Embassy of the United States

Consular Section

Ask the Consul

Ask the Consul is a collection of articles prepared by the Consular Section that cover a variety of subjects of interest for those who want to visit or live in the United States and for U.S. citizens in Colombia.

If you have a general consular question, please send it to us by e-mail at AsktheConsulBogota@state.gov. Then check this page frequently; we regularly post answers to new questions in the space below.

Important Note: Other than the questions we select to answer below, we DO NOT respond to questions sent to Ask the Consul. Please contact the American Citizen Services Unit, the Immigrant Visa Unit or the Nonimmigrant Visa Unit directly (using the links on the left) and follow the instructions on that unit’s web page in order to ask a question.

• How Can I Ensure I am Prepared For My Immigrant Visa Interview? June 1, 2008
  
  

• I have a document from the United States that I am trying to give to the Colombian government. A Colombian official said I first need to authenticate the document with something called an “apostille.” What is an apostille, and why do I need one? July 1, 2008.

  
  

• What’s the Summer Work/Travel Program all about. August 1, 2008
  
  

• I was approved for a tourist visa, but one of my family members was denied a tourist visa. Why? October 20, 2008?
  
  

• How long is my B1/B2 visa valid? October 24, 2008