Dealing with Col. consulates, specifically NYC and Chicago

2retirensa says on May 4, 2005, 05:45:

Call Mr. Vasquez Try this number to the consulate in Chi.
(312) 923-9141 Sr. Vazquez. He is the person in charge of Visas for Colombia. This is the direct line to his desk. The other # I have is (312) 923-1196. The guy that ans. doesn't know much, but if you get him frustrated enough, he sends you to the "top dog" because he doesn't know what to do with you.
I did leave a message, and Mr. Vasquez did return my call.
Maureen

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Lisa says on May 4, 2005, 06:07:

It Isn't As Bad As It Seems I am also working on getting my work visa to teach in Bogota, but I am dealing with the San Francisco Consulate. I have had good luck with emailing them. In SF no appointment was required--I went to ask some questions and only had to wait about 10 min. That was only because I wanted the one person that spoke English.
The cost is $205.00.
Don't know about the rest of the info--sorry!
Good luck to you!

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bkcarolina says on May 4, 2005, 08:44:

which consulate to deal with? i'm also interested in finding out if i have to deal with my local consulate or can go to another. i am moving to bogota in late july, and live in florida, so mia would be my local consulate, but i am planning to leave here end of may and spend summer in dc. can i deal with the dc or new york offices? i am worried i won't have the necessary paperwork together before leaving florida.

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Gomezman5 says on May 4, 2005, 09:14:

Cosulate Mentality "This is like a vacation. They pay for everything, - my house, my car, -- and I live like a queen."

The former Consul General of Guatemala to Chicago

I knew the vice council and secretary to the Consul General of Colombia and they had the same mentality.

These people have these jobs as a result of being politically connected to the president that is in power at the time of their service. They are rewards and nothing more. They do not even assis their own people in a manner that they should. They love going to receptions, and getting awards, and promoting their country. Albeit in the case of Colombia that is a bit of a challenge.

So Good Luck

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lpdiver says on May 4, 2005, 09:17:

I found The Colombian Consulate in Houston to be friendly, courteous, helpful, and courteous. If your having problems, perhaps you should look in the mirror while shaving for the source.

Tony

"cook some rice!"

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Gomezman5 says on May 4, 2005, 11:28:

Consulates in general.... are exactly what I said they are. I challenge you to call the Mexican consultate in Chicago. Try to find a real voice. When you consider that Chicago is has the second largest Mexican population in the United States, you would think they would be more service oriented. You would think. About the only thing they have done, is moved the consultae out of the luxurious downtown office building, to a remodeled building in the part of Chicago that is %75 Mexican/Mexican American.

I stand on my experience as a lawyer who has defended a lot of Latin Americans who have had problems here in Chicago. The consultates are horrible to their own people. Period. For example, they are supposed to visit their citizens while incarcerated...especially shortly after being arrested. They don't. They are also supposed to make sure that they are assisted in obtaining counsel. They don't. Nobody can tell me what these gusys are like. I have had more experience then you can imagine. Such idiots they are.

You should also know that consulates exist primarily in cities to service the needs of their citizens. Helping Americans get visas or conduct business is a distant function of the consulate. To prove my point, they only place consultes in cities where their citizens (national) reside in substantial number.They even close consultes where there is no further need for one. Of course they are kind to Americans. It's good P.R. But, they should tend to the needs of their nationals in a better manner. That is why they are located there in the first place. They are NOT there to act as an extension of their tourist industry.

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lpdiver says on May 4, 2005, 11:44:

And so the Houston consulate was doing their duty. Helping a citizen of their country get married. Maybe that is why they were good to me? Who knows. My experience is limited to three visits.

T

"cook some rice!"

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kernow62 says on May 4, 2005, 11:58:

Gomez I agree! The British Consulate didn't visit me in jail or obtain counsel for me, they were probably off having a cup of tea with Elmo.

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elmodefoque says on May 4, 2005, 12:02:

damn, kernow, how could you even think about some freaking consulado when Kat wants to call you her "daddy", shit, i'll be in the mens room chocking the chicken right now.

PROUD ENEMY OF THE RIGHT WING!!!!!! THANK YOU!

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kernow62 says on May 4, 2005, 12:49:

I can type with one hand. ;-)

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lpdiver says on May 4, 2005, 13:21:

I can type with no hands...jejeje

"cook some rice!"

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Gomezman5 says on May 4, 2005, 17:24:

Now Kernow Jail ? If you would have called me when your liberty was deprived, I would have been there in a flash. The hell with your consulate. I would have showed you how a good old fashioned conservative really comes through when needed......You would even have gotten a discount on you bill.

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kernow62 says on May 4, 2005, 18:38:

Didn't know you then, but send me a business card, I might need it one day. ;-)

I like that phrase "liberty deprived" = lawyer speak for "jail".

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Gomezman5 says on May 4, 2005, 19:07:

"Liberty Deprived" Actually, it was a term that some liberal created. A true conservative would have said "incarcerated". Now that word sounds brutal. Doesn't it?

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kernow62 says on May 4, 2005, 19:54:

Glad to see you are learning to speak like a liberal. Incarcerated isn't too far from incinerated really is it?

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lpdiver says on May 5, 2005, 03:35:

I prefer Freedom challenged.

Antony

"cook some rice!"

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kernow62 says on May 5, 2005, 04:24:

That covers too wide an range, it could simply mean the wife won't let me walk around outside in my underwear.

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lpdiver says on May 5, 2005, 04:32:

Underwear You own underwear?

T

"cook some rice!"

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kat1 (Moderator) says on May 5, 2005, 04:40:

yep,he owns silk ones and one with betty boo in it. :-)

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Saltador says on May 5, 2005, 07:14:

Colombian consulate in Chicago gomezman5 is exactly right about calling the Colombian consulate in Chicago. I'm surprised 2retirensa was able to get through. I called probably 10 times over a two month period. They would answer, ask what I wanted (a visa) and they would put me to voice mail. I'd leave a message, they'd never call back.
I researched what I thought I would need for a visa, then took a vacation day from work and drove the 2.5 hours to Chicago. Then I discovered they could not give me a visa without an appointment. So I made an appointment for 2 weeks later, took another vacation day, drove back and got my visa.
Fransisco Vasquez is indeed the person who you need to see, he was very good to me and helpful and if you can get an appointment with him you should be able to work through the whole process.

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Gomezman5 says on May 5, 2005, 18:16:

Exactly my point Saltador !!!! Your story is so typical of how ALL the Latin American consulates in Chicago operate. You should see what you go through with the Guatemalan and Mexican consulates. It is nearly impossible to talk to anyone in the Mexican consulates. Like I said, most of these guys are a bunch of highly paid politcal hacks that are nothing more than recipients of the spoils of the office of the president.

Vasquez is a nice guy. I might him on a few occasions. But, trying to talk to them is another story.

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gstern says on May 5, 2005, 18:33:

SF FWIW I found the consulate in San Francisco exceptionally good, professional and responsive. They answered my emails within 24 hours, answered the phone and addressed questions and issued my visa same day. Nothing but excellent service in SF.

Greg

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utopiacowboy says on May 6, 2005, 22:00:

I'm with Tony. No problems with the Colombian consulate in Houston. You do have to deal with the cards you're dealt - the consulate that serves your region of the US or Canada.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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