Airport Scam

tomtom33 says on Mar 13, 2006, 03:10:

You lost me here. If at any time during your stay in country you missed an expiry date, you get fined. You also have the 180-days in one year rule. Even if you have time left on your last stamp, you could be fined if you exceed the 180 days. The DAS agents stamping passports upon entry do not usually have the time or the inclination to review your total time in country.

You should have called her "estupida." As wrong as any government official may be(and they are generally always wrong), it is not a bright idea to argue with them.

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Lostgringo says on Mar 13, 2006, 08:08:

stay in Colombia That is what I was trying to explain. I never overstayed as you are allowed 6 months in a calendar year. And, because I left the country I was allowed another 60 days on my visa when I returned, plus another 6 months. That is what DAS stamped on my passport when I returned to Bogota. I could have stayed another 6 months in 2006. Yes, I know I should not have called her stupid and I knew what I was doing too. Sometimes I have problems with my anger when I get frustrated. I hate being taken advantage of. I posted this because I wanted to warn others...and I left out an important point. Keep all your receipts for DAS handy so you can show them at the airport. Very important!

Your Home Away from Home www.welovebogota.com and www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartments and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy! 24/7 hour security.http://www.monsterrakebacks.comCome gamble and get money back!

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Gator says on Mar 13, 2006, 08:36:

Keep Your Big Mouth Shut and... smile, smile, smile. Like being stopped by the police and calling the officer with the ticket book. "" Asshole."

BTW you are allowed exactly what the nice DAS agent says you are allowed-kinda like entering the USA

"Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscripti catapults habebunt."

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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adrimm says on Mar 13, 2006, 11:34:

Ha.. you must have met the same woman my mother did While the circumstances are different I doubt a letter would have helped... it didn't for a more minor issue:

My mother went off to Colombia with a letter from the Colombian consul stating that it was ok for her to enter on her Canadian passport. She too was escorted away to the DAS office and "lectured to" by "la vieja de DAS" for 20 mins about why she should have had her Colombia passport, *even* tho she presented a letter sent to her by the Colombian consul.

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platano says on Mar 13, 2006, 17:57:

The word "estupido" is much stronger than "stupid" in English.. It carries much more offense and intensity... like saying in English "you brain-dead bitch"

Big mistake to use that word.

plátano

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poco says on Mar 13, 2006, 18:55:

I agree with Platano,,, gezzzz, don't argue with folks Stay cool,, I've NEVER seen anyone,, let alone at a DAS location argue or raise their voice,, it is extremelly bad behavior,, bad, bad, bad.

Look at your passport. There should be a stamp that looks like this.



Note where is says October 10, 2005 directly opposite it says: 90 Dias. So,, I need to leave in 90 days,, or January 10, 2006. I’ve never had them “count days”, like 28 in February,, but they CAN AND DO when and if you get an extension.

If there is NOT a stamp or they DO NOT PROPERLY stamp your passport or fail to stamp it,, or ANYTHING that keeps them from reading the stamp,, then go to DAS at the airport and get a stamp. Better to deal with them at the DAS office window and NOT the exit line.

When you come into Cali and probably Bogota they can (they don’t like this, think they check for ear rings), DAS can give you another stamp at ANOTHER LINE that is NOT the entry line. I’ve had this done before to increase the entry days given from 60 to 90. Having watery eyes and a plea that it will be difficult to leave your GF's family in podunk Colombia and travel by yourself because she is needed to watch her dying mother helps, BUT NEVER, NEVER appear you think they should restamp,, NEVER.

Although some say that the 180 day max. entry time starts with the FIRST entry stamp I’ve found this NOT TO BE THE CASE. Two years ago on Dec. 15th I needed 30 a thirty day extension,, NOPE, because on December 28th I’d been in the country 180 days that year. That was Cali,, I didn’t want to leave,, damn,, miss Christmas !!! I tried 2 other DAS offices in two other cities,, same thing,, not only do they count,, but damn if they don’t do it correctly.

Every office told me the same thing. Come back January 1. I looked at my last entry stamps. If they calculated by date of entry then I would have been given 220 days in country when I entered. Also DAS would NOT have given me a 30 day extension in January 2006. Hey,, this is Colombia,, you do what they say but I calculate by Year and if they someday said NO,, leave,, I’d get on a plane.

BTW: I doubt you can obtain the 90 days. Only those of impeccable taste with an air of confidence and w/o a tongue ring will get this prize.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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bickerss says on Mar 16, 2006, 12:16:

Can someone tell me when the 1 year starts (ie for the 180 days that are aviable to stay). Does it work on when you first arrived in Colombia, or does is it a financial or calander year. (I am assumeing that it starts from your first entry date and the years continue from then)

Thanks

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NewBoy says on Mar 16, 2006, 12:44:

bickerss "I am assumeing that it starts from your first entry date and the years continue from then"

That is correct.

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poco says on Mar 16, 2006, 13:56:

Try this for more than the initial year That is correct.

Don't count on it,, ie: have a plane reservation.

Jan. 1 to Dec. 31st. Entry may NOT be a problem, they check pretty quick,, the problem will be extensions, they check really slow,, Usually you come back in a week.

I'd love to see this on an official document, spanish or english. Forgot: They won't look at anything in English.

I'll ask again: Does anyone know what "new" item can be requested by DAS.. I'll give you a break,, name something unusual.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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bickerss says on Mar 17, 2006, 07:19:

Thanks newboy

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Lostgringo says on Mar 17, 2006, 12:14:

Everything was in order My passport was stamped correctly. DAS in Bogota would not let me pay for an extension as all was in order. My visa was extended because I left for Cuba and returned to Bogota. However, DAS at the airport had other ideas! What can go wrong in Colombia will go wrong! One hand does not know what the other hand is doing. Also, because I was in Bogota at the start of a new year I am allowed another 6 months..i.e., calendar year. Like I mentioned above, keep all of your receipts handy and get as much in writing as you can. Also, make sure you actually go through customs early as you could be delayed because of all this nonsense. Bickers, where are you now???

Your Home Away from Home www.welovebogota.com and www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartments and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy! 24/7 hour security.http://www.monsterrakebacks.comCome gamble and get money back!

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poco says on Mar 17, 2006, 18:24:

Truer words were never spoken One hand does not know what the other hand is doing

You got that right.

DAS rotates immigration office officials (guys that review and stamp),, I think,,, every six months?

PS: Don't like the answer,,, try the office in another town. Hasn't worked for me but that wouldn't keep me from trying it again. Arguements are a waste of time.

Not necessary but you should keep a "third" copy of any documents they request. INCLUDING the BanCafe payment receipt. Never had any problem,, but like stated,, you never know.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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Jlove says on Mar 21, 2006, 09:49:

DAS does run scams but you can not win the argument with them. They were running a similiar scam in Cali's airport and you had to pay to leave or got o DAS to take care of it. PAy money. When I entered, I same a room full of blue passports. TAxation. They is tehy way I looked at it and moved on.

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