Consuls of the US Embassy. UU. In Colombia they answer questions from EL TIEMPO.COM internet users
(You may be interested in: The consul responds / Do I need to ask for help to apply for the visa?).
I applied for an US tourist visa. UU. And I paid the fee in late February 2020. Due to the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on the consular services of the US Embassy. UU. Here in Bogota, my appointment for the interview was canceled. Do you know when they will resume interviews for nonimmigrant visa applicants? I understand that the payment of the visa fee expires, is that true? If so, could I get a refund?
We still don’t know when local conditions allow that the US Embassy. UU. resume the usual visa services of non-immigrant. Our priority is the health and safety of you – our applicants – and our staff, as together we face the challenges of the covid-19 pandemic.
Generally, the Nonimmigrant Visa Application Fee (MRV) is valid for scheduling an appointment for one year from the date of payment.
However, given the impacts of covid-19 on consular services, the State Department has extended this period. until December 31, 2021. If this is the case, for example, if you paid a fee in February 2020 you can use it to schedule an appointment until December 2021, meaning you have more than 22 months from the date you paid.
(Also read: The consul responds / Do restrictions for covid-19 apply to me?).
The nonimmigrant visa application fee covers our application processing costs. So, we do not make 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 apply for a visa again, you must make a new application and pay another fee.
Also, the fee is paid to apply for a visa in a specific country – for example, Colombia – and therefore cannot be used to schedule an appointment in a different country. Enter herefor more information on nonimmigrant visa application fees, in addition to the above terms and conditions of payment.
Headquarters of the United States Embassy in Bogota
If your appointment was canceled,you can reschedule using our visa information and appointment system page. However, please note that we do not yet know when we will resume regular services, so the appointment may be canceled again.
Meanwhile, due to the current pandemic of covid-19, lat the US Embassy. UU. in Bogota is scheduling non-immigrant visa appointments only for emergencies and other urgent travel. The circumstances that could be considered for an emergency appointment are:
a. The death of an immediate relative, a serious illness, or a fatal accident that occurs in the United States.
b. Urgent medical treatment for the applicant or their minor child.
c. Student visa applicant (F / M) who has an I-20 with a start date prior to the first available visa appointment.
d. Other cases that the Embassy considers to be emergencies or are of US national interest. UU.
For news on the status of our services and other news, please follow us on our social networks – Facebook,Twittere Instagram– and oursWeb page.
Also read:
–US Embassy. UU. Resolve your doubts about visas and procedures
–The consul answers / Do I need an interview for the visa?