... in response to Anyone Able To Get Tourist Visa 4 Columb..., posted by DFWGuy on Nov 20, 2001I know lots of Colombians who have recieved tourist visas in the past,but I think they are much harder to come by now.The main criteria used to be if you had a good job or owned property in Colombia you had a better chance,but that might not be enough anymore.My brother in law waited a year for his interview.He had an opportunity to be trained to opperate equipment he could use in his job in Colombia.They turned him down flat.He was told by an official at the American Embassy in Bogota about 3 months ago"we have been instructed not to issue tourist visas."I immagine there are circumstances where you could get one,but I'm not sure what it would take.They definetly don't want women visiting boy friends on this visa,say that and the deal is dead.I think because the Bush administration is looking at some amnesty ideas they do not want a whole bunch more people coming here hoping for that,so they told the State Department to tighten it up.Also,since 9/11 it looks like student visas will be much tougher.I read somewhere on the web that if you could pay $5000-7000 you could get a tourist visa.I don't know,we are talking from the US government so the bribery would need to be within the embassy,mostly US citizens in any possitions of authority.I kind of doubt it.
The good news is the fiancee visas and spousal visas haven't been affected to my knowledge,but these require you to sign off on alot of commitment.You don't do it for just a visit by a potential girlfriend.
Basically unless the girl already has a tourist visa I think you can forget it.
Pete
