US transit visa/US or Cnd embassy in Bogota

[farmboy]

Hi everyone

I have a few questions on Columbia.

Has anyone been to the Canadian embassy for a visa?

Is the US embassy open for business or are they closed right now?

Has anyone got a US transit visa in Columbia, if so where and how?

If you prefer you can email me with details.

cheers

farmboy

[Kit]

... in response to US transit visa/US or Cnd embassy in Bog..., posted by farmboy on Feb 1, 2003

Farmboy,

There is no visa required for canadian citizens to transit or enter US. If you live in canada but not a canadian citizen yuo may want to inquire in US embassy/consulate if you have to obtain a visa to enter US. If ppl with your citizenship require visa to enter US, you will need to apply for visa. There is no transit visa so to speak. you will have to obtain plain b1/b2 tourist/pleasure visa. the thing is everybody who transit via US must first go outside (into US) and then back inside even if you simply change gates to pick up connecting flight. Security (duh...). There is also a special provision called TWOV (transit without visa). It may apply to you. This eliminates the need for visa, but you will have to pay some money for this "service". INS will take your passport and ticket and give it to flight attendant who will keep it until you leave US on your connecting flight. You will be accompanied by a security personnel all the time though.

[farmboy]

... in response to Re: US transit visa/US or Cnd embassy in..., posted by Kit on Feb 1, 2003

Thanks for replying Kit,

Heres what I'm looking at:

I'm going to Cartagena, getting my girlfriend.  It would be real easy to just to go from cartagena to Miami to toronto, with her like I always have.

But, she will have only a Canadian visitor visa.  I emailed the Columbian consulate in Toronto and asked if she would need it for the connection in Miami and of course they said yes.

I have tried to contact the US embassy in Bogota and have been unsuccessful.

It would be great because it would be $800 less in airfares and 5 hrs less flying going through Miami, because if we can't make the Miami connection, then we have to go cartagena-bogota-mexico city-toronto.

TWOV sounds good.  I don't care if they want us to sit in a holding room for 4 hrs while we wait for our connection.  I just want to be sure they'll let us on the plane in Ctg and let us make the connection in Miami.

[NW Jim]

... in response to I'm canadian, the transit visa would be ..., posted by farmboy on Feb 1, 2003

Check this link:
http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/publicaffairs/newsrels/colombiavisa.htm

You might want to check with a travel agency that specializes in travel between Canada and latin America for possible waivers, options, etc.

Good luck.

[farmboy]

... in response to TWOV may not be available for your Colom..., posted by NW Jim on Feb 2, 2003

Kit & Jim.  I'll do some more calling, but it looks like I may have to take the long way back to Canada, through Mexico.

cheers

[Kit]

... in response to Thanks for your suggestions, posted by farmboy on Feb 2, 2003

That is true. TWOV visas are not for every citizenship. SInce you are out of Toronto, there are many flights as far as I know goint to Colombia bypassing US. I suggest looking at the flights (incl. charters) out of San Andres. Many Canadians there, so you may have to get to San Andreas first. But still it may work out to be cheaper. Call your local trav. agencies specializing in SA travel.