Arriving in Colombia with visa

vicshere says on Jul 29, 2007, 14:20:

if you dont have a cedual how on earth did you get a resident visa and on top outside the country????????

listo

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wcarmack says on Jul 29, 2007, 15:07:

Doesn't the issuance of a visa come before the cedula in the case of person who is not a citizen of Colombia?

I know that my Colombia born daughter has been issued her first cedula from a Colombian Consulate in Canada.

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vicshere says on Jul 29, 2007, 15:21:

first question yes but not a resident visa
you need to get another kind of visa e.g. work, study, temporal etc.
a resident visa you apply for after 5 or 3 years of having one of the other visas first depending on the your situation

if you want us to help you... you really need to give us more information

listo

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Gator says on Jul 29, 2007, 15:25:

You MUST resister with DAS IN Cali within 15 days of entering the country. You can register with any DAS office as long as you meet the time frame-to me Cali would be the logical place. WhaT TYPE OF RESIDENT VISA DO YOU HAVE????

VICshare, I wondered the same thing since you mist have resided IN country for a certain number of years depending upon the visa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MRE, (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores) issues the resident visas. According to Article 51 of Decree Number 4000 of 2004 (Decreto Número 4000 de 2004), a resident visa (Visa de Residente Calificado) can be issued either by the Internal Working Group (Grupo Interno de Trabajo), as appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or by the Consular Offices of the Republic (Oficinas Consulares de la República) (Colombia 30 Nov. 2004). Resident visas can be issued to foreigners who have held a temporary visa for five years in a row, who have legally resided in Colombia during this time, and who submit their request at least 30 calendar days prior to the expiration of their current visa. Being on a spouse visa cuts that time to three years. The consulate can issue a resident visa PROVIDED he has been a resident of Colombia for five years.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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wcarmack says on Jul 29, 2007, 15:54:

Thanks for the responses folks. I have been making too general usage of the word "visa" I reckon.

We will be entering as retirees. Probably on a Pensionado visa. (TEMPORARY SPECIAL VISA (TS) or on a (TEMPORARY VISA FOR FATHER OR MOTHER OF A COLOMBIAN CITIZEN (TP) as defined by the Colombian Embassy in Canada.

Our intention is to stay permanently in Colombia.

Is a cedula issued after registering with the DAS within 15 days of arrival? (I am assuming that one must possess a cedula in order to have a Colombian bank accounts and carry on the affairs of day to day life - like having electricity, phones, and so on.)

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vicshere says on Jul 29, 2007, 16:22:

hey Gator
"Being on a spouse visa cuts that time to three years." its actually 2 years as I was told at MRE this past January....but the information is so fucked up who knows...as soon as my 2 years are up I will be knocking on doors to find the correct answer....I will post again in a year or so

wcar yes you must go to the das in Cali 15 days after you arrive in Colombia

listo

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Gator says on Jul 29, 2007, 18:46:

The Colombian "spouse" visa is initially issued for TWO years then must be renewed. Do NOT wait until it expires, allow sufficient time for the visa extension to be granted before the old one become invalid. After another year, THE THIRD YEAR, you may make application with MRE in Bogotá for a RESIDENT VISA. This is what I have. This visa has the following characteristics: allows multiple entrances, will expired if absence from the Colombian territory for TWO years, and you have the obligation to register with D.A.S, and obtain a “Cedula de Extranjeria�.

The resident visa has no expiration. So once you have it that's it. You must have the spouse visa for a total of three years before applying for residence through MRE Bogotá.

Sr Wcarmack, you will make application for a Cedula de Extranjeria(foreigner) You will neeed:
You will be required to appear in person at the DAS in order to supply fingerprints and to register for a Cédula. In order to register, each applicant must present the following documents:

1. Original Passport evidencing the appropriate visa;
2. "Certificate of Blood Group/RH Factor", which may be obtained at a Colombian medical center;
3. Three color photographs measuring 3 cm. x 4 cm. with white background;
4. Photocopy of the Cedula registration fee receipt (front and reverse sides) issued by the Central Bank of Colombia ("BANCAFE") in the amount of Colombian Pesos (COP)$86,400.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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wcarmack says on Jul 29, 2007, 18:52:

Thanks for the information everyone. It is appreciated.

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Gator says on Jul 29, 2007, 19:07:

Poco Mas:

You will first get a temporary residence cedula identification card called a Contraseña. Within about 30 days of registration you should receive the Cedula de Extranjeria . Both your visa and the Cédula will have the same expiration date.


In Cali their office is still at, I think, on Av. 3N. 50N-20 La Flora. Tel: 664.3808
I am relatively sure this is still correct but we have been away from Cali for several years. CALL FIRST TO MAKE SURE WHAT THE CALI OFFICE REQUIRES AND THE HOURS.

You may find it very difficult to open an account until you get the permanent cedula de E
so keep the ability to withdraw funds from ATM's until your banking situation is solidified.

Good luck

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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