Embassy of the United States

Most applicants are required to appear personally at the Consular Section to apply for a U.S. visa. However, certain applicants may be exempt from that requirement based on their age.

NOTE: The Personal Appearance Waiver (PAW) process takes approximately 3 weeks. If there is an urgent need to travel to the United States, please click “Back” and select a standard interview appointment category.

Applicants who may present the application without an interview must meet the following age criteria:

Minor children under the age of 14 (0-13)

• Must be a resident in Colombia
• Applying for Business/Tourism (B1/B2) Visa
• If the applicant has been refused a visa, must have been subsequently issued a U.S. Visa

NOTE: Applicants will not qualify and will need to schedule an appointment if they have a parent that is a legal U.S. resident or a parent that is an U.S. citizen

Persons over the age of 80

• Must be a resident in Colombia
• Applying for Business/Tourism (B1/B2) Visa
• If the applicant has been refused a visa, must have been subsequently issued a U.S. Visa

The application package must include:

• Applicant's valid passport with at least 6 months validity
• The DS-160 visa application confirmation page
• MRV fee payment confirmation
• One 5 x 5 cm (or 2” x 2”) color photo with white background taken within the last 6 months. Please click here http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3740.html  for photo guidelines.

Applicants under the age of 14 must include:

• A valid birth certificate
• A copy of the valid U.S. visa(s) belonging to any parent(s) listed on the birth certificate

Specific Visa Application Procedures

Every traveler to the United States, regardless of age, requires a visa to enter the United States if they do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program or otherwise qualify to travel without a visa.

If you wish to be assisted as a member of a special group and want to get an appointment on the same time and date with the other members of the group you must apply through the Special Groups Program. Click on the "Group Processing" option on the left-hand menu. In order to participate in this program all the applicants will have to be officially registered at the responsible organization. All the applicants must have the same itinerary of trip to and from the United States.

Excursion groups organized by travel agencies are not eligible to participate in this Program. Family groups cannot use this program, but should request appointments to apply together.
PROCEDURE FOR APPLICANTS WHO DO NOT REQUIRE AN INTERVIEW:

• Complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application, DS-160 for each applicant. The application can be completed at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv. The DS-160 barcode number will need to be available for each application to schedule an appointment through this service.
• Proof that the visa application fee has been paid for each applicant.
• Applicants should NOT schedule an appointment during the online registration.
• Select a DHL location.
• Drop off the application package at a designated DHL location.
• If the visa is approved, applicants' passport, visa, and any applicable documents will be couriered based on applicants' choice of pick-up location. See Courier Information.

For more information about how to apply for a visa visit http://bogota.usembassy.gov/.

Visa Pick-Up Procedures:

• If the visa was denied: Applicant will be informed at the end of the interview and will immediately receive his/her passport and documentation, along with a letter of explanation for the basis of the refusal.
• If the visa was approved: The passport with the approved visa will be available for pick-up at the Courier Service location of choice in 3 weeks after the application package is received by the courier.
• If there is an urgent need to travel the Embassy recommends scheduling an appointment. In some cases, the Consular Section will contact the applicant to request a personal interview.

NOTE: When you receive your passport, please check the issued visa carefully. The Consular Section will replace the U.S. visa free of charge if your U.S. visa does not match the biographical information that you presented.

In this case, please bring your passport and visa to the Embassy Monday – Friday at 1pm. Otherwise, you will need to submit a new application for any changes to your biographical information.