Due to a variety of problems of Colombians with the appointment scheduling In some Colombian consulates in the United States, the Colombian government will begin to implement a new consular service system that is no longer by appointment but by shifts.
One of the consulates that will begin with this new shift system called “Pico y Cédula” is the Colombian Consulate in Atlanta (Georgia), starting Monday, April 1, 2024.
The consulate reported through its website that, from that date, no more appointments will be assigned, neither by phone, email, nor on the website.
The new “Pico y Cédula” system consists of all Colombians being served according to the final number of their identification card, Civil Registry, or Identity Card.
This innovative numerical system, used for years in some cities in Colombia to decongest traffic and be able to travel according to the license plate number, began to be used as a pilot plan two years ago in Bogotá for passport processing.
The system is already being used in several Colombian consulates in the United States.
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Without the need to go to unscrupulous processors
For years get an appointment with the Colombian consulate in Atlanta, had become a headache for Colombians, since it was impossible to get an appointment when the weekly appointment system was activated on the consulate's website.
Because of this, some people had to pay to get an appointment through brokers who generally advertise on social networks.
The consulate says on its website that: “to make it easier for users who come from far away, who are the majority, to do so when it best suits them, and to be attended to, without waiting to find an appointment or having to pay the unscrupulous processors , let's install the system Pico and Cédula ".
For his part, Henry Camargo, in charge of consular functions, told Enlace Latino NC , that this new appointment system, "is a plan that seeks to reduce waiting times and ensure that a person can carry out their procedures at our consulate without having to go to intermediaries."
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85 daily shifts
The consulate indicates that 85 shifts will continue to be served daily in order of arrival for the following procedures:
- passports
- ID cards
- Civil registers,
- Signature recognition in powers and permissions
- Certifications
- Faith of life
Consular attention will be from 8:00 am to 2.00:XNUMX pm
On the consulate's official Facebook page, a Colombian user expressed concern about the new appointment system in shifts.
The Colombian asked: “How are you going to accommodate family groups whose document numbers are different? Complicated and expensive to travel 8 hours and 3 different days.”
The consulate responded the following:
“We will assign the corresponding shifts according to the last digit of the ID of the head of the family, once the first degree of consanguinity is verified.”
No more appointments at Colombian consulates: How the “Pico y Cédula” system works
Starting April 1, 2024, Colombians will be served at the consulate in the following way according to the final number of their identity document:
MONDAY : users whose Identification Card, Civil Registry or Identity Card Colombians, end in 0 and 1
TUESDAY : users whose Identification Card, Civil Registry or Identity Card Colombians, end in 2 and 3
WEDNESDAY : users whose Identification Card, Civil Registry or Identity Card Colombians, end in 4 and 5
THURSDAY : users whose Identification Card, Civil Registry or Identity Card Colombians, end in 6 and 7
FRIDAY : users whose Identification Card, Civil Registry or Identity Card Colombians, end in 8 and 9
Latest appointment schedule consular
The Colombian consulate in Atlanta reported that the last appointment schedule will be for Thursday March 21 at 3:00 pm Colombians can also schedule the appointment through email: catlanta@cancilleria.gov.co from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
It is also indicated that adults over 65 years of age or people with a verifiable disability or emergency do not need to make an appointment. “To ensure your attention, we thank you for scheduling it.”
There will be no public attendance on March 28 and 29 as they are Holy Thursday and Friday.
Claim for ID cards and passports
According to the consulate, for claim ID card or passport already processed , no appointment required. Passports can be claimed after 15 days of processing up to 6 months. The original ID or password must be presented.
You can consult the requirements of a procedure in the website of the Colombian Consulate in Atlanta or by phone: +1 404 2543206. Make sure you have all the requirements with you before approaching the Consulate.
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In good time, the pico-id so one can do their respective procedures, before it was an odyssey to make an appointment
I hope they improve when you call and that they answer in a timely manner. Thank you