Consuls of the US Embassy UU. in Colombia answers questions from Internet users of EL TIEMPO.COM
(You may be interested in: The consul responds / Do restrictions by covid-19 apply to me?).
I am processing my non-immigrant visa application to have it ready when the Consular Section in Bogotá resumes its services. I have many doubts about whether I should ask my family and friends for help, or even a professional. He heard many different points of view. What does the US Embassy recommend?
We are confident that you – and the vast majority of nonimmigrant visa applicants – they can process the U.S. visa application on their own, which we refer to as forms DS-160.
Each applicant is personally responsible for ensuring that the information on the form is accurate and, who knows your travel planes and personal information better than you do?
Although the DS-160 online form is in English, the website will provide you with one translation into Spanish if you place the mouse cursor over the questions.
Also, we have a video on our Facebook showing you the step-by-step process and information on how to apply for your visa in accordance with our campaign “Your visa, your procedure”.
(Besides: US Embassy UU. resolves your doubts about visas and procedures).
Parents of minors can process their children’s application. Similarly, we understand that adult children often help their parents who are older to complete the application. If anyone helps, simply register this information on Form DS-160.
If in the end you choose to use the services of a visa or travel agent, you should indicate the information of the person who helped you. However, be cautious with visa processors or agents who charge you for processing your application.
Go here to verify current visa application fees to avoid overpaying.
Headquarters of the US Embassy in Bogota
In addition, please note that information found outside of our official websites may be inaccurate or out of date. Consult only the official websites of the US Government. UU. when looking for information about the U.S. visa application process.
Unfortunately, there are people who will try to take advantage of the visa application process to collect your information, scam you, or involve you in fraud (usually without you separating it).
Read on fraud warningof the US Government UU. Protect your personal information from identity theft.
While most applicants aspire to tourist visas, there are more than 20 types of nonimmigrant visas, among all student, work, exchange visitor and investment visas.
The requirement to report if someone helped you process your application applies to all types of visas.
(Also read: Do you need a visa interview?).
If you do not report that you have completed your application for yourself, this could be denied. Even if you obtained your visa, it could be revoked if the US Embassy later found out that you did receive assistance and did not include it on Form DS-160.
For general information on the process, as well as required documents, visa fees, city scheduling and document delivery services, consult here .
Remember that, due to the covid-19 pandemic, the Embassy of the United States in Bogotá is currently scheduling appointments of non-immigrant visaonly for emergencies and other urgent travel.
For updated information on the status of our services and other news, periodically visible on social media –Facebook, Twitter e Instagram– and in ourswebsite.
Read also:
–EE. UU. the covid-19 vaccination campaign begins
–The consul responds / What happened to the pledge visa application?