Visas/ Citizen Services - Text
Hello. I’d like to talk to you about the Consular Section and the Non Immigrant Visa Unit of the United States Embassy in Bogota, Colombia.
There has been a long history of deep, lasting ties between the United States and Colombia. However, the closest relations between countries are people to people, and international exchange is a great way to build people to people relations. Such exchange occurs when legitimate visitors come to the United States for tourism, to conduct business, to study, and to perform music or play a sport. The Consular Section of the United States facilitates this international exchange through our Non Immigrant Visa Unit, which receives tens of thousands of applications for tourist, student, business and other types of temporary visas. Though we encourage visitors of all types, we especially encourage Colombians to consider studying in the United States.
If you are considering study abroad, the United States is a terrific choice. We value the contributions of foreign students, and hope to see more. There has always been a tradition of strong educational links between Colombia and the United States. In fact, a number of Colombian politicians, civil servants, and other professionals have benefitted from an education in the United States.
You may be wondering, “Why should I study in the US?” There are many reasons. For one, there are a large number of choices; there are more than 4,000 institutions of higher learning in the United States. The enormous variety – in size, location, type of institution and academic programs offered – is immense. Whatever a student’s interest, whatever they are looking for in a study abroad experience, there is a program and a place for them in America. The quality of higher education in the United States is without parallel. Our colleges and universities have world renowned programs, state of the art facilities and dedicated faculty, many at the top of their respective fields. Also, our many programs offer flexibility that allows international students to tailor their course of study to their individual desires, interests and goals. In addition to learning a trade or a profession, study in the United States is the best way to get to know and understand America and Americans, rather than relying solely on media reports, or word of mouth.
The United States government sponsors several exchange programs that enable Colombian students to study at an American school or University. Such programs include the Fulbright Program which in 2008 funded approximately 66 Colombian students and scholars to study and conduct research in the United States, and the Martin Luther King Fellowship program that sponsors promising Afro-Colombian students to study English. There are a number of other opportunities for Colombians to have a cultural exchange in the United States, including the J-visa Summer Work Travel program and a youth exchange program that allows high school students to attend an American high school for a year. Between 2007 and 2008, we had an increase of 775 applicants for student or cultural exchange visas in Colombia and nearly 5% more of these cases were approved. More information about these programs is available on our website.
A brief note about applying for the visa: Over the past year, there has been relatively little wait time and applicants are able to get a visa appointment in one day. I want to remind you that visa issuance is determined by law, not by luck. Students must show that they are qualified for the program of study; that they can pay for their education; and that they plan to return to Colombia after completing their studies.
Although security must always be our first priority, we will also work every day to see that access to our country remains possible for legitimate travelers whose presence we encourage and value. Our actions are guided by a deep and abiding commitment to maintaining the openness of the United States, a commitment founded in the history of our nation. This fundamental commitment to maintaining the essential openness of the United States underpins our approach to border security and immigration.
Our commitment is about fostering exchange and building ties of understanding among members of our respective nations. My hope is that, for students considering study outside of Colombia, they will consider the United States and in fact choose an American college or university. Our pledge is that our door will be open, and we will support them by giving them prompt courteous and efficient customer service.
International education is important to America in so many ways. It is an expression of America’s fundamental character. America is a nation of nations. We have always welcomed immigrants and visitors of all corners of the globe, including of course Colombians, and look forward to continuing to do so.