Immigrant Visas
Welcome
Welcome to the Immigrant Visa Unit of the U.S. Embassy in Colombia. Our office adjudicates all categories of immigrant visas. We encourage applicants to learn as much as they can about the laws, regulations and policies involved in processing an immigrant visa application.
These web pages are designed to help prospective immigrants understand the process and come to the visa interview prepared. Simply click on one of the links on the left side of the page to begin.
Immigrant Visa Applicants Must Complete Tuberculosis (TB) Testing During Medical Examination Process
Due to increased rates of TB infection in the U.S., the U.S. Government now requires more stringent testing and treatment of all applicants before they can immigrate to the U.S.
During the medical exam, the panel physician is required to test for TB.
Panel physicians must conduct tuberculin skin testing (TST) for all children aged two through 14 years of age to determine the necessity of chest X-rays. Families with children ages two through fourteen years of age must plan to be available in Bogota for an extra 4 days to determine if the children also need chest X-rays.
All applicants 15 years of age and older must undergo a chest X-ray before the medical examination can be completed. This requirement includes pregnant women, who can elect to undergo the chest radiograph while pregnant with double lead shielding over the belly, or they can choose to undergo the chest radiograph after the baby is born.
If the tests are positive for TB, they may require treatment before the applicant is eligible for a visa.
The Embassy has no control over the testing and treatment of TB. Applicants must work with the panel physician to complete all tests and TB treatments; applicants are responsible for paying all costs related to TB testing, examinations, and treatment.
U.S. Embassy Bogota Cautions Against Diversity Visa Scams
The U.S. Embassy in Bogota reminds Colombian citizens and residents to use caution when working with private entities to apply for visas to the United States, as reports of fraudulent e-mails, websites, and print advertisements offering visa services are on the rise.
Click here to learn more about the Diversity Visa Lottery and how you can protect yourself against fraud.