 34 and when I sat down in the waiting area (they will direct you as to where) I saw people that had number "20" on their card. I waited for a solid 3 hours before I was called up to the booth. This is it, this was the final interview. Again, it was a telephone booth kind of setting. The lady (this time it was an American) asked me for my passport containing the documents. The interview was very smooth sailing and I actually had a wonderful time talking to this person. She asked me what my fiance's name is, where he works, who he lives with, how we met, if we have any wedding plans, when did we know we wanted to get married, when and how did he propose, how many times do we see each other a year and how many days was my longest stay in the USA.
After that she said she will be right back, took about 3 minutes, came back with this red piece of paper and handed me my rights to read.
Once I finished reading and singing a few papers, she handed me the red ticket and said my visa was approved!! I had this huge folder with me with all my evidence of on-going relationship and she never even asked for one thing, it was crazy lol.
She made me write down my phone number and email again, but I explained to her the phone number situation and she made sure to write on a sticky note in the back of my passport to PLEASE E-MAIL. I also explained to her that I'm from Aruba and I have a plane ticket to leave Colombia on Feb 1st. She completely understood and just asked if I will remain in Bogota (and not travel to other cities) until then.
She expedited my stuff and I got to pick up my passport and visa on Jan 31st! (Yes, I did get an email!)
Conclusion:
If you're not from Colombia, but you've been sent there for this process I highly recommend booking a ticket for at least 10-11 days. (I booked for 10 days and finished the process just in 9 days). Make sure you arrive to everything ON TIME even if you're super early. It's better to hang around the area for a bit than to rush to get there on time.
The interview at the US Embassy will be atleast a half day event, so plan accordingly. I was in there for 4 and a half hours! Unless your US fiance is with you or you have kids that you are also petitioning for , they will not let any other third parties in.
Inside of the Embassy waiting areas they have a cafe and bathrooms, so don't stress too much on not eating for 4 hours.
And finally, yes. If you are traveling to Colombia from another country to do this process they WILL take your situation into consideration and WILL do their best to speed things up for you.
A wonderful experience and very nice people!
Good luck everyone!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #27917