The Business Visa Program

Versión en español

Qualifications for Acceptance
How to Apply
Requesting an Appointment
Additional Information on Business Visas

The Business Visa Program facilitates visa issuance for employees of qualifying companies for the purpose of conducting business (meetings, training programs, trade fairs, etc.).

Qualifications for Acceptance

U.S., Colombian, multinational, or third country businesses may apply. Requirements are:

1. On-going, substantial business activity with the United States.

2. A minimum of 50 full-time employees based in Colombia on the company's payroll or a recommendation for entry into the program by CEA (Consejo de Empresas Americanas), the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce, or a recognized trade or industry association.

3. A security check by the Embassy.

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents to the Consular Section before one of the following deadlines:

April 30
August 31
December 31

1. A letter expressing interest in the program. Each company must also submit a letter with the hand-written and electronic signatures of a total of four executives responsible for travel arrangements. Please include the names and signatures of two company executives authorized to sign the letter for each visa application, as well as the names and signatures of two alternative executives who may sign in the absence of the principal representatives. In the event that the authorized representatives change, please inform the Consular Section in writing as soon as possible.

   Please note that each time an executive signs a letter requesting a visa for an employee, he/she is giving assurance that the employee will comply with the immigration laws of the United States and return to Colombia after the proposed trip. The Consular Section can only offer the Business Visa Program because of our confidence in the high ethical standards of the business community and its strong cooperation with the U.S.

2. A copy of the Chamber of Commerce registry with a list of the dates, places of birth, and cédula numbers of each person whose name appears on the registry (whether Colombian or foreign, including auditors).

3. Information about the total number of company employees and the number of employees that normally travel to the United States for training or business each year. Please also list the names and positions of each executive in the company.

4. If the company has less than 50 employees, a letter of recommendation from CEA, the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce, or a recognized trade or industry association.

What is an electronic signature

1. For the purposes of the Business Visa Program, an electronic signature is an e-mail account controlled and accessed by only one executive (this does not include the system administrator, who also has access to the e-mail account).

2. Each company must submit a letter with the hand-written and electronic signature of a total of four executives; two principal executives and two alternate executives, responsible for arranging business travel on behalf of the company (referred to as "responsible executives"). Each executive must also sign the letter by hand.

3. Companies who are already members of the Program must have four electronic signatures on file with the Embassy. They can be sent to the Embassy (at window 16, Monday through Thursday from 8:00AM to 11:00AM). Each executive must also sign the letter by hand.

Requesting an Appointment after Becoming a Member

1. A responsible executive from the company must request an appointment for any employee (who has not been refused a visa in the past) traveling on company business by sending such request to: BusinessBogota@state.gov (for business visa-related inquiries only). Please include the company name in the subject line.

2. The electronic signature of the responsible executive must correspond to that provided by the company.

3. We require 20 business days to schedule an appointment. Emergency requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

4. Requests must include the following information:
   • Names of applicants requesting visas

   • Purpose of travel and intended destination

   • Dates of intended travel.

Confirmation of Appointment

The responsible executive for the company will receive confirmation of a Friday appointment from the BusinessBogota@state.gov mailbox.

Visa Interview Fee

1. After receiving confirmation of the Friday appointment, the employee must go to Banco Union Colombiano to pay the US $100 interview fee and receive a bar code sticker.

2. Each branch office of Banco Union Colombiano has a list of companies participating in the program.

3. The bar code receipt will include all the personal information required for tourist visas, with the exception of the date of appointment.

Interview

1. Applicants must arrive by 8:00AM on the Friday of their appointment at window 16 and submit the following documents:
   1. A passport valid for six months or more and the previous passport if it contained a U.S. visa.

   2. A bar-code receipt for payment of the visa processing fee from Banco Union Colombiano.

   3. Application Form (DS-156) and Form DS-157 for male applicants between the ages of 16 and 45.

   4. A recent color photo, 5x5cm., taped to the application. Black and white photos are not acceptable.

   5. A letter, signed by the two approved company executives, listing the following information:
      1. Name and passport number of the employee.

      2. Length of time that the employee has worked for the company.

      3. Monthly salary.

      4. Position and brief description of the job.

      5. Purpose, duration and dates of the trip.

      6. For employees traveling for business or training: The company must state where in the U.S. the employee will go, the expected duration of the trip, and who will cover the cost of the business trip.

Other

Anyone whose application for a visa has ever been denied, does not qualify for this program.

If an employee does not return from the United States, the company will be held responsible and may be removed from the Business Visa Program.