Changes in Visa Application Procedures

Versión en español

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Colombia would like to announce important changes in procedures for foreigners traveling to the United States with visas. These new procedures will require people of all nationalities applying for Immigrant and Non-immigrant visas to be fingerprinted at the Embassy and to have their fingerprints scanned upon each arrival in and departure from the United States. These procedures are a coordinated effort by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State.

As of March 15, 2004 the Embassy will no longer accept visa applicants without an appointment. Applicants who are revalidating their visas or who have received a letter under Section 221(g) must make an appointment through the Call Center. The Call Center will begin accepting call on March 16, 2004 for appointments beginning on April 1, 2004.

On January 5, 2004, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) instituted at all U.S. airports and seaports the electronic fingerprint scanning of all U.S. visa holders as they apply for entry into the United States and when they depart the United States with a visa. This program is called US-VISIT: United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology. By October 2004, the Department of State (DOS), through its Embassies, will be required to fingerprint all applicants for Immigrant and Non-immigrant visas. Each Embassy will begin fingerprinting of visa applicants as the technology is installed at each post. The Embassy in Bogotá expects to begin fingerprinting Colombian applicants on May 17, 2004.

These new procedures will improve the security of U.S. citizens and visitors to the United States; facilitate legitimate travel, tourism and business, and help protect visitors from identity theft and other security threats.

This coordinated program will consist of the following three steps:

• Beginning on May 17, 2004, all Colombians and persons of other nationalities applying for U.S. Immigrant and Non-immigrant visas must be fingerprinted. Each applicant will place the two index fingers on a glass scanner and his/her prints will be electronically scanned (without ink). The applicant's fingerprints will be immediately checked against records of fingerprints in the United States as well as stored in a separate database. We estimate that the entire process will add approximately 30 seconds to the length of the interview. All applicants must be fingerprinted, whether they are issued or refused visas. At this time there is no extra charge to the applicant for this new procedure.

• Applicants who are issued visas and who travel to the United States will then have their fingerprints scanned electronically and their digital photo taken as part of the DHS immigration inspection. Together with the standard information gathered from a visitor about his/her identity and travel, the new program will verify identity and compliance with visa and immigration policies. This procedure will add 30 seconds to the inspection process.

• Upon each departure from the United States, visitors will check out at self-service kiosks by scanning their visa or passport and repeating the electronic fingerprinting process. The departure confirmation will be added to the visitor's travel records to demonstrate compliance with U.S. immigration laws. Please note that not all ports of exit have the kiosks installed, in the case of departure from a port without this technology, passengers will not be penalized for failure to check out under US-VISIT.

All data obtained from the visitor is securely stored as part of the visitor's travel record. This information is made available only to authorized officials and selected law enforcement agencies responsible for ensuring the safety and security of U.S. citizens and foreign visitors. There are no plans or agreements to share fingerprints with any foreign government.

The following reflect the significant changes that biometrics will have on the Revalidation and Personal Appearance Waivers:

• March 1, 2004 will be the final date to submit a passport for revalidation to an authorized travel agency.

• March 15, 2004 will be the final date to submit a passport for revalidation directly to the Consular Section of the Embassy in Bogotá.

• As of March 1, 2004, applicants who wish to revalidate their visas after March 15th must purchase a PIN number from any branch of Banco Colpatria (which costs $36,500 pesos or $47,800 pesos). With this PIN the applicant may request an appointment at the Embassy through the Call Center. Appointments at the Embassy for revalidations will begin on April 1, 2004. After scheduling your appointment, you must pay the visa application fee at a Banco Union Colombiano. The fee is the Colombian peso equivalent of $100.00 for each applicant. The Bank will issue an adhesive receipt with a bar code which will indicate the date and time of the interview. That receipt is non-transferable and is valid until the date of the interview. There is no reimbursement for loss or theft. Applicants must also fill out a visa interview request form (DS-156), which is also available from the Bogota branch of the Banco Union Colombiano or upon arrival at the Embassy. Males ages 16 to 45 must also complete and sign form DS-157. This form is also available at the Banco Union Colombiano, upon arrival at the Embassy or on-line.

• Children 13 and under and adults 80 and over, who meet specific criteria, may be eligible for a Personal Appearance Waiver.

Individuals with valid visas do not have to come to the Embassy to be fingerprinted until the visa expires and they want to apply for a new one.

The Consular Section will continue the practice of only revalidating Business Visas (B-1) or Tourist Visas (B-2) Visas until March 1. 2004 (through travel agencies) and until March 15th (personally) if the original issuance was a multiple-entry visa, with a minimum of one year's validity. Visas with more than six months' validity remaining may not be revalidated.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we implement this new security measure.

Further information can be found by visiting the Department of Homeland Security website at www.dsh.gov/us-visit.

Bogotá, D.C.
January 28, 2004