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The U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia has just announced
that they will no longer process Direct Consular Filing (DCF)
of family-based immigrant visa petitions, such as spousal
visa petitions, for non-resident U.S. citizens after July 01, 2003.

The last date to submit your spousal and child visa petition
if you are a non-resident U.S. citizen after marriage
in Colombia is: Friday, June 27, 2003.

After that date, non-resident U.S. citizens must submit their
petition to the appropriate BCIS immigration regional
Service Center for processing.

This represents a major sea change for processing of
spousal visa petitions at the Consulate in Bogota, inasmuch
as in the past DCF offered couples more expedited processing
timeframes.  

The Embassy may continue to accept DCF in a limited number cases where
the petitioner is a resident of Colombia or in certain emergency situations.

Good luck to all,
Gary Bala

http://usembassy.state.gov/colombia/wwwsc148.shtml

... in response to Major Visa Processing Change, posted by Gary Bala on May 31, 2003

I am not up on all of this but does this mean that if I am a US Citizen and visit Colombia and marry there, I can not go to the US Embassy in Bogota to get a Visa for my spouse to travel to the states within a short period of time and that now I have to go through a different process that takses a similar period of time as the Fiance VISA and that this now takes about 9 months?

Please confirm.

... in response to Re: Major Visa Processing Change, posted by elcolombiano on May 31, 2003

[This message has been edited by Michael B]

That's what it means---but don't blame Bala, he's just the messanger...and I sure HOPE it doens't take 9 months, We're up to 4+ now. Personaly, I'd like to wipe that smirk off Aguirre's ugly face by sending his wife and kids to the Ivory Coast and not letting them come back until every pending K-1(and 2, 3, 4) visa is processed, see how HE likes a taste of what his merry band of incompitent %$#$^*'s are doing to us.

... in response to Major Visa Processing Change, posted by Gary Bala on May 31, 2003

I guess the homeland security thing must be making it hard on the Embassies as it was Peru March 1st and now Colombia stopping DCF.  It is a real shame that people are going to most likely have to go the K1 route now (I mean it is a shame for those who don't want to go the K1 route).  I had such a magnificent weddding in Colombia for only about $2500 and my wife had 50 to 60 friends and family members.  If we had gotten married in the states no one would have attended and a comparable wedding would have cost $10,000 or more.

... in response to Re: Major Visa Processing Change, posted by lswote on May 31, 2003

[This message has been edited by Red Clay]

You can still marry there inexpensively, but now you submit your petition for spousal visa to a Service center here instead of the Embassy in Colombia (I think) which will take more time for approval.

... in response to Major Visa Processing Change, posted by Gary Bala on May 31, 2003

Gary,
Thats huge.The spousal visa has been pretty quick until now.
I presume this will put the time frame more in line with the fiance visa.
Some guys who are thinking of getting married might want to do it real fast if they want their wife here anytime son.

Pete

... in response to Thats huge., posted by Pete E on May 31, 2003

Pete,

The first time I read the post I thought the same thing... But read it again... It says "non-resident US citizens"... I assume this means that this only applies to US citizens who do not meet current US residency requirements according to the BCIS... Which means you don't live in the US for at least 6 months (I think) a year...

... in response to A bit deceptive..., posted by wizard on May 31, 2003

A "non-resident U.S. citizen" in the context of
immigrant visa processing at the U.S. Embassy,
Bogota, refers to a U.S. citizen petitioner who is not
a "resident" of Colombia, as defined under
Colombian domestic rules, which definition is
then accepted by U.S. Embassy.

In other words, most of the U.S. citizen
gentlemen who visit Colombia for 30 days
or longer (usually 120 days maximum)
as visitors under a Colombian tourist visa
stamp are "non-residents" of Colombia
U.S. citizens, and thus must submit their
petition by June 27, 2003, under the new
announcement.

Yes, the impact will be significant
in my opinion. DCF will end for most
potential applicants except those with
proof of "residency" in Colombia and
a permanent U.S. address, or who can
show a legitimate emergency or
extenuating circumstance.

Best wishes to all,
Gary Bala

... in response to Non-resident U.S. Citizen , posted by Gary Bala on May 31, 2003

Just thinking out loud here - I wonder if there is any time stipulation to become a Colombian "resident" under Colombia's domestic laws.  If not, then couldn't one just get married, get their Colombian TC visa, get a cedula, an address in Colombia and bam - you're a Colombian resident.  If that makes you a "resident" - then you would be able to file in Bogota after July.  If this is a solution - the processing time would probably be expedited because of minimal filing competition.  So this new change could be a GOOD thing?  Any thoughts?  Damn, glad I went through this 5 years ago and not now!

... in response to Non-resident U.S. Citizen , posted by Gary Bala on May 31, 2003

Thanks for the clarification Gary...