Consuls from the US Embassy in Colombia answer questions from EL TIEMPO.COM internet users
(You may be interested in: The consul answers / Do I need help applying for the visa?).
I applied for a US tourist visa and paid the fee at the end of February 2020. Due to the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on the US Embassy consular services here in Bogotá, my Appointment for Interview has been canceled. Do you already know when the interviews for non-immigrant visa applicants will resume? I understand that the visa fee is due, is this correct? If so, can I get my money back?
We do not yet know when local conditions will allow it The US Embassy is resuming regular visa services non-immigrant. Our priority is the health and safety of you – our applicants – and of our employees, as we face together The Challenges of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Typically, the application fee for a Non-Immigrant Visa (MRV) is valid for scheduling an appointment for one year from the date of payment.
However, given the impact of Covid-19 on consular services, the State Department has extended this period until December 31, 2021. For example, if you paid a fee in February 2020, you can use it to schedule an appointment until December 2021, that is, you have more than 22 months from the date of payment.
(Also read: The consul answers / Do covid-19 restrictions apply to me?).
The fee for non-immigrant visa applications covers our costs for processing your application. So, We do not issue refunds even if your visa application is denied. The fee cannot be resold or transferred to another applicant.
The fee can be used to complete only one application. If your visa application is rejected and you decide to reapply for a visa, you will need to reapply and pay a different fee.
The fee is also paid to apply for a visa in one country – Colombia for example – and therefore cannot be used to schedule an appointment in another country. Enter herefor more information on the cost of non-immigrant visa applications, in addition to the payment terms above.
Headquarters of the US Embassy in Bogotá
If your appointment has been canceled,you can reschedule it through our visa information page and appointment system. However, please note that we do not yet know when we will resume regular services, so the appointment may be canceled again.
Meanwhile, as a result of the current Covid-19 pandemic, L.The US Embassy in Bogotá only plans non-immigrant visa appointments for emergencies and other urgent travel. The circumstances that may qualify for an emergency appointment are:
to. Death of an immediate family member, serious illness, or life-threatening accident in the United States.
b. Urgent medical treatment of the applicant or his minor child.
c. Student Visa Applicant (F / M) with an I-20 with a start date prior to the first available visa appointment.
d. Other cases the embassy considers to be emergencies or in the national interest of the United States.
Follow us on our social networks for updates on the status of our services and other news – Facebook,Twittere Instagram– and ourweb page.
Also read:
–The US Embassy will answer your questions about visas and procedures
–The consul responds / Do I need an interview for the visa?