American Embassy-Bogota

[PI]

I'm ready to make flight reservations from Cali to Bogota to visit the American Embassy with my finacee and her child.  I was wondering how long the initial interview process lasts.  Is this easily done in one day or should I plan an overnight in Bogota.  Also, is this embassy open during normal American business hours or does one need to take into consderation ALL the fiestas in Colombia before I make the reservations?  Thanks in advance for those that know the answers.

[DallasTexas]

... in response to American Embassy-Bogota, posted by PI on Jul 9, 2001

The first appointment took about 45 minutes. You should arrive at about 12:30 in the afternoon to stand in line.  It is $110.00 per person in US currency nothing larger than a $50 and the instructions say the bills must be new (mine were not but were new enough).  You go in stand in a line to get a number then when your number is called they give you the application form to fill out. You then proceed to the cashier counter and pay.  Once you pay they put you back in the queue and you get called again. This time they give the lady a packet in Spanish with all of the instructions.  They also had me fill out a biography on them right there and turn it back in. It speeks the background check that is neccessary. All the forms that I filled out I found on the net before and completed all of them before hand (when possible).  I think this is the reason I got my 2nd appointment in a week. You can skip the first number if you have the application ready (you can download from the net) and just go to the pay window.  

You need to plan to stay over 2 nights the next day they should get their blood work and physicals done. The blood work took 15 minutes. The physical several hours (mostly waiting). The appointments are in late afternoon and ALWAYS run 1 to 2 hours late.  This is the reason that I said you should plan to stay 2 nights. We were the first appointment and finished at 6:15.  They will give you the medical pack right at the appointment to show up at the Embassy.

Hope this helps for the first appointment.

[Dean]

... in response to American Embassy-Bogota, posted by PI on Jul 9, 2001

Greetings,
When Paty and I visited the Embassy we had to be there by 1:00PM.
There was a line when we got there.

I'd go earlier....

The whole thing took about 2-3 hours...

make sure all the paperwork is in order and have at least 150 dollars (important) in US cash for each...mother and child.

This may be too much cash, but it should be in US dollars...
no $100 dollar bills....20's preferred.

I've read where the money can be in CP's and dollars, but for me the embassy insisted on dollars.

I'd plan on overnight accomodations...

Dean

[PI]

... in response to Re: American Embassy-Bogota, posted by Dean on Jul 9, 2001

Thanks Dean, that's good information!